In this episode we talk about those first few hours in Fiji — stepping off a plane and into a place where time slows down. Host Normand Schafer shares stories of past arrivals at Hexagon Group’s Tokatoka Resort, inviting listeners into an experience of palm-lined paths, gentle greetings, and peaceful rest. Even from the comfort of home, you’ll feel the Fijian welcome.

In this episode we talk about roaring engines, thick jungle, and the sound of laughter echoing through sugarcane fields. Host Normand Schafer transports listeners to the seat of a quad bike on one of Go Dirty Tours’ epic adventures. Through storytelling and reflection, you'll explore Fiji’s untamed beauty — without ever leaving your seat.

In this episode we talk about the rich mythology and soothing atmosphere of First Landing Resort. Normand Schafer takes listeners on a story-filled journey to the site where Fijians first arrived, inviting the imagination to wander through beachfront gardens, cultural fire shows, and gentle ocean waves — no boarding pass required.

In this episode we talk about travel that doesn’t require a plane ticket to feel real. Haida watcher and guide Gidinjad shares a 35-year journey serving ancestral villages with Norman Shaffer—telling stories of spirits, poles, and healing oceans. If you want to truly listen to the land, visit https://farandawayadventures.com.

Gidinjad shares raw reflections: of a child drumming ancestral songs, of forest nights filled with unseen voices, of guests overwhelmed by what grounds them. This isn’t just travel—it’s remembering. And listening. And honoring.

Whether you plan to visit later, or simply want to immerse your heart in ancestral presence now, this episode brings you there. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to explore more.

In this episode we talk about the scent of orchids in the breeze, a secluded bure under the palms, and the distant hum of the South Pacific. Host Normand Schafer takes you on a sensory journey to Fiji Orchid, weaving stories of Raymond Burr, slow mornings, and evenings under the stars. It’s armchair travel at its most elegant.

In this episode we talk about Skedans (K’una), a coastal Haida village where mortuary poles quietly fade into the earth and stories are carried by cedar and tide. Norm takes a virtual journey with Watchman Melanie. Begin your armchair trip at https://farandawayadventures.com. Full experience at Far and Away Adventures.com.

We explore what once was a bustling town of potlatches and trade, now a serene village where silence holds meaning. Melanie describes the “party town” vibe of Skedans, her own family connection to the site, and how visitors can read history in the lines of an old pole.

As with all of Norm’s journeys, this one takes us beyond travel logistics into reflection. What does it mean to let art return to earth? Why is oral storytelling still crucial today?

From his chair, Norm walks the trail, hears the waves, and leaves with a greater understanding of the Haida worldview. Join him via https://farandawayadventures.com.

In this episode we talk about the UNESCO village site of SG̱ang Gwaay in Haida Gwaii with Haida Watchman Teresa Russ, and Norm takes a quiet, reflective journey into a world of cedar poles, ocean whispers, and ancestral power—from the comfort of his armchair. Begin your virtual exploration at https://farandawayadventures.com. Full episode content at Far and Away Adventures.com.

We travel in story to one of the most sacred and remote corners of North America, hearing about how weather, time, and culture continue to shape a place where visitors often find themselves speechless. Teresa shares what it’s like to live at the site, her upbringing in Haida tradition, and why the village was the first to receive UNESCO protection.

For listeners who want to travel deeply even from home, this episode proves that stories are transportive—and that some journeys begin in the mind. Learn more about this incredible site at https://farandawayadventures.com.

More information on Haida cultural sites: Haida cultural sites – Gwaii HaanasNational Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and HaidaHeritage Site

In this episode we talk about the chaos of the Air Canada strike, which has been resolved but left behind stories of travelers stuck, rerouted, or forced to get creative in order to reach their destinations. While cancellations and delays tested patience, they also reminded us that travel is never just about getting from one place to another—it’s about the stories and experiences along the way. If you’d like to plan your own trips with confidence and know there’s expert support available when things don’t go as planned, you can start by visiting Far and Away Adventures.

We’ll look at how travelers turned stressful situations into meaningful memories, from rerouting through unfamiliar cities to striking up friendships during long waits at airports. Some even found unexpected adventure by traveling overland before catching a new flight. These moments, while unplanned, often become the stories you remember most. This episode is about embracing the unpredictable side of travel and learning how to walk away with zero travel regrets. Because sometimes, the best parts of a journey come from the detours you never saw coming.