Aussies have surfing (grrrrrr). The UK has rugby. The Americans have damn well what ever they like. And us Canucks? Well we do one thing really well…we do cold like no other country on Earth. Heck, it’s actually below zero in BC right now. For the adventure travel junkie this means one thing…Ski slopes!! Canadians might find even more comfort knowing that, according to numerous polls by international ski buffs, and this one among them, Canadians do skiing so well that we’re on top of the list. Check out the Ten Best Ski Resorts on Earth. And the winner is…Whistler Blackcomb!!!

We’re still in November, but look at the shopping malls and it’s pretty evident we’re already in ‘Christmas mode’, and beyond that, the promise of a new year. And with that, thoughts of things to cross off your bucket list before checking out of this life. We’re talking skydiving here folks, as in Off Track Planet’s list of the top ten places on Planet Earth to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Interested? Better hurry up and get’er done – the Mayans claim the world is gonna end on December 12 of next year.

What’s on your bucket list? If you’re open to suggestions, the folks at MSN Travel have a few ideas. Some of them might seem familiar…shark diving anyone? Tour of Chernobyl? Note to MSN, you saw it here first. Hee Hee.

Kidding aside, check out MSN Travel’s list of the World’s Most Dangerous Tourist Attractions for some unique ways to experience life with a healthy kick of adrenaline. And if you’re concerned that dangerous travel is to, well, dangerous, ask yourself if it’s worse for your health than a Big Mac with fries

For the diver in all of us, just waiting to get out, Off Track Planet, those crazy keisters have compiled another list.  While us North Americans drearily trudge through yet another onslaught of April showers, there’s a gorgeous underwater world beckoning in locales further south.  Yup, it’s the top ten diving spots on Earth, courtesy of Off Track Planet, to keep us dreaming until the the dog days of summer.  May they come soon!!

The promise of another year and the opportunities to do awesome things.  Like backpacking, the best way to see the world and meet the people that call it home.  Forget hotels with concierge service and heated pools.  Grab your backpack, your money belt and an open mind.  Then check out Off Track Planet’s Top 10 Backpacking Travel Destinations For 2011, and get your ass out there and enjoy life!

Get ready for some air time!  This video has some seriously amazing, if not demented jumping, from planes, ramps and things that make you go Boom! when you land.  You might recognize some of these jumps from some of my earlier blog posts.  There’s a bit of corporate plugging going on in a few stunts (drink Red Bull!), but you have to give it to them, they know how to put on a good stunt.  Jumps five and two are my favourite.  But number one is definitely justified as being the bravest, most hardcore jump of all time.  And for that, I tip my hat to Joe Kittinger.

Happy New Year!  Hope you had a great one.  I tied one on pretty good here in town (Happy Birthday Cheryl!).  Admittedly I didn’t go anywhere exotic.  Maybe next year.  I’ve heard that New Zealand is a great place to spend New Year’s Eve, as it’s the first place on Earth to see the sun rise in the New Year.  Here’s some ideas for next year, if, like me, you’re planning to do something a little nuts, but something awesome, courtesy of those deranged and highly likeable folks at Off Track Planet.  Anyway, Happy 2011!

As promised, five cool things to do in dangerous places, part two, courtesy of those crazy, highly disturbed, certifiable, and the best part, like-minded, people at Off Track Planet. Old man 2010 is on his death bed, and with this comes the promise of a new, exciting year to attain scars, infections, probably Malaria and a host of other pleasantries in our ongoing efforts to do stupid and highly enjoyable things in places where we definitely shouldn’t go. In other words, the kind of thing that I would do.

Let’s go fly a kite in Pakistan!!!

God bless you, Off Track Planet.

Old man 2010 is nearing the end of his lifespan, and with that comes the promise of a new year.  Granted we still have a month called December to get through first.  I don’t know about you, but I need a vacation already.  Here are some ideas: Five Fun Things to Do in Dangerous Places (Part 1), courtesy of our off-track friends at Off Track Planet.  Skydiving in Iraq anyone?  Sign me up!

Autumn is upon us once again. This means fall tv, red leaves, another entry in the SAW horror franchise (and that really needs to die!), long nights…and of course, Hallowe’en. In the spirit of this return to melancholy, I give you the spookiest places on Earth. I’m not gonna give anything away here, but when you check out this list, look at the last place on the list. Now that’s just creepy.