Stories
Bagan, Myanmar – the process of becoming a UNESCO heritage site
Twenty-five years ago, I first visited Bagan (then called Pagan) and found it to be one of the most impressive archaeological sites I had seen. Described by UNESCO as a "sacred landscape, featuring an exceptional range of Buddhist art and architecture". The location includes more than 3,000 Buddhist monuments (temples, stupas, monasteries and palaces) that were built between the 10th to 14th centuries AD.
Costa Rica’s Ecolodges
The popularity of Costa Rica among tropical travelers is not surprising. You are never more than one hour from a national park or private reserve teeming with plants and wildlife or a few hours from a beautiful coastal retreat. Costa Rica covers a mere 0.03 percent of the planet’s surface, and yet is home to 5% of all living organisms on earth.
Developing Bird Tourism in Honduras
By Francine Clohosey
On behalf of Tours of Exploration I joined a small group of Canadian nature tour operators and several Honduran birding experts. The aim of the one-week journey was to assess the potential for expanding avitourism in this Central American country.
Diving Belize’s Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) is a marine region that stretches over 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) from the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras waters. Belize’s coastline, comprising the Belize Barrier Reef, is home to approximately 80% of MBRS making it the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and the second largest barrier reef in the world.
Fall bird migration in Southern BC
The coast and islands of Southern British Columbia lie along a migration route known as the Pacific Flyway. It is a major north-south flight path between Alaska and Patagonia for millions of migratory birds. Each Spring and each Fall birders will themselves flock to places where birds of many species can be found while they feed and rest before continuing. Their stop may be brief or may last for an entire season. So now is a great time to visit a bird trail near you.
Trophy Mountain hike in Wells Gray
Halfway between the iconic recreational gateways of Vancouver and Jasper lies Wells Gray Park. It is famous for its abundant wildlife, numerous waterfalls, and remarkable alpine backcountry. My latest multi-day trek (Sept. 21, 2024) was to hike with my middle child through the Trophy Mountain corridor which includes the Flower Meadows, Silver Tip Falls, and nine peaks 2575 meters above the Shushap highlands in the Southern reaches of the park.
India: Land of Big Cats
India has been commonly considered to be home to five Big Cats... however, this changed to six in 2022 when twenty Cheetahs were brought from Southern Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, south of Delhi. The return was the first time a cheetah touched Indian soil in 70 years after its extinction from the sub-continent.
Inle Lake, Myanmar - A unique way of life
I have returned to Inle Lake, a place I visited 30 years ago as a young backpacker. In the mid-eighties, a 7 day visa was all the time the Government of the Burmese Republic allowed. On this visit I have the luxury of spending 17 days.
Journey to Nootka Sound
Vancouver Island was chosen as a Top Region by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 list. It was the only Canadian destination to make the globally recognized travel publishing company’s annual list of top 10 countries, cities and regions to visit. Many regions in Vancouver Island rose in popularity with domestic travellers post-pandemic, due to a combination of remoteness and enhanced safety protocols. One of my own favourite places on the island is Nootka Sound.
Mount Robson 3-day hike
By Szilvia Paradi
This would be a big trekking day (July 22, 2020). We made our way to the Mount Robson Provincial Park Visitation Centre to check-in to the Berg Lake Trail. The park ranger explains the trail conditions to us – a bit muddy due to all the rainfall, but hike-able nonetheless. She also tells us about a grizzly bear sighting; however, we are not to worry, as it was sighted far away from the campsites and the trail in a closed off area of the park.
Rajasthan Essentials
On a first visit to India, Rajasthan is often a top priority due to its high density of palaces, forts, wildlife parks, unique landscapes, and living cultures. There are so many gems hidden and in plain site that the selection of an itinerary can become overwhelming. I have used my three past visits there and years working with explorers to highlight famous spots along a workable route.
River Journeys in India
There are numerous fans of river cruising, and I have joined their ranks. My previous interactions with riverways of Asia were exciting and included a 3-day journey along the Yangtze River, a 2-day trip from Mandalay to Bagan, and several half-day excursions in South India. The cruise duration was extended when I sailed along the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India for a full week in April 2016. Here are some of the highlights.
Sunshine Coast Trail winter trekking
Despite living on the Sunshine Coast for nearly thirty years, I had never experienced the iconic backcountry hut-to-hut hiking path known as the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT). This 180 km route stretches from Sarah Point, Desolation Sound, North of Powell River, to Saltery Bay, where a ferry terminal connects to the lower Sunshine Coast. The majority of hikers tramp late Spring to early Autumn. Though it presents unique challenges, such as overcast and cold weather, winter can be so beautiful if the weather is right.
The Charm of visiting Bhutan
Nestled in the eastern Himalayas between India and Tibet lies the sparsely populated mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Roughly the size of Switzerland the nation is fondly referred to by the Bhutanese as Druk Yul – land of the Thunder Dragon. For 15 days, our small group of Canadian and US travellers traversed Bhutan from Samdrup Jongkhar in the lesser-traveled eastern area and made our way to Paro in the west.
Train travel in Canada
What is it like to travel by train in Canada? What are the great train trips in Canada? Long-distance luxury train travel across Canada is unique, scenic, and rewarding for those who enjoy an unhurried vacation. It appeals to those who appreciate conversations over dining hours or space around you as you read a book or work on your computer. It is especially welcoming for those who can be lulled to sleep by the gentle motion of the train car over the rails.
Whales in BC waters
The last several years have been exciting for cetacean lovers of Howe Sound, BC with sightings of Grey, Orca and Humpbacks on the rise. Even now in these colder months both Humpback and Orcas sightings are still occurring. Additional reports from those diving the nearby artificial reef that was created by the sinking of the Annapolis, a decommission naval vessel, confirms an increase in the fish and invertebrate as well. Such recovery has been documented in a series of progress reports undertaken by Ocean Watch.