Backpacker Buzz

Andrew Renton is an accomplished Travel Writer, Photographer, Adventurer and Storyteller. His lack of ability to speak Chinese gets him into all kinds of hilarious trouble, which he plans to share in his next travel talk, Three Fascinating Faces of China, at the Vancouver Public Library on April 26. Find out how you can win a pair of tickets after the jump. Read more »

HI-C-PMR members Gerald and Alison Hankins recently attended the 100th Anniversary event at Bragg Creek.  Read their letter about the event and about their personal connection with beginning of hostelling in Canada after the jump.

Previously in Backpacker Buzz, we mentioned our new partnership with the The Robert Bateman's Get To Know Program.  The program is based on the philosophy that “caring begins with knowing our neighbours of other species” and every year, a contest is held to promote learning about plants and wildlife though writing, photgraphy or art.  Lisa Grey-Dreaper, Manager for HI-Penticton went to the awards.  This is the lo-down from the day. Read more »

Calgarian Ed Hemmings has been involved in hostelling for most of his life, according to a recent article on youngretired.ca.  A proud hosteller, he recounts his experiences at HI hostels in Canada and the Pacific Mountain Region.  Ed's favourite Wilderness Hostels is HI-Mosquito Creek (pictured above) and HI-Québec is his stand-out urban hostel, located just within the walls of the old city.  Read more »

An All Blacks Experience in Auckland
by Jon Azpiri

"Smash him! Smash him up! Knock his head off!" Read more »

Hometown: Calgary, AB
Age: 24
Member Since: March 08

Describe your most memorable travel moment.
I took a D-Day Juno Beach tour and didn't have enough time to track down the location of my family member in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian D-Day cemetery. The group was given 10 minutes to explore, as time ticked down I wandered down my last row and came face to face with the stone of my great uncle. It was a piece of serendipity in the middle of one of the most rewarding stops on the trip, Bayeux (France). Read more »