Getting enough vegetables?

Tyler, please call Mom to discuss the 'cauliflower ear' thing......

Juan Valdez of the Andes?

No...the guy on the left is not Juan Valdez - but damn - it must be his Chilean first-cousin.

We bumped into him and his mule during our drive through the Andes. He was selling goat cheese on the side of the road.

A very proud and handsome man! And he loves his mule!

Postcard from the Andes

Travelling southeast from Santiago, into the nearby Andes, we came upon an abandoned barracks of some sort. This is a view of the Andes, from inside the building.

Chile Dogs

In a small Chilean fishing village, I happened upon these two dogs who were playing (yes, they were playing) on the beach. More stories about the 'dogs of Chile' to follow......

Alligator attacks NYC

Earlier this year, while enjoying a cool one in the Rooftop garden of New York's Metropolitan Museum - we were surprised by this wonderful sculpture of an alligator (or is it a crocodile?)

Storm Watching

Standing on a rock - just outside the Wickaninnish Inn - perhaps a little too close to the waves, when the sun came out for a few precious moments

Bears and Mushrooms

Still raining heavily, so we decided to hike to a secluded beach in Pacific Rim National Park - but it appears that a mother bear and her two young cubs enjoy the same beach, so Parks Canada wisely posted a 'Do Not Enter' sign at the trailhead.

But we did see these beautiful mushrooms.....although I have no idea what type they are. They are edible though, right?

Man eating kelp

Today Mika and I decided to leave TexnMaggie with our 'pug-sitter', and hop a ferry / drive to Tofino, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

After checking into the beautiful Wickaninnish Inn, we decided to go 'storm-watching'. It was a perfect day for it, with heavy rain, and gale force winds. In fact, it was so windy - Mika toppled off a rock and landed in a huge pile of kelp. She's okay though......but it was a very close call.

The PugMobile

One sunny Saturday afternoon, Mika and I were walking along Spanish Banks. After seeing all the happy dogs running around the park (we left the Pugs at home) she said "We need to buy a car so we can drive TexnMaggie to the beach."

I said, "Sure, we'll give it some thought, but let's not rush into things, okay?"

36 hours later, Mika drives up in a brand spanking new PT Cruiser Convertible (aka PugMobile). Not very macho if you ask me, but no one ever did ask me.

The pugs love their car, of course.....

Vancouver BC - Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My home town.

I was born here several years ago, at 8.20 pm on a Saturday night, during the Jackie Gleason Show.

Your blogger - Tom Ryan

A little about your blog host.......I'm also in the 'travel business' here in British Columbia, and from time to time I take photographs while travelling throughout western Canada.

Sometimes I'll visit other foreign destinations, and squeeze off a photo or two. I'm looking forward to sharing some of these images (and stories) with you.

My son Tyler tells his friends that "my Dad lives in a different world than the rest of us"......He calls it 'TommyWorld'.

Welcome to my world.

Introducing my kid

My favourite son, Tyler. The apple of my eye.

Mika and I invested many years on his private Montessori education. He is now in Bangkok.....learning the ancient art of Muay Thai kickboxing. Sometimes he comes home to Canada and practices his new holds on me.

We are especially fond of Tyler's new tattoo.....

Stay tuned to this blog for Tyler's scintillating (and un-edited) stories about his life in Thailand !!!

Introducing my wife

This is my wonderful wife, and best friend.....Mika.

She works in the travel industry here in British Columbia,

and is even more crazy about the pugs than I am.

She loves all dogs, and any other small mammals.

Mika travels, she travels a lot.

Here is a photo of Mika during her recent trip to Chile.

First things First !

"TexnMaggie"

Next to my wife and kid .......(aw shucks, who am I kidding?)

The two most important members of TommyWorld are a couple of pugs. Their names are Tex and Maggie, but we generally call them by one combined name "TexnMaggie". Regular visitors to TommyWorld are certain to see many photos of TexnMaggie.

Here's the first one! Actually, this photo is of "MaggienTex"

Welcome to TommyWorld !!!