nordique

I recently returned from my third trip to Georgian Bay. I spent several days on an island with no electricity or distractions – just nature. It is amazing how relaxing and peaceful it can be. It is such a beautiful and unique place.

My photos from this trip live here: FLPOI

Like the real Tokyo but that much cooler and more futuristic. Plus, they have rocket-powered skates.

Recently revitalised, Lachine Canal is a fantastic place for cycling, rollerblading, or walking. The views of downtown Montréal are spectacular, and the local scenery of old factories and green trees is pretty special too.

Furthermore, the history behind the canal and its importance to Canada and the city of Montréal is very interesting to learn about and witness.

Due mainly to its proximity to Manhattan, Fort Lee is more of a great place to live than a great place to visit.

But if there is one reason why people should visit it would be Palisades Interstate Park – a great place for hiking and picnicking. You can learn about local history, climb the Palisades, and enjoy great views of the George Washington Bridge and New York.

Island Beach State Park is a beautiful barrier island off the coast of New Jersey. In stark contract to its neighbour to the south – kitschy Long Beach Island – Island Beach State Park is a natural, unspoiled, undeveloped treasure.

When visiting Island Beach State Park it is very easy to get away from it all and forget how close you are to the millions of people who inhabit the New York City metropolitan area.

The beaches and dunes are clean and uncluttered. The avian and aquatic wildlife can be bountiful and unique. It is a great place to take pictures of the nature or to simply relax.

I cannot wait to visit Japan. I grew up in a Japanese neighbourhood in New Jersey and almost all of my friends were Japanese, several of whom could barely speak English. Japanese culture was such a strong influence and has remained so throughout my life.

While I continue to enjoy Japanese food, literature, language, history, games, and other cultural constructions I often times just miss being surrounded by everything Japanese. So, I very much look forward to visiting as much of the country as possible in the future.

Sweden is easily the #1 place on my list. In fact, I could easily choose 43 places in Sweden alone, but that would be too limiting and this website is fun.

If you are in the NJ/NY Metro area and you are interested in Japanese goods and culture, it is worth visiting Edgewater just to stop at Mitsuwa Market Place. There you will find a Japanese supermarket, Sanseido bookstore, steak house, noodle house, sushi/food kiosks, travel agent, and so on.

The view of Manhattan is pretty nice too.

Located in the heart of Plateau Mont-Royal, Parc Lafontaine is one of the nicest parks in the city.

In summer the park is abuzz with sunbathing, picnics, music, recreation, and overly aggressive squirrels. On the east side there are tennis courts, soccer pitches, and baseball diamonds. On the west there is an ampitheatre where one can witness the works of Molière or Shakespeare, and a picturesque pond filled with ducks in summer or ice-skaters in winter.

One of Montréal’s many bicycle paths runs through the park. If you don’t have a bicycle you can rent one at Cycle-Pop at the northwestern corner of the park.