Edward Quan, BCATW President
Be inspired
Dear fellow travel storytellers,
As your new BCATW President, I look forward to inspiring you all in the months ahead.
The challenges before the travel industry are significant, but the desire to travel is one of the biggest drivers for getting vaccinated in the USA. Demonstrating that travel is an important part of people’s lives, it employs millions and is a huge economic driver in many countries.
Our goal in the months ahead is to resume our educational meet-ups online starting in September, with the objective to develop our skills for the new era of travel. Topics will range from writing and photo/video workshops to sessions with Destination Marking Organizations to Travel Editors. If you have a topic suggestion, a speaker referral or interested in presenting at one of our meetups, please contact me directly.
As for current BCATW members, we have decided to waive membership fees for the first six months this year. More membership details will be announced in the Buzz early summer.
Special thanks to Ruth Kozak, past President for her service, see her message below. We welcome Brian K. Smith as our new Vice President and thank you all for attending our AGM in January.
To explore new wonders, experience new cultures and to delight in their cuisine and drink is very much a part of the human spirit. So, stay tuned and I will see you all online soon.
Stay safe,
Edward Quan, President BCATW
Why stay in a Motel/Hotel when you can stay on a floating part of BC history and experience rich authentic Moroccan fare in the heart of historic Port Alberni.
Brian K Smith featured in What’s Brewing magazine
Brian K. Smith headed out to the west coast of Vancouver Island last October (2020) to report on the growing craft brewing industry in British Columbia. His article “To The Pacific Rim: The Breweries Of BC’s Far West” is featured in the current issue of What’s Brewing Magazine.
Not only does his story tell all about the craft breweries, but it also takes us for a stay on a retired 100 ft tug boat, with a Moroccan flair, and a float plane flight over the beautiful rugged Pacific coast of Vancouver Island.
Ruth Kozak hopes to visit Greece soon.
Ruth Kozak retires as BCATW President
THE GREEK ISLANDS: Time suspended
I love dusty country places
where cockerels herald
the rosy dawn.
I wake to hear
the donkeys mournful brays
I love the quiet bays
where sun-dappled water
hisses and sprays
on pebbled beaches
and gulls hover, suspended
over emerald surf.
Like them
I am suspended in time
dawn, noon and evening
are serene, endless
days of golden sun
wind sighing through pines.
ring-doves cooing in eucalyptus trees.
I watch
Clouds drift silently
as passing ships
Distant islands float,
phantoms in the violet mist.
Days pass slowly, slowly.
No beginning. No end.
Time is suspended.
*written while living in Greece in the 1980’s
Experiences you can only get in India
With travel restrictions around the world still in place, Bestway Tours & Safaris is reminiscing about past adventures. Take a read through Bestway’s most recent blog post to be inspired for travel plans in 2021 or 2022.
6 Magical experiences I had in India that you can’t find anywhere else
“At Bestway, we have a turn of phrase we often use—as soon as you visit India for the first time, we say, you already start thinking of when you’ll be back.
I have certainly found this to be true for myself.
A few years ago, I jumped at the opportunity to take one of our most popular routes through Northern India.
With its lavish monuments, colourful culture and history dating back thousands of years, visiting India felt worlds apart from anything I had experienced before.”
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