Oh, 2020. I think we can all agree 2020 was unique, often challenging, and bizarre. Not exactly what we imagined when we were setting New Year’s resolutions 12 months ago. Despite all that happened, this is a year I am truly grateful for.

For this year, I had four goals:

• – To stay in Canada for as long as I can (I used that exact wording),
• – to improve my French,
• – to go to Montreal, and
• – to visit Quebec’s old town in winter.

Surprisingly enough, I managed to complete the first three.

Montreal, Canada

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This year hasn’t been easy. A global pandemic has kept us at home, isolated from loved ones, and with no chance to travel. But sometimes you just need a good book to help you escape and unwind.

Below I share my favourite fiction reads of 2020. Read More

Growing up I used to read all the time. My friends regularly asked me for recommendations on what book to pick up next. Every Friday I cheerfully walked out of my local library with 25 new books. (That was the limit. I remember how proud I was when I “tricked the system” by convincing a friend to borrow some extra books for me using their name.) Unfortunately, as an adult, I struggled to make reading my priority. In 2019, for example, I read 5 books.

It was only this year that I rediscovered how much I enjoy reading and learning. In September I decided to get an e-reader and it changed EVERYTHING for me. I still adore physical books. Nothing beats the feel of pages between your fingers, the smell of a new book, or the sound of the turning of a page… But having thousands of books at my fingertips has truly been life-changing.

World’s End is an often overlooked sheer cliff, with a drop of about 4000 feet (1200 m), located within the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka. Because getting there takes a bit of preparation, many decide to skip it. Is that a mistake? Is World’s End actually worth the hassle?

Personally, I have hardly had any information about the trek before arriving in Nuwara Eliya. But after hiking World’s End in March 2019, I want to put my two cents into the discussion.

Where to Stay

I suggest you base yourself in Nuwara Eliya, the prime tea-growing district of Sri Lanka. Read More

Glacier National Park features some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world and yet it is quite unknown. In summer 2019 I had the privilege to live in West Glacier, a small town that anchors the western entrance to GNP.

When I first got there, I didn’t know much. Because of that, I spent plenty of my free time chilling by Lake McDonald or hiking in the park and as a result, I quickly learned some of the “unwritten rules”. Today I’d like to share this knowledge with you.

Bring (some) winter clothes.

Don’t be too shocked if you see snow in July. Logan Pass is at high elevation which means the temperature drops drastically. Bring a sweater and a windproof jacket.

Get a bear spray.

While there have been only 10 fatal bear attacks in the park’s history, I still recommend you have a bear spray with you at all times. You don’t even have to buy one if you are only visiting the park briefly – rent it in Apgar Village instead. If you decide to get a new one, check Costco deals.

Don’t forget to educate yourself on how to use the spray (watch a youtube tutorial).

Other animals you may encounter are moose, mountain goats, as well as rare or endangered species like wolverines and Canadian lynxes. Be alert and aware.

Personal experience: I had two bear sprays that I never had to use, even though I hiked once per week. In total, I saw 4 bears (always from the car). My friends had some closer encounters but none of us ever felt endangered. Still, we were fully prepared and aware that anything could happen.

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