Had 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.
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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.
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Merry Christmas to all stay safe and stay home until this COVID-19 thing is gone.

​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

​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...

The world with an up to date and detailed Covid-19 count. 
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

World population: https://www.worldometers.info/population/
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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.

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.

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 !

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!