Dare to do Something a Little Different

When the email arriving in my inbox last August announcing a travel blogger's conference in Toronto the following May, I thought "what the heck, I have no idea where I'll be next May, so I'm signing up!"

Between the day I signed up and the day of the conference, I had made some major changes in my life. In short, I decided to leave my job in corporate communications to go back to school full-time and finish up a degree in communications I started many years ago.  I needed a change - a change of pace and a change of direction and this decision just felt right.

So back to TBEX, " the world's largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, and new media content creators."  As a very part-time travel blogger, I didn't know what to expect. I went as an observer - I wanted to take in the sessions and the travel blogger's vibe.  Here is what I learned from the weekend:

1. I need a website.  A real one.  I currently blog using blogger, but if I want to get serious about blogging, I need to get clear about and organize what I want my blog to accomplish and create a website with my own domain name.
2. I'm not sure I am a travel blogger, per se. I love blogging about my experiences in Mexico for example, but I do it because I am passionate about it, not because I'm being paid to do it. I don't think I am comfortable blogging about a destination that has compensated me to say nice things. How can my readers trust that what I am writing about is true if I am being paid to write about a place or experience? Maybe a travel blogger out there can help me make sense of this.
3. This ties in to my previous point, but when I was focused on how I was going to make money blogging (this topic came up a lot with others too), I felt uninspired to be a part of this. But when I reflected on some of my favourite blog posts and the inspiration behind writing them, I remembered why I write. I write to share stories that will inspire others to live the life they really want to live. I'm not sure how this fits into the travel blogging business.
4. I was inspired by Trey Ratcliffe's keynote presentation and his passion for travel photography. I now realize money can be made in other ways around travel blogging - we just need to get creative! I appreciated his photographic process as his art. His photos rock!
5. I was also inspired by Bruce Poon Tip's presentation. He talked about the noble purpose of blogging - inspiring others to travel by bringing them our stories, and opening up the world of different cultures and countries to promote understanding and peace. He stressed the importance of experiencing a country for what it is instead of confining ourselves to all-inclusive travel compounds. What I most enjoyed was his stories about his company, g Adventures and the good they do. I realized that I want to be a part of a company like g Adventures - one that has a noble purpose, when I am finished school - either through something I create on my own, or as part of a company such as g Adventures, or some kind of combination of both.
6. The social interactions are a big part of TBEX. I was so happy to finally meet Craig from StayAdventurous after knowing him online for about three years. Lunch at the St. Lawrence Market was the perfect place to catch up. Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to partake in the parties, but a couple of the other people I met at the sessions were lovely and inspiring. If I decide to attend the next conference in Dublin, I will take advantage of the social opportunities for sure.

So that was my experience. A different outcome than I expected, but really inspiring just the same. I also want to add that it was awesome to be surrounded by a group of people (1300!) who were passionate about what they do. I'm not yet sure exactly where this all fits with me, but I have a feeling travel is going to have a part.  How about you? Did you attend TBEX? I'd love to hear your comments.

Dare to Explore: Bruce County, Part Two

Continuing from part one, my daughter and I used our destination of Summer House Park at Miller Lake as a base to explore the Bruce County area. After kayaking on Miller Lake after breakfast one morning, we took the drive up highway #6 to Litle Cove Adventures where I had read about a ropes course we could do. Well, it turns out we couldn't do it after all, because I had only packed flip flops and they require you wear running shoes.  We put it on our list to do next year.

So on to Tobermory we went. Tobermory is a town at the northern peak of the Bruce Peninsula.  From there you have your choice of cruises to see the area, or to get over to Manitoulin Island, on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, vehicle and all.  The little town itself has many little shops, cafes and restaurants that sit along a road that bends around a marina.

One of our favourite places to eat was Sharky's Grill, located just outside the main tourist marina area.

We loved the homemade veggie burgers and the whitefish sandwiches. 

The Grille is connected to store that covers different levels, full of eclectic and bohemian-inspired clothes, jewellry and garden items, while Bob Marley music plays in the background. A really special place. We would place our order with the friendly owner at what looks like a take-out window located on the second level, spend some time looking around and them come back to a table to eat.

One night we took the sunset cruise from Tobermory, a two hour boat ride along the coast of Georgian Bay. The boat left the dock at 7:40pm, with a sunset scheduled for 8:10pm.  I took so many photos, here are a few of them.

We saw some people here, jumping off the rocks into the water below.  I'm told that it's possible to hike to this spot (the "Grotto") from Highway 6.  Another thing to add to our list of things to do next time.

Do you see the Inukshuk?

And then, as the name of the cruise suggests, the sunset.

Other cruises are available, the most popular being the one to Flower Pot Island.  This too we added to our list of things to do next year (we're going to be busy!). We spent our last night back in Port Elgin, and took in the annual Bruce Nuclear Beach Party the next day before heading home.

I would have to say, the best part of our vacation was: the time we spent together having fun without a schedule, the nice local people we met, the new road signs (thank you!), the perfect beach weather, daring to explore new areas and leaving with some great memories.

Most Like Me

Last night I visited the little fishing town of Puerto Morelos, located just south of the bustling tourist city of Cancun, and known for it’s spectacular coral reef just off the coast. One of my Mexican friends, an aspiring distributor of Mexican Mezcal was on his way there for business and invited me along for the ride - a thirty minute ride north of Playa del Carmen.

I first visited Puerto Morelos last June with my daughter. We arranged a snorkelling excursion through the Snorkel Shop in Playa, and into the minivan we climbed for the ride to Puerto Morelos. I’m told that the residents of this town are very protective of their area - preserving the coral reef and limiting developments. It was nice to see a city that looked as though it was still pretty much in its natural state. You’ll find no glitz or glam here - the feel is more small, natural, real. I loved it. The beach was beautiful.. and empty. Quite the contrast from the crowds along the beaches of Playa del Carmen and of course, Cancun. Small, colourful fishing boats lined the beach as we sat and ate lunch that day.. It was lovely and the snorkeling excursion off the coast, with the beautiful schools of fish, conch, barracuda and many other wonderful underwater creatures, was definitely the highlight of our trip.

As we pulled into town last night, we passed a park where families were milling around, their small children chasing each other and happily playing. We stopped at La Panza es Primero for dinner - a chain restaurant housed in a large palapa-style building that sits facing the beach. (Click on the link to see their very cool website.) Even before I stepped out of the vehicle I could smell the fish (it is a fishing town after all). Decorated in the Mexican wrestling theme, we took our seats in the restaurant on blue and pink plastic chairs, facing the peaceful ocean. The service was friendly and attentive, and the fish fillet I decided on (I had to have the fish!) smothered in mango sauce, rice, beans and vegetables was delicious and filling. A mojito complemented the meal nicely (don’t they always?). My friend ordered a caramel cake dessert but I was too stuffed to partake.. He finished it off, no problem.

We were soon off to our second stop of the evening, a little bar called Bara Bara. Filled with what looked like locals, there was a real community feel to that bar which made you instantly feel at home. For such a small out of the way bar, I was struck by a few men sporting stylish hats.. It somehow felt out of place but at the same time fit perfectly. Bara Bara reminded me of some of the bars I visited years ago in Trinidad - a local neighbourhood bar that pretty much stays the same, year after year. (I have to make mention of the service, which I have found all over Mexico - while I was sitting and happened to reach down and scratch an itch on my leg, a man quickly came over to me and offered me bug spray. Can’t say that has ever happened to me in any other country I‘ve visited!) While a couple of patrons played foosball just outside the entrance, I enjoyed another mojito and some good conversation with my friend. A perfect bar on a perfect evening.

Earlier in the week my Canadian-living-in-Mexico girlfriend asked me where in Mexico I would choose to live , if given the opportunity. I gave it some thought, and although I have visited some really beautiful and special spots in Mexico over the past year and a half, I couldn’t pinpoint one particular area as my favourite. It wasn’t until last night that I could answer her question. Puerto Morelos feels most like me.

The Mexico I Love

When a friend of mine, who had moved to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, first invited me to come for a visit, I didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity. I had never been to Mexico, and frankly, it wasn’t on the top of my "bucket list." In fact, it wasn’t anywhere on my list. My impression of Mexico wasn’t exactly positive at the time: a cheap sun vacation spot where everyone and their brother went; rampant drugs and violence.

Fast forward a year and my friend extended another invitation. This time, she had two weeks left on a condo rental so it was a “now or never” situation if I wanted free accommodation. I accepted. It was an ideal time for me to take a vacation— as a single mother of a young child, I hadn’t traveled alone in many years. With my girl now seven years old, I fought past the guilt of leaving and took the leap to set out on my own. And so my love affair with Mexico began.

I stayed ALONE, in a two-bedroom condo in Playa del Carmen, located a few blocks from the famous fifth avenue. My girlfriend was staying at another condo she had since moved into and was working during the day, so I had most days to explore the town on my own. I’m going to be honest here, I was nervous. I was in a strange country, didn’t speak the language, hadn’t traveled in years and the sliding door on my condo wouldn’t lock! Remember, this was not an all-inclusive resort with a concierge and security. I met a neighbour (a fellow Canadian) living the in the same condo complex and mentioned my sliding door problem. She didn’t seem concerned in the least and said that she had never heard of anything bad happening in the area. I wanted to say, “Excuse me, but are we not in Mexico?”

Instead, I trusted in her confidence that everything would be fine and took some comfort in the fact that the condo complex itself was locked from the outside. I put the door out of my mind and slept peacefully every night. I’m certainly not suggesting you rent a condo anywhere and leave the door unlocked— not even in “safe” Toronto, which is where I live. It’s always important to do your part in keeping safe, no matter where you are— at home or abroad, exercising the same precautions everywhere. My point is that I was discovering that my preset ideas about how dangerous and unsafe Mexico was, was a bit exaggerated.

Each day I discovered a little bit more of the little town I was staying in. I walked the few blocks to the beach, did grocery shopping down the street, got my money exchanged around the corner, used an ATM machine, shopped and dined in and around Playa. I made myself at home and never felt as though I was in danger. Nobody bothered nor harassed me. In fact, I found the Mexican people to be very kind and respectful— they mainly just kept to themselves as they went about their daily business.

I fell in love with Mexico – the people, culture, food and the beautiful surroundings of sun and beach. I felt something in the air that was unique and special and I loved being there, taking it all in.

I don’t deny there is more violence in Mexico than in Canada, but most of the problems are concentrated in the big cities and towns that border the U.S., such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez and Nuevo Laredo and centre around the illegal drug trade. You just have to look at a map of Mexico to see how far away those areas are from where I was in Playa del Carmen.

Something we must remember is that Mexico is not Canada. It has its own culture, language, history and government that have helped shape it into what it is today, and like any other country, it has its own unique challenges. If you want what you have at home, don’t leave home. But if you want to experience something different, rich and rewarding, travel the world and open yourself up to what is different from home. I’m not sure what the media’s motivation has been for blacklisting Mexico so unfairly over the past couple of years, but hopefully more people will see past the hype and go and experience the beauty and rich culture of Mexico.

The other day I mentioned to my mother that it had been one year since my first trip to Mexico. She responded, “It’s only been one year? It feels like you’ve been going for years now!” You see, I’ve been back three more times since that first trip in April 2009. My next trip is next month and on that trip I will take my eight year old daughter. We will stay in Peurto Aventuras, located just south of Playa del Carmen, and I imagine we will spend our days building sand castles on the beaches of Playa del Carmen and Tulum, swimming in the turquoise-coloured ocean, taking local taxis and buses here and there, eating chicken and fish tacos at some great little restaurants, visiting the ancient Mayan ruins, strolling up and down fifth avenue, catching up with friends and meeting new ones, and together experiencing the beauty of the Mexico I fell in love with during that very first trip a year ago.