Wreck Beach: Hippie Haven

Wreck Beach: Hippie Haven

It was more than 15 years ago that I first experienced Wreck Beach – a long recognised, well-established nudist beach in Vancouver – there’s even a book chronically the beach’s history. A few months ago I returned for a second time to discover a more sophisticated beach – while still retaining its hippie heart – in it’s offerings of mixed drinks alongside...

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Holy Cow! Animal Attacks

Holy Cow! Animal Attacks

A small story. A dusty memory that jumped into my consciousness the other day. (I’m not sure why.) Cows, of course, are venerated in India as part of the Hindu religion … I was walking through the narrow streets of Varanasi (an incredible must-see destination in India) having just visited the famous steps that lead down to the Ganges River when a white Brahman cow (complete with horns!)...

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Thank You in Any Language

Thank You in Any Language

I’m often asked about my language skills and how I manage overseas. Sadly I don’t officially speak a second language but ever the Jack of All Trades (and Master of None), I have picked up a smattering of phrases over the years. I can say: “I am not a Russian” in Vietnamese. “Tôi không phải là Lien Xo” Because when I first visited Vietnam in 1990 there were no...

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Part of the Fabric

Part of the Fabric

Sometimes when travelling, seeing spectacular attractions is not as important as experiencing and appreciating normal everyday local life. I am currently in Italy, a country that holds a special place in my life. It was here, 21-years ago, that I jumped into the great unknown and visited my first non-English speaking country, cementing my road to The Experience Junkie and kick-starting my travel...

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Loredana’s Cake

Loredana’s Cake

This morning I learned to make a cake from a friend’s Italian mother. She doesn’t speak English, but that didn’t stop her from sharing her enthusiasm with me her eager student. In fact it was much easier to communicate then you might think – and a lot of fun bridging the language barrier over an impromptu culinary class.  And, as an added bonus, I’ve walked away with this tasty...

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