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Not Without My Passport

A Travel and Photography Blog

A Tribute to Anthony Bourdain

June 9, 2018 by Helen

anthony bourdain

On my About page, I wrote that my wanderlust has “exposed me to one common thread: no matter where my travels take me, food is found at the centre of every culture. The rituals of preparing and eating a meal provide social cohesion and, for travellers, they offer an invaluable glimpse into everyday life. It […]

The Ethics of Riding an Elephant in Thailand

July 5, 2016 by Helen

tourists riding an elephant in asia

If only every visitor to Thailand with the bucket-list dream of riding an elephant knew the torture many of them endure to make that dream come true. Or to paint them a colourful picture. Or to give them that massage on the beach. It’s the dark side of elephant tourism and, in Thailand, virtually inescapable. […]

The Meaning of Cherry Blossoms in Japan: Life, Death and Renewal

April 2, 2016 by Helen

japanese cherry blossoms at ryoanji temple in kyoto

To everyone’s delight, cherry blossoms in Japan are already blooming as families and friends unite for the highly anticipated, centuries-old tradition of hanami (cherry blossom-viewing). The explosion of pale pink petals is a euphoric sight to behold, but did you know there’s more to their splendour than meets the eye? The meaning of cherry blossoms […]

What We Can Learn From the Terrorist Attacks in Paris and Beirut

November 16, 2015 by Helen

west bank wall, israel wall, separation wall

If you haven’t heard, Facebook has recently come under fire for adding a safety check feature for Parisians after last week’s terrorist attacks so they could let loved ones know they were physically unharmed.  It’s a welcome and considerate gesture in their time of crisis. Except that neither this option was made available after the […]

Why I Choose a Life of Travel

October 4, 2014 by Helen

travel inspiration

After years of complacency, I’ve answered the call of the open road. But no one told me it would be this hard: that surrendering the only home I’ve ever called my own would trigger my deepest insecurities, feel like a psychic and emotional amputation, and leave me inconsolable for days. Or that, despite the realization […]

About Helen

Helen Suk

Travel writer. Photographer. Always curious. I search the world for beauty and inspiration while sharing valuable tips to help you plan your next trip.

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Helen Suk

notwithoutmypassport

During a family visit to North Carolina, we spent During a family visit to North Carolina, we spent an afternoon digging the vibes and art murals in Winston-Salem. The artists here have some serious street cred. 💯

#streetart #winstonsalem #graffitiart #northcarolinaart
It was a perfect day for wine tasting in Niagara-o It was a perfect day for wine tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake.🍷

#visitniagara #niagaraonthelake #niagaraonthelakewinery #ontariowineries #discoveron
Have you experienced @littlecanada? This exhibit s Have you experienced @littlecanada? This exhibit surpassed all my expectations.

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#miniatureworld #miniatures #explorecanada #discoveron #enjoycanada #tourcanada #thankyoucanada #canadaday
🌸 It’s one of my favourite times of the year. 🌸 It’s one of my favourite times of the year. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and they’re here in Hamilton. These delicate flowers are rich in symbolism in Asian countries like Japan. Don’t wait to take in their beauty - it won’t last long.
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#cherryblossoms #sakura #hanami #bayfrontpark #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton#TourismHamilton #ExploreHamilton #WhatUpHamilton #HamiltonPhotography #HamiltonPhotographer #discoveron
An artist’s haven. .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #doorsope An artist’s haven.
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#doorsopenhamilton #millworks #millworkscreative #dundasont #dundasontario #dundason #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton#TourismHamilton #ExploreHamilton #WhatUpHamilton #HamiltonPhotography #HamiltonPhotographer #discoveron #explorecanada #enjoycanada
Checked out this cool studio for #DoorsOpenHamilto Checked out this cool studio for #DoorsOpenHamilton. 
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#millworks #millworkscreative #dundasont #dundasontario #dundason #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton #TourismHamilton #ExploreHamilton #WhatUpHamilton #HamiltonPhotography #HamiltonPhotographer #DiscoverON #ontarioforyou
#explorecanada #enjoycanada  #oh_canada_
That time I learned Lake Huron is THIS blue. That time I learned Lake Huron is THIS blue.
Hello, Hess Village. You’re cute. .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ Hello, Hess Village. You’re cute.
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#electricdinerhamont #HessVillage #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton #ExploreHamilton #discoverON #explorecanada
SO ELATED that @trueshotcoffeeco has re-opened. Fo SO ELATED that @trueshotcoffeeco has re-opened. Folks: this is where you go for the best coffee in Hamilton! 🙌🏼
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