(2015) Joanne and Muriel in Churchill, Manitoba

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Mom and I booked a trip to Bird Camp (Spring Wings) at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre for June 2014.  We were booked to fly to Winnipeg and then take the train to Churchill.  We made it to Winnipeg and had a lovely visit with my great uncle Paul.  But when we showed up at the train station the next day, there had been a train derailment so we had to cancel and rebook for 2015.  Once we got to Churchill a year later, it was great.  The CNSC is very welcoming and their Learning Vacations are wonderful.  Lots of birds, animals and hikes.  Even in June it was still super cold but for the most part the weather held for us.  If you like pictures of birds and cold but beautiful scenery, this is the blog for you. No polar bears though. 

(2014) Joanne in Kenya, Uganda & Zanzibar, Tanzania

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This was a kind of unexpected trip to East Africa to visit a friend's family's school they were building near Mombasa, Kenya.  I figured while I was in the neighbourhood, I would do a couple of things I didn't have time (or money) for on my last visit to Africa, namely to visit Zanzibar and do a gorilla trek.  I stayed with some awesome ladies, Anke and Alina,  who were very welcoming and Alina joined me on a couple of my jaunts









(2013) Joanne in the Yucatan, Mexico

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After my not great solo trip to Cuba I was worried about another vacation on my own.  But I loved this trip to the Yucatan. I landed in Cancun and then headed up the Caribbean coast.  I visited Cozumel and Isla Mujares.  I rented a car to head inland and visit some awe inspiring Mayan ruins and view some spectacular birds.  The photos are all drab stone or brilliant plumage. 

(2012) Joanne and Valerie in Ecuador and Galapagos

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Val and I went to Ecuador for the most awesome trip ever (well, tied with Africa and India).  We traveled by train, plane, bus, boat, canoe and foot and saw most of the country.  We visited mountains, beaches, rainforests, jungles, cities, villages and drank a lot of coffee.  We pushed ourselves physically and whined about it but we got to see some amazing sights and do some amazing things (swimming with sharks!, fishing for piranhas!, crossing paths with llamas!).  We were there for a month so the blog is long.

 

(2011) Joanne in Cuba

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I went alone to Cuba on the spur of the moment for one week.  I stayed in Havana in a 'Casa' which is a room in a Cuban family home.  I thought Cuba would be beautiful (it is mostly) and somewhat like Mexico (it is not, not even a bit).  I don't know if it was because I was alone and kind of sick or I just don't like Cuba but I did not enjoy this trip and that is reflected in my blog. 

 

(2010) Joanne and Judy in India

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Judy planned a trip to India and I shamelessly invited myself along.  And it was great.  Judy and I had so much fun with our driver Suresh.  He drove us around South India for a couple of weeks.  He showed us places we never would have found on our own.  Plus we got to ride in his comfy back seat.  Driving in India can be terrifying but Suresh kept us and all of the cows we encountered alive and in one piece.  At the end of our time in India, Judy and I went north to see the Taj Mahal.  Then I was on my own for the last week, which I spent in Goa experiencing Mardi Gras and a few days at Bird Camp.  This is a long one.