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ksoles
Dec 03, 2013ksoles rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The "bucket list book" has become a cliche; hundreds of travel guides line bookstore shelves, all highlighting amazing must-see places before you die. Certainly, they feature awe-inspiring destinations but few convey a true sense of place. "The Great Canadian Bucket List," on the other hand, boasts an author who has personally visited 105 of the 115 items on his list. And Robin Esrock doesn't write like he works in the tourism industry; he tells it like it is. Yes, Niagara Falls teems with tackiness and screaming kids but the spectacular scenery more than makes up for it. The Vancouver-based travel writer has explored over 100 countries on six continents and recognizes that Canadians take their country for granted. Many look to Europe and Asia without first discovering their own back yards. Esrock doesn't gloss over the fact that many of his bucket list items involve time and expense, such as seeing the northern lights. However, he also includes seemingly ordinary experiences that actually create lifelong memories: eating smoked meat in Montreal or strolling the Stanley Park seawall. So where to begin? Any Canadian can start a fantastic journey close to home and Esrock's book can provide inspiration to take the first step.