Hello from beautiful Thailand Reader, We just arrived here after an overnight flight from the Philippines. What was I thinking, picking a flight that left at 2am. I’m not in my 20’s anymore. On the plus side though, the Mactan - Cebu International Airport is the of the nicest I've been to, so not the worst place to spend a few early morning hours. More on the Philippines in another email. 🏕️ Today I just wanted to pop in to say Yosemite National Park has opened up campground reservations in...
7 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, We have hit our three month mark of our South East Asia trip. This week so far in the Philippines I have admired 3 gorgeous beach sunsets punctuated by loud competing 80's rock, jammed three not so tiny people into a tiny side car electric bike "taxi," and watched Derek & Miss S our now 12 year old, have Garra rufa (doctor fish) nibble their feet in a fish spa, at an Aquarium in Cebu of all places. Speaking of interesting things, I’ve gathered up my top 5 favorite things I’ve...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hello from Hanoi Vietnam, It has been a long while since we last chatted. I've been traveling around Vietnam with my partner Derek and Miss S. (my 11 year old) for the past 2.5 months, and playing hooky from my blog & emails. Just getting back into it, so more on SE Asia to come. In the meantime, here's a couple of photos from Train Street in Hanoi. The anticipatory atmosphere feels like waiting for a parade. Only slightly more dangerous, and with no free candy (much to my youngest's...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, Happy September! It has been a long while since my last email, as my family and I have been busy moving out of the Northwest Territories (Canada). Then getting set up temporarily in Victoria, BC for a few months until our big trip to Vietnam and South East Asia starting early December. It's the first time our youngest Miss S. fully remembers moving, as last time she was only 18 months. It's a lot of firsts; leaving good friends, downsizing her stuff to only one tote and starting a...
7 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, It's part two of our Amazon's Prime Days Sale emails, and I just found more great deals to add to my best picks list! 3 piece set - Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage - 60% OFF - Lightening sale. Everybody needs luggage 2 piece set - Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage (SILVER) - 56% OFF Wireless Noise cancelling Headphones - 51% OFF (I use mine every day I'm working / travelling Fitbit - 38% OFF (count all those steps, and see how far you really walk...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Happy Tuesday! How is your week shaping up? We are in the middle of downsizing, and packing up our life into about 6-8 boxes, in preparation for our temporary move to Victoria, BC before our big 6 month trip to South East Asia in December. I've always had big travel dreams and a desire to explore the world, learn new languages and now share that with my kids. There are definitely people in my life who don't "get it" including my family. Luckily my partner Derek is on board with my...
10 months ago • 3 min read
HeyReader, I used to dread meal times on vacation because I had no idea what we would have for breakfast, lunch and dinner that day. And it seemed like just one more thing on my plate to organize as the Mom / travel planning expert / fixer of all hangry people (while I was hangry myself - never a good thing). When all I need was a vacation.....from everything! Not to mention all the wasted money on marginal food choices, because we didn't plan ahead, and had to grab something close by. So I...
10 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, It's June, and I'm dreaming of a vacation. This time of year in particular I really crave being by the ocean. I've been lucky enough to have lived most of my life either on an island on the west coast of Canada, or Nova Scotia on the east coast. Minus the almost 10 years my family and I have lived up north in Yellowknife, Canada. In prep for our summer beach vacation this year, I have been gathering some ideas, packing lists and recipes. As well as creating an editable vacation...
10 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, TGIF! Happy Friday. I'm heading to the ice castle this weekend with Miss S. She has requested we play hide and seek in the tunnels... Which may or may not happen depending on how small they are (and if I can handle crawling around on my hands & knees for more than 5 minutes). Following up on my Mastering Google Flights: Secrets to Snagging Cheap Airfare post a couple of weeks ago, there were quite a few of you who were interested in a video walk through. So here you go: ✈️ Quick...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read