Mezbauddin Mahtab's Blog, page 8

East Coast: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Day 6)

Confederation. 
The word seems a tad overused when you are in PEI.
The Confederation Bridge. The Confederation Centre of the Arts. Confederation Bakery.
And then ... on the sign of Charlottetown, the capital of PEI - birthplace of the Confederation.
There is no doubt that PEI plays up its role in the founding of the modern nation of Canada.

Another good thing of PEI being a small province is that road trips does not take long. We were in Cavendish, and we were going to Charlottetown today. Th...

East Coast: Shediac, Confederation Bridge, Cavendish, PEI (Day 5)

The world's largest lobster is in Shediac, NB 
Ontario. Quebec. New Brunswick.

Prince Edward Island.

We were about to cross into our fourth province so far. But before that, we had a stop in Shediac, a small city about 20 minutes away from Moncton. Shediac (population about 6000) is known as the "lobster capital of the world", and hosts an annual festival every July which promotes its ties to lobster fishing. At the western entrance to the town is a 90-tonne sculpture called "The World...

East Coast: Saint John and Fundy National Park (Day 4)

The next day was another gorgeous sun-baked day, and we started bright and early for Saint John, NB. This is New Brunswick's major port and industrial center, and lots of cruise ships dock here.

This city is spelled Saint John in full (no "s" at the end) to distinguish it from St. Johns in Newfoundland and Labrador. Saint John is about an hour and half away from Moncton, so makes for a perfect day trip.

New Brunswick Museum


Our first stop was the New Brunswick Museum. We were lucky - it was Nati...

East Coast: Hopewell Rocks and Magnetic Hill (Day 3)

It was a gorgeous day, and we started bright and early after breakfast. Our first destination was Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy. Now what is it that makes this place so special?


If you didn't know, the Bay of Fundy tides can reach up to 15m (50 ft) – the height of a four-storey building –  twice every day. This is the highest tide in the world. You'll want to visit the Hopewell Rocks during both high tide and low tide so you can truly appreciate the height and range of the tide.

Your a...

East Coast: Preparation and the Drive to Moncton (Days 1 and 2)

Canada's famed east coast is in stark comparison to the rugged majestic beauty of the Canadian Rockies or the lush nature preserves of the west coast. Rather, the east coast is famous for its small towns, warm hospitality and friendly people, some unique experiences through the magical Maritime provinces, and sublime out of this world sea food.


Having revisited the Rockies this year, we also took some extended vacation to cover the East Coast in the same year. You can see the amount of kilomet...

Reflections of Bakri Eid (or Eid ul Adha)

It used to be growing up that Eid ul Adha was often the bigger Eid. Going to the cow market, choosing your cow or goat, then bringing it home and caring for it. And then, on Eid day, watch - a little sad but also a little awed - as four men wrestle with the ropes and bring the cow down, before the throat is slit and the cow is sacrificed. And if it's a goat, one or two is enough to kill the goat. Skinning of the animal was done next, followed by cutting up of the meat.

Soon you are busy helpin...

Canadian Rockies: Jasper

If Banff National Park is the most visited national park in Canada, then Jasper National Park is the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Whereas Banff is more developed, has more infrastructure for tourists and has the more popular spots, it is also the more crowded (sometimes overwhelmingly so) park. Jasper is more wild, more scenic, and is for the more adventurous.

You access Jasper from Banff through the Icefields Parkway. I have written about this highway before - it is the most scenic hi...

Canadian Rockies: Lake Louise - Heaven Turned into a Zoo

Lake Louise is the most photographed spot in Banff National Park. It is also the most visited, the most iconic and the most beautiful part of the park. And yet, Parks Canada is now killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Recall my visit to lake Louise three years ago. I visited Lake Louise three times on that trip and Moraine Lake twice. Whenever we wanted to go to the lake, we just WENT there. Parking was abundant, readily available, and this was just three years ago. It was a slice of he...

Canadian Rockies: Banff

Lake Peyto, as seen from the viewpoint on the hike to Bow Summit, Banff National Park
Banff National Park.

The last time I was in the Canadian Rockies was in 2016, as part of a trip to the Western Coast of Canada. The Canadian Rockies are a place you want to visit again and again. This time, three years later, opportunity presented itself and I took the chance to visit Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks. So much has changed, even in this short time, yet the beauty, majesty and magnificence o...

Kabir Singh - Is Misogyny the Big Problem, or the Fact it's so Popular?

What if I told you Hollywood just made a movie portraying the main protagonist as a racist man who kills minorities for fun and glorifies his act? Would you be aghast that such a movie was made? Or would you even be more alarmed if this movie actually becomes a blockbuster hit?


The movie Kabir Singh sweeping across India (and Canada), and running to packed houses worldwide is the latest blockbuster from Bollywood. According to Indian film-trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the film will “cruise...