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COVID-19 Endemic – Are We There Yet? (Graphics created using free tools on Canva.com)

COVID-19 Endemic – Are We There Yet?

COVID-19 Living and Life, My Dream Technology Breakthrough / /

We are, by April 2022, 25 months into the global COVID-19 pandemic which was declared officially by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 Mar 2020.
In many parts of the world, lives have come back to almost like the pre-pandemic normal. People have gone back to offices to work at least for some workdays instead of working from home. Students have gone back to schools for face-to-face learning. International borders are open in many countries.
So, are we in the COVID-19 endemic yet?

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A 1-week Central Canada road trip itinerary in Central Canada may start from Toronto and may include Niagara Falls and major cities such as Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, as well as other cities Gatineau, Hamilton, Kingston on the road trip route without too much detour.

Central Canada Road Trip: 7 Major Canadian Cities in 7 Days plus Niagara Falls

Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

A 1-week Central Canada road trip itinerary in Central Canada may start from Toronto and may include Niagara Falls and major cities such as Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, as well as other cities Gatineau, Hamilton, Kingston on the road trip route without too much detour.

Central Canada Road Trip: 7 Major Canadian Cities in 7 Days plus Niagara Falls Read More »

Toronto’s important landmark CN Tower always stands out in the Toronto city skyline.

Central Canada Road Trip: Toronto

Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Canada’s largest city Toronto, like Canada’s capital Ottawa, is in Ontario Province where a third of Canada’s population lives. Toronto is located by the coast of the massive Lake Ontario. Niagara Falls is a 2-hour drive along the coast in the eastern direction. Ottawa is a 4-hour drive northeast of Toronto. Its central location makes Toronto a good base to start a road trip in Central Canada.

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Belvedere Jacques Cartier Bridge over St Lawrence River can be seen from Montreal Old Port – Montreal, Canada.

Central Canada Road Trip: Montreal and Quebec City

Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

From Ottawa, a 3-day road trip to Montreal and Quebec City may include picking your own apple during apple harvest season at Verger Labonté on Perrot Island, which is a 30-minute drive southwest of Montreal, then Montreal downtown Underground City, Old Montreal, and the nearby Montreal Old Port waterfront, Mount Royal Park, Jean-Talon Market, and finally an evening visit to Montreal Botanical Gardens for “Gardens of Light” held at the time of my road trip. You may use Montreal as a base and have a day-trip driving to Quebec City, 3-hour away from Montreal, and back to Montreal on the same day. The Quebec City day-trip may include Plains of Abraham, Old Quebec, Quebec Old Port, and Montmorency Falls.

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Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is Canada's sixth-largest city.

Central Canada Road Trip: Kingston, Ottawa, and Gatineau

Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is Canada’s sixth-largest city. While Ottawa is a city in Ontario Province and Gatineau is a city in Quebec Province, the 2 cities are really just separated by the Ottawa River, on the 2 sides of the riverbank. The total metro area population of Ottawa-Gatineau is about 1.4 million and Gatineau’s population constitutes about 25% of the total population. Gatineau is often considered part of “Greater Ottawa”.

Central Canada Road Trip: Kingston, Ottawa, and Gatineau Read More »

Lotus Pond (莲池潭), where Dragon Tiger Pagodas (龙虎塔) are located, is one of the most traditional scenic spots in Kaohsiung (高雄).

Kaohsiung (高雄) and Southern Taiwan (南台湾)

Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Kaohsiung (高雄) is a hidden gem for travellers. It is a coastal city in southern Taiwan that has mild tropical weather and because of that, there is an abundant supply of good quality local tropical fruits. The city’s affordable and efficient mass rapid trains (which started operations in 2008) and light rail trains (which started operations in 2016) have made many tourist attractions in the city a lot more accessible. Food prices were very affordable in 2019. Visitors can have a reasonable lunch or dinner meal at less than 200 Taiwan Doller (~A$10 or ~US$7) in 2019. Be sure to visit the night markets (夜市) while in Kaohsiung where you can find many delicious Taiwan snack or small dishes (台湾小吃).

Kaohsiung (高雄) and Southern Taiwan (南台湾) Read More »

Denham Recreational Jetty where you can see distinctive shallow and deep waters leading out to the Indian Ocean.

Walk by the Indian Ocean: Denham on the Coral Coast

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Denham is the westernmost town in Australia. Located on the western shore of Peron Peninsula in the UNESCO Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Denham is within Western Australia’s 1,100 km breathtaking Coral Coast which stretches from Cervantes, a 2-hour drive north of Perth, to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.

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Sunset at Monkey Mia

Walk by the Indian Ocean: Monkey Mia on the Coral Coast

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Monkey Mia, a 9-hour drive north of Perth or a 4.5-hour drive if you drive north from Geraldton, is not a town but a huge Conservation Park located on the eastern shore of the Peron Peninsula in the UNESCO Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Monkey Mia is famous for its RAC Monkey Mia Resort, located right within Monkey Mia Conservation Park, and its wild dolphin experience.

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Financial Freedom (Graphics created using free tools on Canva.com)

Living Expenses and Financial freedom

Financial Freedom / /

Imagine it is you who reach financial freedom. You will be able to choose to travel more. You can choose to go on cruises more. You can choose to spend more quality time with your family and loved ones. You can choose to do more volunteering work. You can choose to spend more time on your passions and hobbies. You can choose to put more focus on your personal projects that you were not able to work on if you are engaged in active work. You can even choose to start a new career which you truly love to do, not for financial consideration.
Without a doubt, not having to worry about finances is so important. The freedom of choice is so powerful.
Reaching financial freedom does not mean retirement. If you love the active work you are engaged in, you can choose to continue to do so. It is entirely your choice.
Financial freedom empowers you and gives you the freedom to choose.

Living Expenses and Financial freedom Read More »

White sand and big waves along with lifeguards all year round make Scarborough Beach a favourite location for surfing, swimming, and water sports.

Walk by The Indian Ocean: Scarborough Beach

By The Waters, Free (or Almost) and Easy, Sights and Scenes / /

White sand and big waves along with lifeguards all year round make Scarborough Beach a favourite location for surfing, swimming, and water sports. The revitalised Scarborough foreshore has added a beachfront swimming complex (Scarborough Beach Pool), an amphitheatre (Scarborough Amphitheatre), a skate and BMX facility (“Snake Pit”), a bouldering wall, a new playground and play space for families (Whale Playground), huge grassed areas including Sunset Hill where visitors can enjoy watching the sun setting into the Indian Ocean, lookout platforms to look out over the Indian Ocean and Scarborough Beach, a new square ideal for markets and public events (Scarborough Square, where the Clock Tower is located), public toilets, showers, drinking fountains, picnic shelters, public BBQ’s, fitness/exercise equipment, plenty of car parks, and a new transit hub.

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The Ocean Reef waterfront will be dramatically transformed by the Ocean Reef Marina project. The photo shows the 2 new breakwaters nearly completed construction.

Walk by The Indian Ocean: Ocean Reef waterfront

By The Waters, Free (or Almost) and Easy, Sights and Scenes / /

By the end of 2023, the Ocean Reef waterfront will be dramatically transformed by the Ocean Reef Marina project which is now in progress of construction. Ocean Reef Marina project will create a waterfront precinct consisting of a mix of waterfront cafes and restaurants, retail, hotel, and short-stay accommodation, as well as Perth’s first coastal pool, new protected beach, and community parklands.

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The Carnarvon Fascine waterfront area is a great spot for a relaxing evening walk

Walk by The Water: The Carnarvon Fascine waterfront

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

The Carnarvon Fascine refers to Carnarvon’s central waterway linking the Carnarvon community to the Indian Ocean coast. The name “Fascine” comes from a flood protection method using a pile of sticks to hold back floodwater.
The Carnarvon Fascine waterfront area is a great spot for a relaxing evening walk.

Walk by The Water: The Carnarvon Fascine waterfront Read More »

End of Pandemic in 2022?

End of Pandemic in 2022?

COVID-19 Living and Life, Spirit-Uplifting Moments / /

When will WHO declare the end of pandemic? It has to be when the severity of COVID-19 infections is similar to that of seasonal flu, which has a commonly quoted mortality rate in the range of 0.1%. Based on the most recent reported global infection cases and deaths, COVID-19 infections still have a mortality rate of well above 1%. We have to bring down the global mortality rate down from 1% to 0.1%. It is a big gap…….

End of Pandemic in 2022? Read More »

Trigg Beach is a popular location for bodyboarders, kite surfers, and surfers, and is located within the suburb of Trigg and on the southern end of the 6km West Coast Drive by the Indian Ocean coast.

Walk by The Indian Ocean: Trigg Beach

By The Waters, Free (or Almost) and Easy, Sights and Scenes / /

Trigg Beach, located within the suburb of Trigg, is a popular location for bodyboarders, kite surfers and surfers, and is on the southern end of the 6km West Coast Drive by the Indian Ocean. Try to visit Trigg Beach on a weekday and a weekend and you will see 2 distinctly different vibes.  Whereas weekdays are popular for leisure walkers and joggers, weekends, especially in warmer weather, are popular with beach lovers, friends, and families enjoying beach outings and picnics.   

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The Swan River in the sunset at Burswood Park

Walk by The Swan River: Burswood Park <-> Taylor Reserve

By The Waters, Free (or Almost) and Easy, Sights and Scenes / /

While walking from Burswood Park to Optus Stadium by the Swan River is very popular among walkers, you may choose to walk from Burswood Park in the other direction towards South Perth.You will enjoy great views of the Swan River, East Perth foreshore, Heirisson Island, and Perth city centre skyline on the other side of the Swan River. Starting from Burswood Park, you will walk past Charles Paterson Park that is adjacent to Burswood Park, then underneath the Causeway Bridge, then McCallum Park, before arriving at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation complex in the Taylor Reserve.

Walk by The Swan River: Burswood Park Taylor Reserve Read More »

Albany Waterfront Marina

Walk by The Southern Ocean: Albany Waterfront, Shoal Bay

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

If you choose to go for a relaxed walk at the Albany Waterfront on Sunday morning, try to make Albany Boatshed Markets the start point and endpoint of your walk.
You can walk from Albany Boatshed Markets in the western direction, past Albany Entertainment Centre, to ANZAC Peace Park, and back to Albany Boatshed Markets and finish with a coffee or a breakfast at the markets.
Alternatively, you can cross over the overhead pedestrian bridge near the Albany Entertainment Centre to Albany city centre to explore the city centre on foot.

Walk by The Southern Ocean: Albany Waterfront, Shoal Bay Read More »

The iconic Busselton Jetty has been the main draw point of Busselton. At 1.841km long, Busselton Jetty is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.

Walk by The Indian Ocean: Busselton Foreshore

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Busselton foreshore area, where Busselton Jetty is located, has recently been transformed to be a draw point on its own merits with a visitor centre, a nautical-themed playground, an amphitheatre stage, cafés, restaurants, retail outlets, and many other features. If you have not visited Busselton Jetty in the last 3 years, you should come and find out about the new redevelopment.

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A view of Bunbury city centre from Marlston Hill Lookout Tower

Walk by The Indian Ocean: Marlston Hill Lookout <-> Bunbury Lighthouse

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

Bunbury is 180km or about a 2-hour drive south of Perth. With a population of over 31,000, the coastal city is a beautiful place to live, work, or visit.
If you visit Bunbury and like to go for a walk close to the water, then you will enjoy walking from Marlston Hill Lookout Tower to Bunbury Lighthouse, then walking paths alongside Ocean Drive by the beach to allow you to walk and enjoy the magnificent views of the Indian Ocean at the same time.

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A view of Avon River from the South Street Road Bridge in York, Western Australia

Walk by The Avon River: York Riverside, Western Australia

By The Waters, Sights and Scenes, Travels and Destinations / /

York is a charming small rural town located by the Avon River 97km east of Perth. It is a lovely place to visit on a day trip out from Perth or it can be a destination or a brief stop on your road trip from Perth to Kalgoorlie, Wave Rock (Hyden), or Esperance. If you would like to go for a relaxing walk by the water, Avon Park by the Avon River is a good place to go in York.

Walk by The Avon River: York Riverside, Western Australia Read More »