Panama’s Casco Viejo (Old Town)

Panama City's Casco Viejo For our first full day in Panama, we decided to spend it in Panama's Old Town, or Casco Viejo. This is the older settlement portion of the town but is wonderfully preserved. It boasts these beautifully colourful Spanish colonial buildings. And walking through the small streets, every corner you turn transports you back to a different time. All of us really enjoyed the...

Heading to Panama

Catching up on some blogging. In 2019, a few of us spent a week in Panama. This will be the first blog for that Panama trip. First Stop: Mexico (On the way to Panama) The Sister's husband picked dropped us all off at the airport. Being December, YVR set up some interesting back drops in anticipation of Christmas so figured, why not partake! After passing through security we had a little time to...

Wrapping up Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan

Wow, how does one wrap up what really feels like three separate trips all packed into one?! It feels so long ago eating laksa in Singapore, black water rafting in New Zealand or visiting night markets in Taiwan. With the world turned upside down, I have been (very) slowly blogging and am finally through the trip (from almost a year ago now!) If you have read through all of it, Thank you! Though...

Reflecting on New Zealand – Gimpy

Like with other longish trips, I try to ask a travel buddy or two to share their thoughts. I sent Gimpy a list of questions so she could share her impressions about New Zealand with us! (Some edits made for correctness) If you're interested in reading through the whole trip from beginning to end, please click here. Top 3 Highlights Highlight #1: The Area around Twizel One of my favourite spots...

Cathedral Cove

Christchurch to Auckland At the ungodly hour of 4 AM, Gimpy and I set out in the dark towards Christchurch Airport. We needed to do an early morning car drop off, then catch the shuttle to the terminal, before flying to Auckland and driving to Cathedral Cove. After arriving at the terminal, making it through security was a breeze. (There seems to be little security when it comes to domestic...

Franz Josef Helihike

There's only one major thing on our agenda today: Helihiking the Franz Josef Glacier. Since booking this, I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. Not only is the idea of hiking the glacier appealing, but taking a helicopter up there really does it! I've never ridden in a helicopter, so this will be the first time.  Franz Josef Helihike After packing everything into our rental...