by Francine Clohosey

I am overlooking and nestled into the Andean Cloud Forest. Bio Habitat Hotel, located at the top of a mountain outside the town of Armenia offers me comfort for the night. The fireflies flickering outside the window bring back a childhood memory of sneaking out late at night to the nearby forest just to catch a glimpse of the bioluminescence created by these miraculous tiny terrestrial invertebrates. 

I had the good fortune of spending 8 days in Belize with legendary bird guide Roni Martinez who has been working as a natural history guide since 2004.

A mere 18 hours separates the icy streets of Vancouver (even less time from Toronto or the large American cities to the South) and the islands and islets that grace Belize’s Barrier Reef. Stretching from Mexico to Honduras, this is the world's second-longest Barrier Reef.

Photos by Greg Hemmings

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend an SIUA INUvation Showcase in Nuuk, Western Greenland for small and medium sized businesses. I was part of a team from mainly Canada whose business interests ranged from tourism, film, artisan products to fashion.

My NZ tel number is 027 618 6384. It is the fourth mobile number for me in a year. I have enjoyed the convenience of purchasing a SIM card upon arrival in countries where I spend three or more weeks.

It’s known as Myanmar.  It’s also known as Burma – not just by colonists. Whatever you call it, I highly recommend that you get on the train here.  

If Salvador Dali were to chose one country in which to locate his dream world of unusual creatures, I’m certain is would be Australia. Drifting alone for the last 60 million years, Australia’s flora and fauna have adapted and evolved in isolation. Strange survivors are found here that are absent elsewhere on earth. Nearly one-half of Australia’s 800 plus species of bird are endemic as are most of the mammals.

Currently I am traveling with a small group of Canadian and US travellers in the Copán valley in Honduras. While not wanting to wish away time in what I have found to be a remarkable

January to April marks a great exodus of Canadians to Southern destinations, and the popularity of Costa Rica among tropical travellers is not surprising. You are never more than one hour from a National Park or private reserve teeming with plants and wildlife or a few hours from a beautiful coastal retreat. Couple this with a well-educated and peaceful host population and you have the makings for an ideal trip.