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We had Christmas five days before ChristmasHad Christmas 2020 early with family, I went to both my Daughters Crystal, Tiffany and their families to hand out gifts the pass couple days being safe (COVID-19) in their back yards. The past 18 years I think I have been home about 4 times for Christmas, we normally celebrate Christmas about a month before so I could get away somewhere warm, they did not mine. I really enjoyed shopping for them and just see the kids’ faces opening their gifts was priceless, I normally ask their parents what I should get them but this time I did it all on my own and it felt great, I even bought myself a Christmas present an all-wheel drive Lincoln SUV. Most of the people on my Facebook I met while travelling and I know the feeling we get just hopping on a plane somewhere warm and maybe somewhere new, the travel bug will never go away but after this COVID-19 thing is all over we will all appreciate life so much more. I was going to do a drive by Christmas gift drop off but the weather in Calgary was warm this past week so I divided to ask my daughter’s if we can meet up in their backyards 2 meters apart with facemask, no problem it worked out great. My daughter Crystal also put a family zoom so other family members including sisters Carol, Janet, Colleen and some of their family members so we can all see each other; it was a great safe early Christmas for us all. Merry Christmas to all stay safe and stay home until this COVID-19 thing is gone.
Camping, golfing and traveling southern Alberta, Canada summer 2020...Covid 19 has not slowed me down from traveling my Provence of Alberta. I sold one of my condos May 15 th 2020, calling myself homeless until I could move into my downtown condo which was tenant occupied! Homeless in my motorhome on wheels traveling around Alberta, camping, golfing, and sightseeing!
Traveling in covid 19 presence was hard because I did not want to take a chance of traveling across Canada. I did that trip a few years ago and really enjoyed the experience! With Covid 19 around, different rules applied to different provinces and I didn’t want to get caught entering or isolating! I stayed in southern Alberta, visited places like Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Milk River, Cardston, Madden, Keho Lake, Medicine Hat, Drumheller, Pincher Creek, Lake McGregor, Sylvan Lake, Calgary, Canmore, Crossfield as well as more places. I played a lot of golf in most places costing a buck a hole in Milk River to $38.00 with cart in Cardston and Madden (Beaver Dam). It was nice to catch up with a lot of good friends/family (social distancing)of course, that joined me on my Alberta trip! I met many new and interesting people while camping, golfing, rafting, hiking, biking, e-bike scooter, campfires and so much more....I love camping No matter what the future brings, I will always be active, have good laughs and fun, I try to be positive always even through Covid 19! I like to help other travelers around the world through my new link TravelMyExpedia a link on WorldTripPete.com! My objective is to TEACH and SHOW travelers how to find great deals ss well as sell from my Expedia account that will match most of the deals I will find for you....Try me!! Winter travel does not look good right now as Canada has a travel ban which means us Canadian’s will not be covered with covid insurance unless Canada lifts the travel ban. I retired over a year ago and looks like I may go back to work just to keep busy, I am a person that cannot sit around and do nothing. The good thing is I finally got my downtown condo back before winter. Covid 19 will not stop me from living life.Arrived home March 15th 2020 from living in Mexico for the winter. After my 14 days self isolation at home in Calgary, I still have not been out much, just mostly shopping like groceries at the same buying and selling big ticket items, bought and sold a MG Midget, bought a Mercedes-Bens CLK convertible (both great deals), sold my condo in Albert Park to a nice family that bought my condo yes they got a great deal some people may say that I sold too cheap but I look at it this way they are nice family and I’ve always found good deals myself, it’s not always about making money, it’s about both parties are happy. Now I have my 1988 Mercedes 300 for sale another great deal for someone to pick up. I booked a RV/golf resort for the next 2 to 6 weeks, I am so happy, while I am waiting to get into my downtown condo. Also bought another new bicycle to go camping with.
I would like to challenge people to make their own Covid-19 video and post it. You must watch my whole video as it has money in it twice. The world with an up to date and detailed Covid-19 count. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ Less detailed: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/countries-where-coronavirus-has-spread/ World population: https://www.worldometers.info/population/ I would like to start off with Canada’s Political Leaders, Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments. and especially the opposition. They are all on the same page working together to make our country safe, they are putting their political stripes aside! I am so proud to be Canadian. Our leaders are all working tirelessly to make sure we are all safe and trying to get us all home to Canada. Many of my friends that are still traveling abroad don’t get it! I do understand why! People in many foreign countries are living their lives as if nothing is happening. Most restaurants, bars, grocery stores and social gatherings are still going on living normal lives! Our Prime minister is strongly suggesting for all Canadians to return home. This is the real the world and we must shut down to control the Coronavirus !! Thank You so much Canada. c.c. To all Canadian Federal and Provincial Politicians. I just want to help, I am a big time traveller WorldTripPete.com so I called a friend that looks after most of the hostels for Hosteling International in Western Canada and yes they are closed across Canada right now so I was thinking this could be the best time to turn them into hospitals after watching the US hospital ship that they are deploying, they look like hostels, shared rooms, bathrooms and the even have private rooms on the water. I am a life member of HiHostel and I do have connections. Hi Hostels, the rooms must have the highest standards. https://www.hihostels.com/ Canada COVID-19 Everyone in the world should return to their homeland until this virus is controlled! The video below shows should I go home or stay in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico on Friday March 13th, I did the right thing I came home to Calgary, Canada the next day March 14th. In Canada, we must self isolate for 14 days after returning home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. On Friday March 13th I had a chance to change my fight a week later from March 14th to March 21st! Watching my video, I was still undecided, but my gut was telling me best to get home now before all the uproar was to happen. Being an experienced traveler, I always go by my gut feeling and it was time to leave a place that was still living a normal life in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. So, to all my travel friends get back to your home country if you can. I was fortunate not to take the trip around the world this past winter (traveling around the world cheaper today VS 16 years ago) and, instead, took plan B living in Mexico for three months... In the video below I am showing how we should do the new greet and handshake around the world. The world with an up to date and detailed Covid-19 count. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ World population: https://www.worldometers.info/population/ https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/countries-where-coronavirus-has-spread/ Looks like my traveling days are over for now, looking for a new hobby. Maybe it's time to settle down. An American film that was released in 2011 speaks of "Coronavirus" this is a must see movie “Contagion” with Matt Damon. What you’ll see in the movie is what is happening today (PEOPLE PLEASE STAY HOME). My story is in the photos and videos.In the video below I am talking about. The cost of living in Mexico is so inexpensive! Condo fees are only $40.00 USD a month and the complex has full time security guards and 6 full time ground workers. Also, I mentioned the price of cell phones in Mexico. I paid $200 pesos which equals to $13.75 Canadian a month with 3 GB data, unlimited calls & text to Canada, USA and Mexico. Wow! Compare that to Canada, one of the most expensive countries in the world, where I pay about $90.00 a month,5 GB data only, unlimited calls & text across Canada, with all the free wi-fi! I never ran out of data. Hockey night in Playa Del Carmen.On the local bus in Playa Del Carmen.In Playa Del Carmen, you must be an aggressive driver to get anywhere, What stop sign?Soccer (football) on the beach (playa) in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.No truck needed, This guy walks miles to deliver this furniture. The video below, Carnival Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, the operator of the ride is a bit crazy and out of control but I think he loves his job!! Staying and living in one place for three months was new to me, but amazingly it felt like home. I enjoyed the people I met. Yes, same bed every night wasn’t all that bad! Apartment complex I stayed in was about 90% Mexican locals and I loved it. I did accomplish visiting three countries this winter (Mexico, Dominican Republic and Dubai). Next winter I have no plans as of yet but I am looking at doing an around the world trip again! Or, I may again move to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I love travelling !
Found lots of great deals.Beginning with Christmas 2018, I travelled to Panama for $550.00 CAN and a great Christmas celebration. Spent New Years in Colombia then back to Panama for a week (return flight Panama to Colombia was about $300.00 CAN). Returning home to Calgary, had just over a week break before my big trip to Australia where I will catch up with old friends. Being a bit cold in Calgary, found a cheap week all inclusive to Cuba so flew down with my buddy Norm. Found great deals. Found a great deal $850.00 CAN return Calgary to Sydney, Australia (the price dropped further to $651.00...wow!). Visiting Australia,I travelled 300k south to Perth and explored the south coast for about a week. Moved on to Brisbane ,and made that my home base for train travels north to the Sunshine coast (Mooloolba) and south to the Gold coast .For my last few days in Australia, I stayed where I started my travel bug 17 yrs ago at Sydney Central Hostel ! It was nice to catch up with a few of my Australian friends again. Arriving back to Calgary, I wanted to relax but I really needed a holiday to relax! I found a great price to Cabo, Mexico. Actually, there was little time to relax because I have never been there before and wanted to see everything!! Never stopped! I had a 38 hour stop over at home then off to Mexico again. Finally, made it home to Calgary for the spring and summer. Only trip I took was to Toronto for my buddy Tim’s surprise birthday party. Also, spent a bit of time camping around Calgary! I wanted to take a trip in late summer to Belfast, Ireland and Dubai, after booking my ticket, British Airways cancelled a few days later because of a company pilot strike. I had the travel itch I had to go somewhere. I found a great deal with my own room at 4 Star, all Inclusive for $859 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! Had many options and ended up booking a flight to Dubai. Weather was good and it was before high season begins. It was of the most amazing places I’ve ever travelled to, full of intrigue and excitement! I could have travelled cheaper today vs 17 years ago, but I'm a man of my word, like I said last year I was too burnt out from travelling too much. I wanted more relaxing after being burnt out from my travels last winter. I booked a great 2-bedroom condo in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for the next three months (saved 55% by booking condo by the month!) From here I may still travel to Cuba, Florida, Belize and maybe even Panama ...I love that travel bug! I traveled around the world alone 16 years ago with Star Alliance for about $3,500.00. Today, with all my travel experience, I can beat that price and below is how I could achieve that goal. Traveling around the would 2019... Start from Calgary to Manila, Philippines $595.81 CAD, Manila to Bali, Indonesia $106.92 USD, Bali to Singapore $87.66 USD ,Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia $41.69 USD, Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, Thailand $46.51 USD , Bangkok to Colombo Sri Lanka $109.0, USD ,Colombo to Dubai $267.03 USD, Dubai to London, England $159.00 USD, London to Belfast return $99.91 CAN, and finally London to Calgary $337.32 CAN.... Total for trip so far is ($2,175.63)CAN,= $1,654.36 USD = $1,485.00 EUR so I can take another trip which is still less expensive than my trip 16 yrs ago! I can Add in Calgary to Panama City, Panama $295.91 CAN, Panama City to Cancun Mexico $356.41 CAN and my very last flight Cancun to Calgary $191.05 USD...Add in baggage charges at average $30.00 USD per flight... Grand Totals for all 12 countries above for 2019 flights: $3,019.39 CAN =$2,283.41 USD= 2,064.00 EUR.....WOW! When I traveled around the world 16 years ago, For about $3,500.00 CAN, I visited 13 countries. I started in Tahiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Portugal then went south to Brazil and on to my my final destination Mexico. I will not do the round the world this year as I'm moving to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, read below. My Winter Home Base 2019/20 will be in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico" !!!I passed on the the around World Trip this year, as I will be moving to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (home base] . I am giving more focus to my travel business. I found a nice, new two bedroom furnished condo for $713.00 CAN. a month. Plan to do more than just bask in the sea and sun. I am very flexible with my travel plans....From Cancun airport ,I can still travel to Cuba, Florida, Belize (by bus) and central America. From my Home Base in Mexico, I can do my travel business House Calls Travel by phone or on line anywhere in the world! You have an open invite to contact me at anytime whatsapp/phone +1-403-991-6644 email info@housecallstravel.com for your travel plans..... See below, I saved 55% monthly priced discount at an airbnb in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
I have no idea why I wanted to go to Dubai, but I am glad I did. I love to see new buildings, cities, countries and other cultures in our great world. The United Arab Emirates is an Arabian Peninsula nation settled mainly along the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. The country is a federation of 7 emirates. Abu Dhabi, the island capital, is home to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with crystal chandeliers and room for 40,000 worshipers. Dubai is the site of ultramodern Burj Khalifa tower, enormous shopping centers, with skating rinks and indoor skiing and extravagant entertainment attractions. Burj Khalifa tower, When I arrived in Dubai, I bought a transit pass at the airport so I could get around the city. The pass included bus, tram and the Metro (subway train). I also picked up free sim card from Dubai immigration for my phone. Before I booked my travel, everyone said how expensive it was to visit Dubai. So I did what I do best and found the best deals! To my amazement, the best flight was $1163.00 CAN return from Calgary, Canada. I enjoy staying in hostels when I visit a new country because fellow hostel backpackers know where and how to give me insight to things I can see and do in the city. (Most hostels around the world offer better prices for tours, restaurants and historical sites etc.!). I stayed at Backpacker Dubai in Internet City, as well as a 66-story hostel called At The Top across from a ritzy area called Palm Jebel Ali. For about $30.00 to $35.00 CAN a night, I stayed in in a 6-bed mixed dorm which was very nice and clean. I ended up staying at both hostels longer then I thought because I met so many great people from around the world. My last 3 nights in Dubai I found a great deal on Airbnb for my own apartment, fully equipped with pool in the beautiful Merina area. Can you believe I only paid only $54.00 CAN a night? At the Calgary Airport, I met some young Canadian students I saw on the news earlier that were going to Dubai to represent Canada in the World Robotic competition. I received free tickets to the amazing event and heard that the Dubai Government picked up the tab for most of the 192 countries that competed. I saw a big media scrum at the event all trying to take pictures and wondered what all the fuss was about? I discovered that government ministers in Education and the Environment were there along with a mystery high ranking government official? I walked up to the 3 of them asking for a picture with me wearing my World Map shirt (WorldTripPete.com). After a few laughs, just maybe that Mystery person was the Prime Minister?.lol During my visit there, I took a couple of tours. First, I went to Abu Dhabi, capital city of the UAE. An amazing site to see there was the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque where 40.000 people could meet for Muslim prayer. I also saw the Emirates Palace, and other modern, shaped architectural buildings that were incredible to the eye! . The second tour costing $54 was to the Sand Dunes in a 4x4 SUV, rode a camel, served an East Indian dinner and watched an amazing fire, dance musical extravaganza... Abu Dhabi and Mosque Tour. BelowSand Dunes in a 4x4 SUV, rode a camel, dinner and watched an amazing fire, dance musical extravaganza... Tour belowBoth Fido and Rogers mobile telephone workers have never seen this before.Both Fido and Rogers mobile telephone workers have never seen this before. I changed providers about a month ago. Maybe my phone # can work in two places at the same time, I am off to Dubai next week and will take the new phone with me and keep the old one with a friend. They can answer it while I am gone. Funny, I did cancel Fido over a month ago. Two phones for the price of one .haha More blogging from Dubai at WorldTripPete.com Trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates! I disagree with the impression that the city is expensive to live. Far from the truth...I booked a hostel at $154 for 5 nights at a great location. I like staying in hostel’s the first time I visit a new country . Here I can meet travellers who can help me find the best area sites and deals.Later I will stay in a 4 star hotel or Airbnb for the rest of my holiday, Can you believe I found a 4 star hotel at 83% off, just $57.00 a night in Canadian $$$$$...Dubai, here I come!!! Big road trip south when I get back I was booked to be in Ireland this week and Dubai next week but change of plans suddenly appeared. Totally out of my control, British Airways went on strike. They did give me a full refund and that made me happy. So, with my travel bug problem (lol), I decided to take another trip, ending up in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the first time. I got a great deal $859 at a Four Star all-inclusive, (but still can’t beat the Mexico trip I had five years ago at half the price). Coming soon, I’m starting a new travel website called “HouseCallsTravel.Com” I will be showing you how to find great deals too. Check out the video from my Mexico trip 5 years ago worldtrippete.com/home/archives/11-2014 where I paid $11.00 plus $414.10 taxes Flight 4 star all-inclusive. I had to decide what shirt I should wear today…? My mother always said I was bright lol..(photos above). I had a very relaxing holiday including working on my new website “HouseCallsTravel.com”. I did what most people would do, eat too much but only 6 drinks all week! One thing I always like to do in my travels is to get out and meet local people., I took the local bus an hour and a half from my resort in Bavaro Playa (beach) to a town called Higuey . I met very friendly people there that were willing to help me out with my limited Spanish but somehow we communicated and everything worked out! In addition to meeting new people on my travels, I also like to visit City Centro, hub of the action for town history and culture. After exploring the town for a few hours, it was time to get back to the resort. The one-way streets were confusing, but I got a tip from a local to take a Motorcycle Taxi to the bus station. The fast daring driver bobed and weaved through traffic and I had to ensure my knees were in tight! Next day, another bus trip took me to Veron where I connected to yet another bus and saw poverty and run-down buildings in Las Manantiales. I was on my way to the luxury “Blue Mall” in Punta Cana . I found that in my travels through poverty areas, the towns aren’t nearly as threatening as they look. Some places are not to be visited at night ,same as most cities in the world. Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t look afraid!
No it's not dangerous, the conversion was about how dangerous spring break can be, this Mexican guy in the video was too funny. My travels this past winter first included Mexico, Panama and Columbia. Arriving home to Calgary for a few days, my friend Norm wanted to get away for a winter holiday. I found a great deal to Cuba and off we went. I made it back in time to get ready for my trip to Australia. I love Australia (just read my bio). I did a lot of travelling around the country and met up with some old friends. From Sydney, I flew West to Perth, and toured 4 hours south with a friend. A week later I flew to Brisbane, touring 3 hours north and south of the city by train, bus and car. My final stop in Australia, I flew to Sydney for a systematic sight seeing tour by boat, bus and train. Great transit system!
Arriving home to Calgary from Australia for only 38 hours, I found a great deal to Cabo, the Baja California Sur. Thought I would take a holiday and just relax as I needed a real holiday after all my winter travelling. I was wrong about relaxing. It was my first time visiting a new area in Mexico. I explored the area by bus, boat and rent a car. I started off in San Jose Del Cabo, home base for the first week. Followed were two day trips by bus, one to Todos Santos, a real nice town where tourists like to visit and the other to Los Barriles where I chatted with a few kite surfers. I Discovered that most of the kite surfers were retired expats. Wow! Love it! Maybe that’s where I should live for the winter and take up kite surfing?. My last week there I spent most of my time in Cabo San Lucas. I listened to a boring presentation at a timeshare event that included a free game of golf. Never again (takes too much of my time), so much to see and do, hard to relax. I always find great deals and spend most of my time in airbnb’s, hotels, hostels where I love meeting other travelers and sometimes I even find 5 star hotels for a 3 star price.
I found a great travel deal to Australia ,$850.00 return Canadian on Qantas Airlines.[cheaper a month later!],,,My first time on a double decker A380 was totally amazing! The plane has a camera on the tail that can be watched from your TV screen seat [similar to what a pilot sees while flying].., love Qantas airlines.... free food, drinks, beer,, wine, headsets and movies. I had a slight connecting problem and they changed my flight from Sydney to Perth for free. [North America Airlines usually charge for any changes]...The Video's above show taking off from Sydney and landing in LA.
I am so grateful for the stay at the home of my long time friend Andrew Moore, his wife Jessica and kids Araluen and Casey. They toured me around south coastal region of Western Australia, I saw kangaroos and dolphins. Andrew took me on many scenic trips while I was there. On our way to the Perth from Andy’s family’s home in Mandurah, We again took the scenic coastal route, and saw many beautiful, modern cities and towns we went were so new and clean. While I was in Perth, I did a small hike up the hill to Kings Park for an amazing view of the city of Perth. I am now on my way to Brisbane late this afternoon for a couple days. Left video' was my first up close encounter with a Kangaroo (totally unpredictable)! Right video Andrew and I saw dolphins up close. After landing in Brisbane, I spent the night at an Airbnb near the airport. Next day I made my way by train to meet up with a long time friend Sam Schmidt in the Beautiful Sunshine Coast. In the above photo we are hanging out with two other Canadians.I also met a few of Sam’s friends and roommates, great Aussie's! Can you believe that I was a winner at the race track? That’s it, I’m moving here! Funny thing is I had a come to Australia to get a Canadian club hat. It was given to me from an Australian stranger in the piano bar (good people here in Australia). Sam's hospitality was amazing, After spending time with Sam, I took a train to the Gold Coast, I got a real good deal on Airbnb at the Surfers Paradise, Queensland Australia. Photos above are from my Airbnb balcony in the Gold Coast of Australia, a 5-star facility witch I paid only $60.00 Canadian a night, (price went up to $90.00 after my stay). The view from my room on the 32nd floor was amazing (the photo above). It was a good walk to the main beach or the tram in minutes. This week I’m going to TRY and take it easy and relax, as I'm always on the go. I never did relax as there is way to much to see and do. Now back in Brisbane, caught up with a few other old friends, Rob, wife Kirsty, kids and Daniel. Brisbane, We ROCK!! The reason I took this trip was to catch up with some old friends and how many changes since the last time I as there. Had a great night out with Robert, wife Kirsty, their three kids Matilda is 9 Oliver is 7 Patrick is 4 and Daniel Williams. With all the walking I do in a day,it was great to get around on a power scooter. I will be back in Australia to catch up with some old friends that I missed.
I just arrived in Sydney Central Hostel, the place where my journey of traveling began over 16 years ago. Back then they never had Uber or Airbnb where I now stay most of the time. Now people have Facebook where they can keep in touch with each other while traveling and most of all, what would we do without the google maps app. We would also be lost without traveling websites that include schedules for bus, train, boat, cable cars and planes. So, for my last three nights in Australia, I’m booked into the Sydney Central Hostel where it all began over 16 years ago. Video one above on left, I leave back home tomorrow Wednesday; I had a layover in Los Angeles for 6 hours and strolled over to Venice Beach for a couple hours. In my video I’m explaining how I might change my ways of travelling next winter, perhaps staying in one country for four or five months instead of bouncing around like I have been. Then again, I can change my mind by November. Just found out the Sydney central Hostel has 650 beds and I'm seeing a lot more older people are travelling Hostels these days. Home Wednesday booked Mexico for Friday too cold in Canada right now. Again, to my Australian friends, thank you for making my vacation so amazing. It was so nice to meet so many new great new people. Yesterday I walked down to the Sydney harbour and took the ferry to Manley Beach, afternoon I went to Bondi beach all on the same $15.00 day ticket (opal card). Most people from Sydney don't know that the $15.00 ticket (opal card) is good for all transit include boats, trains, and buses for the day. Because of the cyclones in the north, most of beaches are closed in Sydney and the East Coast. Video two, is about young students learning to save lives, it's amazing to watch. I had no idea what was going on in Bondi beach. First was a kids learning to save lives in the water, kayaks racing and of course the surfers are out there too. In Canada we get the TV show Bondi Vet, great show. On my home from Australia, who says you can’t be in two places at the same time? I left Sydney, Australia February 27 at 11:20 AM and arrived in Los Angeles February 27th at 6 AM. If only I thought of it, I could have been in the South Pacific Bondi beach touching water at 8 AM, then take the public bus and train to Sydney airport, In my seven hour layover in Los Angeles. I did take the shuttle to the city bus stop at the LA airport for free, then the Santa Monica big blue bus #3 to Venice Boulevard and finally took the number 33 to Venice Beach. It was here that I put my feet in the water at 8 AM February 27th. Same time and date, two different countries and two different beaches from the South Pacific Sydney to the North Pacific LA, Never say things that can’t be done. I am home in Calgary for 38 hours then off to San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico next. EXCITING TIMES CONTINUE!!! Next Blog,Cabo Mexico...
Photos: left to right - Playa Del Carmen - second photo: SellOffVacations.com….. I found a deal for Playa Del Carmen - Mexico hotel, flight with taxes in, $97% off - $29.00 plus $500.00 taxes, I ended up paying a bit more because the posted price was for double occupancy. The next photo was posted on YYCdeals.com Calgary …… Canada to Sydney Australia for as low as $651.00 to $685.00 round trip, including taxes…. Unbelievable! As for the third photo, I found this deal on NextDeparture.com; across Canada to Sydney, Australia for $624.00 to $808.00 round trip including taxes. People that are living in Canada and looking for great deals can sign up with Ydeals and NextDeparture. They will email you when they find deals in your city and it’s free. I use ydeals for my flights. To check prices, scroll down to flights…. google flights or ITA Matrix . when you get to dates, put in search exact dates, meaning you can put in up to two day before or after. I like to use the calendar for lowest fares; for example. if you put in 14 days, it will show you best prices or add or minuses days, Also, be sure to put in Canadian $$$$ under currency, I also use SkyScanner to find great deals. Once you find a good price, it is best to go directly to the airlines, Expedia or your own travel agent. They will give it to you for the price you see most of the time, but prices change so fast sometimes. If I’m in Canada with my phone on April till November, then I could help you book all your travel needs with my Expedia. I got laid off the last week of November 2018, so I went shopping online for a deal and found the Playa Del Carmen deal with Mexico hotel, flight with taxes in - $97% off =($29.00) plus $500.00 taxes, I ended up paying a bit more because the posted deal was for double occupancy. I go to Mexico quite a bit, so it was just a relaxing holiday and meet up with some old friends.
I have been to Panama many times, but this was my first Christmas there. Spending it there was all about family, parks all lit up (lights), decorations and the parade and fireworks were all amazing. My friends, Martin and Victor came by for Christmas dinner. I had also invited a few other friends, but they thought I was having the dinner on Christmas eve as that’s when most people celebrate Christmas; sorry about that Conrad and Louis. This is the first time I took the Panama Canal Railway from Panama City to Colon, for only $25.00 and I took the bus back from Colon. While in Colon, I checked out the free zone and the new locks. Colon is not a place to visit at night.
Wow! New Years Eve in Cartagena, Colombia; met quite a few good people from England, Miami, Brazil and Mexico and we had a great time in the old town on a rooftop bar for the new year. Cartagena is a beautiful city with dark gray beaches. After the great time in Cartagena, I wanted to check out Medellin, Colombia for the first time. It’s a city surrounded with mountains. It has a great subway system that even has a gondola (cable car) that you get to take, as it is part of the subway system and you don’t have to pay extra. It’s worth checking out the amazing views of the city from the top of the mountain. I also enjoyed the cool nights as you don’t need air conditioning there at night. I spent a relaxing week back in Panama after my trip to Colombia. I made it out to Coronado to visit a couple of old friends Jimmy and Derek for a round of golf. For this whole trip of a t month and a half, I stayed in a hotel in Play Del Carmen, because it came with the flight, but the rest of the traveling I stayed in Airbnb.com. I strongly recommend Airbnb over hotels now as you get to meet so many good people in the world that live in the city you are visiting but the secret is make sure they are a 5 star or a super host and they will go out of the way for you. Funny story: …a friend of mine stayed at an Airbnb and said it was OK, so I asked him what star rating it was, His answer was no star but it was OK because he paid $120.00 . I showed him that a 5 star or super host was only average $40.00 a night in the same city and a better location too. Anyway, for some reason people think if you pay more it will be a better place. I proved him wrong so take it from an experienced traveler, read up on the person you are staying with and also read up on the people that have stayed at their place. I am a 5 star host myself when I put my place back on line with Airbnb. Amazing tile art work in Havana, see if you can recognize the person on the tile. Always love the people of Cuba. I went to visit my friend Fernando’s wife, Yarelys and daughter Monica in Cardenas about 30 minutes from the resort town of Varadero. It was great to meet up with her family (photos 7&8). It’s so cheap to get around on horse and buggy (photos 9&10) in these small towns (love it). Off to Havana (Habana) with my travelling amigo Normando Salsa (aka Norm Freele) . The first six photos are of celebrity caricatures in our new favorite bar Cinema (cervezas 2.75 CUC). I took time for a shower down at the harbour (photo 1). Hotel Lido (Dean's favorite when visiting), just two blocks off the Prado, was 30 CUC per night ($30) on the last visit. It had risen to 57 CUC so we stayed next door at the Casa Particular for 30 CUC. The Casa did not appear to be too Particular about shared occupancy, but we still got our own rooms,,,, Heh! Heh! The restored car lineup (photos 2&6) at the main plaza is amazing. We visited the National building (photos 3&4) , spent some time with Ernest (photo 5) at his favorite bar Floridita and capped the visit with some salsa back down by the Malecon. My heart is in Havana Ahha! ![]() My next trip, February 6th to the 27th in Australia looking foreword to see some old friends and their extended families in Australia as they all moved back home after living in Canada for a few years. Summer 2018, I wanted to go to Canada's 150-year celebration in Ottawa, seeing old friends then making it to my daughter’s wedding in Golden B.C. The first part of my trip was going to King City just north of Toronto and staying with my buddy Tim and Christine great host every time I go there. I get to camp out at Tim’s he has an amazing Car collection and he always has new cars and collectibles to check out every time I go there, we went to a auction where Tim bought a lot of old gas station collectibles. His garage is like no other I have ever seen before just amazing check out the photos above. Wasaga Beach and camping, While I was there I caught up to a few old friends, Russ, Fuzzy and his wife Meriaul, Mike, Leeann, Debbie and her husband Mike that were great host at their place in one of my favorite places growing up was to go to Wasaga beach, They invited me to their barbecue and met a lot of people I grew up with, It was nice catching up with the old crew again a few drinks and chat about the good old days and I don’t think any of us have change or got any older. Thanks again Deb and Mike for allowing me to camp at your place it was a fun get together we will have to do it again sometime soon. I wanted to go east for Canada day in Ottawa, where else would I want to be for Canada’s 150 birthday, I contacted a friend Ken to whom I met in Panama while I was on my road trip Calgary to Panama a year ago, Ken let me camp out at his family’s place in Wakefield, Quebec while waiting for Canada in Ottawa, we could not find a place in Ottawa so the night before Canada day July 1st we camped overnight in a Walmart parking lot and Canada day we made our way to the big show as close as we could get to the Parliament buildings in a parking lot overnight, we could not get into the big event, low cloud and rain stopped the air show from happening but we did stick around for the amazing fireworks that night, met a nice couple of backpackers Valentina is from Smolensk, Russia and Michiel is from Utrecht, Netherlands I invited them back to my camper for a peanut butter and jam sandwich. I have been watching their travels too. The next day I caught up with my cousin Debbie, husband Dean and their daughter Michelle for breakfast, the last time I saw Debbie is when we were young kids ourselves. Our parents came to Canada from Belfast Island, The Dowies my mother’s maiden name they grew up in New Brunswick, so we did not have a chance to see each other growing up as our family grew up in Toronto. Did a bit of camping with an old buddy Russ we even made it to Niagara Falls where we got invited for dinner at a couple of friends of mine I met in Panama City a few years ago, great dinner Derek and Jim thanks guys. Guy walking across Canada canforrest.blogspot.ca On my way to Ontario, I noticed a guy with a big sign on his back saying walking across Canada please help with food, so I pulled over to chat with a guy, his website (canforrest.blogspot.ca) that was walking across Canada for the second time for mental health. Story about trip home from Toronto, Before heading back to Calgary I decided to go to the hostel in downtown Toronto to see if I could find some backpackers to share the expense, Brent Oldfield from Canada replied so we hit the road picking up backpackers on the way back sharing expenses photos left to right Leo, Johanna a couple we picked hitchhiking in Moose Jaw to Medicine Hat they are backpackers from Germany Pete then Ludwig Winter a 19 year old hitchhiker (backpacker) again from Germany we picked him up in Sault Ste Marie Ontario to Swift Currant Saskatchewan and on the far right Brent traveling from Toronto to Calgary soon moving to Australia, I posted on the Toronto Hi Hostel bulletin board to share expenses to Calgary and Brent Oldfield responded. It took us 4 days three nights camping. I will be blogging soon about my trip to Toronto and back on TravelCheapWithPete). My daughters wedding. It was time to head back to Calgary because of course I must attend my daughter Crystal’s wedding who else is going to give her away? Crystal and now her husband Ben picked a fantastic location in the mountains of Golden British Columbia. It’s so nice to see all the family and meet Crystal’s new extended family, wonderful time. Camping with friends and family summer 2017 after my daughters wedding last month I did plenty of camping to Turner Valley in the mountains love the heated outdoor swimming pool, Friends dropped by from there Carol Ann and Dave. Banff, Took friends from Toronto on a road trip to Banff day trip. Sylvan Lake where my sister Carol lives a few friends and family dropped by. Golden B.C my Daughter Crystals wedding, Strathmore rodeo always a great time with friends. Beaver Dam golf and camping resort, great deal golf and camping my friend Joe and I stayed here and Ron and Rob dropped in for a golf game, in the photo you will see how close Ron and my drive were to each other from the tea off. And southern British Columbia. My buddy Joey had time off, so I asked him if he wanted to go on a road trip to Kelowna, British Columbia and I decided I wanted to take the long root mostly hwy #3 close along the Canadian US boarder as I have never done it before it is longer but worth checking out. It was great to meet up with a world traveler from Calgary and chat travel. check out his book http://www.mikespencerbown.com/ the third photo was taken by The Eagle 100.9 FM Winter 2017-2018, Mexico twice, Panama twice, Cuba and Florida once. I started in Varadero Cuba, I started my winter vacation in Varadero Cuba on November 19th the next day after I arrived I got two messages from both my Daughters saying, Dad call home right away, I know in my gut this can't be good, so I waited about an hour and then I called and talked to my daughter Crystal she told me that my 28 year old niece Shelby pasted away that was the hardest call I have every received while traveling all I wanted to do was get home right away to be with my sister Carol and family, I remember how hard it was trying to get home directly to Calgary until I thought of my good friend Kyla that worked for Westjet and I thank everyone on Westjet that took care of me, I was an emotional wreck, first Veradero to Toronto and the connecting flight to Calgary was full but they made room for me on a buddy pass, thank you so much Kyla and Westjet. Airbnb in Playa, Christmas & New Year, bike and apt Dean and family. My next trip was to (Cancun) Playa Del Carmen, Mexico on my $800.00 vulture with Air Canada, had to use it up within a year. Found a wonderful place with great host on Airbnb Maria, Ralf and family. The picture is the front of the house and the balcony is from my bedroom the small jungle between the house and the beach. They even invited me to join them for Christmas dinner a few days after I moved out, wonderful time with their family and friends. I ended up renting my own one bedroom apartment in Playa Del Carmen in a great location ( 4 blocks from the beach 5th avenue), only 8000 pesos a month I think it’s something like $550 Canadian, great location too. Merry Christmas🎄🏝 from Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I am so grateful Maria and Ralf for having me over for Christmas eve dinner with family and friends, I met the family the first day I arrived in Playa Del Carmen, I stayed at their home thanks to Airbnb and they invited me back for Christmas eve celebrations, I find in South America, Central America and Mexico they celebrate Christmas eve not Christmas day and it was so much fun. They had family over from Germany, Mexico and the United States and another Airbnb guest Eric from USA and myself Canada. I like to help in the kitchen cooking, so I ask Maria how I can help she said you can make German knodel, it’s a potato that I rolled like meatballs then they into boiling water, they were so good. In the pictures and videos, you will see me working in the kitchen, the game where you throw the dice and hope you get an even number, so you can pick a present that is wrapped them open it and show everyone what you have got because the next time you roll the dice you can trade in you don’t like yours. It starts off with everyone must bring a wrapped gift then roll the dice, we went around about 4 times, it was so much fun. I just got a good deal on a 🚲 Bicycle. I’ve been shopping for a bike since I’ve been here in Playa Del Carmen, prices are high due to Christmas, even in the pond shops, so I just got talking to a couple of Mexicans and an American having a problem with the bank machine on Fifth Avenue I said nice bike to the one Mexican guy and asked him do you know where I can buy a bike like his? He said yes, this one he said it’s worth about 1200 pesos but he will give it to me for 800 that’s a bargain, I said I have 640 that’s it, he said deal, I’m so 🍀 Lucky. Even the guy behind us selling tours watched the transaction heard us, I took a picture of the seller and I he said why? do I want a photo of him, I said just in case it’s stolen then he asked me if I was a cop, I laughed and said no, then he walked away I looked over at the guy selling the tours he said what a great deal you got there and it’s not stolen because he knows the seller he is a local. I never did listen to mom saying don’t talk to stranger’s son, you have to strangers all the time if you want to be a traveler that’s always looking and finding good deals. friends came down for Christmas and new year’s, Randy, Rossie, Dean and 35 family members Happy new year from Playa Del Carmen Mexico. More photos to come, hanging out with Derek, they set off fireworks from one end of the beach to the other at the hotels. Tim's place in Florida and flames game. Change of plans, means change my flight too, I was supposed to fly back to Calgary but I saw it was too cold in Calgary, so I changed my ticket to Florida, I wanted to visit my friend Tim and his girlfriend Christine and do some car shows with them, love Tim’s car collection, I posted to my Facebook friends you have to guess who drove what vehicle from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach, left to right you have Pete Montgomery, Cole Kay, Christine Wheeler Tim Schmidt and Brad Chapman. Bugatti Chiron. McLaren P1. Lamborghini Huracan. Corvette Z06. Conquest Knight XV, all beautiful autos, I got to drive the Conquest Knight XV, Canadian made worth over a million, if I knew it was worth that much I don’t think I would have drove it, as I think I would have been too nervous. It was a great visit, Tim bought a new house on the water 2 bedroom and a 12 car garage on the water in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and we went up to visit his mother Helga who also has a house on the water just north of Fort Lauderdale. The next day after I arrived I met a new young friend and now a new traveler from Ecuador Luigy Muñoz came into the Airbnb place he was too early he could not check in till 2:00pm he arrived at 10:00am so I showed him how to get around on the city bus to the mall, so he can get to Miami the next day and showed him the beach in Hollywood. I said that I wanted to go to hockey game tonight and asked him if he wanted to join me and he said yes, he has never seen hockey before, so this is his first time at a hockey game in Florida and his first time travelling alone, go flames go. I don’t have my red jersey because I had no idea I going to hockey game I was in Mexico yesterday Florida today, I booked my flight and I didn’t even know the Calgary Flames were playing until after a book my ticket I looked to see what teams will be in Florida while I was there, and it ended up being the flames. I had money left from Air Canada so I made a short stop in Playa Del Carmen then back to Panama, found a great deal with money left over from my Air Canada voucher. Great deal on Airbnb, Martin $29.00 Canadian and San Blas and blues fest, After Florida I ended up going home to Calgary for about a week and then it got cold again, I decided I’m out of here. I had some money left on my Air Canada voucher, so I ended up going back to Playa Del Carmen for a few days working with Expedia Mexico, I am an Expedia agent in Canada. After a few days in Mexico I decided it was time for change again, so I found a great deal to Panama but I had to fly north to Houston then Panama where I found a great apartment with an Ocean view a rooftop pool and gym, a block from the Hard Rock hotel, cheap $29.00 Canadian a night thanks Airbnb and a great host now good friend Martin he is a young entrepreneur just starting on his own and just move to Panama from China. Martin and I (business partners) were looking at buying a hostel in Panama City and I could look after it in the winter months but some friends of mine (other hostel owners) said no it is not worth it. Friends always ask me why I like Panama so much. Well it’s a good small country with great friendly helpful people, you can drink the water from the tap, I’m living on the Pacific Ocean in the new modern Panama City and it will only take me just over an hour to go snorkeling in the Caribbean, I can take a bus to visit friends in Coronado at their golf condo resort just over an hour to get there for only $2.50 on a new modern bus the whole country has everything you need, beaches, mountains, rain forest, hiking and lots of jungle to explore. I finally made it over to San Blas, Panama and stayed in a hut (don’t need windows you can see through the walls), this is not for most of my friends, but I sure did enjoy just relaxing for a couple of days. There are 365 Islands to explore I made it to a couple of the Islands (No phone or internet service) that was so nice. So busy traveling Panama and still have my Airbnb in the city, I went to Boquete, Panama for the Jazz and Blues festival on the redeye bus and stay with my old buddy from Texas Backpacker Bob. http://www.boquetejazzandbluesfestival.com/festival-2018.ht… Penthouse condo Panama. I arrived home to a snow storm (Saturday March 3rd, saying to myself what was I thinking coming back to this? I took care of business (job interview) and I have one more meeting tomorrow morning, so that means I can get out of here. I found a great deal back to Panama leaving Wednesday March 7th only $522.41 Canadian. Thank god I did my laundry in Panama before I left two days ago that means I don’t even have to unpack. I knew Martin had his place booked for the month of March, so I put it out there to other friends in Panama, My friend Marcela, that owned the hostel when I did my road trip Calgary to Panama, I stayed at her hostel, she said her sister Gilda has a place for rent in Panama City two-story penthouse three bedroom three bathroom with a pool and gym. She offered it to me for $30 a night USD and I asked her about the other room she said she’ll rent it out as long as it’s a friend of mine for $45 USD a night. So, I put it out to my Facebook friends that want to check out Panama city it’s a good deal. Remember flights leaving Wednesday from Calgary I got it cheap for $522.00 return, this deal is only while I am here. The forgotten People of Panama by tour guide Victor Peretz.Next to old town (Casco Viejo) Panamá, what they call the undesirables living in Chorrillo area where Police tell us to stay out of, they are people the forgotten people my this blog will be about the tour I had with Víctor Peretz yesterday. Two out of the six of us playing basketball tonight we’re from the poor area, after the lights went out we all went our separate ways shook hands and said thanks, I think I have a pulled muscle in my leg no worries will it will be better tomorrow. Thanks Victor for the tour we will be working together in the future to show the world how great Panama really is. This is Victor's story Well, let me share with you some important details about El Chorrillo. On December 20th, 1989, President George Bush launches Operation Just Cause and has sent US forces into the Central American country of Panama in a bid to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. El Chorrillo is on the water's edge in Panama City, not far from the entrance to the Panama Canal. Many of the canal's builders -- immigrants from the Caribbean -- lived here. Decades later the neighborhood was poor and dangerous because of the invasion in that time, home to teachers and clerks, as well as hustlers who sold contraband cigarettes or beer stolen from the American military bases. Although many people moved out after the invasion, there are still others who stayed and recall the 1989 attack. They were caught unawares, they said, when they heard American helicopters coming over the hills and waterfront. Members of the Dignity Battalions, armed civilians sworn to protect General Noriega's Panama, scrambled. Some residents said the Americans urged them to leave the neighborhood. Others said they had cringed inside their homes, while people on the street tried to get into any home they could, or rushed to the local church. When the government and private investors started seeing the potential of this area, they started removing the poor people from this area. Many of them moved to El Chorrillo, only a stone’s throw away from Casco Viejo. Get off the beaten path with me and see where boxer Roberto Duran trained and our local panamanian soccer player who will be representing Panama in the World Cup 2018, learn about how the U.S. invasion of Panama affected this neighborhood since 1989, try local food and drinks, visit the park where dominoes are played, chat with the locals in their homes and get to know the people of this area, and learn about the gentrification that has taken place in the now trendy Casco Viejo historic district. That's how the gang members took the control of the neighborhood of El Chorrillo. I wanted to show to travellers something that goes beyond typical tourist places, like the Canal and Casco Viejo. So I started offering different tours. One of them caught my attention immediately: The Walking Tour through El Chorrillo. The idea is to show tourists the real side of Panama: the local people, their living conditions and culture. I run the tour under the slogan: “WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A FAMOUS CANAL – WE ARE PEOPLE“ During the tour, visitors can also find old colonial buildings, but they are not renovated since they have been built. There are apartment buildings, with colorful, but mostly old facades, where freshly washed clothes are hanging for drying. Some houses are sporadically made of wood, almost falling apart. Travellers will see a lot of street art about sports, people of El Chorrillo and some who remind of the US invasion. Let me tell you about the local history, daily life and living conditions of the locals. I will show you the sports hall, where the famous boxer Roberto "Hands of stone" Duran trained and other places that are related to sport, especially to football. The locals love it and are proud that a few “Chorrilleros” became famous athletes. The neighborhood is very lively, with children running around in the streets, people chatting and Latin music sounds in every corner. Locals always will greet you friendly with a smile. So we will stop a few times. We will also visit a Police station, where Victor’s weekly program "Educate Me and You Educate A Nation", is taking place. The idea is to get the kids away from the street and give them a place to learn and play. Especially tourists are welcome to interact with the kids and learn English with them. I want the locals and tourists to connect, exchange knowledge from different countries, traditions and cultures. You can meet the kids, help to educate them and have an authentic experience in Panama. The program is quite new, but I want to develop it with more and different classes in English, music and art. In the long term I plan to educate and empower also the mothers of the children. The locals are very friendly and welcoming and You will feel safe with me. For sure, it’s not as safe as Casco Viejo to walk around as a tourist – especially after sunset. You will have a very good experience there, where you will take home more than souvenir, You will take home memories to share. After walking around in El Chorrillo, I will bring you back to our starting point (Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo). The tour takes around 1,5 hours and it's 40 USD. If you are interested in seeing another, non-touristy side of Panama or spend time with the kids of this area, connect with me on Facebook @Local in PTY or send me an E-Mail. I guarantee you an amazing, unique and authentic experience in Panama City! Any other question you have, let me know. Best regards, Víctor A. Pérez M. Founder & CEO Two out of the six of us playing basketball tonight we’re from the poor area, after the lights went out we all went our separate ways shook hands and said thanks, I think I have a pulled muscle in my leg no worries will it will be better tomorrow. I met Luis just a few weeks ago just hanging out in old town Panama City Victor Peretz, origionally from beautiful San Blas, Panama, is now giving tours in what some people call the undesirables in the El Chorrillo area. Police tell us to stay out of El Chorrillo, but it is right next to ‘Old Town[Casco Viejo]’one of Panama’s biggest tourist areas! Hats off to Victor showing the world his great country. Video of city from Martin’s place. My buddy Martin and I took a little road trip on the weekend from Panama City to Isla Grande (Caribbean side of Panama) about a 2-hour drive from the city. You must watch your speed (fake radar) and you must watch for the real police too. Met Stanley and family from Panama City who own a Caribbean Panamanian Restaurant (Donde Stanpty) going to check it out sometime this week. Dinner on the balcony and yes, I brought my own HP sauce from Canada. I think I will check out the Pearl Island next, a boat ride from the City. The Bottom line: I love Panama and the People who live in this great country! I am so grateful for the people who brought me into their homes. Jim & Derrek, buddies from Ontario who live in Coronado 6 months a year. Marcela, whom I met a couple years ago when I did my road trip Calgary to Panama. She ran the Hostel in Panama city and introduced me to her sister Gilda who took me into an amazing two story three bedroom penthouse with a city and ocean view for only $30.00 USD a night. My newest young buddy Martin Cheng ,who I met through Airbnb, just moved to Panama from China. I stayed at his amazing condo rooftop pool, barbeque area and gym for 3 weeks at $29.00 Canadian a night. Also grateful to the new people I met on this trip and nice to catch up to old friends while I was there. Thank you Victor, the tour guide of the not so dangerous El Carrillo area where the police say do not enter and Luis, the street person who will make a great tour guide someday [I will buy him a phone soon to assist his tour business]!...,So many more people to mention! I remember when I first started traveling some 15 years ago, someone from Malaysia said to me “You Lucky Guy”!.... Well, I am beginning to understand what she really meant by that statement! Now I am back to work after my four years of traveling, it has been the best four years of my life and anyone I have met on my travels are welcome to my place here in Calgary anytime, we met for a reason, but you will not catch me here in the winters as I will be taking winters off work still. Pete Montgomery from TravelCheapWithPete.com https://youtu.be/YcwrRA2BIlw I have more photos and videos. Problem with my computer will upload in a few days.The forgotten people of Panama.You can see some of the photos & videos on my facebook for now. More videos in a few days. Sorry, computer problems! Again, view photos & videos on my facebook for now. The photos and videos will show you the good and the bad of Panama City. The bad area ,El Chorrillo,has what I call “ the forgotten people”… Victor Peretz, origionally from beautiful San Blas, Panama, is now giving tours in what some people call the undesirables in the El Chorrillo area. Police tell us to stay out of El Chorrillo, but it is right next to ‘Old Town[Casco Viejo]’one of Panama’s biggest tourist areas!Hats off to Victor showing the world his great country. In the video where I had a chance to play basketball, two out of the six players are from the poor area El Chorrillo. After the lights went out we all went our separate ways, shook hands and said thanks for the great game! [Hey,I did pretty well but may have pulled a muscle,,,?] I will be working with Victor in the future to show the world the great Panama City. Story below was written by Victor Peretz, my tour guide in El Chorrillo, Panama. facebook.com/peter.montgomery.100 The forgotten People of Panama by tour guide Victor Peretz.Well, let me share with you some important details about El Chorrillo. On December 20th, 1989, President George Bush launches Operation Just Cause and has sent US forces into the Central American country of Panama in a bid to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. El Chorrillo is on the water's edge in Panama City, not far from the entrance to the Panama Canal. Many of the canal's builders -- immigrants from the Caribbean -- lived here. Decades later the neighborhood was poor and dangerous because of the invasion in that time, home to teachers and clerks, as well as hustlers who sold contraband cigarettes or beer stolen from the American military bases. Although many people moved out after the invasion, there are still others who stayed and recall the 1989 attack. They were caught unawares, they said, when they heard American helicopters coming over the hills and waterfront. Members of the Dignity Battalions, armed civilians sworn to protect General Noriega's Panama, scrambled. Some residents said the Americans urged them to leave the neighborhood. Others said they had cringed inside their homes, while people on the street tried to get into any home they could, or rushed to the local church. When the government and private investors started seeing the potential of this area, they started removing the poor people from this area. Many of them moved to El Chorrillo, only a stone’s throw away from Casco Viejo. Get off the beaten path with me and see where boxer Roberto Duran trained and our local panamanian soccer player who will be representing Panama in the World Cup 2018, learn about how the U.S. invasion of Panama affected this neighborhood since 1989, try local food and drinks, visit the park where dominoes are played, chat with the locals in their homes and get to know the people of this area, and learn about the gentrification that has taken place in the now trendy Casco Viejo historic district. That's how the gang members took the control of the neighborhood of El Chorrillo. I wanted to show to travellers something that goes beyond typical tourist places, like the Canal and Casco Viejo. So I started offering different tours. One of them caught my attention immediately: The Walking Tour through El Chorrillo. The idea is to show tourists the real side of Panama: the local people, their living conditions and culture. I run the tour under the slogan: “WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A FAMOUS CANAL – WE ARE PEOPLE“ During the tour, visitors can also find old colonial buildings, but they are not renovated since they have been built. There are apartment buildings, with colorful, but mostly old facades, where freshly washed clothes are hanging for drying. Some houses are sporadically made of wood, almost falling apart. Travellers will see a lot of street art about sports, people of El Chorrillo and some who remind of the US invasion. Let me tell you about the local history, daily life and living conditions of the locals. I will show you the sports hall, where the famous boxer Roberto "Hands of stone" Duran trained and other places that are related to sport, especially to football. The locals love it and are proud that a few “Chorrilleros” became famous athletes. The neighborhood is very lively, with children running around in the streets, people chatting and Latin music sounds in every corner. Locals always will greet you friendly with a smile. So we will stop a few times. We will also visit a Police station, where Victor’s weekly program "Educate Me and You Educate A Nation", is taking place. The idea is to get the kids away from the street and give them a place to learn and play. Especially tourists are welcome to interact with the kids and learn English with them. I want the locals and tourists to connect, exchange knowledge from different countries, traditions and cultures. You can meet the kids, help to educate them and have an authentic experience in Panama. The program is quite new, but I want to develop it with more and different classes in English, music and art. In the long term I plan to educate and empower also the mothers of the children. The locals are very friendly and welcoming and You will feel safe with me. For sure, it’s not as safe as Casco Viejo to walk around as a tourist – especially after sunset. You will have a very good experience there, where you will take home more than souvenir, You will take home memories to share. After walking around in El Chorrillo, I will bring you back to our starting point (Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo). The tour takes around 1,5 hours and it's 40 USD. If you are interested in seeing another, non-touristy side of Panama or spend time with the kids of this area, connect with me on Facebook @Local in PTY or send me an E-Mail. I guarantee you an amazing, unique and authentic experience in Panama City! Any other question you have, let me know. Best regards, Víctor A. Pérez M. Founder & CEO "Live & Experience the local spirit with locals"Contact Information; ✅WhatsApp: (+507) 61187621 Facebook.com/ConozcaSanBlasPan ama/ Facebook.com/localinpty/ Instagram.com/localinpty/?hl=e sCasco Viejo, Panamá City. After hanging out in old town Casco Viejo, then dinner at the fish market I like to walk along the ocean to Malticentro (near the Hard Rock Hotel) it's about an hours walk. So many people out walking, jogging, running, biking, working out in an(outdoor gym), volleyball, basketball, tennis, badminton, children's playgrounds, soccer and even dancing. Rich or poor everyone is welcome. I met Luis just a few weeks ago just hanging out in old town Panama City. I had the feeling he was a tour guide for old town (Casco Viejo). I was intrigued and wanted to know more about this person. His English was perfect, I could not even hear a Spanish accent. After my tour of El Chorrillo with Victor the day before ,I asked Luis if he would like to join me for lunch, my treat! I was shocked to discover that he was homeless,living in Casco Viejo the rich part of town old town. Wow! After lunch, I asked him if he could film me in front of Café Coka Cola and he agreed. We got along well and I asked if he would like to do a video explaining the Big fire in Old Town. He did well explaining the bad fire! Luis does all his tours for FREE! I told him no more free tours, you have to start charging now! I saw him working with other tour guides, helping them get clients. Luis is a great guy, and if anyone visits Old Town ask for Luis and tip him a few bucks for all the great information., I gave him some money and saw in his face that he was hiding tears! Video and photos coming soon. So many people to thank for this trip to Panama.The Bottom line: I love Panama and the People who live in this great country! I am so grateful for the people who brought me into their homes. Jim & Derrek, buddies from Ontario who live in in Coronado 6 months a year. Marcela, whom I met a couple years ago when I did my road trip Calgary to Panama. She ran the Hostel in Panama city and introduced me to her sister Gilda who took me into an amazing two story three bedroom penthouse with a city and ocean view for only $30.00 USD a night. My newest young buddy Martin Cheng ,who I met through Airbnb, just moved to Panama from China. I stayed at his amazing condo rooftop pool, barbeque area and gym for 3 weeks at $29.00 Canadian a night. Also grateful to the new people I met on this trip and nice to catch up to old friends while I was there. Thank you Victor, the tour guide of the not so dangerous El Carrillo area where the police say do not enter and Luis,the street person who will make a great tour guide someday[I will buy him a phone soon to assist his tour business]!...,So many more people to mention! I remember when I first started traveling some 15 years ago, someone from Malaysia said to me “You Lucky Guy”!.... Well, I am beginning to understand what she really meant by that statement!
Had to move out of my Airbnb mansion today in (Playa Car) Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, Great host Maria, Ralf and family. They even invited me to join them for Christmas dinner, I’m such a lucky guy. Today I moved into my own one-bedroom apartment it is also a suitable place, 8000 pesos a month I think it’s something like $500 Canadian, excellent location too. I may have to leave sooner if I go back to work before the month is up. The picture is the front of the house and the balcony is from my bedroom the small jungle between the house and the beach This is where I live now in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Not bad for 8000 pesos a month, I think it adds up to about $500.00 Canadian a month. About 6 blocks from the beach and 5th Avenue I just got a good deal on a 🚲 Bicycle. I’ve been shopping for a bike since I’ve been here in Playa Del Carmen, prices are high due to Christmas, even in the pond shops, so I just got talking to a couple of Mexicans and an American having a problem with the bank machine on Fifth Avenue I said nice bike to the one Mexican guy and asked him? do you know where I can buy a bike like his? He said yes, this one he said it’s worth about 1200 pesos, but he will give it to me for 800 that’s a bargain, I said I have 640 that’s it, he said deal, I’m so 🍀 Lucky. Even the guy behind us selling tours watched the transaction heard us, I took a picture of the seller and I he said why? do I want a photo of him, I said just in case it’s stolen then he asked me if I was a cop, I laughed and said no, then he walked away I looked over at the guy selling the tours he said what a great deal you got there and it’s not stolen because he knows the seller he is a local. I never did listen to mom saying don’t talk to strangers’ son, you have to strangers all the time if you want to be a traveller that’s always looking and finding good deals.
CouchSurfing.com is a web site set up to for travellers to meet up with fellow travellers from around the world. When a traveller visits a city, they can connect on line with a couch surfing host to stay with them or hang out with them…Great for experiencing local knowledge! I was introduced to couch surfing from a traveller I met while traveling around Panama. Her name is Babette, a big time traveller for the past 8 years from Kansas City, Missouri. I have met many couch surfers during my travels, but never thought of trying it out until Babette mentioned it to me. Through the CouchSurfing web site, she organized a free sail boat ride through the Panama Canal. Included were all meals and the 2 night accommodation! I’m in. Last year during my Calgary to Panama campervan road trip, I met Stephanie, another backpacker/couch surfer. Stephanie is also a bigtime traveller, she did all the America’s on her own. Stephanie introduced us to Peter who also had a boat in Rio Dulce, Guatemala . He took us out for a great afternoon of sailing the local waters! Stephanie was couch surfing on Peter’s boat a couple of weeks before. The route through the Panama Canal was well worth my accepting the offer. The 47’ sail boat was clean and well equipped with a great crew. My job on board was a line man, working with the people who represented the canal. I had to pass the line/rope to the canal operator in order to walk the sail boat through the canal safely. The great crew included owner ,captain Josh from California, his buddy Travis from Florida, couch surfers Maru from Argentina, Babette from Kansas City and myself Pete from Calgary, Alberta, Canada! The fresh water Panama Canal is actually 28 miles long with two lock systems at either end. As we passed through from the Caribbean side, the boat had to be raised 15 meters through 3 systems of locks. Approximately 3 miles into the lake, we had to anchor for the night. After a good night’s sleep and breakfast we continued to the Pacific side, an all day journey. We motored at 7 knots passing a lots of ships and a beautiful landscape, even saw a 15 ft alligator. The final lock system at Panama City lowered us 15 meters to the Pacific ocean, where my job was complete!...Thanks again Josh, Travis and the crew for such a great experience! Thanks to all the CouchSurfers.com hosts Josh, Travis and Peter for allowing me the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of living on an ocean boat. Story from Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com Wow, what a great deal for our Golf and Beach condo in Coronado Panama, only one hour drive from Panama City!! Joe and I paid only $650 each for a large two bedroom 12th floor ocean/golf course panoramic view. Bonus was the $130.00 each paid for a month golf membership with full use of all hotel facilities including 3 pools, beach club, gym and bar/food orders. The 18-hole Tom Fasio golf course is tough and beautiful! A few days after we arrived, we had our first road trip to Panama City, picking up Gregory visiting from Calgary. We stayed at the Panama Central lofts, the hostel I planned to purchase last year. It was great to meet up with Marcela, the owner of the hostel as well as a few friends that I have known for the past few years! Joe appeared to enjoy his first hostel stay, a clean 3 bedroom unit with delicious pancake breakfast! Met some interesting travellers from around the world! Returning to Coronado the next day, Gregory discovered a great hotel special. An all inclusive $70/night stay included all food and drinks, and full use of hotel facilities. Great deal for him! After a couple of days of relaxing at the condo, the 3 of us headed out on another road trip. We drove 4hours to the northers part of Panama on roads mainly under construction, but very drivable!. Joe did a excellent job of getting us there! We met up with old friends that I met last year. Kim, originally from Ottawa and 85 year old backpacker Bob, a retired business man from Texas greeted us at nice T.G.I. Friday in David city. it was great to get caught up again and chat about our lives and travel stories. We drove to the far North West side of Panama, bordering country of Costa Rica. The border to Costa Rica was amazing! The road along the Panama side was filled with a wide variety of Duty Free Shops, tire stores and souvenir shops. Pete parked the car and we walked in one of the tire stores. We were shocked to discover that the opposite end of the store entrance was another street in, can you believe, Costa Rica. Frontera Costa Rica was the boarder town we were suddenly arrived! We entered Costa Rica without going through immigration. First time for Joe in Costa Rica. We then drove Kim’s town of Puerto Armuelles, a busy open area beach town. We stayed the night at Heavenly Beach Hotel located on a beautiful secluded sandy beach. Home cooked dinner of fresh fish and veggies was amazing! Next day we drove through David, the 2nd largest city in Panama and up a long windy road to the quaint mountain town of Boquete, at 5,500 ft above sea level. We had a nice visit with Backpacker Bob again and drove around the small windy roads. Boquete is an old, very fertile volcanic area known world wide to rock climbers, coffee berry beans and summer Jazz/Blues concerts. We stayed the evening at another great hostel/hotel Pension Topas, and met some very interesting travellers from around the world!
Story from Pete Montgomery and Joe Forzani Love Air Canada. Joe Forzani and I started our trip from Calgary to Panama 7:00am on Monday February 27, including an overnight layover in Toronto. Waiting for the flight Monday morning at 6:00 am, Air Canada put an announcement over the PA asking that any passages wishing to wait for a later flight will receive an $800.00 voucher plus two dinner vouchers on AC. I said to Joe” wow”! That would pay more then the total cost of my trip and we were not going to miss our next morning flight from Toronto to Panama. AC confirmed me on the 1:30 PM flight and tried to get me on the 10 am and noon flights. All flights were full! I had to call my TO friends Mike & Murielle to apologize for cancelling dinner later that night as I would arrive far to late. I hope to be back in the Toronto this spring or summer and re kindle our dinner. I buy!! I finally arrived in Toronto about 9:00pm and decided that I would no longer need the rental car. I lost $26.00 for cancelling the reservation. Well worth it! I was tired and wondered where I would sleep the night? An AC Agent recommended a place to sleep at one end of the airport. I quickly walked to the area and found people sleeping on benches, but I found the bench very uncomfortable! I discovered a playground in the same area that looked comfortable to sleep on the foam/rubber floor. Upon waking after a good sleep, I found 10 other people sleeping there as well! Can you believe up to that point I have not paid for anything that day. My flight cost me $720.00, AC voucher $800, net profit to me $80,00…Yippee! I may book Europe this summer/fall with my $800.00 voucher.
It even gets better with air Canada. While waiting in Calgary for my TO flight, I could not get on the terminal Wi-Fi and thought AC Maple Leaf lounge might help? The agent at Maple Leaf said to me” this is your lucky day” …. Come in and use the facility because another traveller left a voucher. Wow, things were going well! I had breakfast and lunch there! Next day met Joe at TO airport and we had breakfast before our flight to Panama. Bill came, my part was $13, gave him $20 and received no change what so ever! Maybe mad I got everything free? Leaving the gate, Pilot came on PA system and had to pull plane back due to mechanical problem. After repairing problems, flight attendants announced a free lunch to compensate for the delay! And so, another free meal! In the meantime, Joe and I got a great price at the Coronado Golf Resort. Our Month golf dues are $130 including club storage and cleaning. Play as much as we want on the beautiful Tom Fazio layout! We also have access to all the hotel and large, beautiful resort facilities. First golf game tomorrow morning 8:00 AM Sharp! Story from Pete Montgomery and Joe Forzani Growing up in Ontario and hitch hiking to Alberta at 19, I have never seen much of the east coast. Wow, what a beautiful part of Canada! Oh yes, I plan to go back and spend more time there one day. Tim and I began our trip in Prince Edward Island, crossing the amazing 12.9 kilometer Confederation Bridge! Wow, I hear it is the longest bridge in the world? Tim knew Keith and Luc, a couple of friends from their winter campsite (resort) in Florida. Keith, who grew up in Prince Edward Island, showed Tim and I most of the Island. Along the way, we looked at a house that Tim might buy for a summer cottage. Located on the water, it was very well priced from my prior Real Estate knowledge. Further along, we met Keith’s parents, very nice people. We saw some fishermen bringing in their catch for the day, very picturesque! I learned so much about the local fishermen, as a government official checks fish quota’s everyday.. Most fishermen were done their quotas for the year. I so have to thank the guys for the tour around the beautiful PEI!.... On to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island and the Cabot Trail. From PEI, we drove about 8 hours along the scenic Cabot Trail. As the sun was setting, we pulled into a cozy campsite. Next day, to our surprise, we learned that we were next to Canada’s # 1 ranked golf course and 19th best golf course in the world! We had no time for golf that day, but one day I will be back to Play history! We only spent three days in Nova Scotia, but the beauty there will bring me back for sure!!.... On to Newfoundland, where we took the ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Channel-Port Aux Basques Newfoundland. The boat trip takes about 7 hours, and upon our late arrival, we found a campsite about an hour from the port. We made quite a few overnight, sightseeing stops along the 3 day destination to St John’s. Oh love George Street, where we went bar hopping and got “screeched” in and ‘kiss the cod (fish)”, all in fun of course!. So mush to see and do around St John’s. We went site seeing, and about a half hour drive from St John’s, saw the most easterly point in North America, Cape-Spear Lighthouse.
I still can’t believe how many cruise ship ports there are in Eastern Canada! I learned so many new things while traveling Eastern Canada. One day we saw three cruise ships in the small City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com and traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com Our first stop was in Montreal we stopped at Tim’s step Daughter Kim's place. We hung out with Kim, her husband Joe, and their three daughters for a couple of days. It was wonderful, and we also had a chance to have a birthday party for his step son in-law Joe. From Montreal, we headed east to Marina Village campsite near Batiscan Quebec. Tim wanted to visit a couple of friends, Pierre and Luc from his winter resort in Margate Florida (Aztec resort). The first day Luc, with the owner Mario of the campsite, took us out fishing on the Saint-Lawrence River. Tim was the best, caught most of the fish! We all caught enough fish to feed 10 people that night and many more for our trip down the road. We also visited St Tite, Quebec for their rodeo (stampede). Unbelievable how many people were there! People camped everywhere on the streets! Most town residences even had their RV’s parked on their lawns….Wow! Estimated about 600,000 people will show up for the 10 day event [city Population is only about 4,000 people!]. Again, thanks to all the people I met for their friendship and hospitality. In addition, another great city we stopped at was Quebec City, so beautiful and so much history. Truly an historical landmark in Canada! We drove to New Brunswick where we met up with an old friend of Tim’s. Her name was Jill. She was visiting her friends Dawn, Paul and their three boys, Carson, Jack and Kyle. They took us all over the province, we were so grateful! They just moved and gave us great hospitality [we had 8 acres of land to camp on again]. We met many old friends and thanks to Facebook, we met up with Tim Wade a boyhood friend who lives in Moncton NB near Dawn and Paul.
On the way here, I missed a lot of people I wanted to catch up with. Next time I will try and drop in to see you all on my way back home after Newfoundland. Bon Voyage….! Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com and traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com We started our trip by driving from my place in Calgary to Tim's place in King City just north of Toronto. We had an overnight in Saskatchewan (Wal-Mart), then drove direct to northern Ontario the next night. Next spring, we plan to again travel Saskatchewan and Manitoba on our way to Yellowknife, NWT and Nunavut. The photos and video below are at Tim's farm in King City. Exploring King City it has been amazing above video and photos are at Tim's place in King City. We visited with old friends and met new people. Tim’s friends, family and farm workers all agree that Tim has a big heart. He does so much for others in this world. It is great to see someone of his wealth act like all of us. In his eyes, we are basically all the same. He will walk up to a stranger and just say hi how areyou doing, with a smile! Everyone loves him and he treats everyone with respect. It’s great to see Tim treat the CEO of a company the same way as a gas station attended serving us fuel. This video is from facebook, I have to figure out how to take the video from Tim's phone to my website.(click this link to see video) I grew up in Ontario housing with a single mom and three sisters. I always had a great relationship with my father. I will admit that growing up in these housing projects was a bit humbling, but I have never forgot where I came from. Neither has Tim. I grew up a couple of blocks from where Tim lived. His parents owned the home that they lived in. Both of our parents were immigrants. Tim’s family were from Germany and mine Ireland. Can you believe that both sides had nothing coming to this great country of ours (love Canada). This video is from facebook, I have to figure out how to take the video from Tim's phone to my website. (click this link to see video) Tim and I drove through the area where we grew up and I shot a video of the neighbourhood. It was very emotional for me, brought a tear to my eye! What a difference from then till now! We are special travellers just living the dream! While shooting the video, a stranger pulled over to ask us what we were doing in front of my old house? [We did grow up here but we were in a beautiful Rolls Royce convertible]! I walked over to him and said “buddy, I never forgot where I came from, can you believe this is where I grew up”? The person responded by saying ”can I play you a tune with my guitar”? I said wow, absolutely, and I have it on video! It’s amazing how Tim and I attract so many people at the right time. Like the street singer, we meet for a reason. I traded my campervan “Old Faithful” plus $ to Tim for his Mercedes campervan. Yipee, I can now keep up with him on our travels. BTW, Tim just bought a new Mercedes campervan similar to mine including a few upgrades like an outside TV….
Our next journey is to the East Coast of Canada…. Pease, Love and Happiness to all…. Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com and traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com Road trip across Canada, Northern British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alberta...8/21/2016 Highways to see so scenic; #99 from Vancouver to highway #97 near Cache Creek, as well as the Alaskan highway from Whitehorse to Dawson Creek and from Hinton through Jasper to Banff. Tim and traveled on highway #99 and wow what beautiful views. We were above mountain tops looking down in the valleys from Whistler to highway #97 it took us two days to arrive in Whitehorse,Yukon, where we stopped at an B&B on the way. We met a few people there, three of them rode their motorcycles from Argentina heading to Alaska. I travel by the comforts of a campervan but I can't believe how many people travel the whole world by motorcycle, bicycle, cars etc.. and so many with campervans crossing the Americas. The Alaskan highway from Whitehorse to Dawson Creek wow! breathtaking! Must stop in Watson Lake Yukon (sign post forest)! They have a place where people from around the world drop off their License plates, street and city signs, name of family signs, there is about 72.000 signs, plates and so much more. We also were going off the Alaskan highway to Fort Liard, Northwest Territories where we drove for about 30 minutes without seeing a car even coming the other way. Another must stop is in Fort Nelson BC where they have an old museum that have everything from autos, trackers, oil & gas, mining a real hoarder that had everything you can think of... Wow! unbelievable. http://www.watsonlake.ca/our-community/sign-post-forest/ Entering Alberta, the drive from Hinton to Canmore again breathtaking. We stopped in Jasper where Tim wanted to release his brother Frank's ashes from the top of Whistler Mountain, one of the places where Frank loved to come to. Then we went off camping, and the girl in charge gave us a bear warning I said great, I am a thrill seeker as I get to sleep with the bears in my tent. OK she said, No food in the tent because I will attract these wild animals... lol.. The final leg on the trip we checked out the ice fields and the new sky walk. All well worth checking out and so close to home. Don't know why I have never done it before. Home stretch to Calgary we saw a Grizzly bear where we Pulled over like everyone else ....So close to Banff, and we were lucky it was behind the fence. What a small world we live in. My sister Carol has been following us on facebook. She knew we were in B.C. and she was on her way to Tofino to see her boyfriends daughter. When sis was waiting for the ferry from Tsawwassen, she text me to see where we were in B.C. It ended up that we were in different rows to board the same ferry to go to Victoria. Tim and I didn't have a place booked but sis and her guy Don were staying at the Ocean Village Resort where Don's daughter Christel works. We ended up camping one night and having a cabin the second night at the resort next door to them and really enjoyed getting together at night for fires on the beach. It really is a sight to see when the whole beach is lit up with fire pits and people releasing Chinese lanterns. We dipped our feet into the ocean in Tofino which as far west as you can go in this beautiful country. We are soon heading as far east as you can go to dip our feet into the ocean in Newfoundland. It was awesome to go whale watching in Tofino and now looking forward to see what whale watching is like in Newfoundland. Stay tuned friends!!! Many more adventures for you to follow!!! Cheers!!!
Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com |
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