In the age of nostalgia, I thought it would be fitting to re-spark the old travel blog. Although, I decided to keep it “retro” and didn’t bother updating the layout. Sorry, mobile users.

The countdown is on again. Jordan and I leave in 3 weeks. Stay tuned…

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3 years ago today we set out on an adventure which lead to a series of wonderful outcomes.

I now live in Rio de Janeiro, am married, and have a son. From the beginning I knew that there wasn’t going to be any trip or adventure which was going to be able to top our adventure through Europe. Although, this outcome was never expected. An 18 month trip around the world, which turned into a 4 month trip through Europe, which turned into getting married and having a son with a girl I met in Prague. You know, you can never really predict these things… but we definitely outdid ourselves.

In Europe, something changed… and 8 days ago, something changed again. I remember Jordan and I sitting on the Rhine River, an hour south of Frankfurt, riding bikes to the top of a vineyard. I remember sitting there and looking at the booklet we were given by the manager of the hostel we were staying in. One quote caught my attention: “The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”

I was told yesterday that nothing would ever beat Europe. I’d like to say that is true, but it simply isn’t. For me at least. Europe was simply the setting and the stage. The greatest adventure is the one happening right now, and the one which will occupy the rest of my existence. The one which gives me a greater satisfaction than anything else to date.

The best has arrived…

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Brasilia is the capital of Brazil… an original name, I know. As someone who enjoys new experiences, this definitely made the top 10. Such as something you’d see in a movie about a foreigner visiting a large Latin American family, this was no different.

We left for Brasilia from Rio on Saturday morning a few weeks back. A quick 1.5 hour plane hop to a city which is a mix of green shrubs and red dirt from the sky. A series of skyscrapers scattered in different locations, and then surrounded evenly and thoughtfully by smaller communities, all attached by an amazing series of highways, which is the dream for drivers given there were very little traffic lights. Instead, there are bypasses, scissoring between each community and individual side street. Underpasses and dips going under each road to allow traffic to get from one side to the other without having to stop. An architectural marvel.

Arriving in Brasilia we headed directly to the family gathering to celebrate the 100th member of the family. Beginning with a baptism, followed by a multi-hour, bottomless drinking party, and ending with non-rhythmic (I apparently cannot dance to Brazilian music) dancing. Imagine, if you can, 100+ happy people, not speaking a word of English, but welcoming you as one of their own.

I drank a lot while in Brasilia, I ate a lot too. I danced a lot and spoke a lot (with my hands — maybe sign language would be a good skill-set to pick up). I was welcomed in Brasilia, into a family that is light years different than my own. The cultural experience which is to be admired and will be something that will stick with me for quite some time.

Not to say that I don’t miss my own family… because I do with every moment I am apart from them. Canada will always be where my mind is, and will always be my home base. Victoria will always have a very big piece of my heart, and there is no comparison to any other city on the planet. I am simply saying that Brazil is a beautiful place, all made the better by the beautiful people.

But now, it’s time to start a family of my own. I leave Brazil today, but I will return in February. Until the next adventure…

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To some, you may recognize the title. To others, you will need to go back two years.

We arrived in Paris on July 16th. A hassle, let me tell you. Julia arrived in Toronto, only to find out that her VISA for the USA had expired. Her initial plan to fly to New York, then to Paris, was no longer possible. At last minute, she purchased a one-way ticket, as suggested by the airline, out of pocket. Once in Paris, we visited and called the US Consulate to get her a new VISA in an expedited manner. Not the best way to start off a trip! Upon getting her VISA approved, she called American Airlines to see if she could get her flight home switched around so she wouldn’t have to switch airports in New York (JFK to Newark). Apparently, American Airlines had cancelled the rest of her trip since she missed the flight to New York from Toronto… wanting her to pay between $1700 to $3000 to get home. After much argument and an entire day lost on the phone with them, they refused to fix their mistake. She was NEVER notified that her flight had been cancelled. We found her a new flight back to Rio on another airline. That’s the short version. Additional stresses amounted due to the inability to rent the car we had booked, and the very limited time we had to get to a friends wedding in Tourny. We managed in any case. A very beautiful wedding, in a very beautiful location.

After much stress, added to the jet lag, Julia and I took a late night stroll through Paris on the morning/night of the 20th. Walking to Saint Michel, where we met in Paris two years ago, I got down on one knee, and proposed.

I always said that the best was yet to come. Although my dreams of becoming a professional whistler have yet to be met, all my other dreams have come true.

For those who followed the story of Jordan and I throughout Europe, you may recognize some of the references.

In 2011, I met the love of my life. In 2012, she came to Canada and I went to Rio de Janeiro, solidifying our relationship in a way not thought possible. In 2013, we got engaged. In 2014, she will become my wife.

To date I have visited over 30 countries (over 200 cities), and had both good and bad life experiences. Some have suffered due to them, but become stronger because of them. Oscar Wilde said: “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” Looking forward, all I can do is smile. Every thing truly does happen for a reason… and in this case, my reasons, seasons, and lifetime… is her.

From Paris to Paris… Full Circle.

The adventure is just beginning…

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Close to the border of Paraguay and Brasil (yes, I spell it with an ‘s’ now).

Julia (+ family) and I, traveled to Bonito a couple weeks back, thanks to Marcelo, who had planned the trip right down to every detail.

Our first day, we went snorkeling down a river (for about 3 hours), populated with a variety of tropical fish. Just a note: When you see a fish out of the corner of your eye, don’t move your head to the side. I found this was a good way to get a mouthful of water.

After this, we had lunch and headed to a canyon (Buraco das Araras), to see some rare bird (Araras — hence the canyon name — ‘Macaws’ in English). We hiked around and saw a few fly by. At the bottom of the canyon in the middle of nowhere, was an alligator.

That evening (day 1 still) we all did a practice repel to see if we had what it takes to do a real repel the following day. Of course, the height was only 2 stories… and the following day was 72 meters. Good practice nonetheless. After this, Marcelo, Clara and I were the only 3 wanting to go.

The following day we headed to Anhumas Abyss, where we repelled straight down into a dark abyss, 72 meters. We snorkeled in the crisp clear completely transparent water. The depth of the water was deceiving due to the perfection of it. We followed this with a boat ride and guide around the abyss, before starting our climb back up. Now this was the difficult part… Marcelo and I started our repel back up. After 20 – 30 minutes of climbing, we made it to the top.

Needless to say, that was all we did that day. The following day we visited two caves, which in comparison to the days prior, was a much tamer day. We visited two caves, called: Gruta de São Miguel and Gruta do Lago Azul.

The next and final day we visited a farm, home to a few alligators and a fantastic nature hike, complete with waterfalls, swimming and diving. The pictures below should give you a nice preview.

To finish our final day, we went rafting as four large groups.

Arrived back in Rio de Janeiro in time for the weekend and a helicopter ride around the city. This weekend it’s Carnival. Next weekend I head home.

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Funny how things end up. You travel to Europe, and it takes you to Brazil. Twice. Soon to be thrice.

Brazil is an amazing, under-rated country. Beautiful and rebellious. The people are friendly and welcoming. You learn what to do and what not to do quickly.

Back in 2011, Jordan and I traveled back to the “Happiest Place on Earth” after aborting Norway and Finland. We met up with Vashti again who came with us to Berlin, where we said our final goodbye. After this, we headed to Prague. This is where everything changed for the better. This is where I met Julia, from Rio de Janeiro, and Yasmine, her best friend. After a few late nights of serious drinking and mornings of serious hangovers, we befriended them quickly. We met them in Paris shortly after, where you could say, we lived a “Fairy Tale”. Let’s fast-forward now… in February of 2012, I headed down to Brazil, where I met up with Julia. Oh, yes… Carnival… now that was an experience everyone should experience.

A month and a half later, Julia came to Victoria where she spent almost 4.5 months with myself.

Now, I am back in Brazil. Having visited Florianopolis, an island in south-east Brazil for a weekend, you can really see the diversity this country has to offer. Nothing at all like Rio, let me tell you! Floripa (for short) is a lot like Victoria… spread out, green, medium size population, excellent seafood, etc…

Distance is nothing from the first step to the last. The world is a small place. J’taime.

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I have to say, 2011 is going to be one tough year to beat. This last year is one for the record books. I’m sure going to try though! To the people I met and adventures we shared! CHEERS!

Wishing you all a safe and happy new year!

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Well, turns out I have all the time in the world. Summer is officially gone. The weather outside is windy and rainy. Makes me think of Europe… and miss it. Biking across Canada seems unlikely for the following summer, so the planning process is underway for a new adventure.

‘Where’ to go is the decision to make. ‘When’ is another one.  ‘Why’ is the most important. How deep.  Haha!  I have a lot of plans and places to see still. Some considerations are at hand as to where to go next… and here they are (in no particular order):

Go West:  India -> Nepal -> Thailand -> Laos -> Cambodia -> Vietnam -> Australia -> New Zealand

Go South: Ecuador -> Peru -> Bolivia -> Chile -> Argentina -> Uruguay -> Brazil

Go North: Sweden -> Norway -> Finland -> Estonia -> Poland -> Ukraine -> Russia (Trans-Siberian) -> China

Go East: Portugal -> Spain -> Morocco -> Tunisia -> Malta -> Italy -> Croatia -> Montenegro -> Albania -> Greece -> Egypt

I know, there’s lots of other possibilities in here too… none of which can be decided upon just yet. This is still a long way off. Who knows what curve-balls life could throw at me prior to one of the above. The trip to Europe took many deviations from the initial plan… and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Decision to come in the coming months.

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We arrived back in Victoria last night. My parents, sister and Jane waiting for us at the airport. Was pretty jet lagged coming back, and the whole trip seems sort of surreal now.

When I think back to New York City, I can’t help laugh; suited up, 35 pounds heavier, short hair, no facial hair at all and a backpack that felt as if I was carrying dumbbells.  After a few weeks the bag become pretty much like a feather on my back. To summarize the trip from start to finish would take forever, and still I’ll miss something. So instead, let’s go over some funny things I learned:

1) Ignore hostel ratings. A good hostel becomes “good” by the people we met in them.  Some are filled with great people, others with fat-naked-snoring-stinky men walking around in the middle of the night. Like Russian Roulette, without the death.

2) Take the route less traveled. When we did this, we stayed in really neat little hostels and the people are very hospitable.

3) Patience. When waiting for trains that are late, or connecting trains, or for Jordan to hurry up and pack his bag out of the tent so I can pack the tent itself… you learn patience! haha!

4) No slap bets involving liquor… ever!

5) Don’t follow the route you set… you’ll never follow it. Although we missed some things, Rome isn’t going anywhere… it’s been there for quite some time now.

6) My true-passion for becoming a professional whistler may be a little out of my reach.

Some statistics:

Countries visited: 24
Cities visited: 70
Train rides: 114
Boat rides: 14
Plane rides: 10
Hospital visits: 2

The best is yet to come. Bike Across Canada is next.

Bye for now!

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The final 10 days of our trip are here… hard to believe!

So, we arrived in Athens on the 7th of September, with a warm welcoming by an old friend… Maria. My family and I had met her family several years back on the island of Mykonos. We met Maria after leaving Mykonos and going to Athens on the way home. This was over 15 years ago. Anyway, 15 years later she met us at the Athens airport. We stayed with her at her place and caught up.

On the second day in Athens I was not feeling that great. On the train (metro) to downtown Athens, I blacked out and stopped breathing. I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance… so needless to say, this day was a write off. Don’t worry folks, I am fine now!

We caught a boat on the 10th to Milos, a small, quite island in the Greek Cyclades. We rented dune bugees and explored the many beaches and sights of the island.

On the 12th, we caught another boat to Santorini from Milos. Santorini is just as beautiful as I remember. Maria met us in Santorini and will be leaving tonight to go back home. We plan to meet her and her family again on our last night in Athens before heading home. In Santorini we have met up with many old friends that I have not seen in over 9 years now. Every morning we go to Mama’s for breakfast, as this is tradition.

Tomorrow we head to Naxos, the second to last island before heading back to the mainland and heading home to Victoria.

10 days to go… WOW!

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