The Happy Wanderer

Travel journalist. Photographer. Outdoor enthusiast based in Victoria, Canada. Get inspired to explore the world.

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Showing posts from March, 2026

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Gros Morne National Park opens a window into Earth's past

March 19, 2026

Life in Canada's Arctic - Kugaaruk, Nunavut

At the local Co-op store in Kugaaruk, Nunavut, a carton of orange juice is priced at $13.99. The main form of transportation is by snowmobile, despite an average high of -30C in the dead of winter, and the arena provides endless hours of entertainment. Much of the food is caught by the locals, hunting polar bear, narwhal, bowhead whale, caribou and Arctic char. At the end of the year, the Co-op pays dividends back to the community often shrouded in ice fog. Last year those dividends tallied $1.4 million. Two RCMP officers patrol the community of 800 people, who voted to ban liquor several years ago. Anyone caught in possession of booze is handed a $280 fine. In turn, the most common crime is domestic violence. Court proceedings take place about once a year in the school's gymnasium. This is life in Canada's far north, where the only way in and out is by plane. Once a year, large goods such as trucks or tires are shipped to Kugaaruk from Montreal. The ship st...

The towering cliffs of Iceland's Westfjords

Located in Iceland's Westfjords, the breathtaking Latrabjarg sea cliffs are the most western part of Europe. "Come on, just take my hand," says my boyfriend Chris. My legs feel weak. My heart is racing. I'm paralyzed with fear. "No that's okay," I say as I sink to my knees and choose instead to crawl cautiously to the edge of the cliff towering high above the churning sea. I peer nervously over the grassy ledge hovering 440 metres above the Denmark Straight. The waves below crash against the rocks in a fit of rage. I grip the grass nervously with my hands, hoping it will prevent me from rolling over the edge and falling to my death. "Oh don't be such a chicken," Chris says as he snaps endless photos. He isn't just standing near the edge of the cliff, he's on it, attempting to capture the perfect image. "I can't even watch you. It makes me uncomfortable," I say, as I slide away from the edge, ris...

Vietnam: Phu Quoc Island on a scooter

When I first read about Phu Quoc Island in a guidebook, it stirred up images of a wild tropical landscape virtually untouched by tourism. I pictured rustic beach huts scattered along miles of deserted white, sandy beaches swamped with palm trees. The warm turquoise water is calm and clear, providing endless hours of snorkeling adventures. Phu Quoc Island was the final stop of a three-week backpacking adventure through Vietnam with my best friend Lex. After constantly being on the move, it seemed like the perfect place to unwind before we made the long journey back to Canada. Located in the Gulf of Thailand 15 km south of the coast of Cambodia, Phu Quoc is Vietnam¹s largest island and less than an hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City.The majority of the land is dedicated to a national park and protected marine environment, so the island is relatively undeveloped, providing a good place for those who want to get away from it all and connect with the local people. ...

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