Delights
UAE: From camel milk and dates to international cuisine
A recent adventure took me and my husband to the amazing United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located in the Middle East, it borders Saudi Arabia, Oman, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian/Arabian Gulf, and is at the centre of three of the world’s strategic regions, each with its own dynamic food culture — the Middle […]
Canadian citizenship: What it takes
Think fast — test your knowledge about Canada. Can you name two responsibilities of citizenship? What qualifications are necessary to vote in a federal election? What addition was made to the Constitution of Canada in 1982? The answers, in order, are: obeying the law and voting in elections; being a Canadian citizen at least 18 […]
Wars both hot and cold
As soon as the Second World War was over, the French began fighting a decade-long hit-and-run guerrilla conflict against left-wing nationalists in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the three pieces of the map that made up French Indochina. Eventually they lost their patience, deciding to wipe out the enemy by luring them into one big killing […]
From fabled island to national park
For 28 years, I had dreamed of exploring Sable Island, seeing the wild horses that grace its enchanting dunes. In April 2014, my dream came true: I landed on the beach in a small charter aircraft for the first time. As a conservation photographer and wilderness guide, I have had the privilege of exploring many […]
Enchanting India: sights, smells and tastes to entice
Exotic, extravagant, elegant, eclectic: India offers different aspects of her personality to travellers. Only there can you go on a camel safari in the hot, mesmerising deserts of Rajasthan, heli-ski in the Himalayas, raft down the mighty Ganges and trek in pristine Garhwal Himalayas, all in the same month. There are 89 national parks, 13 […]
Day-tripping outside the capital
A visitor to Ottawa has a wealth of choice – lots to see and do in the city, of course, but also a wonderful selection of sites worth seeing on myriad daytrips from Canada’s capital. Place: Montreal, only two hours east of Ottawa Why go: Canada’s second largest city, Montreal offers amazing energy and great […]
The UAE’s multi-purpose residence
Ambassador Mohammed Saif Helal Al Shehhi is the third ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to live in the distinctive Rockcliffe home that overlooks charming Rockcliffe Park and the Ottawa River. The house was once the focus of gossip by the chattering classes as it was the first of the many über-sized homes that now […]
Off program: A summer ode to hops
Beer is the world’s most consumed alcoholic beverage. It is so prevalent and has such deep historical roots that it’s actually intertwined with the identities of several cultures. Not only does beer pair brilliantly with a great variety of foods, it also goes perfectly on occasions ranging from loud celebrations to quiet contemplative moments. Yet, […]
Portuguese cuisine: a global mosaic
Those unfamiliar with Portuguese cuisine may understandably assume it is similar to that of Spain. And while many of the same ingredients are featured in both, Portugal’s robust cuisine includes distinctively different recipes and cooking techniques that reflect a broad spectrum of terrain and climates and diverse historical influences over the centuries. With two […]
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