Changing Plans
14 Apr, 2019 When DH first met my parents, 30 years ago, my mom thought she was dying. Her cold-triggered asthma was out of control, she was puffed up on Prednisone, and could barely walk. Luckily, spending winters in a…
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Back Home… But Not For Long
The past 10 days have been a sort of homecoming and sort of journey continuation. On February 24 we said farewell to Costa Rica and +35° temperatures and flew back to Edmonton, Canada, to -35 degree temperatures. Brrr…. Apart from…
Life on a Cacao Plantation (La Anita, Costa Rica)
Arriving at La Anita Cocoa plantation in Costa Rica we felt like we’d entered another dimension. Lush, beautifully manicured lawns, birds of many varieties chirping, a beautiful white horse in a pasture, cocoa trees and brightly coloured flowering bushes all over.
Under the Volcano (La Fortuna, Costa Rica)
The town of La Fortuna became famous when the nearby Arenal volcano became active in 1968, and had a series of eruptions, the last of which was in 2010. The eruptions launched a tourism boom in the area, which continues…
Costa Rica: A Study in Contrasts
Costa Rica is a land of tremendous diversity. From lush jungles to beautiful beaches. From poverty to fancy resorts. Here are a few of the highlights we checked out.
Farewell Peru
Three months in Lima, Peru: The Good, the Bad and the Memorable
Machu Picchu & Pisac, Peru
Don't just go to Machu Picchu. There are so many other marvels to discover nearby. Check out Pisac, learn how to make alpaca dyes, and eat with the locals.
6 Essential Incan Ruins near Cusco, Peru
Part 1 of a 2-part post about the Cusco region of Peru
Christmas in Lima, Peru
Reflections on Christmas Past, and Christmas in Lima, Peru
Quito, Ecuador – Part 2
Part 2 of a visit to Quito, Ecuador, including some history & politics, art, and a market tour
The Secret Symphony of the Streets of Lima, Peru
When I arrived in Lima, Peru, I was struck by the cacophony and craziness of the roads, in this country which boasts a traffic fatality rate that is 10 times that of Canada. From our Arequipa Avenue apartment we have…
Book Review: American Kingpin
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton My rating: 5 of 5 stars A great example of how to do narrative nonfiction well. Luckily for the author, there were written records…