Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Weekly . . perhaps, weakly

The week is the most artificial and recent of our time counts yet it’s impossible to imagine our shared lives without it. Among many collective discoveries during the pandemic confinement of 2020, Americans learned just how attached we are to our seven weekdays. As complaints about temporal disorientation mounted that April, we focused not on the clock…

Read more

The fifteen minute city

The world is certainly not getting any smaller, that's for sure.  And its capacity to hold us all is starting to become a strain on the planet.  But, as ever, there are clever humans who have ideas. The 15-minute city urban theory received the 2021 Obel Prize in recognition of the concept's value for creating sustainable…

Read more

NYC . . . thin on the ground

As if encountering wafer-thin fashion models as they strut down Fifth Avenue in New York City  isn't enough to discombobulate your sense of self, now the high-rise apartments are getting into the act. New York has always been home to some of the world’s tallest towers, but in the last 10 years the city has seen…

Read more

Close to the edge

Close to the edge, down by the river.  Down at the end, round by the corner. Seasons will pass you by. There are few places as mystical and magical as Iceland.  Still relatively untouched, the landscape shapes its people, and they respond in kind by returning the favour. You've all seen images of Iceland's volcanoes, but have…

Read more

Spelunking in Tokyo

It's hard to believe, but there is the very slim chance that you might run out of activities when you're in Tokyo. You will have had to have combed the entire city of 13.96 million people, the 60,000+ restaurants, 6,000 different parks. (see some of our suggestions, below.) But, if all of that is not enough, watch…

Read more

Och aye the noo

Och aye the noo = An archetypal example of an overt Scotticism is "Och aye the noo", which translates as "Oh yes, just now". But, it doesn't stray too far from its roots.  And, luckily for us, we are learning more and more about history - Scottish in this case.  Read more here courtesy of NationalGeoraphic.co.uk Booking.com AutoEurope…

Read more

Get in line

As you'll know, the skies are full of aircraft, flying here and there.  If you live near an airport, your knowledge is supreme. But do you know which are the busiest routes in the air?   This knowledge could help you plan more efficiently the next time you travel. Read more here courtesy of SimpleFlying.com.   With that many flights,…

Read more

The oldest buildings in Canada

We have to chuckle a bit at this article - the oldest buildings in Canada .  We lived in London where we almost rented a house that was built in the 1400's, so considering that one of the oldest places in Vancouver is from 1921, it's not much of a comparison. But, fair is fair and Canada…

Read more

Light, cameras, action!

If you find yourself hang-gliding through enemy airspace, you'll want to have the best camera to capture the evidence. This also applies if you like taking pictures of bunnies, or raindeer, or Big Foot.  Having the right kit makes all the difference in the world. Read here about some nice, but not expensive, cameras to take into…

Read more

You can go to Hell

Please don't take it personally.  You might actually like it, if you give it a chance: blue skies, fresh air.  What more could you ask for? In fact, Jill Koch and her husband Jim go to Hell and back. By jet boat.   They deliver the mail. Read more here, courtesy of AtlasObscura.com …

Read more

Say what? A virgin adults-only cruise?

Virgin and adult?  Yes, you heard that right.  Make no mistake about it.  It's the real deal.  Step right up. This is far from your ordinary cruising experience. Virgin Voyages provides a sanctuary at sea with their superyacht-inspired vessels, modern take on staterooms, and array of exciting offerings. And our affiliate friends at Avoya have…

Read more

Why? Because it was there.

Humans are forever looking at new ways to discover - and sometimes conquer - our planet (not even mentioning the moon.) Sometimes they succeed and it is a truly noteworthy success.  Other times, not so much. Have a look at the video below to marvel at the assumptions (and sometimes hubris) of our fellow earthings. If you want…

Read more

A flock of Airbus

In this day and age of diminishing everything, it's good to know that the clever people are still trying to do their best to make a better world. For example, Airbus has demonstrated how formation flying can aid sustainability with two of its test A350s flying across the Atlantic Ocean. Dubbed the quote-unquote “final demonstration,” Airbus is…

Read more

I ♥ you!

Having grown up in the USA, your editor has some ancient knowledge of the tenets, legends and rituals of that country by heart. One such standard is Pennsylvania's Poconos resort area.  Once considered a last-ditch effort for a (cheesy) romantic getway, time has now caught up with the legend and the place is back in action. The…

Read more

Think Cadillac

Here's another heart-warming story of people looking out for each other. In the late 1970s, former Heritage board member Leroy Looper (1924-2011) and his wife Kathy turned the rundown Cadillac Hotel in the heart of the Tenderloin district in San Francisco into a national model for the potential of single-room occupancy hotels. The Tenderloin Museum opened on…

Read more

I’m afraid that is not possible

In certain markets, airlines compete directly with train operating companies. This is a common phenomenon in Europe, where countries like France and Germany have extensive high-speed rail networks. However, in some instances, airlines choose not to compete for various reasons. easyJet (an affiliate friend of ours)  is one such carrier, and Simple Flying recently learned why. And while…

Read more

Coffee 24×7

When visiting Colombia, it is a must to take a trip to Eje Cafetero Colombiano, a colorful destination that boasts marvelous nature views and is all about coffee. Moreover, the people there are hospitable and friendly, and always smiling. There is no doubt that people visiting the Eje Cafetero will feel at home. The department of Quindío…

Read more

Hey, big spender

Is your life mundane?  Do you want power and influence? Do you have $2.75 million to spare? You could become the owner of a tiny desert outpost in rural California. The town of Nipton, California, is for sale after the idea to establish the community as a cannabis consumption destination went bust amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On any given…

Read more