Oceania
Exploring the Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa
When I went to French Polynesia I didn’t plan on visiting the Marquesas. While they looked amazing, I was already spending a month island-hopping across the islands of Tahiti which, if you didn’t already know, definitely did not come cheap. But, the longer I spent in French Polynesia the more I fell in love. And…
Read More
Where to Scuba Dive in French Polynesia: The Tuamotu Islands
When I was planning my 5-week trip through French Polynesia with my friend one of the things I knew I HAD to do was go scuba diving. French Polynesia was my first trip outside of Canada for 18 months because of COVID-19 and I missed the ocean and diving like crazy. However, while French Polynesia…
Read More
Is Bora Bora Worth it? Thoughts After Spending 5 Weeks in the Tahitian Islands
When I told people I was spending over a month island hopping in French Polynesia, some of them had no idea where that was. But, as soon as I said Bora Bora they knew. Their eyes lit up and they gushed with jealousy that I would be visiting this tropical paradise that has made a…
Read More
Things to do in Bora Bora: A Bora Bora Itinerary
The name Bora Bora conjures images of overwater bungalows, clear blue waters, and soft white sand beaches. It’s made a name for itself as one of the most romantic destinations of the world; a popular pick especially for those on their honeymoon. But aside from luxurious romantic resort experiences, what does Bora Bora offer to…
Read More
The Best Things to do in Huahine Island, French Polynesia
Many of the islands of French Polynesia have cute little nicknames and Huahine’s is the Authentic Island. Having spent a few days there, I can quickly understand why. While nearby Bora Bora and Mo’orea are popular on the French Polynesia tourist trail, Huahine is often skipped and left behind. Which is too bad for those…
Read More
The Best Things to do in Mo’orea: A Mo’orea Itinerary
Moorea is the French Polynesian island that I had always dreamed of. Lush, green mountains and hills towering over white-sand beaches fringed with palm trees. Water so clear and in so many shades of blue that it seems unreal. And of course friendly people, good food, and plenty to see. It was my first stop…
Read More
Swimming With Whales in Tahiti: The Mo’orea Whale Swim
In 2018 I crossed one of my bucket-list items off my list; I went swimming with humpback whales in Tonga. It was easily one of the best experiences of my life and something I knew I wanted to do again should I have the chance. Well, I got my second chance and was able to…
Read More
Sharkbait ooh ha ha! Scuba Diving with Bull Sharks in Fiji: The Fiji Shark Dive
I floated on the surface, dark waves roiling around me as I looked below. Blue. All I could see was endless blue. But, I knew that it was misleading. Hidden beyond my site were dozens of sharks. Bull sharks; one of the most dangerous shark species in the world. But, I wasn’t trying to get…
Read More
Swimming with Whales in Tonga: Everything You Need to Know
“Ready…. GO!” Without hesitating I push myself off of the boat and into the rolling ocean waves. GoPro strapped to my wrist, I swim straight ahead, eyes scanning the waters around me for any flicker of movement or flash of a tail. A couple of waves crash over me, causing the salty water to flow…
Read More
The Best Things to do in Tonga: A Tongatapu Island Guide
Tonga was somewhere I’ve had my eye on for a while now for one big reason: it’s one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales. In September of 2018, I finally got there but after spending a minor fortune on flights and pre-booked whale swim tours, my budget…
Read More
I Was Sexually Assaulted in Tonga After Trying to Blend with the Locals
Tonga was a dream destination for me. The idea of being able to swim with humpback whales blew my mind and I was more than happy to discover those postcard-perfect islands surrounded by clear aqua waters and fringed with soft, white sand. It took me a year to plan and save up for it. But it…
Read More