Follow the ongoing adventures of food and travel writer Cinda Chavich as she savours the world. Find her published food, drink and travel stories, and regular blog here at TasteReport.com.

seen

The Northern Gannet is a spectacular bird and seeing the world’s largest nesting colony on Bonaventure Island in Quebec’s Gaspé region is a spectacular sight. Sadly, this may be the last summer to see this massive colony of more than 120,000 birds, as the gannets that breed each summer in Canada, return to the Gulf of Mexico every winter to feed. It’s unknown what will happen to the birds when they migrate in October, but unless the massive BP oil spill can be cleaned up by then, or the birds manage to avoid the area, many may perish. The first bird pulled from the oily waters by scientists was a juvenile gannet and it is feared that thousands have already perished. Read more...

sipped

Alice in Wonderland is in the theatres and if there ever was a topsy turvy pub for our girl to imbibe, it would be the Roseleaf in Leith. This Edinburgh institution is famed for its “pot-tails” - cocktails served up in mismatched vintage china from pretty tea pots. Publican Jonny Kane offers a mad tea party like no other - from vodka and homemade lemonade with rosewater (a Rose Water O’ Leith) to “pot shots” and “pot toddies”. Read my story about this quirky watering hole in the Globe and Mail or on my Travel pages.

tasted

Keep your fork, there’s pie! I’m just back from a tour down Alberta’s spectacular Cowboy Trail, and along with the stunning foothills and wonderful mountain views, I had my fill of prairie pie. From saskatoon pie to Broxberry pie, apple custard pie (left), sweet potato pie and Dead Fly pie (really!), it was one sweet ride, and I wrote this story for the Globe and Mail.  Read more...

TASTE, n. & v. : flavor, morsel, relish, sip, savor, enjoy, learn, experience -  the ability to discern the best quality.

slept

Okay, I didn’t sleep on the beach, but you can see my room from here (and now that I’m home in the Great White North, I’m seriously trying to conjur this view as often as I can). That’s the bit of creamy white Maxwell Beach that’s out in front of the modest Sea Breeze Beach Hotel in Barbados, a funky little all-inclusive on the island’s southwest coast. I love the laid back atmosphere and the people - seemed like we were part of a little Bajan hotel family after a week of rum punch and warm turquoise blue water. Read my story about Bargain Barbados....

I’m just back from a trip to Britain where travel deals, from half-price theatre tickets and special menus at London’s Michelin-starred restaurants to bargain hotel packages, make this a great time to visit. I explored fashionable boutique hotels, like the brand new Missoni in Edinburgh, and locovore hideaways in the Highlands, and learned all about Scottish seafood.  And did I mention we had tea with Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace?

Listen to my first report on CBC radio’s Wild Rose, live from Scotland!