A collection of travel narratives abroad and at home
The Christmas holidays are already here, approaching faster than you can say "egg nog." It dawned on me now that it's two days away. It's that time of year where both our bank accounts and blood pressures surge, feeling the time crunch to check off interminable lists of final chores and errands. We get vastly…
Before we knew it, the home stretch was upon us. There was an itinerary planned for our final day with shorter timed stops since Richard had to return us to Edinburgh by mid-afternoon. After breakfast, we crossed the Skye Bridge back to the mainland. The most enchanted isle of Scotland slowly sunk towards the horizon…
Continue reading ➞ Day Three in Scotland: Journey’s End with Whiskey and High Spirits
My view of Loch Ness was obscured by thick morning dew over our window. I wiped the moisture away with my sleeve and gazed outside, looking for a creature to surface above the water. Richard met us for breakfast, still wearing his kilt and outlined our schedule for day two on the Isle of Skye.…
Continue reading ➞ Day Two in Scotland: Reaching for the Skye
When you hear Scotland what comes to mind? Rugged Highlands, shimmering lochs and forgotten isles, haggis, the screeching of bagpipes and Scotsmen in kilts? These cultural symbols have been synonymous with "Scottishness" for as long as I can remember. But some travelers, perceive them as too campy for their liking, yearning instead to unravel the…
Continue reading ➞ Day One in Scotland: Hightailing Through the Highlands
Nestled on a hill lies a mysterious castle within Toronto's Annex, overlooking bustling cafes, museums and university campuses. Passersby at Spadina Road and Dupont Street would turn their heads, puzzled and enamored at the grey turrets poking out of the trees before commencing their school commute. Surrounded by aged, heritage homes, the castle's imposing nature…
Continue reading ➞ Casa Loma: The Story of Henry and the House on a Hill
Most of us see autumn as a time of change - at least I do. From the slow shedding away of old things and welcoming new challenges ahead like the impending cold and darkness of winter. The first step towards regeneration. Although we generally liken spring to life and rebirth, here in Philosopher's Walk, everything…
The weekend before Thanksgiving, my Dad and I took a drive into the autumn colours of Gatineau Park. The conservation grounds span the northwest border of Gatineau, Quebec, the city which rests across the river from Ottawa, Ontario. Extending about 360 square kilometres, the park offers a plethora of scenic trails, lakes and beaches for…
As mentioned in my September 5 post, for the next month or so I'm kicking up my amateur photography skills a notch. Admittedly, I've been strapped for time this week to write due to a shift change at work. I have just about enough time to share some fall features of Scandinavia. My favourite time of year…
Five years ago, I lived in Leeds for half a year, and never once visited Kirkstall Abbey - one of West Yorkshire's most popular sites. So finally, I revisited Leeds in 2017 and could say I stepped foot into Kirkstall Abbey. It was a rainy Tuesday in October, and I had the entire place to…
Continue reading ➞ Alone in an Abbey: A Rainy Day in Kirkstall
One year ago today I had my birthday party in a bone church. Skulls and skeletal remains lay strewn about in every direction. Arranged in pyramids, or strung up high on the ceiling, it felt as though an army of departed souls was watching me closely. I raised my phone to take pictures of this…
Continue reading ➞ A Bone-Chilling Birthday: The Pilgrimage to Sedlec Ossuary
