The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. I really want to be a smart ass and say my country’s PM would try to change that to “mice and peoplekind”. I must be feeling better! Well hello Saigon! I’ve always wanted to wander about your streets. I’m so […]
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Ancient Town, My Ao Dai & This Damn Cold
I walked around the Ancient Town. Hoi An Old Town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 15th century. It’s very interesting looking at the many different types of architecture. I visited the Japanese Covered Bridge. It was built in the 1590’s by the Japanese to connect […]
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A Custom Ao Dai, The Sweltering Heat & Cats and Dogs
Sweet Baby Jesus this is MY kind of place! Hoi An is the place to go for custom clothing, shoes and leather products. I immediately headed out to the tailor to pick out and get measured for my Ao Dai. I chose BeBe. I had researched online and read reviews […]
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A Beach, A Dragon & A Princess
I said goodbye to Hanoi and headed to Da Nang. I truly enjoyed my time in Hanoi. It is a fascinating city with so much history and many things to do. I flew on Vietnam Airlines and the flight was a little over an hour. I was the lucky passenger […]
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Stairs, Trains & Wine
When you’re staying on the 6th floor with no elevator and it’s oppressively hot and humid, you PLAN your day around how many times you’ll have to climb the 6 flights of stairs. Still not recovered from this freaking cough and cold, I didn’t have much to do today other […]
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Paradise Found in Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is an UNESCO site located in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. It is gorgeous! The bay consists of 1000’s of little islands in different sizes and shapes. There is also Bai Tu Long Bay and Cat Ba Island. Taking the recommendation of my hostel, I booked a 2D/1N […]
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Feels Like 45°C, Dodging Traffic & Homesick
I’m feeling much better. All my body parts ~ nose, head, bladder and bowel ~ seem to be functioning normally. Everyone knock on wood it stays that way. My ears are still popping as the stuffiness leaves me. You know those ear pops that come out of nowhere and are […]
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Hanoi, Snot & Medicine
You all know THAT person on a plane that you’re stuck sitting beside. The one coughing up a lung. The one blowing their nose constantly. The one that grosses you out with all their germs. Today, that person was ME! I apologized profusely to the woman sitting beside me and […]
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Wonderful Vientiane
Laos, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, borders Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Vientiane is the capital city. Canadians require a tourist visa and I got mine upon arrival at the airport. A quick, painless process. I wandered around and enjoyed the sites, the people and the atmosphere. I walked […]
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Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple. It was changed to a Buddhist temple in the late 12th century. It faces West instead of East like other temples in this region. The Angkor Archaeological Park is 402 […]
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Random Thoughts of the Day
Do you know what I’ve done today? Not very much! Had one of those lazy days. This hostel is wonderful and for the most part I’ve just been hanging out on the balcony chatting with people. I was told I look 32 by a young man. I’ll take it. He […]
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The Killing Fields
I toured S-21 and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It brought back many memories of touring Auschwitz in Poland. The horror of genocide still continues in our world. Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration and Extermination Camp I’ve heard about The Killing Fields, but didn’t know the details. I knew […]
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Country Hopping ~ Thailand and Philippines
I continued on to Thailand for a few days. Sa Wat Dee means Hello in Thai. I stayed at the Jam Hostel Bangkok close by the Grand Palace. Easy walking distance for me and it was fabulous! Very clean and I had a 4 bunk room with an ensuite. My […]
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Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace
I arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei for a few days via Royal Brunei Airlines. Awesome airline! My bag is now 10 kg and they didn’t make me check it or charge me more. Give this airline a try if you have the opportunity. Immigration was smooth and I didn’t […]
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Bako National Park ~ Borneo
Up bright and early again and headed to Bako National Park to see the Proboscis Monkeys. I travelled by bus and boat to get there. I took the red bus which was 5 Ringgit (1.50 CAD) because I’m trying to do this cheaply and the bus was nice. Comfy seats. […]
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Borneo Orangutans and Out & About in Kuching
Seeing the orangutans was one of my best experiences! I was up bright and early to get to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve in time for the morning feeding. I’ve been using GRAB (similar to UBER) to get about for longer distances and my driver waited for me through the feeding […]
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Komodo National Park
Arrival in Labuan Bajo & Boat Transfer to XPirates Dive Camp I left Kuta, Bali in the morning ~ Kadek once again picked me up at the hotel and drove me to the airport. I flew Nam Air and it was a quick one hour flight. My “window seat” did […]
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PETRONAS Twin Towers
You’ve seen them in the movies! Remember “Entrapment”? Disaster movies that show various landmarks around the world usually feature them. These towers were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 until 2004 when they were surpassed by Taipei 101. They remain the world’s tallest twin towers. PETRONAS Twin Towers […]
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Swings & Monkeys
Kadek picked me up at 8:00 am this morning and we headed to Ubud. The first stop was the Terrace River Pool Swing. There were many other things to do like zip lining and riding a bike on a rope, but I only wanted to swing!! Mavia, the pineapple pic […]
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The Gates of Heaven ~ May All Beings Everywhere Be Happy
Kadek, from Bali Dream Paradise, picked me up at 6:00 am to start our day and we began the drive to the Gates of Heaven. I take way too many selfies during a day. Here I am with no makeup, sunburnt and wrinkled with the sun shining on my face […]
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A Jackie Day in Bali
Today has been so relaxing and I didn’t do a whole lot. I started off by hitting up Starbucks and going for a walk on the beach. The waves are big and I’m not a strong swimmer so I didn’t venture in. I’m a life jacket kinda girl! I washed […]
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Goodbye Singapore and Hello Bali
A few last pics of Singapore! A wonderful city with the nicest people. The 44 hour layover was the best choice for my wallet, but I would have liked a few more days here. I’ll be back! Sweet Baby Jesus and all that is holy! I had the hot flash […]
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My New Favourite City ~ Singapore
I arrived in Singapore after a very long flight. I have a couple things to mention before getting to the Sling and the spellbinding views of Singapore! I had the bright idea to walk the 8 km to the airport and I was a hot sweaty mess time I got […]
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I Love You & Your Slings Singapore
The Singapore Sling! Makes me want to go dancing. I sat at the bar, talked to the people around me, cracked peanuts, threw my shells on the floor and savoured not one, but two, Singapore Slings at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel in Singapore. I always wanted to do this […]
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3 Great Barrier Reef Dives, Sharks & Christmas Tree Worms
Sitting in The Jack eating a salad and having a glass of white and singing along to American Pie as I write this post. I met a girl who sang the blues And I asked her for some happy news But she just smiled and turned away My favourite verse, […]
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A Sky Dive and A Hop, Swim & Jump
First a warning for vegans and vegetarians … you may want to skip this post! Next, I’m staying in the noisiest hostel ever! This one was advertised as slightly older crowd and no alcohol permitted. Yep, the noisiest!!!!!! I spent some time last night figuring out my next steps from […]
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Cairns, More Co-Ed & I’ve Booked Stuff!
I was up way too early for people to be awake. I took Jetstar on this leg, they’re the cheap one here in Australia. There was only 1 flight today and it was at 6 am. But …they were $200 cheaper than Virgin so 6 am it was. Cairns is […]
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Out & About, Sydney Opera House & Game of Thrones
Today I planned on going to Bondi Beach, but ended up walking about. I wanted to see more of the harbour area. I hung out in Starbucks and booked my flight to Cairns tomorrow and a hostel for a few nights. Planning on diving the outer reef and skydiving again. […]
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A Hangover, Phone Calls & A Bridge Climb
After my wine tasting shenanigans yesterday, I’m feeling my age this morning. I’m now in Sydney at the Asylum Backpackers Hostel and it looks like an interesting place! I’m the old lady in the dorm, these young ladies sure like to leave their clothes all over the floor. I’d be […]
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Seafood, Day Drunk & French Fries
I got drunk today. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I woke up in Tassie!! I’ve been told a lot that Australians like to shorten their words. Tasmania … Tassie, Parmigiana … Parmi, TD … Tasmanian Devil. I’m starting to get it. I did yet another small load of laundry, […]
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Bathing Boxes, Security Guards & Tassie
I said goodbye to Linda, Harvey and Lizzie this morning. We took a fabulous walk on the beach. Stunning area! These are known as Bathing Boxes. Owned by locals their starting price is 300k. They have no power and you can’t sleep all night in them. I’ve had the best […]
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Terracotta Soldiers, AC/DC & Yorkshire Pudding
I had a fabulous day!! I took the train from Linda’s house to Melbourne City. The first thing I did was get a Starbucks and it was good! The barista asked me if I was from Canada and said he recognized my Visa card. He lived in Montreal for a […]
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Beaches, A Penguin Parade & A Road Trip
Another day started with … laundry! Again, with only one pair of leggings and the weather a little cooler, it’s all I’m wearing. I put my shorts on to wear while doing the laundry, but Barb loaned me a pair of pants and a big blue wooly jumper. I’m going […]
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Kangaroos, Koalas and Devils Oh My
I’m loving travelling with my little carry on backpack. When I landed in Sydney and went through Immigration, the man asked if my pack was all I had and THEN he said don’t you have 20 pairs of shoes. OMG I said do you know me? Maybe I’m on some […]
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I’ve Walked On All 7 Continents
As of today, 4 June 2019, I have set foot on all 7 continents! North America (Born) Europe (1988) Asia (2012) South America (2013) Africa (2014) Antarctica (2018) Australia (2019) Fun Facts … Africa is the only continent that is crossed by both the Prime Meridian and the Equator […]
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An Itty Bitty Walk
Usual morning, get up, do my business and shower in the coed bathroom, hide in the stall until anyone that may have heard me doing my business is gone, straighten hair that will be frizzy as soon as I step outside, put on my one pair of leggings and go […]
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Walking Around Auckland
I’m still not sleeping well and waking up a lot. The messy girl with ALL of her clothes all over the floor sleeps all day and is out all night. I call her Pig Pen in my mind. There was finally another room available this morning so I’ve moved and […]
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Ella Blanche Collins
Today started like any other day. I woke up, got ready and went to Starbucks. I walked around looking for something to do and decided to take the ferry to Devonport. During my ferry ride, my Mom called to tell me that my Grandmother had passed away. I called Bryan […]
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The Shire ~ Welcome to my Hobbit Hole
I had the best day at Hobbiton! I did not sleep very well last night, I think I woke up every hour. I am not used to setting an alarm anymore and was afraid of sleeping in and missing my pickup in the morning. It’s also a big time change […]
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Kia Ora Middle Earth!
“I’m going on an adventure!” said Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit. Kia Ora New Zealand! Kia Ora means “hello” and comes from the indigenous Maori language. New Zealanders (Kiwis) also greet each other with the Hongi (touching noses). I’m on another adventure in a new area of the world for […]
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Travelling With Only A Backpack
I want a Louis Vuitton trunk, many of them. I want to pack them and organize my stuff and travel with them. I also want somebody else to carry them, carefully of course. I leave Canada on Tuesday, May 28 and fly from Edmonton to San Francisco (Air Canada) and […]
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Spring / Summer 2019 Travel Plans!
I have to return to work soon ~ however, I am having one last hurrah and travelling to New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia. I will have travelled to all 7 continents when I get to Australia and that is a dream come true for me. I’m hoping to […]
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Day 12 ~ Hitching, Ketchup Chips & Home
April 21, 2019 PCT Cumulative ~ 189.6 Kilometres Highlight Hugging my young man ❤️ My Day After deciding yesterday that I would make my way home, I got up early, showered and packed my backpack one more time. I emptied the water out of the bladder and left my food […]
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Day 11 ~ A Fat Boy, Leg Hair & A Decision
April 20, 2019 Today ~ 19.3 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 189.6 Kilometres Highlight Playing in the stream barefoot! My Day Yesterday, I chatted with a lady at the gas station on my way back to my cabin. She was waiting for her boyfriend and was riding a Fat Boy. I really […]
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Day 10 ~ My First ”Zero Day”
April 19, 2019 Warner Springs Today ~ 0 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 170.3 Kilometres Weather ~ Sunny 29ºC Highlight Being lazy! More showers 🥰 My Day A “Zero Day” is a day when you don’t rack up any trail miles and generally do nothing either in town or camp. I decided […]
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Day 9 ~ Cleanliness, Wine & Decisions
April 18, 2019 Warner Springs Today ~ 7.3 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 170.3 Kilometres Weather ~ Sunny 27ºC Highlight The Shower!! Clean Clothes!! A Flushing Toilet!! My Day I woke up this morning and knew I didn’t have long to go until Warner Springs! I have to pick up my new, […]
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Day 8 ~ 100 Miles & Trail Magic
April 17, 2019 Today ~ 19.4 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 163 Kilometres Highlight Passing the 100 Mile mark My Day I can’t believe it’s been 8 days and 163 km. I started off this morning signing the register book by the campground. It’s been another wonderful day hiking. Most of the […]
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Day 7 ~ Wind, Rain & The Alberta Election
April 16, 2019 Today ~ 19.7 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 143.6 Kilometres Highlight My feet didn’t hurt!! 🥰 My Day I ordered a lighter pack last night and REI will deliver it to me in Warner Springs in a couple days. Excited!! It’s already been shipped. My phone rang a little […]
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Day 6 ~ Yummy Tomato Soup
April 15, 2019 Hitched Into Julian, California Today ~ 21.5 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 123.9 Kilometres My Day I don’t have much of a post today. My feet hurt so much I’m nothing but miserable. I just put my head down and put one foot in front of the other so […]
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Day 5 ~ Soapy Smelling People and Harley’s
April 14, 2019 Today ~ 25 Kilometres Cumulative ~ 102.4 Kilometres Highlight The Canada sign 🇨🇦 My Day Last night was very windy, but my little tent survived it all! Or it could have been my superior tent setting up skills! All night long, the tent rattled and shook and […]
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