Recent posts

Some tips if you plan on doing a backcountry trip in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park: Don't rent watercraft from the marinas within the park, specially if you plan on portaging. The selection is quite poor. There's a decent place on Highway 28 just alongside the east side of the park that is better equipped Find a map with portage routes and map out your trip beforehand. Google Maps is great for positioning but is missing a lot of the smaller throughfares and rivers. All the routes are well maintained and marked but they can be difficult to spot if you don't know where you're going! Don't be afraid of the more interior sites - the terrain is simple and the lakes are calm. It's well worth it to spend the extra time trekking to the more secluded areas, specially if you plan on fishing The water level will lower as the season progresses, and affects the routes you can take. There has been a lot of rain this August so water levels are still high but as the season comes to a close some portage routes will drain and become a sloppy mess to traverse Bears are rare but critters are plentiful. Make sure to keep your site clean & plan your bear hang before it gets too dark

Markets everywhere are great place for local eats. At only 3000-5000 chilean pesos, it is significantly cheaper for food at the market than at a restaurant. Check out Vega Central while you're in Santiago!

Bourdain did it first, but El Hoyo really is an amazing experience. If you'rein Satiago for a short time and want a memory and a meal, I highly recommend this local hotspot. The restaurant is huge, but they can still rack up a waitlist so a reservation won't hurt. Be ready to eat though because portions are large.

Karlita Restaurant in Santiago is a great hidden local restaurant. I highly recommend dropping in for a comforting meal at a reasonable cost.

I'm headed to Chile tomorrow. Would be open to connecting with anyone from Santiago! Will be providing updates on my experience.

A friend recently asked me for Lisbon recommendations, so I thought I'd share them here in case they're useful to someone else planning a trip. I stayed in Lisbon's historic district, and most of the places I enjoyed were within walking distance. One of my favorite memories was watching the sunset from Miradouro de Santa Catarina. The view was beautiful, and it had a really relaxed atmosphere (complete with student chatter, wine and guitar music) For food, I liked O Arêgos, O Tachadas, and Varina da Madragoa (fill up on seafood). I also found Do Beco Santos, a bakery with more of a French than Portuguese style, which I really enjoyed. I stopped by Time Out Market as well. It's definitely touristy, but I still thought it was worth visiting. Another place I liked was LX Factory, which reminded me a bit of Toronto's Distillery District. One thing I didn't get to do, but wish I had, was see a Fado performance. More than anything, I enjoyed simply walking around the city. Some of my favorite moments came from exploring without much of a plan. P.S. I can confirm I consumed an unreasonable number of pastéis de nata.

I recommend Peru if anyone here is a climber and looking for an awesome international climbing destination! There are amazing routes, awesome local developers and guides. Feel free to connect with me if you want my local contacts!

Today was our third swimming class with my 10-month-old, and she had the best time! 🏊‍♀️💦 Sharing a few things I’ve learned for anyone thinking about introducing their little one to the pool: 1. Register early The City of Toronto offers affordable parent-and-baby classes ($53.76 CAD for 9 classes), but spots fill up quickly. Check your city for similar programs and be ready when registration opens! 2. Scout out the pool first If you can, visit before registering. Check the cleanliness, changerooms, change tables, pool temperature, and overall vibe. The little details matter when you have a baby. 3. Arrive ready If you’re nearby, wear your swimsuit and dress your baby before arriving to save changeroom time. If you’re travelling farther, be prepared for a surprise swim diaper situation 😅 4. Follow your baby’s cues At this age, it’s about building comfort and confidence in the water, not perfecting skills. If your baby wants to splash instead of practice bubbles, go with it! 5. Bring help if you can A partner, family member, or friend who can help with changing afterwards makes the experience so much easier. Just my personal experience, but I hope it helps another parent feel prepared. Stay safe, follow your baby’s lead, and have fun!