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They finally cut them back! After a not‑so‑great stretch in the U.K. with my ex, I figured a change of scenery might help, so I tried another approach: Paris. City of love! what could possibly go wrong? It was my first time in the city, and honestly, how can anyone be cranky there? She found a way. Meanwhile, I was taking in the history, the long Haussmann boulevards, everything lined up perfectly, all of it pointing toward something awesome. We ended up on the Champs‑Élys

Our friends invited us to Eliovolpe on February 15th for a birthday—a small detour that turned into a solid night of good plates, warm company, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you stay a little longer.

The Drive That Wouldn’t End We were leaving Rome and heading toward Venice, with a one‑night stopover in northern Tuscany. It was supposed to be simple. Instead, it turned into the kind of night that becomes family legend. It was pouring — the only real rainstorm of the whole trip — and of course it hit on the night we had to navigate rural Tuscany. The GPS kept sending us down goat‑trail roads that barely existed, and cell reception flickered in and out just long enough to

I booked a last‑minute WestJet red‑eye from YVR to Costa Rica, with the return routing through Calgary. Because we booked so late, seat options were slim — the only way to sit together was row 20. I’d been reading all the chatter online about WestJet reducing seat pitch to 28 inches in Economy, which sounded brutal for a seven‑hour flight, so I threw in a bid for Premium. No luck. Row 20 it was. The flight itself was your typical redeye. The food was fine, nothing memorable,

Flying for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. The thrill of embarking on a new adventure often comes with a fair share of anxiety about the unknown. Whether you're heading to a tropical paradise or a bustling city, understanding the ins and outs of air travel can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. This guide will provide you with essential travel tips to help you navigate your first flight with confidence. FLYING INTO LIBERIA AIRPORT COSTA RIC

Le Crocodile has been part of Vancouver for so long it almost feels like it’s woven into the city’s routine—old‑school French, steady hands in the kitchen, and a history that includes chefs like Rob Feenie coming through before he became a name on his own. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t chase trends because it doesn’t need to; it just keeps doing what it’s always done. For our annual Christmas present to each other—just the two of us—we booked a night downtown and had di

When the skies turn gray and rain seems endless, a quick getaway to a sunny beach can feel like a breath of fresh air. That’s exactly what happened on a recent 10-day trip to Cabo- Marina Fiesta, booked on short notice with WestJet Premium Economy. This trip wasn’t just about escaping the rain; it was about enjoying the local culture, savoring generous meals, and soaking up the festive holiday spirit. Here’s a detailed look at how this beach escape turned into a memorable exp

This is the Halifax bomber one of few left after WW2

Off the mouth of the south arm of the Fraser River -Sandheads

I took Sandy to Elisa for her birthday. We invited a buddy of mine Ive known fifty years and his partner — the two of them met because I introduced them more than ten years ago. It turned into one of those easy nights with good food and steady conversation. Steak at Elisa in Vancouver hits that perfect balance of deep char and tender bite, the kind of meal that feels like a quiet masterclass in how steak should be done. This Baked Alaska layers caramelized banana ice cream,

Sandy and I went to Cardero’s for my birthday last summer. I ordered the sablefish, which came out rich and smooth, and she had the salmon—a generous portion, cooked right, and full of clean flavour. The room had that steady Coal Harbour rhythm to it, relaxed and well‑paced, and the whole night just felt easy. Simple visit, solid plates, and worth the detour.

Even though we’ve seen parts the world, we realized we hadn’t seen much of our own roots. So we decided to fix that and fly out to Canada’s East Coast. The Maritimes have a way of mixing rugged beauty with real, everyday charm — the kind you don’t fully appreciate until you’re standing on a windy cliff or wandering a harbour with friends you haven’t seen in ages. From the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove to the sweeping views along the Cabot Trail, the region feels both familiar a

After a few days exploring the sights of Bangkok, we traded the city chaos for something slower and boarded the Thai National Railway south. It was a long, simple ride — mostly locals, open windows, vendors drifting through with snacks — the kind of journey that forces you to relax whether you planned to or not. By the time we finally made it to Krabi and transferred toward Railay Beach, we were already in a different headspace, and that’s where the long‑tail boat adventure b

Tokyo happened the way a lot of our trips do — completely on impulse. We were out downtown with friends on my wife’s birthday when my buddy mentioned he had to fly to Tokyo for a mining convention. Without even thinking I said, “We’re in,” and within minutes we’d quickly booked a WestJet flight. After years of wandering around Europe, suddenly we were headed for our first Asian city. While he was tied up at the convention, I spent five days showing my wife around — the food,

Barcelona took a turn I wasn’t expecting. I ended up at a clinic run by a British doctor something like “English Doctor in Barcelona.” Original. He hooked me up to a nebulizer right away, and it felt like someone finally pried my airways open. For the first time in days I could breathe properly. He sent me for X‑rays, checked my oxygen, and told me things were borderline. What started as bronchitis had slipped into pneumonia, and he explained that at 35,000 feet your O₂ dr

Toledo wasn’t even part of the original plan — more of a “we’re here, why not” day trip. It turned out to be a great call. The whole place sits up on a hill, and it really does feel like you’re stepping into a walled medieval city. Parking was easy enough a few blocks out, and from there it was just a short walk in. Narrow streets, old stone everywhere, and that classic Spanish hill‑town layout where you’re either going up or down. It was an easy, no‑stress wander, and one of

Madrid (with a Base in Getafe) By the time we got to Madrid, we were both a bit worn down. My wife’s cold/flu came back, so she ended up seeing a doctor just to be safe. And my own bug still wasn’t going anywhere ...one of those annoying things that never fully hits you but never leaves either. We kept things easy. We did the open‑top bus tour, sat back, let the city roll by, and hopped off a couple times to see the big sights. Prices in 2024 were actually pretty reasonable:

Nazaré: The Day we Went Looking for Giant Waves Nazaré had been on my radar ever since a buddy back home showed me a video of surfers riding those ridiculous, skyscraper‑sized waves the place is famous for. I remember thinking, I’ve got to see that with my own eyes. When we finally made the day trip, the ocean was calm — no monster surf, no daredevil surfers — but it didn’t matter. The cliffs, the lighthouse, and the whole edge‑of‑the‑world feeling were still worth the trip.

By the time we reached the Algarve, we were running on stubbornness more than health. We settled into Porto de Mós, using it as our base while we plugged along day by day. My wife was finally starting to feel a bit better, but I was still dragging myself around like a half‑charged battery. We took a day trip into Lagos, wandering the old streets and coastline at an easy pace, just taking in the warm air and slower rhythm of Portugal. It wasn’t a high‑energy stretch of the tri

Málaga was exactly what we needed: heat, beaches, and the kind of sunshine that feels like it’s trying to burn the germs out of you. The city isn’t overflowing with deep cultural sites — and honestly, who cares when you’re sick and running on fumes. What it does have is Brits. Lots of Brits. British pubs on every corner, fish and chips served with absolute confidence, and that familiar banter that instantly felt like home. I loved it. Being surrounded by British accents, Brit