Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida: Be sure to pay a shelled friend a visit!

March 2nd, 2009
Be sure to pay a visit to these special patients the next time you are in the Florida Keys.

Be sure to pay a visit to these special patients the next time you are in the Florida Keys.

Turtle Hospital?  What’s a turtle hospital?  We were staying in Marathon, Florida which is nicely situated between Key Largo and Key West.  Our drive to Key West took us past an unusual sight, especially if you are from northern Canada, like we are.  Glad we stopped.

Read the rest of this entry »

St. Lucia in the Caribbean: Home of “Cow Heel” Soup!

March 2nd, 2009
Lewis, our terrific taxi driver on St. Lucia, shows off his chicken coop.

Lewis, our terrific taxi driver on St. Lucia, shows off his chicken coop.

St. Lucia lies in about the middle of the arched string of Caribbean islands located between the Dominican Republic and South America. It’s one of the prettiest islands to tour, and, as far as I know, it’s the only place you can chow down on “cow heel” soup. And the only place I have ever been where your cabbie will take you to his house.

Santarem, Brazil: A Step back into a charming simpler life!

February 27th, 2009
Amazonian home near Santarem, Brazil

Amazonian home near Santarem, Brazil

Despite a history of gold deposits and despite being one of the largest cities located along the Amazon, Santarem and the surrounding area is rich with the flavour of days gone by.  If you are seeking a more historical Amazon, slower-paced, and a more pastoral bit of civilization, then Santarem is the place to go.

Read the rest of this entry »

Zip-lining through the jungle: It’s fun, but is it SAFE?

February 24th, 2009

Do your knees quake at the thought of swinging across the jungle canopy suspended from a steel thread?  If so, zip-lining may not be for you.  But if you are into a fun exhilarating adventure, then be sure to book a zip-lining adventure in a place like Belize or St. Lucia.  But take some precautions first.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dominica: Roads Awful, but Rain Forest Tram is a Must-Do!

February 24th, 2009

Tentative Touch – EXPLORED

Dominica in the Caribbean, is a small island that plays big. Especially if you brave the tiny winding roadways filled with rubble, and make your way up to the rain forest aerial tram. Bring your rain poncho.

Read the rest of this entry »

Manuas Brazil – Getting through airport security might be tricky!

February 22nd, 2009

Misty Blue Visions of Days Gone By – EXPLORED

If you think coming through airport security in North America is tough, try South America — in particular — Brazil. I couldn’t believe what was confiscated from me in the Manaus airport recently.

Read the rest of this entry »

Scarborough, Tobago – Cabbies are cheap, and the sightseeing is priceless!

February 21st, 2009

Handyman Special: A Fixer-Upper in Scarborough, Tobago

Here is an instance where smaller just might be better. Tobago is much smaller than its sister island of Trinidad (Tobago is only about 26 miles long and 6 miles wide), but you might discover it has way more charm.

What’s more is that the cost to travel around the island is affordable compared to other places in the Caribbean.

Read the rest of this entry »

“Hey, lady! Want to meet my pet?” A visit to Boca da Valeria, Brazil!

February 20th, 2009

“Hey, lady! Want to meet my pet?”
Boca da Valeria. Ever heard of this place? It’s a tiny village in Brazil. If someone offers you the chance to visit here, grab it. It’s not the greatest experience you’ll ever have, but I guarantee it will be an experience you have never had before.

Boca da Valeria is located on the great Amazon River in Brazil. For some people, this tiny village is just not there thing. But for others, it is the perfect out-of-the-ordinary adventure.

Read the rest of this entry »

Devil’s Island, French Guiana – A Must-See Destination!

February 10th, 2009

Deserted Old-timers on Devil’s Island, French Guyana

Devil’s Island was made famous in the movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen: “Papillon.” But the Devil’s Island that tourists are welcomed on today is not the island associated with the unfortunate French prisoner, Papillon (Henri Charriere).

Read the rest of this entry »

Anchored off St. Barthelemy in the Caribbean

February 3rd, 2009

“Two if by Sea!” or Stealth Ship

If I NEVER return to St. Barth’s in the Caribbean, it will be too soon.

Some places, and some of the the inhabitants of certain places, take themselves all too seriously. St. Barth’s is like that. From the moment my foot hit the dock, I suspected that this was not the place for me.

Read the rest of this entry »