DANIEL J. DEMERS
  • Home
  • The Author
  • Books
  • Bookstore
  • Bonus Content
  • Blog

Happy New Year!

1/6/2026

0 Comments

 
​Some start the new year with resolutions to change an aspect of their life, or start an activity which will yield improvement. Some turn the calendar with the intent to renew, like green shoots ready to show the world their colour and energy. And some wake on January 1st like it was any other morning - just another day!     

I would classify my attitude as a little bit of all three, with a bias to the green shoots which have always driven me with their sign of health and life. I've learned over the years that a positive mindset and a giving hand will yield better crops. Although I must admit that the battle to retain that positivity and the fight for good is not always a walk in the garden. The forces of hate, anger, selfishness, and individualism are very real in our era and seem to be growing. But wait, some of these forces were around decades ago, even in centuries before industrialization and modern technology. So why did we not fail and spin into a world of darkness?  
Simply put, love and the human spirit to find a better way prevailed. 

Tend your garden, open it up for others to enjoy, diminish the weeds, and have a happy and prosperous new year! 
0 Comments

Jean Hinse 1922 - 2025

11/27/2025

0 Comments

 
On Nov 27th 2025, it would have been my grandfather's 103rd birthday.  He came close, leaving us peacefully on October 11th, 2025.  At his service on October 25th in Victoriaville, Quebec, I was honoured to share some remarks.  I share below an excerpt from the eulogy with you on my blog. I do so because I think the way he lived his life, his influence on people around him, and his community focus is much needed today in our world.

I hope you enjoy it, that it resonates with you, and that you share the spirit of it.
-----

The jukebox is warming up with the song  'Band on the Run' from McCartney and Wings. My brother Steve just flicked on the switch to the large fluorescent light above the Bumper Pool table. The basement is sombre and cool. We are positioning the ten white and red pool table balls on the little black spots which my grandfather marked on the table with a velvet marker. 1-2-3 Go... let the game begin.

Next to us, grand papa Jean is at work. He is wearing dark pants with stains of dry paint all over them, a white short sleeve shirt which hangs over his pants, and a Sico painting cap. A powerful and noisy exhaust fan is squeezed on the inside frame of the basement window, with additional loud sounds coming from the air compressor which brings to life his painting air sprayer held firmly in his right hand. Around him are half a dozen five gallon containers of paint and other 'chemical' products which only he is allowed to open. The most precious container is the one filled with the 'potion for a long life'. Yes, the one full of turpentine!

Once he completes his painting or staining work, he puts both hands in that potion, rubs his hands and arms with it, and even splashes a little around his face to make sure he is clean. 

It is a simple scene from years ago for a grandfather and his grandsons, it is a scene where happiness reigned.

On the main floor of the bungalow, grandmother Madeleine and great-aunt Annette are in the kitchen making numerous sandwiches for my grandfather's work colleagues. There are three options: ham; chicken; or egg salad.... white bread with or without the crust. I'm not certain what he charged for these sandwiches, but it was certainly a deal! Jean was one of the most popular in the manufacturing plant. 

The house is not big so we are all together, close. The ones on the main level can hear the paint shop, the jukebox, and the balls falling in the holes of the bumper pool table. Steve and I always enjoyed the scent of the cooking when we would eventually make our way upstairs after epic competitions. 

This memory of being next to him for hundreds of hours in his 'paint shop' is anchored deep in me, and solidifies the importance of family life.

Grandpapa Jean was with us, he was present. He brought with him happiness, love, a conviction to doing good work, humour, good stories, and must not forget... all-dressed pizza with bacon on top!

Jean Hinse was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. Yes, five generations! What a legacy he left behind.

I could probably take several hours to tell you tales about his life and talk about the qualities of my grandfather. He would not like that much attention, but if told these would include words on his passion for golf; his work ethic; his painting skills; his excellence as a grandfather; his love for Madeleine; his strict and stubborn moments; the pride he had for his children; his serious side; the numerous trips and visits to his children's houses and cottages; his help for all renovation and painting projects of any and all family members; and many more.

But his grand magic and unique gift was larger, it was grounded in his community and his entourage. He was gifted with an incredible ability to engage with people around him. He liked to make others happy, show them respect, and make them feel important. He was completely curious and interested in knowing their story; their interests; about their work; their pleasures; opinions on different topics... Even if he did not know them!

This talent required a superior ability to listen and pay attention, fuelled by an exceptional emotional quotient. He was constantly observing and linked to his entourage, environment. And I mean, any environment: at work; at the grocery store; at the restaurant; at a celebration; during a walk; at the golf course; while on vacation; at church; in Florida; in Ontario; in English; in French; in any language.... you get the idea. Anytime and anywhere!
Just ask anyone who was present after Jean Hinse had come through and they will confirm it... When Jean approached, you had to be ready to engage!

This love for people and the community which surrounds us seems to be less present in 2025. We seem to be more self focused.  

 Jean Hinse showed us with his simple and generous actions that it is possible to live in peace while respecting one another. It is good to be engaged and respectfully participate with others in the community. He lived by this principle without really making a special effort, for him, it was natural.
  
So next time you see a neighbour or have the chance to say 'hi' or 'have a good day' to a stranger, don't be shy!
0 Comments

Canoeing Delight

8/17/2025

5 Comments

 
The paddle entered the water and I found myself going back thirty years to my first canoe trip in Algonquin Park.  My dear friend Danny Soko had invited me to join him for a five day adventure paddling the lakes and rivers of the legendary park.  We were hosted by a great guide with the last name of  ‘Coffee’, and joined another three canoes for what was at the time my first real canoe trip. We had set off at Canoe Lake, and moved along the waterways to reach the depths of the park. It involved paddling on calm lakes, portaging complicated trails, and navigating strong rapids. It was amazing!  
Now in August 2025, I was joined by my brother Steve and his wonderful beau-fils’ Mathieu and Henrik (Henrik is from Norway and he had suggested that a little adventure in the Canadian wilderness would be cool during his vacation to Canada). We had decided to make it two nights and started our paddling on Canoe Lake.  Of course I had to show them all the interesting, historical and mysterious things about Tom Thomson which have fascinated me for decades. Once across the famous lake we headed north for the portage to Joe Lake and deeper into the spaces without cell service or city sounds - heaven! 
To my surprise, the boys (who had not really done this before) were extremely good and powerful with their strokes and also had solid carrying strength (portages are tough!).  The light wind was helpful which made the navigating easy as we moved at a peaceful rhythm through the lakes and rivers. Luckily for us, the low water level of the rivers and streams between the bigger spans of water allowed us to walk with our canoes and stay cool instead of the numerous portages I had warned them about. It was the last day of the intense heatwave that had consumed the summer, so suffice to say we swam at every opportunity to stay cool. 
It did not take long for nature to have an effect on me and take control of my soul and mindset. There is something magical and unexplainable about the impact the deep woods has on people (my brother shared the same sentiment). One’s perspective is changed and internal juices flow differently to enable a sense of freedom, even enlightenment. This is probably why my writing focuses on adventures, discoveries, and trying new things.
By the time we had reached Burnt Island Lake in the afternoon of the first day we were eager to find a camping location on the shoreline, set-up camp, snack, swim, and chill.  Luckily we found a beautiful secluded spot (with our new friend the BIG snapping turtle watching over us) for the night and enjoyed the evening with a fantastic steak dinner and a few cocktails provided by bartender Mathieu.  After a big day of travel that had started in Oakville and Montreal, sleeping was not difficult!
Our second day started with a beautiful sunrise (less heat) and an energized paddle to reach the epic 1.4km portage which we had decided to tackle for access to our day two destination, the Teepee Lake area. The two young guns of the group took the canoes on their backs and were unbelievable as they portaged all those hundreds of metres while fighting bugs (Henrik was very liked by the large horse flies - yikes!) , climbing hills, and trying to stay hydrated.  Thanks boys!  
Once we were back on the water we paddled gently for some time until stopping for lunch at one of the most beautiful camping sites I've seen. After consuming thousands of calories and swimming, we continued the afternoon heading south until we eventually found a nice campsite (Steve was determined to get the best location possible for the second night) with awesome views and a well positioned rock outcropping on the shoreline. Things turned quite positive when our bartender created a new drink called ‘paddle on the forehead’, which we enjoyed for hours. 
On that second night we had a fulfilling pasta dinner and enjoyed the sunset sitting on the rock and enjoying a gentle canoe ride around the nearby island.  Henrik even started his sleep next to fire and looked at the stars until he noticed clouds moving in and made the wise decision to enter the tent before the light rain refreshed us in the middle of the night. That full day in the park was a real highlight.  Sharing it with my three partners who were visiting Algonquin for the first time was a gift.  
An early morning coffee and light breakfast was enjoyed prior to taking to the water for the morning paddle and eventual exit at the Canoe Lake entry point.  We had a lovely flow with an easy portage which made the last few hours quite memorable. As our phones started making noises once the canoes hit the sandy beach I knew it was over. It was not a bad thing, just an alert that we were back into civilization and all the things that come with it.  If you know me well, you will know that I love the city as much as nature. So returning is never bad, just an entry into something different! 
I thank my three partners for their good nature and adventurous spirit. But mostly for their love of life and constant smiles! 

I hope to be back to the park soon.  This adventure reminded me that I really love that park in particular. After all, it was Canoe Lake and the mystery of Tom Thomson which inspired the start of 'The Jayme Adventure Series' books.  Oh, I forgot to mention… it touched me greatly when Henrik told me that he was reading my book when he rested next to fire looking at the stars late on that second night. 
Thank you readers! 
dd. 
5 Comments

Never Quit

5/15/2025

0 Comments

 
On a recent vacation in the beautiful area of Pontiac, Quebec, my friends asked me about my next project. They were curious when Book 2 of The Jayme Adventure Series was coming out. Their interest took me by surprise, but also made me feel good. I informed them that they would be reading it by the end of this summer, and that the name was '?????? ?? ??? ???? ????' .... asking them to keep it secret until the launch occurs :)

I'm sharing this because as an author (a very new 'developing' one in my case) you don't get feedback very often - so you must be self motivated!  And like other art, you need to do it for yourself first. It was therefore very nice of them to be asking and encouraging me to keep going. 

The other 'thing' that you must completely do is drive forward with your best effort, even if others (insert here 'critics') think that your creation is not the next Stairway to Heaven song, or Tom Thomson painting. Feeling a little doubt and apprehension is a good thing in my opinion. For example, I thought I had Book 2 landed six months ago, only to be informed (more like 'strongly encouraged') by my editor that more was needed. So back to it I went pretty much all winter to refine, remove, change, and add. Oh yes, I did add quite a bit! The final book word count is now 60% higher than my first submission to the editor.

During these recent months I found myself replaying in my head a saying I have been using for years - 'Never Quit'. Those who know me well will recognize the saying, which I like to use from time to time when someone around me needs a boost. I also use it to encourage others at sports, improve teamwork, or bring a sense of unlimited possibility to any goal. (FYI - The origin of that saying is from a famous comic actor in a hilarious movie - I'll let you guess/research which one).

So it is with great appreciation that I thank friends, family, and readers for their ongoing support... and for keeping the 'never quit' pointing in my direction. 
0 Comments

Resolve

3/18/2025

1 Comment

 
Living in Canada and having a continuous direct family line which dates back centuries to the 1600’s makes these times quite interesting. My ancestors lived mostly in francophone Quebec and were present when critical conflicts took place. Some of these included long wars, a few were shorter 'battles', some did not include military force, and some even occurred within the country. Canada's history is more rich and complex than most realize, or wish to acknowledge.  

In my first book 'Buoyant Passages' published in 2023, I wrote the following:
The world is already so much more open than it was when I was a kid. Diversity and different beliefs easily cross borders and have become mainly global, for all to enjoy and critique..... We belong to a grand macrocosm that has demonstrated time and time again that we are all linked. Everyone has a role to play and a responsibility in their broader community to advance into the future with a light that shines brightly.

I stand by those words...nothing has changed for me. At the core is living a life of respect for others, and being a valuable member of your community.  And for a community to thrive (no matter the size), the members of it must take care of it and not become completely reliant on others. 

When I was born the Canadian flag had recently been revealed to the world, Canada was still on a high from an international exposition (Expo '67), and the country was gearing up to host the Olympics for the first time. During those years, authors, songwriters, poets and other artists took centre stage to define Canada. They dreamed of it, wrote about it, sang about it, and exported it to the world... It lifted  our pride. Some would say Canadians lost their way a little bit in the decades that followed. I’m not one for going back in time, although I must admit that returning to some of that maple leaf 'resolve' feels good!! 
1 Comment

The Red Tree

12/2/2024

1 Comment

 
When I was a young boy, my Christmas only truly started when we pulled up in front of the home of my Grandparents and I would see the big Christmas tree in front of their house. It stood over twelve feet high and was completely covered with only red lights from bottom to top. Best of all, this was a real spruce tree that they had planted before I was born which also enriched their property during the summer. I loved that tree.

The annual elation of seeing the tree usually occurred just a few days before December 25th, or even on Christmas day when we had to leave our home later or were delayed because of a snow storm. And since we were doing the long drive from either Montreal or Mississauga, that first sighting was usually after dark - making it even better!

At this point you are probably wondering why I'm writing about a tree that stood outside my grandparent's house decades ago, nothing special right? Well, I decided to do my holiday blog on this topic because the man who was responsible for this red tree, my grandfather Jean Hinse (my mother's dad), turned an astonishing 102 years of age on November 27, 2024... just a few days ago. I was not with him in Victoriaville on his birthday, but I decided to decorate our own outside tree with red lights on his birthday (see blog picture). I thought it was a good way to pay homage. 

We all have our own little (or big) traditions which provide that emotional lift to make Christmas special. Sometimes it is something shared with others, sometimes it is private. Whatever it is, I hope that you will have the chance to experience it over the coming weeks. My holiday wish to you for this year is that you also have an opportunity to create a new one! 

Enjoy the traditions, eat well, stay close to your friends and loved ones, and be kind...

Joyeuses Fêtes / Happy Holidays
dd.

1 Comment

Northern Lights Surprise

9/24/2024

2 Comments

 
In Chapter 13 of my first book called Buoyant Passages, I tell the story of the adventure I took in 2020 to northern Québec with my brother Steve, his son Phil, and friend Simon. The chapter title easily explains the plot.... we were searching for Aurora Borealis. I'll let you read the conclusion!

Advance forward four years, and I was on an annual fishing trip to Chapais, Quebec (more on that location in chapter 15 of my first book if you are interested) with my friends Gilbert, Danny, and Pascal. We officially moved the travel date for our trip to this beautiful part of the country from the month of June to September only this year, mainly to avoid the crowds and more importantly the BUGS!  And I mean not just one type, the spring/early summer season brings together a party mix of black flies and mosquitoes that will make the bravest soul cover themselves in the most potent repellant available. In contrast, September is bug-free with cool nights for comfortable sleeping, and still plenty of fish!

We typically spend seven nights and fish six days non-stop. Again, this is a pretty intense fishing adventure and not for those looking for a little time on the lake or dock with refreshments or time for reading and napping... and this is why I LOVE IT!

Chef Soko is the main organizer of the adventure and plans all the food with great care. Gil, Pascal and me participate by bringing various other items and contributing to all of the daily tasks - from doing dishes, cleaning fish, getting the boats in and out of the water, opening bottles of wine :), to  'other duties as assigned' by our leader. Best of all, we share, laugh, eat very well, catch fish, and take time at night to chill after all the chores are completed and the lunches are made for the next day. With over eight hours each day on the water in our fishing boats without touching land, we must be ready!

So with that context, we found ourselves relaxing outside by a warm fire on the second last night of our stay in Chapais. The other advantage of September is that the sun goes down earlier, enabling the evening activities to begin sooner (and allowing for a reasonable bedtime). On this particular night, it was warmer than usual after an incredible day of sunshine and minimal wind. We therefore settled close to the fire with our refreshments and talked about 'things', never really paying much attention to the sky. A little sidebar here - my fishing partners make me laugh so much that there is little energy left late in the evening for me to look at the scenery! Although on this night, our chatter was interrupted when one of us happened to look up and behind to what appeared to be the beginning of something. Not being experts, we were not sure what was to come, but the colours and shapes were taken shape enough for one  to declare; "Aurora Borealis" - Northern Lights!

Within seconds we all got our phones (none of us have a real camera) and started to take pics. I tried different angles, locations, phones settings, lighting, and even ran down to the dock by the lake. The incredible thing is that the stars were also shinning bright and participated in the beautiful light show (you can see part of the big dipper in the picture on this blog). In the end, it was Pascal who captured the best pictures which we quickly shared with family and friends by text and social media. If you are interested in seeing some of them just visit my Instagram or TikTok account. 

The last time I had seen Northern Lights was when I was in the Boy Scouts as a youth. What I did not remember is how fast they can disappear. I did not time it on that Thursday evening, but it felt like around thirty minutes from start to finish. It was like a slow movie with an introduction of some light formation which grew to larger 'streaks' and colours, only to vanish quickly once the moon crested above the trees.

Only the next morning at 7am did I realize how lucky I had been to experience this unique natural wonder. I opened my phone to hundreds of views on my Instagram and TikTok accounts, with dozens of likes from those who would have loved to see it live. It is easy to understand why some will travel thousands of kilometres in an attempt to get a glimpse. 

Like I have said before,  you never know what gift mother nature will present!

2 Comments

My First Time...

7/28/2024

2 Comments

 
The one who made my first time incredible was Mr. Coffee. Yes, that was his name, the guide that would lead me and my dear friend Soko to memorable days on the waters of Algonquin Park. 

It was in 1996 when Soko approached me about doing a four day canoe trip deep inside the legendary park. I was living in Ottawa at the time, and he was living on the other side of the river in Gatineau. We had spent a lot of time together over the last couple years as two single guys in our mid twenties, but that was about to change for both of us!

I agreed to his proposal without really knowing much about the tour outfit we would be using, nor the route we would be taking. I was just glad to finally enter the park I had heard so much about, and test my rudimentary paddling skills. I had visited and camped for weeks at nearby Scout camps in Haliburton, but never crossed the park limits. I had also done hours and hours of canoeing during years of camping in my youth, but it had been a few years since I had touched a paddle... so a little nervous I was! Luckily, Soko was an excellent paddler and all-around talented outdoor person. To this day he is super active, in excellent physical shape, and never turns down an adventure on the water. 

I'm sharing my 'first time' because it opened my eyes to Algonquin Park's magic and awesome natural environment. And it was the first spark that led to the inspiration for my first work of fiction - Mystery in Algonquin Park. It was on that first day of our canoe trip back in '96 that I visited the Tom Thomson Memorial Cairn on the shore of Canoe Lake. It is the lake where Canada's most famous painter mysteriously died over one hundred years ago. And it was on those subsequent days that we paddled rapids, swam in cool fresh lakes and rivers, ate amazing food like Coffee's carbonara pasta, talked by small fires each night, tried to ignore the flies, and flipped our canoe with all the gear (and us) floating down the river in embarrassment. Most importantly, it was an adventure to remember.  Thank you for this gift Soko... and Mr Coffee!   

When I wrote the story of Jayme and Binnie for Book 1 of the Series, I remembered the countless days I have spent outdoors. I'm blessed to have experienced the power of nature at a young age and excited about future adventures with family and friends... like the canoe trip inside Algonquin Park that I will do later this year. I can't wait!

I hope you find that The Jayme Adventure Series captures the spirit of adventure and power of discovery. I thank all readers for their support and hope it inspires you to do your own adventure... however small or big it might be!
​dd.
2 Comments

New Book Coming Soon!

6/25/2024

0 Comments

 
Summer has arrived and I wish all of you a wonderful time with family and friends. Hopefully it includes some adventures in nature, vacation, swimming in lakes and pools, and of course good food & drinks!

For me this season is extra special since I have just finished my first work of fiction, which will be published later this summer. It is called 'Mystery in Algonquin Park', and it is Book 1 of The Jayme Adventure Series. Coming off the success of my first non-fiction work called Buoyant Passages, I decided to carry that momentum into a new project that will bring to life a series of books for all to enjoy. 
 
The Jayme Adventure Series is about Jayme Goodall. She is a young adult from a small rural town in Ontario, and she will be taking you on different adventures with limitless energy and passion for discovery. Jayme is ready to release the shackles of youth and embrace the future. Her adventures are a mix of mystery, discovery, friendship, romance, and coming of age. In Book 1, Mystery in Algonquin Park, Jayme stumbles upon a mystery that ripples back through time and connects her life to that of Binnie, a young woman who lived in the park 100 years earlier. In parallel storylines they peel back layers of secret and intrigue, in search of the truth.

Once again I want to thank you for your encouragement and support. I hope my writing so far has brought you a sense of escape, enjoyment, some reflection, and a little laughter 😀.

As we await for the publishing folks to do their work, have a great start to the summer. Bonne été!
dd.
0 Comments

Hermosos países

3/15/2024

1 Comment

 
The clouds cleared as we climbed on the winding highway heading north into south central Spain. It had been overcast since our arrival three days earlier on the shores of the Alboran Sea in picturesque Marbella. Linda and I were not complaining since the temperature was getting to the high teens each day, a far cry from what we would have experienced in January if we were at home. I was excited to leave clouds behind and witness a clear deep blue sky ahead as we reached the higher altitudes. 

The road was in great condition with a well maintained one-lane paved highway and proper signage. I was very thankful for the generous roadside barriers which protected vehicles from the very steep cliffs and rock formations. It reminded me of the drive along California State Route 1. Most surprising was the immensity of the mountains and view for miles, which I did not know existed in the south of Spain (there are a lot of things I would learn in the next days about Spain and Portugal!). Although we had the GPS on the little screen of the car working from time to time, at one point I asked Linda to do a little verification to confirm when we would actually reach the top of the mountains… “No cell service. Sorry, keep going!”, she replied. Ok, now we are talking, a real adventure! 

There is really too much I want to write about our adventure to Spain and Portugal for a simple blog, but regardless I could not resist sharing some pictures. As my sage friend Bruno suggested a few days ago, maybe I will write a book or longer piece about it one day.

So for now, I hope you enjoy this ‘
Photo Blog’!


For some context, here are some facts about Spain and Portugal:

Spain: 
  1. The population is just under 48 Million. Bigger than Canada.
  2. It has a total area of 506,000 square km. It fits inside the province of Manitoba!
  3. Spain has been a constitutional monarchy since the late 1970s, and is now considered a democracy with a King (Felipe VI).
  4. The official language is Spanish.
  5. The Capital is Madrid. The third largest city in Europe. Who knew!
  6. A massive olive producing country, with tourism driving the economy.
  7. Known for great wines and food… Tapas please!
  8. Beaches, sand, sun, heat, leisure.
  9. Real Madrid FC is BIG, with Rafael Nadel a national icon.
  10. Eat late and dance all night.

Portugal:
  1. The population is 10 Million. Smaller than I thought.
  2. It has a total area of 92,000 square km. It fits inside Newfoundland Island.
  3. Portugal had a monarchy until 1910, then an authoritarian government until 1974, followed by a democratic republic.
  4. Portuguese is the official language.
  5. The capital is Lisbon, with a metropolitan area population of close to 3 million.
  6. The world’s largest cork producing country, with tourism driving the economy.
  7. Known for numerous Michelin rated restaurants… Sardines anyone? 
  8. The amazing Algarve region, Fado music, Azulejo tiles, beaches.
  9. Football (soccer) is big, and Cristiano Ronaldo even bigger.
  10. Don’t look at your watch and chill out.



    All photos by Daniel J Demers and Linda Demers.

    ​
Picture
The Puente Nuevo Bridge in Ronda, Spain, is a thing of beauty. We drove through the valley below to take this picture. Amazingly, the bridge is only one of the wonders of this city. It was the site of an ancient Iberian settlement and known in Roman times as Acinipo. The Moors were present from the 5th to 15th century, until Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella reconquered in 1485.
Picture
The ‘Catedral de Sevilla’ is as impressive as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is one of the largest churches in the world and the largest Gothic church. Along with the adjoining Giralda bell tower it is a Unesco World Heritage Site. When Linda and I visited the immense church we arrived at the main chapel and said “This is really big, and beautiful”. Later, I would research that the altarpiece is the largest in the world. I never knew Seville had such beauty and history - the benefit of travel!
Picture
The Tomb of Christopher Columbus has been located in the Seville Cathedral since 1899. There are quite a bit of stories and speculation about the movement of his body since his death in 1506. Interestingly, he was born in Italy but he became legendary as leader of four Spanish transatlantic expeditions of discovery to the Americas.
Picture
The urban beach of Playa Santa María del Mar in Cádiz, Spain. Cádiz is located on the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. We were lucky to spend an afternoon walking the streets and beachside paths of this port town. There is even an ancient Roman theatre which was discovered only in 1980… Crazy! ​
Picture
Picture
Food is a very big part of the experience in both countries, and luckily available at reasonable prices. The traditional Portuguese cod dishes are at Delfina in Lisbon (Linda said as she finished her first bite: “This is the best codfish dish ever”. The burrata 'pesto' was at Restaurante El Botánico in Madrid on our last day before heading home. We pretty much always had local cerveza with our meals.
Picture
The Algarve region is at the southern end of Portugal and breathtaking. We stayed there for three nights in the quiet season and can only imagine how ‘happening’ the region gets in the peak season. Super laid back and slow is the culture.
Picture
The Tram passing in front of the Sé de Lisboa. Linda took many shots of this scene as we kept saying: “This city is like San Francisco!”. The hills, the bridge, the tram, the bay, the fog, and the nearby beaches culminate to make the resemblance very real. Unlike Madrid, this city feels older, steeped in tradition, with incredible architecture and unique cuisine.  
Picture
The Lisbon City Hall. Linda utilized a style of photography that we dubbed “The Reflections Series” during our adventure. Like we feel when we are in Quebec City, Lisbon is equally beautiful at night. This was taken minutes before going into Delfina for that awesome cod dish.   
Picture
This is Fado singer Tina Santos at the Bohemia LX Sé in Lisbon. A little restaurant tucked away in the shadow of the Sé, serving traditional dishes. Linda and I were lucky to run into this place and attend an evening of Fado. She was joined by two guitarists and additional singers. It was truly a unique musical and cultural experience that we both will remember forever. 
Picture
This is the Ler Devagar (meaning ‘Read Slowly’) Bookstore. It was named one of the top ten most beautiful in the world, and published in the New York Times and other outlets all over the globe. I posted a few more pictures during our visit. It is a must-see for any book lover or author!
Picture
We stumbled upon these two musicians at the end of a Friday afternoon in Lisbon. Casually entertaining locals and tourists, they depict the strong culture of music in Portugal. In the background you see the Tagus River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Picture
From Linda’s ‘Reflections Series’, the Royal Palace of Madrid at night. Apologies to my UK friends and fans of London, but the size and architecture surpases Buckingham Palace (in my humble opinion). Madrid surprised us with its rich history, majestic buildings, and modern feel. Walking the city you definitely have the sense that you are enjoying one of the grand cities of the world.  
Picture
Flamenco performance at the Las Tablas in Madrid. Like the Fado evening in Lisbon, this was a wonderful cultural experience. The energy which was displayed by Paco Hidalgo (sitting left side) and Lucia Ruibal (center stage) was impressive. Another must-see in Spain. ​
Picture
Sunset in Luz, Portugal.
1 Comment
<<Previous

    Author

    Daniel J. Demers is the author of Buoyant Passages and The Jayme Adventure Series

    Archives

    January 2026
    November 2025
    August 2025
    May 2025
    March 2025
    December 2024
    September 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • The Author
  • Books
  • Bookstore
  • Bonus Content
  • Blog