blogs about travel

Paris activities

paris-guide — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:46:28 -0700

Those languid Parisians are now real fitness freaks (although they still manage to balance things out with a fine respect for indulgence). Gyms and fitness clubs are a penny a barrel, the parks are rife with cardio bunnies and adventure sports are trés chic.

boating

On an airy summer's day get onto the cool of the water - float down the Seine (or the Marne, the Oise or any of the city's canals) in a canal boat. Rentals are available year-round.

When to Go Hong Kong

Kong — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:36:16 -0700

Weatherwise, October, November and most of December are the best months to visit Hong Kong; the skies are clear and the sun shines. The June to August heat/rain combo might push your endurance but there's a lot of sunshine and, after all, it's summer. Hotels tend to offer substantial discounts outside the high seasons of March-April and October-November. Travel can be difficult during Chinese New Year in late January/early February.

Earthcaching Banff

Jonboy — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:01:12 -0700

Since Christina and I had previously visited Banff, I figured I was under no pressure to "see the sights" yesterday on my free afternoon. So I decided to do some geocaching, which led me to sights I would not have ordinarily seen.

Hockey Night in Canada

Jonboy — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:01:34 -0700

Deer Prudence

Jonboy — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:01:24 -0700

Last night I headed out from my room to the "general store" at the Banff Centre. I had a less than thrilling day -- most recently, I had discovered that the phone in my room reeked of beer.

I Have a Canadian Stamp in My Passport, Part Two

Jonboy — Sun, 18 May 2008 16:01:08 -0700

Six years ago (to the day!), I posted about finally getting a Canadian stamp in my passport after years of disappointment. I assumed that the stamping had something to do with Quebecois particularism. But last night, when I arrived in Calgary, they stamped my passport (without my having to ask). I changed passports 5 years ago, so I now have a stamp in my new passport. This new passport has been neglected by Calgary (2003) and Vancouver (2006) as well, so I have no idea why it got stamped.

Istanbul Virtual

Jonboy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:01:58 -0700

When I was in Istanbul a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect to do any geocaching. First, there aren't any "normal" caches within 10 miles of the city center. Second, Turkey wasn't a country where I felt super-comfortable rummaging around for hidden containers.

Paris

Mark — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:01:14 -0700

I haven't written for a very long time, mostly because I was concentrating on a project which wound up taking a few months longer than I'd hoped: editing a print version of the Wikitravel Paris guide for Wikitravel Press.

Stuck in my hotel...

Jonboy — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:01:07 -0700

...and enjoying every minute of it.

I got in to my hotel in Istanbul about 7pm yesterday after an interminable taxi ride through pollution and traffic. Since I have today free, I called the concierge to see about arranging some sort of tour. I figured I'd be happier in a bus (hopefully air-conditioned) than walking around and breathing pollution.

The Merchant of Venice

Jonboy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:01:19 -0700

Stratford