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 !!
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It is possible that Hostels can turn into Hospitals.
I want to help, I constantly travel (WorldTripPete.com) travel blogger. I recently contacted a traveling friend of mine that only stays at Hi hostels because of their high standards in hostels, he told me that  they are closed across Canada right now I thought to myself that this could be a great time to turn them into hospitals. After watching the US hospital ship on TV deploying to help the sick! The ship looks like hostels with shared rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and they even have private rooms. 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/Please call or email me back 403-991-6644 email: worldtrippete@yahoo.ca this could work across Canada.
After chatting with my traveling friend that stays only at HiHostel  about Corona Virus, I felt obliged to communicate with all governments! It is possible that Hostels can turn into Hospitals?

Scroll down to the second video below I am showing how we should do the new greet and handshake around the world.
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Everyone in the world should return to their homeland until this virus is controlled!
I have two non-profit websites: One, for travel blogging WorldTripPete.com,and the other website is to help people  find the best travel deals out there on flights back to Canada HouseCallsTravel.com . I can help you arrange a flight if you’re not locked down! This is a free site as well! Contact Pete at Whatsapp +1-403-991-6644 or email worldtrippete@yahoo.ca. I love helping travelers where I can!
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...

You will notice that countries in the northern hemisphere have a higher chance of contacting COVID-19! For example, look at Mexico who get the most tourists in the world for December, January, February and March. Australia in the southern hemisphere is high (I think)because of the long flights from North America, Asia and Europe! Australia is not as tropical as Mexico! hit link below to look at the stats around the world.
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!

 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?
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 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...

​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
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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...