2 Vancouver Gems for the Drinker in You

Negroni cocktail

Cocktail spots to check out in Vancouver, BC, Canada Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. Does hearing that word-especially when it’s thrice repeated-spike your blood pressure? Yeah, me too. With all that jazz going on with our not-so-neighbourly Southern neighbour, many Canadians are aiming to vacation within our incredible country. According to a March 2025 survey, more than […]

Sorry, Disney, You’re Not the Most Magical Place on Earth

Minnie Mouse holding her hands to her lips in surprise.

There’s no questioning that Disney is amazing. Fun? Yes. Entertaining? Definitely. The Most Magical Place on Earth? Highly debatable. I’m going to get some flack for this article. Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, as Taylor Swift would croon. Post-trip “Well, Mom,” half-shouted my daughter across the aisle, tucked and buckled into her plane […]

Does Travel Misadventure Get More Attention?

Man falling head first down the stairs.

In this post, I reflect on the importance of conflict in storytelling. After exploring Wendy Dale’s insights on memoir writing, I wonder if my own tales—like collecting shells on a serene beach—are too mundane. Perhaps you’re more drawn to stories filled with chaos, like getting kicked out of a rental in Slovenia or being caught in a storm that changed history.

The First Time I Felt Truly Warm

A silhouette of a person with arms raised, cheering, while the sun rises.

I love strapping on snowshoes and ducking beneath powder-laden pines—desperately hoping the tip of my tuque doesn’t riffle the branches above and send chilly cascades down the back of my neck. There’s something to be said for traipsing around the inside of a snow globe. Sure, it’s breathtaking. But…it’s cold. Spring. Even with longer days, […]

7 Ways to Fund Your Way Around the World

A pink piggy bank with a gold coin being put into its back slot. It is sitting on a pile of gold coins.

Travel doesn’t have to break the bank. From living abroad to volunteering for free stays, exchanging lives, or traveling off-season, there are plenty of ways to explore the world without accumulating debt. Sometimes, it’s about making trade-offs and choosing experiences over stuff. Here’s how I did it.

How It All Started

Five passports. Three are opened with stamps in them while the other two are closed, the front covers say Canada.

I travel because I can’t NOT travel. After setting a goal to visit 30 countries before 30, I reached 42 by 2024. Now, I aim for 60 by 60—18 countries in 9 years. It’s costly, but totally do-able. Travel changes you, and I’m ready for the next adventure.

Burn, Baby, Burn Your Way Through Costa Rica

A burning ember flying through the sky, so that it appears to have a tail behind it.

Our March Break mountainside near Playa Potrero turned into quite an adventure. Lounging in the infinity pool we suddenly noticed ash falling from the sky and our vacation took an unexpected turn. A peaceful retreat was soon intense and fiery. Keep reading to find out what happened next…

Burn, Baby, Burn Pt. 2

A bottle of Colonel E.H, Taylor rum with a fire in the background, framing it.

As wildfire flames neared our Airbnb in Costa Rica, we considered evacuation. Despite the locals’ nonchalance, the fire crept closer, threatening our escape route. Forced to leave, we spent hours at a sports bar. Upon returning, we watched the flames dance, unsure if we’d make it through the night.

A Terrifying Trek Around the Back Roads of Guanacaste, Costa Rica

A very steep laneway going upwards. A sign is posted at the base saying entry prohibited.

We set out to visit Castillo de Lilo, a mountaintop restaurant with breathtaking views, but the journey quickly became a terrifying adventure. With steep, gravel roads and a compact car, we found ourselves stuck—twice—before finally making it to the base, only to be stopped by “No Trespassing” signs.

Friendly and Not-So-Friendly Costa Rican Wildlife

A very green iguana with large spikes down its spine on paved stones beside a pool.

In Costa Rica, we found ourselves surrounded by creatures: monkeys howling in the trees, geckos darting by, and even a scorpion chilling out with us for a drink. Read about our encounters with snakes, toucans, iguanas, and a feisty little cat we named Sparky Joan.