cycling Qualicum Beach, B.C.

Qualicum Beach is a town located on Vancouver Island British Columbia, Canada. At the 2011 census, it had a population of 8,687.

Qualicum

It is situated at the foot of Mount Arrowsmith, along the Strait of Georgia on Vancouver Island‘s northeastern coast. …

It’s easy to bike between Qualicum and Parksville on quiet roads.

click for details
click for details

Though I’d spent plenty of time – in the past – walking the shoreline, this time I stayed up above in town. Close to the railway track.

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… a popular tourist destination, with many rental cottages dotting its coast. It is also a popular retirement community, and has the oldest average population in Canada with a median age of 60.9 in 2006. …

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If you are looking for a cozy little retirement cabin

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… check out Qualicum Beach. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch a tourist promo on YouTube.

 

Travel Insurance for Canadians

I renewed my travel insurance for another year. This still looks the best deal for me. I haven’t made a claim … so I don’t know for sure.

__ original post April 2015:

What’s the best travel insurance for a 57yr-old who spends a good deal of time in the States. And who hikes remote nations?

Year round policies.

Budget backpackers, including myself, have long used World Nomads.

But the last time I went to book with them, there was some sort of weird exclusion for Albertans. 😦

Right now they want CAD$408.45 for 6 months. FAR too expensive.

The best site for Canadians researching the topic is Travel Insurance Review. Click through for a list of options with commentary.

There’s no coverage for anyone over 60 with many policies, including World Nomads. I’ve got a couple of years left.

World Escapade insurance is available to travelers who are 74 years old or younger. Travel CUTS Bon Voyage insurance is only sold to those age-50 or younger.

With my TD Bank account I can get less coverage for 1 year for $128.00. Rather than trying their lousy online system, call 1-866-566-1464.

TD uses Meloche Monnex to handle their insurance. The very inexpensive cost is offset by a deductible on any claim. $100 to $1000 deductible. I’ve never made a claim in the past. Don’t expect to make one in future. But this covers me (partly) for worst case scenarios.

I’ll go with TD Meloche Monnex.

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related – The Barefoot Nomad – Resources We Recommend

On a Hoof and a Prayer

hoofI should start my review by saying that this book is a fine example of its type — the breezy travelogue — but if you prefer something meatier and more substantial, you’re likely to be disappointed. …

Justin F. Gaynor review

I’d agree. Lightweight.

But I still recommend this travelogue by Polly Evans for anyone going to Argentina. Especially for women.

farewell Puerto Varas, Chile

The city is famous for its German traditions, its natural environment, and its popularity as a tourist destination. It enjoys a scenic location close to mountains, lakes, forests and national parks. …

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More photos …

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12hr sleeper bus

My last night in Chile. 12 hour sleeper bus. Sipping Gato tinto, watching Narcos on my laptop. 🙂

U.S. $70 for the 1st class front top window seat. Bus service in Chile is superb

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ctzc14 - 2310 - tur bus - cama premium - la serena
ctzc14 – 2310 – tur bus – cama premium – la serena