River Tubing on the Layou Dominica Like the Flow of Life

The gentle nudge into open waters reminds me of the birthing process.  I’m not sure if children choose to be born, but they are pushed out into this wild world without a paddle or a rubber tube. At least I had each of those on my river tubing adventure down the Layou River in Dominica.…

Read More

Bad Neighbours and Life Lessons in the Pastel Streets of Old San Jan

Oh the pastel streets of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, charming barely describes it. As I wander down Calle San Miguel, I veer off toward the colourful residential streets away from the Malecon. That too is a sight, but wait till you hear these stories, all occurring in the pastel streets of Old San Juan.…

Read More

Commensalism Imagine the Possibilities

Nature is a profound teacher. There is so much we humans can learn from her. Commensalism is just one concept that exists within the natural world that adds to our humanity. I walked into the enclosed courtyard of the Museo de San Juan in Puerto Rico. The bright yellow arched walls contrasted perfectly with dark…

Read More

Puerto Rico’s El Morro: A Fortified Adventure

The large expanse of green grass looked inviting under the Puerto Rican sunshine. I’d been here before, entering through the front of El Morro previously. This time I decided to explore El Morro in reverse. Perhaps that decision was a little flawed, but who would have guessed at the time.   Beginning our adventure at…

Read More

Bequia Took My Breath Away

The boat pulled into the dock revealing a sunlit morning, palm trees swaying in the light breeze and transparent turquoise waters clear as glass. “This is Bequia!” I thought, “Wow! I can’t believe I’m here!” I’d read about Bequia in a book called, Tales of Bequia by Thomas Carl Thomsen, while in my 20s, and…

Read More

You’ll Never Know What You’ll Find in Digby Nova Scotia

With no pre-planning or research we had set out on our Maritimes road trip ready to wing it and come what may. It was post-pandemic Summer 2022 and people still weren’t travelling as much. Most days therefore worked out fine and we were able to find accommodation on the fly, most times. So with Google…

Read More

Danger and Wonder at Peggy’s Cove Nova Scotia

I decided to forego the curved pathways that snake their way towards the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, and walked the giant granite rocks carved by the ocean over hundreds of years, into smooth gently ambling shapes. The Atlantic air was fresh and warm, not cold and blustery as would be expected in winter. Stratus clouds…

Read More

Morning Coffee in Florence Full of Possibilities

It has been a few years since I’ve been in Florence, but the memories are as fresh as my morning coffee, that is full of possiblities. Having just arrived the night before, I walked with my best friend along the narrow streets to a cafe in Florence. Yes, that Florence! The one in Italy that…

Read More

Abigail’s Tea House A Cozy and Elegant Afternoon

It was a rainy spring day, the kind tailor-made for an unrushed cozyafternoon tea. And Abigail’s Tea House in St. George, Ontario was the perfectspot to indulge in some hygge and cozy relaxation over High Tea. The welcoming green door on the corner of Main St. in the quaint littletown of St. George is impossible…

Read More

Montefioralle A Tiny Italian Village Hidden Behind Stone Walls

In Tuscany between Florence and Sienna you will find the prettiest tiny Italian Village tucked neatly behind stone walls. This is Montefioralle, a place that dates back to the 11th century where double stone walls were built in an elliptical shape as fortification against the marauders that existed in the Chianti area. Let me take…

Read More

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens A Secret Wonder

Just down the road from Niagara Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders, is a beautiful botanical garden with 99 lush acres of flowers, plants, trees and plenty of open spaces to wander and relax. The Niagara Parks Botanical Garden truly is a secret wonder, because when we visited, there were only a handful of…

Read More

Gage Park Greenhouse A Joyful Winter Respite

February in Canada brings some sunny days, but plenty of cold, often snow or at least rain of the freezing variety. Unable to escape to warmer climes means that we can find the tropics right here at the Gage Park Greenhouse in Hamilton, Ontario. This greenhouse is fairly new, having opened in March 2019. I…

Read More

I Wish I Knew: Bloganuary Day 5

Today’s Bloganuary prompt from WordPress is, What is something you wish you knew how to do. For me the biggest thing I wish I knew how to do would be to go back in time when international travelling was easier. Provided of course we don’t have to come back and live through all this madness…

Read More

Road Trip Dreams in Italy: Bloganuary Day 2

Today’s Bloganuary prompt from WordPress is, What is a road trip you would love to take? That’s easy peasy, because a road trip to anywhere conjures up great visions of summer freedom and fun. I have a romantic notion of road trips, the open road, rest stops along the way, naked feet up on the…

Read More

Help!

No this isn’t urgent, but I certainly can use your help in the form of advice. Lately I’ve been very conflicted about this site. As you may notice, I haven’t written in a while. Let me preface my plea by saying I live in a beautiful region where some cities and towns depend on visitors…

Read More

Things to Do and See in Bayfield Ontario

Bayfield Ontario is a quaint little village that sits perfectly on the shores of Lake Huron. Part of the Bluewater municipality, Bayfield has a population of about 1200 people, and the entire village was designated a heritage district in 1982.  It has a long history belonging to early Canadian settlers who travelled here along the…

Read More