So what do Canada and Albania have in common. Aside from outstanding hockey teams (?), they are two of four countries singled out by Chile for a very unwelcome entry fee (a substantial $132 each for Canadians). This steep cash grab is disguised as a reciprocity fee given that is roughly equal to the visa fee Canada charges Chileans (I couldn't verify this but I think this fee must have been put in place shortly after Andres P and Lorena O evaded border author...

Unless you happen to be geographically-challenged Deb P, who is likely convinced that Easter Island is one of the islands in the Toronto harbour area used for an annual kiddie hunt for egg shaped chocolates and candies, you are likely familiar with the iconic image of the massive stone heads that stand as silent guardians on this island with three names- Easter Island, Isla de Pascua, and Rapa Nui (the Polynesian name and the one commonly used by the locals). The...

Miami Beach, specifically South Beach, at the height of college/university spring break- what could possibly go wrong with this idea?? I have to admit that somewhere in the grey memories of my own university days, I was somewhat envious of the Arts Majors types that could take a week or so off for spontaneous debauchery (Engineering deep thinkers had a nasty habit of scheduling an exam phase which would immediately follow our spring break). That said, Miami Binge...

After a bit of quiet time in Dunedin, DH was eager to get adventurous and check out another of our bucket list destinations- the Forida Everglades.To talk about them as the Florida Everglades is somewhat redundant because they are the only Everglades in the world (UNESCO designated the Everglades as one of only three wetland areas of global importance). It is commonly referred to as a "river of grass" and although diminishing, that's exactly what it is- Sawgr...

When the welcome signs at the town boundary announce the most significant claim to fame to be the spring training location for the Toronto Blue Jays team, you know you're not about to be overwhelmed with a plethora of cultural events (unless you think of golf as a cultural event). That was ok because we had booked some extra time here to just chill, play a little tennis, do some biking, and catch up with two of our favourite peeps, Ann and Sandy K. They are p...