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Tourism P.E.I. Guide Reportedly Shows Man With Erection

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A lighthouse has replaced the image of two people relaxing in P.E.I. on the province's tourism guide after one of them appeared to be sporting an erection

The guide featured a picture of a man and woman sitting on a beach. She was reading, he was just lying back and soaking in the rays.

But it's clear in the photo that the man was sporting a sizable growth in his crotch area.

pei tourism ad

Charlottetown's Guardian newspaper queried people about the cover and many didn't notice until they were told about it.

One woman started laughing as soon as it was pointed out to her, saying, "Is that what I think it is?"

P.E.I.'s Department of Tourism and Culture did not comment on the cover.

But The National Post reported that it has been replaced with an image of a lighthouse.

Indeed, that's what appears when you download the guide from Tourism P.E.I.'s website.

The picture was noticed — and mocked — by plenty of social media users.










Twitter user Brian McKechnie noted that the tourism guide's photo reminded him of the time an IKEA catalogue had a picture of a dog that appeared to be aroused.

Adweek reported IKEA saying that the picture simply showed the dog's leg.

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Silly Goose Learns It Can't Outfly This Calgary Zoo Grizzly Bear

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A goose learned the hard way not to intrude on a grizzly bear's turf at the Calgary Zoo.

Video captured at the facility and uploaded to YouTube on Sunday shows a goose being chased by a grizzly bear inside its enclosure.

And for a few moments, the goose appeared to have the upper hand. Until it hit a fence.

Then this happened, according to the Redditor who posted it.



As the people say in the first video, that's the circle of life for you.

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B.C. Mom Who Gave Birth On Air Canada Flight Had No Idea She Was Pregnant

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The B.C. woman who gave birth on an international Air Canada flight this weekend had no idea she was pregnant.

Ada Guan, 23, and her boyfriend, Wesley Branch, were en route from Calgary to Tokyo when she went into labour as the plane flew over the Pacific Ocean, reported The Japan Times.

Three doctors who happened to be on board helped deliver the baby girl named Chloe, according to CBC News.

Guan and Branch, who live in Victoria, B.C., have been dating for about a year but had no clue she was expecting. Branch told Global News that his girlfriend took a pregnancy test a few months ago after she gained some weight, but it came back negative.

Guan was having stomach pains during the flight, then turned to her boyfriend and said, "Something fell out of me," Branch's mother, Sandra, told Global from her Penticton home.

ada guan babyAda Guan delivered her baby girl with the help of three doctors on the flight.

Japanese media greeted the new family as they got off the plane at Narita airport. Guan was transported on a stretcher, while Branch — wearing a Vancouver Canucks cap and holding his daughter — waved to the cameras.

"This just happened completely unexpectedly," Branch told reporters. "It turned out we have a little baby, beautiful girl."

Mom and baby — born at 37 weeks — are reportedly in good health.

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5 Awesome Hiking Trails in Canada

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Let's face it: Canada is the bomb-diggity when it comes to nature.

We've got everything from fjords to rainforests to tundra to the world's largest non-polar ice caps. Our country possesses one big backyard and some of the best hikes in the world.

I have always found hiking to be therapeutic: gravel crunching under your feet, scaling a challenging path, being lost in your own thoughts. If you're lucky, you might have a rare wildlife sighting or explore a site that would be otherwise inaccessible. And, of course, it feels incredible to reach the summit and crack open that celebratory bottle of champagne (shhh ... don't tell the park rangers!).

To get you moving, I've listed some of my favourite hiking trails in Canada, along with a handful that I aspire to trek in the future. Some trails are well-known; others may surprise you. And this is by no means a complete list.

Before you go, remember to wear waterproof hiking shoes (with traction) and loose, comfortable hiking pants (no jeans). Above all, carry at least one litre of water per person. If you really have no idea what you're doing, talk to the park ranger or a guide before setting out. Because rescue operations aren't fun for anyone.

1. East Sooke Park (Vancouver Island)

Take a walk on the wild side -- through rainforest, giant boulders and beaches in East Sooke Regional Park, just a 45-minute drive from Victoria. Although the scenery is captivating, it's the wildlife spotting that steals the show. In just a few hours, I spotted a marten, poison plants, jellyfish, starfish, crabs, eels, seals and a bald eagle. If you go with Rainforest Tours, you'll learn a lot about nature along the way. On my walk, the guide flipped over rocks to show just how much wildlife thrives in the nooks and crannies of the earth. Along the hike, you can also view the ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) in this British Columbia park.

2. Rouge National Urban Park (Ontario)

It's only 20 minutes by car from downtown Toronto to Canada's only national urban park. Hit the lush trails for a free guided hike through farms, meadows, forests and wetlands. Some have special themes, too, such as fitness challenges, learning about animal tracks or wildlife photography, and walks for dog lovers or families. Sure, it's in the GTA, but you can hike year-round and see tons of wildlife. I snapped a picture of a deer sleeping in the snow -- so don't forget your camera.

3. Kluane National Park and Reserve (Yukon Territory)

If there was a Fight Club for hikes, this park would dominate. It's so majestic that it could make anyone believe in a higher power.

Kluane National Park is home to Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan (so big that it has its own weather system), the world's largest non-polar ice caps and is a human free sanctuary to thousands of species of wildlife. Spanning a wild and open 21,980 square kilometres, the park holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That's even better than a Canadian Heritage Minute commercial.

If the prospect of grizzlies make you poop your pants, there's a solution: call Brent Liddle, master hiker, wilderness guide and 30-year veteran of Parks Canada to guide you on a spectacular mountain hike. This man is the poster boy for "Bear Aware" and has even (successfully) handled bear encounters.

At the top, incredible views of the park serve as a reward for your bravery and physical efforts. But don't be fooled: this isn't child's play and hikers have disappeared into Kluane's wilderness. Know your limits, pay attention to signage, and, above all, respect nature.

Read More About Kluane National Park and Reserve on Vacay.ca: Yukon may indeed be God's country

4. Greenwich Dunes Trail, Prince Edward Island National Park (Prince Edward Island)

If you crave serene and simple, this trail is for you. Hike the Greenwich Dunes Trail, which involves walking through forest and along a boardwalk floating over a pond. The trail leads to one of the island's most fabulous beaches heaped with sand dunes. This trail is relatively flat and short (45 minutes), so it's a good one for beginners. At the end, kick off your shoes, settle into the sand and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach.

5. Tombstone Territorial Park (Yukon Territory)

On the Dempster Highway, this remote park is ideal for serious trekkers. Here amongst the black granite peaks and rolling tundra landscapes, you can do a day hike or a multi-day trekking excursion. Plus, there are plenty of Yukon adventure companies that offer the full gamut of wilderness experiences in Tombstone, from hiking and backpacking to photo safaris to cultural tours.

If you're a beginner, it's also worth the two-hour drive from Dawson City just to see 2,200 square kilometres of raw wilderness. The park has an ethereal atmosphere: rugged peaks jut out of the landscape, making the park resemble a grave marker (hence the name). Stop by the Interpretive Centre, where you will be greeted with a mug of Mountain Wild Tea, a crackling fire and a whiteboard listing wildlife sightings ("Five Grizzlies by 10am?!"). In the late summer and early autumn, the entire tundra valley erupts in hues of crimson, orange and gold, offering some gem photographs.

On the trail, don't be surprised if you run into wildlife. I encountered a rather sassy-looking marmot, striking a pose on a rock and just begging to be photographed.

Story by Lisa Jackson, Vacay.ca writer. To read the rest of the list on Vacay.ca, click here.

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Montreal Slip And Slide To Invade The City This Summer

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Just when we thought Montreal's summer could be any more awesome, this happened.

"Slide the City," a travelling slip and slide event will hit Quebec's biggest city on Aug. 15, reports Le Journal de Montreal.

It will see a 304-metre slip and slide installed somewhere in the city and invite people to take a nice, long, face-first trip through an incredible summer destination.



Precisely where the slip and slide will be located is up in the air for now. But tickets to slide are already available, according to radio station 101.9 The Fox.

A single slide will cost $15 for anyone who registers early; the regular price is $20,

Triple slides cost $30 for early birds, $35 for regular registration and $40 for any late participants.

Those who want to slide endlessly as VIPs can pay $50 for early tickets, $55 for regular tickets and $60 for anyone who comes late. That also gives you a hat, t-shirt, tube, mouthguard and bag.

Montreal already had great attractions like the Festival International du Jazz and Piknic Electronik.

We think it's going to be one heck of a summer in la belle province.

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6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Puerto Rico

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Too often, Canadian vacationers overlook Puerto Rico as a sun destination. But this lively island just south of Miami is filled with history, culture, ecotourism, and an incredible food scene. Here are six things you probably didn't know about Puerto Rico, as well as excellent reasons why you should visit:



It's Home to a Rare Ecological Wonder

Only a handful of bioluminescent bays exist in the world but Puerto Rico has three. The waters are rich with half-plant, half-animal organisms that light up like stardust whenever activated by movement. At night, the lagoon often glows electric blue from these microscopic organisms in the water. At Laguna Grande, kayak to the lagoon at sunset with a marine biologist, who teaches about tropical plants and sea creatures unique to the area.
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(Credit: Puerto Rico Tourism Company)

It Has Breathtaking Beaches

To escape crowds, take a catamaran or plane to Culebra, a sleepy island located 30 kilometres off the coast of Puerto Rico. Once a hideaway for pirates, this forgotten island now attracts travellers in search of wild sandy beaches, world class diving reefs, and flora and fauna at the national wildlife refuge.

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For a nearby but off-the-beaten track beach, there's Loíza -- a small community with an intriguing history. It was settled by African slaves during the 16th century, and today, it's the heart of the Afro-Puerto Rican community. Few tourists venture this far, but it's worth the 45 minute trek from San Juan. You'll be rewarded with a golden strip of beach that's mostly deserted, except for a few locals (see above photo).

The Food Scene is Incredible

Puerto Rico is a gastronomic hot bed, inspired by its inhabitants over the last few centuries. The island's cuisine has been heavily influenced by the cooking traditions and practices of the original peoples (the Tainos Indians), Spanish and Asian settlers, and African slaves and their descendants. Expect to taste Creole cooking and some surprising cultural fusions.



Just about every restaurant serves mofongo (below): an Afro-Puerto Rican dish typically made of fried plantain mashed into a bowl with broth and filled with shrimp, pork, fish, or chicken.
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San Juan is hopping with celebrity chefs and upscale eateries. When not appearing on Iron Chef, Chef Roberto Treviño cooks up a storm at Budatai, a critically acclaimed restaurant that serves exquisite Asian-inspired Puerto Rican cuisine. The chef's not lying when he says that "this is the house that dumplings built" (see photo below). For fine dining, enjoy a multi-course French feast at Augusto's or gourmet steak and seafood at Pikayo.

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Chocoholics will love Casa Cortes, an 80-year old family-run café where every dish on the menu has a touch of chocolate. There's grilled cheese con chocolate, chocolate-stuffed croissants, chocotinis, truffles, chocolate waffles - you name it! To die and go to heaven, order a shot of hot chocolate that's so rich it's almost a meal (see below photo). It's also served the way that rural Puerto Ricans drank it: with a hunk of cheddar cheese melting in the centre.

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For a rustic culinary experience, Loíza has a trail of roadside grills that serve African-inspired Puerto Rican cuisine (see photo below). Thick smoke from the fogons (wood-fire barbeque) hits your car's windshield before the shacks are even visible. Stepping outside, the balmy air wafts of charcoal and smoldering meat. You're not the only one following your nose: join the line for fritters, chicken and beef kebabs, and root vegetables roasted over the bonfire.

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The National Drink is the Piña Colada

Call it a Piña Colada pilgrimage! Pay homage to this drink at Barrachina, the bar that claims to be the birthplace of this sweet cocktail mixed with pineapple, rum, and coconut cream. A thousand Piña Coladas are served here every day - get comfy at the bar and coax the bartender into telling the cocktail's creation story as he prepares trays of drinks for thirsty tourists.

You Can Soar Like Superman

Adrenaline junkies get their fix at Toro Verde Ecological Adventure Park, selected by Travel & Leisure as one of the "World's Coolest Zip Lines." This park has nine tracks and the second longest zipline ride in the world. It takes about two minutes to zoom across "The Beast's" 4700 foot long track. If that doesn't get your heart pumping, this will: it's done Superman-style, lying face down and front first, and you get to feel what it's like to fly like a bird.

2015-05-12-1431467161-508714-zipline2.jpg



It's Gay Friendly

Puerto Rico welcomes LGBT travellers and has a thriving gay community. Same sex relationships are legal and the capital city, San Juan, is a major port of call for Caribbean gay cruises.

"The people make us gay friendly," says Luis Conti, Board Member and Media & Communications Director for Puerto Rico Pride. "As an island, most of us know each other and celebrate what we are in a safe environment always."

Puerto Rico Pride is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of June, and is one of the biggest Pride Festivals in the Caribbean. This year, it's the 25th anniversary of the festival -- so get ready for a major party.

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24 Vancouver Restaurants In 24 Hours Is True 'Day Of Gluttony'

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Talk about dining and dashing.

The two hosts of "Day of Gluttony," an online food series, ate their way through 24 Vancouver restaurants in 24 hours.

Harry Yuan and Bruce Aguirre tackled six different stops for breakfast, and nine each for lunch and dinner.

There was one rule: finish every single dish they ordered — which they (somehow) managed to do.

The video, which airs on Tastemade, follows the duo through many of the city's award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, and sushi bars.

The pair has also applied the 24-hour challenge in Toronto and Montreal, along with many others across the U.S.

Here's the full list of spots they visited in Vancouver, in case you're interested in attempting the epic food tour yourself:


ROUND ONE: BREAKFAST
  1. Matchstick Coffee Roasters

  2. Café Medina

  3. Cartems Donuterie

  4. Revolver

  5. Commune Cafe

  6. Caffé Brixton


  7. ROUND TWO: LUNCH
  8. BaoQi Eateri

  9. Whats Shaken

  10. Boulevard

  11. Homer St Cafe and Bar

  12. Shizen Ya

  13. Timbertrain Coffee Roasters

  14. Pourhouse

  15. The Diamond

  16. L’Abattoir


  17. ROUND THREE: DINNER
  18. Brassneck Brewery

  19. Chicha

  20. Burdock & Co.

  21. Upstairs at Campagnolo

  22. Mamie Taylor’s

  23. Bao Bei

  24. The Union

  25. Guilt & Co.

  26. Gringo


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Humpback Blows Phone Off Tourist's Selfie Stick

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Whale watchers in the waters between B.C. and Washington state were treated to an awe-inspiring encounter with a humpback earlier this month.

Heather MacIntyre, a photographer with a biology background, was working with Legacy Charters when she captured footage (watch above) of the “incredible” experience on May 9.

A whale known as Windy swam right up to the vessel in Haro Strait near Patos Island, and stayed there for almost an hour.

“We even started waving to her because she would continually roll to the side so that she could look up at us,” MacIntyre told The Huffington Post B.C. “After we started waving, in return she would wave her six-foot long pectoral fin or fluke."

humpback whale

Windy also appeared to enjoy “exhaling” on the group — coming so close that a tourist’s phone was blown off the selfie stick she was using to take photos, said MacIntyre.

“Can you see us? Are you saying hi?” she can be heard saying in one video. “No, no, don’t blow. No, no!”

The boat was more than 180 metres away from the whale — well within the distance set by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act — when it headed towards the vessel, said MacIntyre. Starting the motor to move out of the humpback's path could have hurt the animal, so the boat waited for her to pass.

“My hope is that this footage will inspire people to learn more about these amazing mammals and the threats they face,” MacIntyre added.




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Playland Debuts New 'Beast' Ride (VIDEO)

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Sweet, sweet summer is on its way, and that means Playland at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is opening its gates once again.

The Vancouver amusement park has added a new attraction to its repertoire, fittingly named "The Beast."

The pendulum ride swings people over 38 metres (125 feet) in the air at 90 km/h. On top of that, the seats spin riders in circles while they're flying.

Playland says that for the first time in North America, riders can choose to face inward or outward — or just go again and do both, if they have the stomach for it.

Here's a sneak peek of the ride (watch above), in case you want to suss things out before losing your lunch riding it yourself.

Playland opens on Saturday, May 16.

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Edmonton Named One Of National Geographic's Best Summer Trips

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edmonton folk festival

When you think of great summer trips, destinations such as Rome, Maui or Palm Springs come to mind.

And not one of them qualifies among the best for 2015, according to National Geographic.

Canada has one entry on the list, and it's not Banff or Muskoka.

Nope. This time Edmonton is enjoying a moment in the international travel spotlight.

"I think Edmonton has a really unique authenticity and a unique originality," Edmonton Tourism communications manager Renee Williams told Global News.

Alberta's capital was singled out for its summer festival scene, which will see an extra infusion of fun this year thanks to the FIFA Women's World Cup, which takes place from June 6 to July 4.

A total of 11 matches will be played in the city, including group games that have Canada kicking off against China and New Zealand.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, runs from Aug. 6 to 9, and the Edmonton International Fringe Festival from Aug. 13 to 23.

National Geographic also highlighted Edmonton's status as one of "Canada's sunniest cities," as it takes in as much as 2,300 hours of solar rays every year.

The city was listed alongside destinations including Machu Picchu, Athens and Singapore.

Here are National Geographic's top summer destinations for 2015:




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Being a Travel Writer Isn't All Luck

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"You're a travel writer? Lucky!" I think most travel writers I know have heard this at some point in their careers. And while there is certainly some truth to the fact that trying out a five star hotel, evaluating a hot stone massage or flying through the air on a mountain-to-mountain zip line certainly seems like a better place to be than in an office cubicle, luck has little to do with it.

As with most writing jobs, the main criteria for being successful is being a good writer. Whether this is honed through higher education or hours and hours of actual writing, getting the first words down is often the toughest part. But beyond knowing how to write, how do you find yourself getting a Turkish bath, in Turkey?

Today, most print and on-line publications hire freelancers, with a few full time staff editors who will also contribute written pieces. The freelancers are hired to write a story in one of two ways: The publication reaches out to them, having known their work in the past, or the freelancer pitches a story that the publication accepts.

Tourism boards, hotel chains, amusement parks, cruise ships, airlines, and resort companies reach out to editors and proven travel writers, either directly or through their PR agencies, to invite them on "press trips." A press trip is confirmed basically when a freelancer can secure a publication's approval to run the story, or when the publication themselves offers up space to run the story. On occasion, writers are asked to go on press trips without a secured publication in place (known as a "fam" or "familiarization" trip), with the expectation that they will secure placement in the near future.

The angle of the story is something that is decided between the publication/outlet and the writer, and presented to the sponsoring travel provider, for both their approval as well as providing them with guidance as to what the travel writer would like to see and experience.

A writer doesn't have to go on an organized press trips; many develop their own itineraries and approach travel partners to make the trip happen. Travel bloggers naturally don't have to pitch publications if they run their own blog, but they do have to prove readership and numbers to the tourism companies in order to have them agree to send them on a trip.

Typically, all expenses are covered, with the exception of the occasional meal or alcohol. Normally, transportation to and from the home airport is also not covered.

While on a press trip, the journalists are expected to stick to the itinerary, and to take note of, even interview the individuals they are meeting, and the experiences they are having. More and more so, writers are expected to provide their own photography, given the digital explosion, and many writers are very talented photographers as a result. If they are not, and/or the publication doesn't want to pay for photographs as well as text, the travel partner will willingly oblige with "stock photos," or photos they have taken to promote their properties.

In Canada, the main travel writers' association is called TMAC, or Travel Media Association of Canada. Accreditation must be applied for, with points being allocated for the size of outlet/publication you writer for, a designated number of published (and paid for) pieces, and/or blog numbers. TBEX is a travel bloggers exchange, specifically. Of course there is a lot of overlap between the two communities. TBEX holds conferences all over the world; TMAC provides ongoing support to travel writers, with courses, trip opportunities from travel partners, and an annual conference, which this year is scheduled to take place in June in Peterborough, Ontario.

Check out www.travelmedia.ca for more information.

This blog originally ran during Kathy Buckworth's regular travel segment "How She Travels", on "What She Said" on Sirius/XM Canada's Canada Talks.


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Camera Captures Black Bear Atop Power Line To Eat Raven Eggs

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Bears will go to great lengths to sate their springtime appetite, but we've never seen anything quite like this.

A video and photos circulating online show a bear atop a power tower, picking through a raven's nest for eggs.

bear transmission line


The footage was captured earlier this month in northeastern Alberta by Linda Powell, the director of media relations for firearms manufacturer O.F. Mossberg & Sons.



Powell, from Greensboro, N.C., told The Edmonton Journal she was on retreat at a remote camp near Wood Buffalo National Park with a group of outdoor writers and hunters, testing some of the company's hunting guns.

bear transmission line


On May 10, while relaxing in a clearcut after a day of hunting, she spotted a black bear at the base of a transmission tower.

"My first thought that went through my mind was: that bear's gonna climb the tower but I didn't really think that it would," she told CBC News.

bear transmission line


"Over the next few minutes we watched him very skillfully climb the tower while the ravens were diving at him pecking at him, squawking, trying to do everything they could to discourage him, and he just climbed right to the top."

According to the video posted to YouTube, the agile bear finished the feast and made it down the power pole unharmed.

bear transmission line


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Elephant Selfie Snapped With B.C. Traveller Is Just Adorable

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We've seen the octopus selfie, the sea eagle selfie, the giraffe selfie and even a slelfie, courtesy of a friendly sloth.

Now, we have the elephant selfie — dubbed the "elphie."

Vancouver's Christian LeBlanc posted the epic snap to Instagram earlier this month, and it's since garnered international attention.

We can see why:

Just had an article written about my #elphie (elephant selfie, clever I know) in the Daily Mail and the Mirror UK

A photo posted by Christian LeBlanc (@christian_leblanc) on





LeBlanc had been feeding the elephant in Koh Phangan, Thailand, with his GoPro running on the time lapse setting, according to The Daily Mail.

When the banana supply ran dry, the elephant reportedly grabbed the camera.

“I couldn’t believe it had happened, let alone taken the snap at the right moment,” the 22-year-old traveller told Metro News. "This is definitely hands down my most epic selfie."

According to his YouTube channel where he's documenting his travels, LeBlanc says he also plans to visit Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Safe to say we'll be keeping an eye out for more delightful animal selfies while he's on the road.

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This Tour Company Needs A Newfoundland Geography Lesson. Stat.

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A Calgary tour company seems in dire need of a geography lesson after mistakenly locating Newfoundland towns in Cape Breton ... and that's not all they messed up.

Anderson Vacations' travel brochure was raised during question period in Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly on Tuesday, The Telegram reported.

Liberal MHA Stelman Flynn objected to the fact that Newfoundland locations actually appeared on a map of Cape Breton.




St. John's, for example, appeared close to where Louisbourg is supposed to be, while Gros Morne National Park was set close to where Inverness is located.

Corey Marshall, CEO of Anderson Vacations, apologized for the error, saying that the mistake was made by a "content management company" that had been contracted to do the maps.

"In addition this wasn't picked up through our own manual proofing process. It was never our intention to offend anyone," he said.

But that wasn't the only mistake that Anderson Vacations had to rectify.

The company apologized a second time for misspelling St. John's as "Saint John," a city in New Brunswick, and St. Anthony as "Saint Anthony," CBC News reported.

newfoundland map

The mistakes became fodder for mockery on social media.













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This Is 'The World's Most Relaxing Film.' No. Really.

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We know that Sigur Ros aren't from Denmark. But only they could make the country's latest tourism video more soothing than it is already.

Danish tourism organization Visit Vestsjaelland has released a video it calls "The World's Most Relaxing Film."

And it delivers. The video itself is a collection of soothing images from Zealand, the country's largest island.

It shows a beautiful landscape filled with forests, fields, marshes and even grazing cows.

Why does it call itself the "World's Most Relaxing Film"? Science, that's why.

The organization said it attached pulse monitors to some city residents to see how their heartbeats changed while watching the film. Visit Vestsjaelland said the subjects' pulses dropped by over 10 per cent, The Local reported.

We know the point of the video is to make people visit Denmark.

But for now it's sending us into a deep, pleasant ... yawn ...

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Réka Kaponay Is Travelling Around The World, And She's Only 13

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The average 13-year-old lives at home and travels to school each day. Réka Kaponay's life is a little different.

Australian-born Kaponey has been travelling the world since she was 10 years old. She describes herself as enrolled in the "School of Life" with her twin brother and parents on her blog Dreamtime Traveler.

The Kaponey family's adventure began when they travelled to California on a family vacation that accidentally turned into a trip across the country and South America. Soon after, they decided to sell most of their belongings and travel the world, she tells Be My Travel Muse.

Since then the foursome has travelled to 23 countries, living on only what they need. Meanwhile, parents George and Bobi operate a non-profit called EnergeticXChange, which connects people who want to exchange and share belongings, reports Design Taxi.

While it's definitely not traditional, Kapone says her travel, coupled with homeschooling, is a new style of education.

"If I would have to put a name to this, I would say that I like to think of ourselves as life learners, everyday, activating knowledge within us from the school of the world and all the living things surrounding us," she writes on her blog.

But every lifestyle has its downsides. For Kaponey, the hardest part about her nomadic life is having to say goodbye to people and places.

The family is currently living in Spain, where Kaponey is working on getting her first novel "Dawn of The Guardian" published.

She shares snapshots of her incredible travel experiences on Instagram. Here are a few:

#aguilas 's hidden pavilions emanate a natural beauty and an air of mysticism. #spains_secrets dreamtimetraveler.com

A photo posted by Reka Kaponay (@dreamtimetraveler) on













#alhambra's mesmerizing architecture. Visit dreamtimetraveler.com for more magic through the screen.

A photo posted by Reka Kaponay (@dreamtimetraveler) on





We don't know about you, but the Kaponey lifestyle is making us crave a vacation!

Would you want to travel so often? Tell us in the comments below.

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100 Days Of Newfoundland: Artist Tara Feener Draws Beloved Aspects Of Her Home Province

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Artist and software engineer Tara Feener misses home. A Newfoundlander living in Brooklyn, Feener decided to remedy her homesickness by illustrating 100 things that she misses about her home province over the course of 100 days. And because we love all things East Coast (especially when they're gorgeous drawn), we asked her to answer some questions about her 100 Days of Newfoundland Project.

How did you come up with the idea of the project?

The 100 Day project was originally created by Michael Bierut at the Yale School of Art as a workshop. He encouraged his class to repeat one creative action everyday for one hundred days, sharing it along the way. A graphic designer, Elle Luna, heard about the workshop and adapted it as a project on social media last year with several others, including a couple friends of mine from San Francisco. I was incredibly inspired by their projects (one was a hundred days of Nicholas Cage) and declared I would do it next year ... and here we are! For years I have been wanting to do something related to Newfoundland and Labrador as a way to connect with home, and I could never find the right medium. The project felt like the right medium: bring daily creativity together with reconnecting to home. A third thing has shaken out of the project since day one, and that’s community.

A photo posted by Tara Feener (@tarajane) on






Can you talk about the process of illustrating and writing each photo?

Each illustration is created digitally on my iPad using the app Paper by FiftyThree and my trusty stylus, Pencil. FiftyThree is a startup based in New York and Seattle which creates tools for creativity. I’m a software engineer at the company by day and have been doing digital iPad illustration now for over three years. I wake up each morning at 7:30 and create a new blank page in the app. I like to give each illustration a title to start things off, and have had fun using song lyrics or puns to craft each one. I usually spend about an hour doing the outline in ink, and then the remainder of the time carefully colouring them in and applying shading. The great thing about digital creation is you can rewind to undo a mistake, mix the perfect colour, or zoom in to add a detail. It’s been a lot of fun and really rewarding to use the project and service I work on by day as an engineer in a creative passion outside the office.

As for each caption, I do a fair amount of reading on Wikipedia and other historical sites to find as many interesting facts about each person, place, or thing, and try to keep description to a short paragraph. Writing the captions has become a really surprisingly rewarding part of the project ... I’ve learned so much about Newfoundland in the process and have enjoyed writing as a complementary creative outlet to illustration.

A photo posted by Tara Feener (@tarajane) on







Are homesick Newfoundlanders drawn to it?

Absolutely, including yours truly! It’s hard not to feel homesick when you spend an hour or two illustrating and reading about an interesting slice of home. I’ve gotten lots of notes from friends overseas or living away telling me they’ve been checking in daily. I like to flip homesickness upside down though, and try to think about it as a daily dose of home to keep me company between trips.

A photo posted by Tara Feener (@tarajane) on







Have you come up with a list of 100 things or are you taking suggestions from people?

I started out with a list of 100 things that I crafted before the project began but tossed it to the side on the first day. I found having a structured list defeated the creativity aspect of the project I was looking for. Instead I go with my gut and draw the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning or the last thing I thought of before going to bed. I’ve absolutely been taking suggestions and I’ve been so lucky to have so many wonderful people from home sending them my way: thank you! Most recently a relative from Newfoundland living in Liverpool sent me a list of some of his favourite memories from home and that’s how I found out about Hooping Harbour. I think it’s easy to forgot how much of home you’ve yet to explore.


A photo posted by Tara Feener (@tarajane) on







Do you have any favourites?

Yes! One Sunday morning I was feeling nostalgic for Mallard Cottage, my favorite restaurant at home, and specifically their brunch. They have a really incredible ‘cake table’ with a pastry chef who creates incredible baked goods using local Newfoundland elements. It’s so colourful, and delicious of course, and I had a really fun time bringing it to life. The Fogo Island Inn is another one... I’ve so badly been wanting to see it in person but drawing it was a close second. Berry Head Arch and Red Bay are two sights I shamefully didn’t know about in Newfoundland and Labrador, so drawing each was fun and special ... I can’t wait to visit them someday. And lastly, I did Cod Jigging last week with a really colourful jig and reel, inspired by a cool photo I found on Google Images.

A photo posted by Tara Feener (@tarajane) on







Do you plan on doing anything else with the illustrations? Collecting them? T-Shirts?

I haven’t decided what I’ll do quite yet. I started getting really excited about that during the first week but made myself a promise: that I’d wait until day 80 or so to start thinking about it as to not get ahead of myself. I’ve had folks ask about a book or prints and I’d love to make either/both happen, but we’ll see. For now I’m having fun creating and composing them into little collections afterwards in Photoshop. I know at a minimum I’ll certainly be looking to celebrate the project with friends, family and community at the end of the 100 days, and coincidentally have a trip planned for St. John’s for the wedding of two close friends in August, so the timing will work out nicely!

A photo posted by Tara Feener (@tarajane) on






You can check out Feener's 100 Days Of Newfoundland series on Instagram and also on her Medium blog.

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My Safari Adventure Through an Indian Wildlife Sanctuary

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I am bouncing in the back seat of an open Jeep as it meanders through India's Kaziranga National Park, a wildlife sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage site located in the northeastern state of Assam. Despite the spitting rain, I am grateful to experience my first-ever safari. It's April and the monsoon season is approaching. Just not yet.

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Guide and ranger at wheel


My guide, Dipankar Borkakati, has accompanied me since landing in Guwahati, Assam's capital where I attended a cultural festival, Rongali. Even after a hair-raising five-hour drive together through the state's fertile land, villages and tea plantations to reach Kaziranga, we are thankfully still friendly. Driving our Jeep is an experienced and friendly ranger. I hope he has a gun, you know, in case we get chased by crazed pelicans. There's none in sight.

Safari arrangements including my guides, transportation and accommodations have been provided by Vasco Travel, whose team in Delhi took good care of me, even checking-in with me daily by phone. Considering they are the experts in travel to India, I know I'm in good hands.

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Park rules


Living amongst Kaziranga's grasslands, tropical forests, lakes and swamps that surround us are several species of mammals, including the once endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros, elephants, water buffalo, swamp and barking deer, pelicans, Ganges dolphins, leopards, fishing cats and the Royal Bengal Tiger, and more. Many are endangered.

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Park road



Kaziranga lies in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra. Most of the area gets flooded from the river during the Monsoon, forcing the elephants and other animals to migrate to higher ground.

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Deer with rhinos in the distance


My guide points to something in the distance. Tiger? In the grasslands ahead is a lone elephant with a man riding -- actually, standing -- on its back as they saunter across the plains. I am amazed at the man's balance riding this massive, awkward creature.

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Man riding elephant


We continue. Bumpity-bump. I am glad I went to the washroom before leaving my villa at Infinity Resort. It is late afternoon, the sun will soon set and we must leave shortly. The silence is deafening, save the occasional jeep of tourists travelling the same road.

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Rhinos at water's edge


My guide points again. Tiger? Poking though the tall grass and not more than a few meters from us appears one of India's most prized possessions: the one-horned rhinoceros. Given rhinos are known to run fast, really fast, my heart skips. My guide whistles to get its attention. It sees us. It most definitely sees us. I grab my camera, it turns around and it...

...snap...

...drops a load.

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A dignified view of the rhino


Behind it, in the distance, are more rhinos, elephants, water buffalo and deer.

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But no Royal Bengal Tiger. Yet. Tigers are often seen here. The ranger says the population is more than 100 and they are "very shy." Part of me wants to see one, and part of me doesn't because it means if I see it, the likelihood is it would see me, too. I think of Yann Martel's Life of Pi.


Another jeep of tourists stop to inform us they just spotted the legs of a tiger in the foliage alongside our road, but got scared off by a truck. I am fully wide-awake.

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Ahead, I hear deer barking. I'm told they bark as a warning to the rest of the herd that a tiger is near.

A tiger is near.

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Grasslands and hills in background



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Ranger Nekib explains park life. Where's the tiger?



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We climb a watchtower and with binoculars scan the grasslands and lake below. Pelicans are resting. The sun is rapidly falling, washing the plains with "Bengal Tiger" orange.

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Sunset in Kaziranga National Park



I take one last scan for the shy tiger. But, alas...

After a 90-minute adventure, it is time for us to leave or trouble awaits. As we ramble out of the park, my guide, Dipankar, leans back and says: "You have to return to Kaziranga. The tiger is calling you back."

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A few minutes later


Shannon Skinner is a television host, speaker and writer. Read more of her travel stories at Shannon's Travel Bag .

This article originally appeared at ShannonSkinner.com.

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Message In A Bottle Found In Victoria Contains Man's Dying Wish

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A group of canoeists say they plan to honour a dead man's last wish after they found his message in a bottle floating off the coast of Vancouver Island.

The team of six local boaters made the discovery while on a training paddle in Victoria's inner harbour. They fished the bottle out and quickly realized it was also carrying someone's ashes.

"[The bottle] contained a note explaining that as a celebration of life, this bottle of ashes was to be thrown back in the water so the man who passed away could see the world," the canoeists wrote on their Facebook page.

The bottle, which they dubbed "Ash," now has a place on the paddlers' team, according to CHEK News. The newest member will ride alongside the group, as they race 1,200 kilometres from Washington to Alaska in June.

"It didn't seem likely for him to get out of the harbour, but since we are headed all the way to Alaska shortly, we have given him a spot on our boat and place on our team," the post continued.

"We'll throw him back in the sea up in Alaska with the hope that he will catch onto the Alaska current and ride it all the way over to Asia."

So we found something interesting on a training paddle... Floating in the Victoria Harbour was a message (and a...

Posted by Canoe to Ketchikan on Tuesday, 19 May 2015



"We don't know who this man was, or exactly what his wishes were, but a tour up the entire B.C. coast and a jump start on this final journey of his seems like one small way to pay our respects."

One paddler, Russell Henry, said the group hopes to track down the man's family so they can make contact, according to CBC News. But first and foremost, they want to make sure he gets his final wish.

"I think there's always the chance we find somebody who says, 'Hey I'm sailing to Japan,' and we could hand him off," Henry told the outlet. "I think it would be cool, people just handing him off so he makes his way around the world."

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Free Things To Do In B.C. This Summer

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Summer can be expensive. There are festivals to attend, trips to take, concerts to watch, and events you just can't seem to miss.

But enjoying the warm summer months doesn't have to break the bank. We've put together a list of free things to do in beautiful B.C. that will keep you entertained and in the black.

The only thing you might have to pay for is getting there.

Happy exploring!




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