Page 5 of canadaadanac Travel Blog Posts


Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica February 2nd 2017

Left Manual Antonio for Monteverde, another popular tourist destination famous for its cloud forests. The drive took about 4 hours and toward the end became very mountainous with tristing and winding roads, often too narrow for my liking. The hot and humid nature of the coast transformed into a cooler, very windy area often shrouded in mist or light rain. The elevation is over 5000 feet so you are literally in the clouds. First on the agenda was the famous hanging or suspended bridges. Located at Selvatura Park, the treetop walkways hanging bridges is a 3 km hike through the Monteverde cloud forest. You are basically walking on 8 suspended bridges about 100 feet above the ground seing the unique fauna and flora from that perspective. You see some incredible views of the forest. The route ... read more
Another hanging bridge
A hanging bridge from below
Cloud Forest

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica January 29th 2017

Spending two weeks in Costa Rica seeing the country and avoiding, albeit for a short time, the Canadian winter. Flying in to San Jose from Fredericton, NB, the next day we took a shuttle to Manual Antonio, about a three hour drive south. The main attraction is Manual Antonio National Park. A relatively small park, with numerous short trails and many gorgeous sandy beaches. Our first hike was a short hike to Catarata Waterfall - a seasonal waterfall. Given it is now the dry season, it was non-existent as a waterfall. Too bad as it was a relatively hilly hike, and although short (1.5 km), the stiffling heat (29 C) and humidity took its toll. Fortunately, the next stop was the Manual Antonio Beach. A lovely sandy beach with very warm water. After exploring the area ... read more
One of the many beaches Manual Antonio area
Manual Antonio beach
Manual Antonio beach

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Parrsboro September 22nd 2016

After seeing Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, I headed west to Advocate Harbour to check out the trails at Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. In the morning I did the short, Red Rocks trail to the beach and the red rocks. Two longer trails lie at the northern end of the park. To get there,you had to travel 12 km down the gravel "road to hell". Hiked the Three Sisters trail and Squally Point trail - relatively flat trails of about an hours duration each. The both provided nice views of the coastline, as well as various coves and beaches. That evening I walked Driftwood Beach, aptly named. The next morning, I was off to Cape D'Or to see the sights, the "Dory rip", and to walk two very short trails around the top of the coastline. That evening ... read more
Red rocks
Red Rocks
Wilson at red rocks

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Parrsboro September 22nd 2016

My 4 day trip of the Parrsboro shore area started with a hike to Partridge Island in the town of Parrsboro. A mild hike of about 45 minutes, the trail takes you to an observation tower where you get excellent views of the "Minas Gut"; the narrowest part of the Minas Basin. Across you can see Blomidon and Cape Split NS. After a little beachcombing and erecting a driftwood sculpture, I spent the evening at the Madhatter Hostel. Kathy is a helpful and friendly host who loves to share her travel stories. The hostel is even within walking distance of the local Tim Hortons! The next day I visited Wassons Bluff; known for its fossil deposits. Off to Five Islands Provincial Park, I visited the beach finding one walking stick. I hiked one trail, about 90 ... read more
View fron the trail
Sea stack
Observation tower at the end of the trail

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Curio Bay April 30th 2016

Off to start my journey through the Catlins and head up the east coast of New Zealand via the Southern Scenic Route. First stop was Stirling Point, Bluff, with it’s famous signpost. This is the beginning of State Highway 1 which traverses the length of the country to Cape Reinga in the far north. A milestone for me as a few weeks ago, on day 10, I was in Cape Reinga. I have actually crossed the entire country of New Zealand in my travels - tip to tip. After my obligatory selfie, I made my way to Curio Bay. The last 20 km or so was a gravel road so it took some time. There I visited a fossil forest - trees 180 million years old petrified in waters on the beach. Of course you can ... read more
Takitimu Mountains in the clouds
Bluff
Wilson At Bluff

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Milford Sound April 28th 2016

On Day 29 basically I just drove to Te Anau my start point for Milford Sound. On route I happened to stop at a rest point to take some pictures of New Zealand's fall colours. I noticed a display informing all that this was the location of the 45th parallel in the Southern Hemisphere - the exact mid-way point between the equator and the South pole. After sufficient celebration, I headed to Te Anau driving through a valley with mountains and hills on either side. I then booked a tour for the following morning for a bus tour to Milford Sound and a subsequent two hour cruise. Day 30 and I am off for Milford Sound. The 120 Km route from Te Anau to Milford Sound, the Milford Road, is a scenic drive through several valleys ... read more
Fall Reflections
Fall Reflections
Fall Colours

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fox Glacier April 27th 2016

Prior to leaving the West coast to traverse the Haast Pass to points east, I had two last things to do. First was to view Lake Matheson. This was an hour and a half walk around the lake where you were supposed to see majestic reflections of the mountains of the area, including Mount Cook, reflected in the still waters of Lake Matheson. Alas, it was overcast, little sun, and the mountains were in cloud cover. The reflections basically were non-existent. Quite disappointing. Since I had come all this way I had to see at least one glacier. So off I went to hike to Fox Glacier's viewpoint, a return hike of about an hour. I viewed the glacier from afar but as close as you could get unless you took a guided tour. It is ... read more
Reflections at Lake Matheson
Reflections at Lake Matheson
Fox Glacier from afar

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Punakaiki April 25th 2016

On day 26 I was mobile southward from Golden Bay to tackle the west coast of the South Island. On my way out of Takaka I stopped at the Te Waikoropupu Springs (the pupu). There is a gentle 1 km walk which takes you to the clearest spring water in the world. The water is so clear you can easily see the sand at the bottom. After a 3 hour drive (again having to tackle Takaka Hill), I arrived in Westport on the west coast. Since it was early afternoon I still had time to explore. First stop was the seal colony as part Cape Foulwind Walkway; an easy 15 minute stroll to the viewing point. Saw a few seals from afar. Was expecting more. On the way one can view Wall Island. Although small in ... read more
Te Waikoropupu Springs
Rocls en route
Scenery on route to Westport

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Takaka April 25th 2016

Spent my day in the Golden Bay area – the most north-westerly part of the South Island. Although only a 98 km drive from Motueka, the drive can take more than 2 hours due to the infamous Takaka Hill. I should have known something was up when I read the sign saying that Takaka Hill is open. Open? Actually it is a 27 km highway from hell. Narrow roads, no shoulders, blind ‘s’ turns, weaving and winding, up and down, it was a tense period. Eventually I made my way to Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park. My main activity for the day was to explore Wharariki Beach and Archway Islands. It is the most spectacular coastline in the region with its caves, caverns, arches sand dunes and of course long stretch of beach. It is ... read more
Scenery from Takaka Hill
Love these turns
Trail toward Wharariki Beach


Another unique vacation day in New Zealand. I spent the day at Abel Tasman National Park. This is a unique park in that the main access to the coastal points of the park are via the water. You basically take a water taxi to one of several drop-off points, then select a point from which to return from scheduled routes. I followed The Falls River outing where I was dropped off at Torrent Bay, hiked to Bark Bay, and picked up for my return trip. I used Abel Tasman AquaTaxi which I found to be excellent. They even provide a pick-up service at your local isite. Once dropped off you are on your own until the pick-up. I hiked 7.7 km to Bark Bay. The initial taxi ride to the drop off was interesting as they ... read more
Split Apple Rock
Torrent Bay
Torrent Bay




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