July 1st is Canada’s Birthday! In honour of Canada Day, I thought I would also profile another Canadian favourite – Tim Hortons.
Author: admin
Mary Chong is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A food and travel writer, and founder of Calculated Traveller, when not working as a freelance graphic designer, Mary is either travelling with her husband Ray or planning the next big adventure.
Our Favourite Beach Spot in Aruba – Malmok Beach
Malmok Beach Aruba is a favourite spot. There’s something about the beaches of Aruba that entices us to return again and again. Here’s how to get there.
Travelling – It’s the Characters You Meet
One thing I love about travelling is the people you meet along the way. By meeting and interacting with people you learn a little more about their culture, language and customs. BUT sometimes you meet people who are just awesome character sketches and you end up with some great stories to share afterwards. Here are a few of my stories.
Memories of The Way We Were – Palau de la Musica, Barcelona
Sometimes there are memories, whether out of choice or from just plain age, that I forget but they come back to me when I least expect it. The Palau de la Musica in Barcelona is one of those memories. It’s like that Barbra Streisand song “The Way We Were” Memories, Light the corners of my… Continue reading Memories of The Way We Were – Palau de la Musica, Barcelona
Road Trip – Car Checklist
Road trips are budget-friendly. Before you hit the road, check these 15 things off your list to ensure your car is roadworthy and ready for the long drive.
The Taste of Travel – Memories of Food
The taste of certain foods bring back travel memories for me. We eat to survive, socialize and we even eat to forget…But, I eat to remember.
10 Reasons Why you Should Try a Cruise
I’m a huge Cruise ship traveller and encourage people to try it at least once. Like your mum used to say about Lima beans “you can’t say you don’t like it until you try it.”
Pass the Toilet Paper Please…
If you’ve travelled through Asia, you would have seen the ubiquitous round plastic toilet paper dispenser sitting on top of the table for use in place of napkins. Now to clarify, the dispenser is only used in classy establishments… If you are having street eats – you get the roll of toilet paper without a… Continue reading Pass the Toilet Paper Please…
In Search of Empanadas in Old San Juan
Whenever I’m in a location where there is great latin cuisine like Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, I set out in search of the best empanadas.
What Your GPS Doesn’t Know May Hurt You!
Your GPS tells you to turn left and turn right but can you really trust that seemingly smart, polite woman, talking to you from that little box strapped to your dashboard? I don’t know about you, but GPS Sally is constantly getting me lost and she keeps recalculating… recalculating… recalculating I’m reminded of a news… Continue reading What Your GPS Doesn’t Know May Hurt You!
McDonald’s Taro Pie – Memory Monday
Today’s Memory Monday photo of Taro Pie from McDonald’s comes courtesy of a friend and fellow traveller, Alan Chau. In case you are wondering there isn’t a problem with the photo and your eyes aren’t playing tricks with you, the taro is in fact purple. A man of few words Alan states the following… “McDonald’s… Continue reading McDonald’s Taro Pie – Memory Monday
Bad Press and Cruise Ships
There’s been a lot of bad press these days when it comes to Cruise Ships. In the past week there have been issues with Carnival Legend and Carnival Dream. A few weeks ago there was the Carnival Triumph….then of course there was the Costa Concordia disaster last year. I’ve been getting questions almost daily from… Continue reading Bad Press and Cruise Ships
Flashlight for Safety
Do you have a flashlight in your travel bag? You never know when there is going to be a black out in your hotel, a disaster…or even a zombie apocalypse.
Carry-On Luggage – One Bag to Hold it All
Carry-on Luggage – Size, wheels, soft or hard exterior. Calculated Traveller decides which cabin baggage is the best decision when travelling light.
Hong Kong – View from Victoria Peak
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a trip by tram up to see the view from Victoria Peak and the harbour down below….everyone has done it and bought the t-shirt in one of the many night markets to prove it. The views are breathtaking…even through the city smog.
The Dreaded Part of March Break Planning, Packing, and Preparation
We all enjoy March break—our toes in the sand or relaxing by the poolside, but the planning, organization, and dreaded packing can lead up to wanting to literally pull your hair out March Break is that time of year when Canadian families head south to escape the cold. It’s a welcome break between the Christmas… Continue reading The Dreaded Part of March Break Planning, Packing, and Preparation
Travel Tip – Reusable Water Bottle – Would you like some germs with your water?
When travelling with a reusable water bottle use these tips to keep the bottle, your water and most importantly you germ-free.
Bleach Wipes – Always Keep Some in Your Travel Bag
Read why I always travel with a pack of Clorox bleach wipes. It may be just for my piece of mind, but I don’t want to waste my vacation time being sick!
Carry-On Luggage – My journey to en-LIGHT-enment
Follow my journey and my challenges as I try to lighten my luggage and travel with only carry-on luggage. A journey of en-LiGHT-enment.
As I look through photos from past travels I’m always reminded of the smells, sounds and tastes of the place captured within the lens.
Hong Kong is one of those favorite memories.
I’m first generation Canadian Chinese and although my first trip to Asia and Hong Kong was back when I was 18 years old – I don’t really remember much of that trip other than doing a lot of shopping (that was a long time ago!).
This trip however, I remember well…
Hong Kong Shanghai Street
I recall walking down Shanghai Street near our hotel in the area of Yau Ma Tei on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. My husband and I would often take this back street to avoid the busy hustle and bustle (and pollution) of Nathan Road. There we were with a bag full of freshly baked Chinese buns and egg tarts. We were eating those pastries like crazy they were so yummy and this batch was still warm from the oven.
As we were walking (and munching) along the street we stumbled across this building under construction. We stopped and watched as the workers were strapping the bamboo together for scaffolding.
Hong Kong is such a modern metropolitan city but like all things Chinese…we still follow the ways of our ancestors in our customs, celebrations, food and even construction techniques.
Read more about Hong Kong:
– Hong Kong – View from Victoria Peak
– Why I Love Celebrating Chinese New Year, Even Though I’m Not Chinese!