Nicknamed ‘sea parrots’ or ‘sea clowns’ for their cute appearance, the Atlantic puffins are some of the most loved seabirds. Although they are the smallest puffin species, they are actually tough birds.
Continue readingAuthor: Christie
City break: A walking guide to the most historic districts of New Orleans
First sighted as Indian portage to Lake Pontchartrain and Gulf in 1699 by Bienville and Iberville, New Orleans has been founded in 1718, and named in honor of the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France. It was later called the Crescent City because of its location on the bend of the Mississippi, which resembles a crescent moon.
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A bird’s eye view of 1000 islands
The 1000 islands, a North American archipelago, lie along the border between the state of New York (USA) and Ontario (Canada), stretching for about 80 km along Saint Lawrence River. With a rich history, unique culture, and also with endless shorelines of picturesque islands, this area is a sightseer’s paradise, and a popular place for an authentic vacation. They are also famous for their magnificent summer homes. From Boldt Castle to House of Seven Gables, wealthy people have built retreats here since early 1870’s.
Continue readingThe Heart and Soul of New Orleans
Named in honor of Duke of Orleans, Regent of France in 1718, New Orleans is home to the most historic districts of any US cities. Besides history, New Orleans is known for so many other things such as festivals, food, architectural styles, or nightlife.

But what comes to your mind first of all when you hear New Orleans? It is about jazz music and its musicians, isn’t it?
Continue readingTears of heaven
Adirondack Mountains for beginners
Located in the northeastern part of New York State, the Adirondack Mountains are about 5 hours north of New York city, or 5 hours east of Toronto. Representing the largest protected area in the contiguous United States, the Adirondack Mountains boasts with more than 2,000 miles of hiking trails, over 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 1,200 miles of rivers. They cover about 5,000 square miles (13,000 km2).
Continue readingAutumnal postcards: Fire to the sky










“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
Why Newfoundland was nicknamed the Seabird Capital of North America
With a great promise to see wildlife and a pleasant experience, I was really enjoying the start of the cruise and the surrounding scenery, listening the crew member’s jokes on the upper deck, under a balmy sun. A colourful mix of local humour, stories and songs captured everyone’s attention, including myself. That was when I heard the local joke about the Newfoundland roads, but that’s another story.
I didn’t really notice when the blue sky turned dull grey, and when the calm waters became choppy. I suddenly found myself swinging from a side to another, unable to get a steady grip on my camera.
Getting so edgy, I decided it was time to go downstairs, but will I be able to walk down to the lower deck, or even grab the rails? They seem so far from my sit.. Should I stay, or should I try going downstairs? This was the moment I started to doubt if this cruise was for me..
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