Tag Archives: Ray Chaput

Germany

Nuremberg Christmas Markets

In December we took a memorable four day trip to Nuremberg to experience its famous Christmas Markets.  We stayed in the heart of the old town centre, which allowed us easy access to explore the historic centre.

View of one of the historic streets we explored in Nuremberg

Walking into the main square for the first time, was so impressive.  The market sits right in the centre of the old town, surrounded by historic buildings.

We explored Nuremberg’s markets which stretched across different areas of the old town.  

Everywhere we turned there were glowing stalls decorated with evergreen branches, shimmering ornaments, and golden lights. 

Ray standing in the arch of the fortified wall of Nuremberg

The air was filled with the sound of cheerful Christmas music, and chatter and laughter and of course the smell of Sausages roasting on BBQ Grills. 

We wandered from one decorated stall to another, admiring handmade crafts, wooden toys, Children rides, candles, and festive keepsakes.

And oh, the food! We made sure to enjoy the flavours of the season. We had some Nuremberg sausages, grilled and tucked into fresh rolls with spicy Mustard.

Shelley and Ray enjoying traditional Nuremberg sausages

Of course, we couldn’t resist the gingerbread man cookie for dessert. 

There was a historic house which was decorated as an advent Calendar house.

Advent house in Nuremberg

Each window was decorated and numbered for each day in December.  Every evening at 6 PM they would play a traditional German Christmas song along with lighting of each window. We decided to stay enjoy some Glühwein and take in the show.

We walked along the fortified city walls and came to some beautiful areas in the heart of the city. 

 

The Christmas markets in Nuremberg were truly a memorable experience. One we enjoyed but our time in Nuremberg wasn’t only about Christmas. We also wanted to understand the city beyond the holiday cheer, so we spent time visiting some of its World War II historical sites. But that is for another Post.

“Ich wünsche dir alles Gute und frohe Weihnachten”

Australia

Cruising the Wild Daintree: A Riverboat Journey Through Australia’s Ancient Rainforest

We took a riverboat and set off along the Daintree River which is one of Australia’s most ancient and biodiverse waterways

The first thing we noticed is the water which is murky, dark, and hides more than it reveals.

Our guide explained that crocodiles can disappear just beneath the surface, vanishing in a matter of seconds. 

As we cruised deeper into the river, the rainforest seemed to close in around us.

Exotic birds were perched along the mangroves and would fly overhead.  Within the mangroves crocodiles would blend into the mud and practicaly disappear.

Crocodile laying within the mangroves


We spot several crocodiles basking on the muddy banks, but we even discovered a few exotic frogs right in our boat.

Whether they hopped in on their own or were simply along for the ride, they added a quirky dash of personality to the adventure.


The entire journey lasted just over an hour, but it felt like stepping into another world.  Its an untouched corner of Australia which was amazing to experience. 

“Take memories and leave only footprints”

Australia

A Day in the Ancient Heart of the Daintree Rain Forest

Shelley and I spent the day exploring Mossman Gorge, a spectacular corner of the Daintree National Park in Australia and a treasured UNESCO World Heritage site.

From the moment we stepped onto the trail, we were surrounded by the deep, living green of a wet tropical rainforest, which is one of the oldest in the world and home to rare and endangered species found nowhere else.


As we walked, the forest felt almost ancient, as if we had slipped back in time. Towering trees arched overhead, their trunks wrapped in vines and moss.

 

Every turn revealed something new: ferns the size of umbrellas, delicate orchids clinging to branches, and plants so unique and some deadly that they seemed like something out of a Jurassic Park movie.  


The trails led us alongside crystal-clear streams and we paused often, to catch our breath, and to admire the sheer beauty of it all.

 

It truly felt like walking through a prehistoric world, untouched and undamaged by man. For us it was a reminder of the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and a treasure worth protecting.

“Take only Memories and leave only footprints.”

Australia

10 Days of Sunrises, Sunsets, and Serenity: Cruising the Coast of Australia

After three unforgettable and admittedly exhausting weeks of exploring Australia, Shelley and I decided we needed a different kind of adventure. One that involved a balcony, an ocean breeze, and absolutely no need to pack and move or rush anywhere. So we boarded a 10-day cruise departing from Sydney and sailing up the coast toward Cairns. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip.

Our balcony room quickly became our favourite place on the ship. Every evening, like clockwork, we found ourselves leaning on the railing, watching the sun melt into the horizon while we savoured a glass of wine.

There’s something magical about the way the Pacific glows at sunset with gold, pink, orange colours and each night a little different than the last.

And the morning sunrises were just as beautiful. We would rise early, often before the ship fully woke, step outside with a hot cup of coffee, and watch the first light of day spread across the ocean.

The quiet, the breeze, the soft sound of waves, it was the perfect way to reset after weeks of nonstop travel. One of the highlights of our time on board was sailing through the Coral Sea.

As if the scenery itself weren’t spectacular enough, we were lucky enough to spot whales. Watching them surface and glide through the water felt like a gift. It is one of those travel moments you don’t plan for but never forget.

At every stop along the coast, we took full advantage of the day trips offered.

Each port had its own unique personality, from coastal towns with laid-back charm to tropical pockets filled with wildlife, beaches, and local culture. Stepping off the ship each day felt like opening a new chapter of the same adventure.

Shelley taking in the beauty of the coast of Northern Queensland

By the time we reached Cairns, we felt like we had experienced Australia from an entirely new perspective, one that was slower, calmer, and with a relaxed feel.  It was a  perfect addition to our Australian adventure.

This cruise wasn’t just a break; it was the perfect complement to our journey across Australia. After all the hustle of traveling, driving, sightseeing, and exploring, those ten days on the water gave us the rest we didn’t even realize how badly we needed. Sunrises with coffee. Sunsets with wine. Whales in the Coral Sea. New ports at every turn. Peace, quiet, and adventure all wrapped into one.

It was, without question, a beautiful chapter in our Australian adventure and one we’ll treasure for a long time.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” — Gustave Flaubert

Australia

Kayaking on the Great Barrier Reef

 Our day kayaking along the North Queensland coast, within the incredible Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, was an amazing adventure. 

We began by getting our gear and preparing our kayak for the days adventures.  After setting the kayak into the water we climbed into our double kayak, Shelley in the front and me in the back, ready to paddle our way into a new adventure. We waited near the shore while the rest of our group got set up.  Afterwards we were on our way.

The day  was perfect, the water was calm, the sun warm but not harsh, and our small group, led by two friendly guides. We even had one of our guides who was a Canadian, studying Marine Biology. We set out toward the islands scattered across the Coral Sea.

As we paddled away from shore, the world felt instantly more peaceful. We slipped alongside mangroves that reached their roots down into clear turquoise water, creating miniature underwater forests. There were tiny fish that darted in and out of the tangled roots. It felt like we were getting a private viewing into the reef’s hidden nature. We were told by our guide that small sharks and fish stay in the mangroves for protection until they are big enough to survive in the open waters.

Mangroves along the shoreline of the islands

We continued along our trek and at one point, there was a school of fish that skimmed right across the surface of the water. We thought it was flying fish but apparently they are a fish that just skim across chasing bugs. They disappeared as quickly as it appeared, it was quite spectacular.

We continued our way past Daydream Island, taking in its lush green edges and the endless shades of blue around it. Hours passed without us even noticing.  Eventually, we rounded a corner of an island and arrived at a deserted beach area, which turned out to be our midday destination. The beach is called Cane Cutters Beach and it felt like we were all alone in the world. 

The beach was completely deserted, it stretched out in front of us with soft white sand and a backdrop of tropical greenery. We settled in for a peaceful picnic lunch, enjoying the stillness, the view, and the feeling of having stepped into a postcard.

Shelley at Cane Cutters Beach

After eating, we took a stroll along the beach. Ray wandered into the shallow waters, and a stingray glided slowly past him. It was just one of those moments. 

We spent an hour or so just soaking it all in. Eventually, it was time to slip back into the kayak and retrace our path across the water.

Heading back was just as enjoyable, taking our time and exploring more Mangroves along the way.

By the time we reached our starting point, our arms were tired, but our spirits were full. We helped take our gear and kayak out of the water and wash off the salt from the gear.  It’s amazing how a simple kayak, a stretch of coastline, friendly guides including a Canadian student chasing adventure and education can craft an experience that stays with you for a long time.  

North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef delivered an unforgettable day, and kayaking beside Shelley made it all the more special.

“Take only memories, leave only footprints. ”