by Mary Charleson | Mar 15, 2020 | When a pandemic strikes
It seems so recent that we were cruising along at high speed, living life, and traveling afar. And then somebody slammed on the brakes so hard that most of us are still trying to make sense of it all. Instead of booking flights and making plans, we’re hoarding...
by Mary Charleson | Feb 13, 2020 | Canada
Ever since seeing the Molson Canadian 2010 Winter Olympic commercial featuring a lone hockey player skating an open frozen lake, with a backdrop of mountains, the camera in pursuit from above as he gained speed chasing a puck, I have fantasized about skating an open...
by Mary Charleson | Jan 26, 2020 | Australia/New Zealand
Rottnest Island (or Rotto as the locals call it) is an island 18km off the coast of Perth, WA, Australia. From Vancouver, Canada where I live, it’s just a short 14.5hr flight to Sydney – pretty much the other side of the world and the opposite hemisphere, then a 5hr...
by Mary Charleson | Dec 16, 2019 | Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Hawaii & South Pacific, South Africa, South America / Central America, USA
We’ve combed the internet for some fun, inspirational and useful gift items to put on your list this year, or under the tree for that hard to buy for traveler you know. Below you’ll find 8 useful, 4 cool and 2 inspirational gifts, plus 2 more that you...
by Mary Charleson | Oct 1, 2019 | Canada
– Guest post by Kim Little – It had been years of what friend’s hash tagged the #worstdivorceever, and it was almost over. Our family home was sold, and the buyer smelling a distress sale, had dictated the terms. That is how I became temporarily homeless...
by Mary Charleson | Sep 1, 2019 | Europe
Stopped temporarily at a traffic light, our scooters idling in a hum with many others packed around us, I suddenly became very aware of the impending choices, as I was about to enter a 7- lane traffic round about at Plaza de Espana, amidst heavy commuter and tourist...
by Mary Charleson | Aug 15, 2019 | Europe
Guest post by: Victoria Miles 1:30 p.m. July 25, 2019. Lying flat on my back on the concrete floor of Ateliers des Lumières I am supposed to be having a digital art immersion experience. And I am, but more than anything I need to cool off, which explains lying down in...
by Mary Charleson | May 4, 2019 | Australia/New Zealand
“Ah yah, WillyWeather says the Wedge will be cracker in the morning – 2.3 WSW moderate swell. She’s an ebb ‘til mid-morning, then a flood. Weatha’s hot. I recon we should surfies tomorrow – grab our bathers, boardies and head on up.” Which roughly...
by Mary Charleson | Apr 13, 2019 | Australia/New Zealand
There are many ways to learn to kitesurf. Most involve pricy hourly lessons or half day packages at some resort. If you’re lucky and don’t injure yourself in the process, you can learn the basics at the hand of a patient friend with gear, or go wholesale and buy the...
by Mary Charleson | Mar 10, 2019 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
My husband and a buddy have long fantasized about doing a motor bike road trip and scuba diving expedition in Australia. In fact plans were solidly under way, until his friend had a stroke, just two weeks after retiring at 60. While both guys were shaken to the core,...
