Here are some stories from some of the places I have been
to recently, starting with my first travel experiences in September
of 2004, and listing my most recent travel experiences at the bottom:
|
SAN FRANCISCO 2008 |
| "Presenting:
San Francisco - City by the Bay - Part I" |
| "Presenting:
San Francisco - City by the Bay - Part II" |
|
|
NIAGARA FALLS - BUFFALO
2007 |
| "Hello
from Niagara Falls, Ontario: An Uplifting Experience" |
| "Hello
from Niagara Falls, Ontario - A City of Lights and Magic" |
| "Hello
from Niagara Falls: Getting up close with the Great Falls" |
| "Hello
from Niagara Falls: Bird Kingdom and Oh Canada Eh?" |
| "Hello
from Niagara Falls: Luxury and coziness at Kilpatrick Manor
B&B " |
| "Hello
from Niagara Falls: Clifton Hill and a bit of gambling" |
| "An
interview with Niagara Falls Tourism" |
| "Hello
from Buffalo: The Elmwood Village Inn" |
|
|
AUSTRIA 2007 |
| "Hello
from Austria: Austria 2007 - Going back to my roots" |
| "Hello
from Austria: Arrival and first impressions" |
| "Hello
from Austria: Our hiking trip through Styria's vineyards" |
| "Hello
from Austria: Exploring one of Austria's most famous limestone
caves" |
| "Hello
from Austria: Hiking the Raab River and exploring the provincial
capital of Graz" |
| "Hello
from Austria: A day trip to Slovenia and Italy - Monte Lussari" |
| "Hello
from Austria: Classical music, reunions with old friends and
a final BBQ" |
| "Hello
from Austria: Medieaval history at the Riegersburg and a reluctant
goodbye" |
|
|
ONTARIO 2005 - 2008 |
| "Hello
from Ontario: Landfall Farm B&B in Port Perry" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: The Garden House B&B in Owen Sound" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: Exploring Victorian beauty in Owen Sound" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: A driving tour around the Niagara Escarpment" |
| "Hello
from Lake Ontario's Waterfront Trail - exploring Pickering and
Ajax" |
| "Hello
from the Kawarthas - Early fall colours, scarecrows and frogmen"
|
| "Hello
from Toronto's St. Lawrence Market - A culinary history tour"
|
| "Hello
from Caledon, Elora & Guelph - Fall colours, ghosts and
ghouls" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: Exploring downtown Barrie and making a German-Trinidadian-Austrian
connection" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: Our beautiful winter getaway at Nicholyn Farms
Bed and Breakfast" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: Snowtubing at Horseshoe Valley and an overview
of Ontario's winter getaways and activities" |
| "Hello
from Buffalo and the Niagara Peninsula" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: A country driving tour through Creemore, Collingwood,
Wasaga Beach and Orillia" |
|
|
TORONTO 2005 - 2007 |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Taking My Visitors on a Driving Tour" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Exploring the Waterfront by Bycicle and the CN
Tower" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: A Tour through Niagara Wine Country" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Visiting High Park and Toronto's West End Neighbourhoods" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Novice golf and a Kawartha Lake Region tour" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - The Gooderham & Warts Distillery" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - Toronto Island (1)" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - Toronto Island (2)" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - Toronto's St. James Cathedral" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - The Royal York Hotel" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - The St. Lawrence Market (1)" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - The St. Lawrence Market (2)" |
| "T.O.
History Revisted - The Gooderham (Flatiron) Building" |
| "T.O.
History Revisited - Toronto's most haunted street corner" |
| "Ignite
the Night - A Toronto circus night benefits street children
in Cusco" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Doors Open 2006 - Toronto's architecture festival
is a resounding success" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Music, food and fun at the Taste of Little Italy" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: the Toronto International Dragonboat Festival
2006" |
| "Hello
from Ontario: Skydiving - for a great cause" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Summerlicious 2006: Toronto's restaurant festival" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: the 2006 Toronto Street Festival and Afrofest" |
| "Hello
from Toronto - Winter Images - High Park & the Beaches,
starring the Leuty Lifeguard Station" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: T.O. sizzles in the summer" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Detailed explorations of Toronto's Distillery
District" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: Casa Loma and Sir Henry Pellatt - fascinating
Toronto history" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: First-hand explorations of the nooks and crannies
of Casa Loma" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: A behind-the-scenes look at the Royal York Hotel" |
| "Hello
from Toronto": The Outer Limits - Linking Toronto
and Kolkata and changing lives" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: A cycling tour covering Riverdale, Cabbagetown,
Queens Park and Harbourfront" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: A bicycle tour to the Toronto Islands" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: A cross-city cycling tour, Salsa on St. Clair
and multiple free concerts" |
| "Hello
from Toronto: A walking tour of Chinatown and Kensington"
|
| "Hello
from Toronto: Exploring Toronto with Sights on Bikes" |
|
|
SICILY 2007 |
| "Hello
from Sicily: My three-week Italian language learning adventure" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Arrival in Taormina and first impressions" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: An interview with the Sciglio family who runs my
small hotel" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A hike to Castelmola and some Sicilian delicacies" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: An excursion into antiquity: Siracusa" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: My language studies begin" |
| "Hello
from Sicily:A driving tour around Mount Etna" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A personal history lesson about the Mafia" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A Sicilian cooking class and enjoying an 8-course
meal" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Pottery painting lessons and a hike up the flanks
of Mount Etna" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Goobye Taormina - hello Milazzo" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Our sailing trip to the Eolian Islands begins" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Discoveries of Lipari to Salina" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A driving tour of Salina, "Il Postino"
and language lessons" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Stromboli and carabinieri in golfcarts" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Picturesque Panarea and a feast in Lipari" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A hike to the Gran Cratere of Vulcano and a magical
evening" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: Goodbye Vulcano, playful dolphins and a catch of
tunas" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A walking tour of Milazzo" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A train trip to the medieval city of Cefalu" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: A driving tour into the Nebrodi Mountains and snapping
some locals in Montalbano" |
| "Hello
from Sicily: My final day - discoveries of Catania" |
|
|
NOVA SCOTIA 2006 |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: My 5 whirlwind days exploring Nova Scotia
and Halifax" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Acadian history at the Grand Pré National
Historic Site" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: 400 years of history at Annapolis Royal" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Port-Royal , a French habitation from 1605" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Dinner at the Garrison House in Annapolis
Royal" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The Garrison House Bed and Breakfast" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Explore the Evangeline Trail to Yarmouth" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Learning about Mi'kmaq heritage at the Bear
River First Nation Heritage and Cultural Center" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Victorian heritage in Yarmouth" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The MacKinnon-Cann Inn: Where Home and Garden
Television meets the Travel Channel" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scota: Yarmouth explained - the Yarmouth County Museum" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: My car is in the ditch in Chebogue River" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The Lighthouse Trail from Yarmouth to Shelburne" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The Lighthouse Trail from Shelburne to Lunenburg" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The Town of Lunenburg - a UNESCO World Heritage
Site" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: An interview with the owners of the Lunenburg
Inn" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: The Lighthouse Trail from Lunenburg to Halifax
via Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Arrival in Halifax and a stunning musical
performance - DRUM!" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: A Halifax city tour, the city's connection
to the Titantic and the 1917 Halifax Explosion" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: Exploring the Halifax Harbourwalk and Pier
21 - Canada's immigration museum" |
| "Hello
from Nova Scotia: A ferry ride to Dartmouth and saying goodbye
to Halifax" |
|
|
MONTREAL 2006 |
| "Hello
from Montreal: A summary of my 4-day explorations" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: An interesting train ride and first impressions" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Getting the lay of the land in a driving tour" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Dinner and a little jazz at Modavie" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Reliving history with the Old Montreal Ghost
Tour" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Architectural discoveries in the Old Montreal
Walking Tour" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Exploring the Chateau Ramezay during a torrential
downpour" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Mexican delights at La Iguana & a peak at
the Jazz Festival" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: A guided bicycle tour exploring Montreal neighbourhoods" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Biking on the Lachine Canal - Industrial History
turned into recreational opportunity" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: A chat with André Giroux from Ça
Roule about Bicycling in Montreal" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Savouring Italian cuisine at Galiano's" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Exploring the Olympic Stadium, the Botanical
Garden plus the Insectarium and outdoor action at the Jean Talon
Market" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: A Peruvian immigrant success story at Restaurant
Mañana" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Friendly neighbourhood encounters on Square St.
Louis" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Exploring the Casino de Montreal" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: Gourmet dining at Nuances and amazing fireworks
at La Ronde" |
| "Hello
from Montreal: A final walk to discover amazing architectural
beauty" |
|
|
OTTAWA 2005 -2007 |
| "Hello
from the Ottawa River: How the River Kicked My Ass" |
| "Hello
from the Ottawa River: Reflections on City Life" |
| "Hello
from the Ottawa River: Mating in the Wild and Other Diversions" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - My packed 2-day itinerary for Winterlude" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - First impressions and an overview" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - The Mardi Gras experience at Fat Tuesdays"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa - An early morning walk to Parliament Hill"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa - A perfect winter adventure: Skating on the Rideau
Canal Skateway" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - The 26th Annual Bedzzz Race at Dow's Lake"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa - Confederation Park and other Winterlude locations"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa - Darcy McGee's: a historic Irish pub on Sparks
Street" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - The Lord Elgin Hotel - A historic landmark in
the heart of Ottawa" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - The Canadian Museum of War and 'Weapons of Mass
Dissemination' " |
| "Hello
from Ottawa - The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
and Sunil Gupta's photographic explorations of the immigrant
experience" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Overview of my adventures during the 2006 Tulip
Festival" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: A first walk down-town to check out contemporary
photography" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Doubling up on antiquity at the Canadian Museum
of Civilization" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Aboriginal cuisine at Sweetgrass" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: The historic McGee's Inn - 2 couples come together
to become hospitality entrepreneurs" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Fatal Attraction at the Canadian Museum of Nature"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Gatineau Park - an easily accessible nature experience"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Reporting live (on TV!) from Major's Hill Park"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Bistro 115 - Authentic French-Canadian fare in
the ByWard Market" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: A historic train travel experience on the Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield
Steam Train" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: History and luxury at the Wakefield Mill Inn &
Spa" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: The splendour of tulips at the Casino du Lac-Leamy"
|
| "Hello
from Ottawa: A parade of boats and an interview with the organizers
of the Tulip Festival" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: The Sheep Shearing Festival and learning about
wool" |
| "Hello
from Ottawa: Cows, sheeps and tractors - The Canadian Agriculture
Museum" |
|
|
MEXICO 2006 |
| "Mexico
2006 - My cultural immersion experiment" |
| "Hello
from Mexico City - First impressions" |
| "Hello
from Mexico City - A skyscraper, a little horse and a government
pawn shop" |
| "Hello
from Mexico City - The Zocalo, the Cathedral, a healing ritual
and university dedicated to a 16th century female poet" |
| "Hello
from Mexico City - A relaxing evening in Coyoacan" |
| "Hello
from Mexico City - Exploring the Paseo de la Reforma, the Bosque
de Chapultepec and a nice evening in San Angel" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - Arrival in Cuernavaca" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - Getting to know my B&B hostess Marta Elena
- a true riches to rags story" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - The Robert Brady Museum and the Jardin Borda" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - A lovely dinner at Marta Elena's" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - An excursion to Las Estacas, checking out
orchids and a meeting at El Cafecito" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - An excursion to Lake Tequesquitengo and a
visit to the doctor" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - A conversation with Andy Grater, local B&B
owner and President of Cuernavaca's Newcomers Club" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - A presentation about ecology at the Newcomer's
Club Meeting" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - Opening of a South African photo exhibition
and a visit to the Palacio de Cortes" |
| "Hello
from Taxco - The city that silver built" |
| "Hello
from Taxco during Semana Santa - The famous Palm Sunday Procession" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - A new language school, visiting 'Casa Vamos'
and an evening with a very sad ending" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - My most intense day so far: more language
studies, 3 interviews, a guided eco-hike and dinner at the Marco
Polo" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - A day outing to the enchanting mythical village
of Tepoztlan" |
| "Hello
from Cuernavaca - My last day of school and a visit to the Cuernavaca
Spring Fair" |
| "Hello
from Taxco - A visit to Taxco's famous Good Friday processions
- a truly eerie experience" |
| "Hello
from Taxco and Cuernavaca - Interviewing one of the Penitentes
and my last day in Mexico" |
|
|
CANADIAN ROCKIES 2006 |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies: An overview of our Alberta discoveries" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - First Impressions of Calgary" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Canada Olympic Park" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Dinner at Il Giardino & meeting
one of Calgary's most successful entrepreneurs" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Lunch at Indochine Bistro, featuring
Kevin Nguyen: from Vietnamese boatperson to successful Calgary
restauranteur" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Our celebrity breakfast at the Twin
Gables B&B" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Exploring Banff and the Fairmont
Banff Springs Hotel" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Skiing at Norquay" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Skiing at Sunshine Village" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Exploring the Fairmont Chateau Lake
Louise" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Skiing at Lake Louise" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Dogsledding with Snowy Owl Adventures" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - Taking the Banff Gondola up to Sulphur
Mountain" |
| "Hello
from the Canadian Rockies - A final walk through Calgary" |
|
|
ORLANDO 2005 |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Orlando - Off the Beaten Path" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: The Orange County Regional History Center" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: The Well's Built Center for African American History
and Culture" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: An evening walk around Lake Eola" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: A walking tour of downtown Winter Park" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Yeeehaaw!!! Our high-speed adventure at Boggy
Creek Airboat Tours" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: A picnic in downtown Kissimmee" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Exploring scenic Mount Dora on the Herbie Express"
|
| "Hello
from Orlando: Orlando's Loch Haven Park - center of arts and
culture" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Orlando's historic neighbourhoods and parks" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Learning about the story of citrus at Florida's
Natural Visitor Center" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Serenity at the Historic Bok Sanctuary" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Central Florida - a haven for naturalists" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Central Florida - wildlife galore" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Our quick stopover in beautiful historic St. Augustine" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: The Ultimate Golf Theme Park" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Golf at ChampionsGate" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Golf at the Royal St. Cloud Links" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: Golf at Timacuan Golf and Country Club" |
| "Hello
from Orlando: The Walking Hall of Fame of the PGA Father Son
Challenge at ChampionsGate" |
|
|
CHICAGO 2005 |
| "Hello
from Chicago - First Impressions" |
| "Hello
from Chicago - What a fabulously photogenic city" |
| "Hello
from Chicago - Multiple Austrian connections" |
| "Hello
from Chicago - A personal tour through the Chicago Cultural
Center" |
| "Hello
from Chicago - A visit to the Pullman Historic District" |
| "Hello
from Chicago - Chinatown and Second City" |
| "Hello
from Chicago - The Field Museum and Pompeii - Stories from an
Eruption" |
|
|
BRITISH COLUMBIA 2005 |
| "Hello
from Victoria: Reaching the West Coast" |
| "Hello
from Victoria: Exploring Victoria and its Vicinity" |
| "Hello
from Vancouver: Arrival in Vancouver" |
| "Hello
from Vancouver: Wheeling around Stanley Park" |
| "Hello
from Vancouver: The Grouse Mountain Experience" |
| "Hello
from Vancouver: A Walking Tour Through the Downtown East Side" |
| "Hello
from Vancouver: Gastown and My Final Explorations" |
| "Hello
from Vancouver: Covering the SERVAS Conference" |
|
|
ROCHESTER 2005 |
| "Hello
from Rochester: The CAT - An Awesome Beast" |
| "Hello
from Rochester: A Perfect Getaway" |
| "Hello
from Rochester: Exploring ArtWalk - An Outdoor Art Experience" |
| "Hello
from Rochester: Discovering the Architectural Treasures Downtown" |
|
|
NEW YORK 2005 |
| "Hello
from New York City (1) - First Impressions of the Big Apple" |
| "Hello
from New York City (2) - Exploring Mid-Town Manhattan" |
| "Hello
from New York City (3) - Brooklyn Bridge, Ground Zero, Downtown" |
| "Hello
from New York City (4) - Staten Island and a Random Act of Violence" |
| "Hello
from New York City (5) - A Local Expert Takes Us Through Queens" |
| "Hello
from New York City (6) - Checking Out Coney Island and Harlem" |
| "Hello
from New York City (7) - Prospect Park & Washington Square
Park" |
|
|
CUBA 2005 |
| "Hello
from Cuba (1) - First Impressions" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (2) - Rain in Vinales" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (3) - Hiking Vinales and Exploring Nature" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (4) - Bureaucracy Galore - The University of Havana" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (5) - Another Mind-Twisting Experience" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (6) - The Student Experience and Political Insights" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (7) - Fun and Recreation" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (8) - Bicycle Rides, Camellos and Cannon Shots" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (9) - Havana Neighbourhoods" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (10) - A Country Excursion" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (11) - Inside a Cuban Home" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (12) - Contrasts and Contradictions" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (13) - Exploring Downtown Havana" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (14) - Field Trips and Interviews" |
| "Hello
from Cuba (15) - Getting ready to say 'Goodbye, Havana'..." |
| "Hello
from Cuba (16) - The final day" |
|
|
QUEBEC 2005 |
| “Hello
from Quebec (Magog) -1” |
| “Hello
from Quebec (Magog) -2" |
|
|
SPAIN 2004 |
| "Hello
from Barcelona" |
| "Hello
from Tarragona" |
| "Hello
from Javea" |
| "Hello
from Sitges" |
| "Hello
from Ibiza (1)" |
| "Hello
from Ibiza (2)" |
| "Hello
from Ibiza (3)" |
| "Hello
from Ibiza (4)" |
|
| |
MORE STORIES |
| "Doctors
without Borders: Visiting An Afghan Refugee Camp" |
| "Doctors
without Borders: El Salvador, After the Earthquake" |
| "Doctors
without Borders: Water for Ixtahuacan" |
| "Doctors
without Borders: Visiting MSF in Sierra Leone" |
| "Doctors
without Borders: Lost between River and Sky" |
| "Doctors
without Borders: Journey into the World of Humanitarian Aid" |
| "An
update from Mancora - Peru - Danielle Lafond settles in"
|
| "Scott
Rains visits the Monterey Aquarium" |
| "Scott
checks out the Adventures in Travel Expo" |
| "Scott
travels around the world with a can of beans" |
| "An
update from Mancora - Peru - Danielle Lafond's 2nd progress
report" |
| "Scott
reconnects with his Slovakian roots" |
"Stories
from Peru: The Inka Porter Project" |
| "Stories
from Peru: The Womens' Weaving Project" |
|
| |
When I travel abroad I usually try
to make it to an Internet cafe every couple of days to capture my
thoughts and experiences. I intentionally don't use a laptop
computer because I love that authentic feeling of having to scout
out an Internet cafe and then sitting in there and bringing my thoughts
to paper. Depending on the location, this often entails a more or
less arduous search for an Internet cafe, but somehow that is part
of the excitement of being far away from home and of having to dive
into the local geography to be able to get on the net.
For comments and suggestions or to
share your own experiences please 
