#FriFotos: Old and New

I really had to think of the pictures I wanted to post for this particular theme this week. I honestly didn’t know what to post. So I thought I’d combine some old pictures from my travels with some more recent ones and talk about hopes for the future.

This particular photo was shot on the grounds of St. Peter’s Basilica.  In a serendipitous moment, I found my birth date incarcerated in the grounds of the basilica. It was a special moment that I got down on the ground and posed with it.

Finding my birthdate at St. Pete's Basilica = my old pic

New Years Resolutions 2012

This is Andrew McCarthy (yes, of Pretty in Pink). I haven't seen an Andrew McCarthy movie (including Pretty in Pink). I only know him from his writing. He is now a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler. Basically, this is my way of manifesting meeting him at Book Passage if he's there again because he's one of my favourite travel writers. So rogue. Photo: http://broadwayworld.com

AFAR: 3 Reasons I Like Miami Airport

Welcome to Miami. Buenvienedo a Miami. My line up at Customs.

Miami Airport is NOT my favourite airport. The lines in customs; going through customs AND security a second time if you’re on a layover; the claustophobia; closed ATMs;  the fact that it’s absolutely MASSIVE; the worry that you’ll miss your flight because of said massiveness and on and on. So when I couldn’t leave the airport and had a five hour stopover, I had to make the most of it.

#Fri Fotos: Best of 2011

2011 was a crazy year. Where did it go?! I had a few monumental trips this year, so here are a few photos. As for people I met this year, I think I’ll keep that a separate post, as there were so many wonderful people that I got to meet this year.

NEAR: The 2012 Restaurant Resolutions List

Pancakes with smoked duck leg, blueberry compote, chevre from Barque. Photo: barque.ca

2011 marked a great year for restaurants in Toronto. There were many new openings this year and a lagging economy doesn’t seem to stop patrons from going out and enjoying the multitude of excellent restaurants in our fair metropolis.

A brief overview of new openings this year that I’m LOVING:

1. Acadia 2. Grand Electric 3. Estiatorio Volos 4. Campagnolo  (late last year, but still) 5. Porchetta & Co. (ok, late last year)

So what will I try this year?! I think that depends on new openings but I also realized there’s a few classic restaurants that I haven’t yet tried. Challenge Accepted!

AFAR: Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales

Grace Bay Beach in Provo (as the locals call it) in the Turks and Caicos has to be one of the most stunning beaches I have ever been on. The cliches are true: soft white sand and gorgeous turquoise waters. It’s “paradise.”

And though I love a good beach vacation, I realized something: I can’t sit still.

The first day we get to go on the beach, I walked it. I didn't sit on it. Just outside the Club Med Resorts.

Especially if I’m on assignment covering a story, I want to see as much of a place as I can. It’s like ” you have seven days–in this case—four days to live” syndrome.  I don’t know when I’ll be  back so I have to zip around like it’s my last time on earth. Dramatic yes, but maybe  I feel like I have to squeeze as much out of life as I can.  Even with the gorgeous water and lovely beach, my mind was racing.

I think the only time I relaxed when I was on a boat and couldn’t go anywhere else (even then, I was taking photographs. But I enjoy that so that is relaxation time for me).

An attempt of me sitting on the beach (whilst taking photos of my feet). 🙂

So in between excursions, I was able to soak up the sun and sit. on. the. beach.

Still.

It was difficult! I’ve been go go go for the past little while that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to sit back and be an observer. No computer. No technology. Just me, a book and the soft sand and water with no horizon.

I’m a lucky gal.

AFAR: Getting Closer to a Degree of Separation

PETE! (a.k.a. Caucasia). A Toronto connection found in Turks and Caicos. At da conch shack.

Dear Pete,

I told JT who works on the Abateyra that I was going to da Conch shack. He said “Make sure you say hi to Pete.”

“Absolutely.” I love a good mission to meet someone new.

Except…I already met you.

#FriFotos: Yellow

New York City Cabs and the New York Times. Classic.

Yellow is one of my favourite colours. On a dreary day, it’s an instant pick me up. When it comes to travel photography, it’s a colour that stands out.

NEAR: What I Learned From Santa

So Santa walks into a sushi joint…

No. Really.  Santa walked into the sushi joint. All eyes were on his authentic, white scraggly beard that we all know and trust from our Christmas mascot; his white hair reminiscent of memories from Miracle on 34th Street.

It was a classic random moment. Two patrons sat on his lap and got a picture with him. Luckily, the Christmas tree in the sushi joint was just decorated.