A road trip in Canada brought this Malaysian closer to nature

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My long overdue road trip adventure in Canada with college friends finally became a reality this year. Despite my busy work schedule and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to seize the opportunity and embark on this adventure with my friends, Siva and Mathi.

Siva, who had many relatives in Canada, had always extended an invitation to us, and this year, we accepted.

In May, we flew from Malaysia to Britain, where I caught up with some other classmates before our flight to Canada. After landing at Calgary International Airport in the Canadian state of Alberta, we encountered a hiccup when my check-in baggage went missing. It was eventually located in the lost and found section.

Siva’s relative, a local, helped us secure a rental car – an SUV. We had to adjust to the left-hand driving, which was unfamiliar to us. With Mathi behind the wheel, Siva as the navigator, and me as the general coordinator, our road trip began.

Our first drive through the Calgary countryside was a bit clumsy, but the scenic views and prehistorical stories of the area mesmerised us. We woke up very early the next morning due to jet lag, and headed to Banff.

The roads were clear, and the sight of wild animals like elk, mountain goats and foxes, as well as horses added to the charm of the place, and made the drive more interesting.

When we arrived in Banff, a resort town in Alberta, we were greeted by the majestic peaks of Mount Rundle and Mount Cascade, which dominated the skyline.

In the evening, we took a walk downtown for dinner, but on the way back to our hotel, we lost track of where we were going because it was dark and the streets all looked pretty similar. Eventually, after an exhausting time trying to search for the right way again, we found our hotel, drained of all energy.

The next day, we drove to Revelstoke in British Columbia, passing through breathtaking landscapes featuring lakes and snow-covered mountains. During our two-day stay there, we visited the wolf dog sanctuary, gaining insight into these unique animals, and marvelled at the beauty of Lake Louise.

We then went to Kelowna, a city surrounded by picturesque views and renowned for its vineyards. After a refreshing dip in a heated outdoor pool, we encountered a problem with our accommodation due to a discrepancy between our online booking and the reception details. Fortunately, Siva’s relative arranged a stay for us at another place called the Sandman Hotel.

However, our exhaustion was further compounded when Siva realised he had misplaced his passport. After a frantic search, we discovered it on my bed, much to our relief.

Our next destination was Vancouver, where we enjoyed the hospitality of Siva’s friend, a chef. Indulging in the finest steaks and dishes prepared by the chef was undoubtedly a highlight of our trip.

We explored Whistler, a famous ski resort town, where we saw people skiing during the summer season.

One of Mathi’s childhood friends joined us as we ventured into Victoria Island by ferry. We explored the town, enjoying the warm weather, drinks, and bites for lunch. On the ferry back, we were fortunate to witness two orcas playing in the water – an incredible sight for us indeed.

Our last destination was Toronto, where we embarked on a two-hour drive to Niagara Falls, which is actually situated on the border of Canada and the United States. Due to heavy traffic on the motorways, we arrived in the late afternoon, just in time to see the awe-inspiring beauty of the falls illuminated by vibrant lights.

With a mix of excitement and sadness, we concluded our epic road trip and made our way back to Malaysia. Reflecting on the unforgettable experiences, the mishaps, and the laughter we shared, we realised that our trip had been more than just a journey – it was a testament to our long, enduring friendship.

As we parted ways at the airport, promising to plan for our next adventure, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the memories we had created together. The road trip had taught us to appreciate the beauty of nature, embrace the unexpected, and cherish the bonds of our friendship that had grown stronger through the years.

The views expressed are entirely the reader’s own.



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Computational Photography Market Estimated To Experience A H…

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(MENAFN- Ameliorate Digital Consultancy)
The global computational photography market was valued at USD 12.8 Billion in 2022 and it is anticipated to grow up to USD 19.3 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period.

Computational photography is a field of computer science that deals with the construction of digital images. It is a relatively new field that has arisen out of the need to process the ever-increasing amount of digital image data being generated by modern cameras and other imaging devices.

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Market Trends and Drivers

The key drivers of the computational photography market are the increasing demand for high-quality images, the need for better image processing capabilities, and the growing popularity of digital cameras. The demand for high-quality images has been driven by the increasing popularity of social media and the need for better image quality in advertising and marketing. This has led to a need for better image processing capabilities, which has in turn driven the development of computational photography. Digital cameras have also become increasingly popular, as they offer several advantages over traditional film cameras. Digital cameras are typically smaller and lighter than film cameras, and they offer the ability to take unlimited pictures without the need for film.

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Market Segments

By Type

  • Single- and Dual-Lens

  • 16-Lens

  • Others

By Product

  • Smartphone Cameras

  • Standalone Cameras

  • Machine Vision Cameras

By Application

Major Players in the Global Computational Photography Market

The key players in the Computational Photography Market Apple, Samsung, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Adobe, Nikon, Sony, LG, Light, and Canon.

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5 key drivers of the nature crisis

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Pollution, including from chemicals and waste, is a major driver of biodiversity and ecosystem change with especially devastating direct effects on freshwater and marine habitats. Plant and insect populations are dwindling as a result of the persistent usage of highly dangerous, non-selective insecticides.

Marine plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 animal species, including 86 per cent of marine turtles, 44 per cent of seabirds and 43 per cent of marine mammals. Air and soil pollution are also on the rise.

Globally, nitrogen deposition in the atmosphere is one of the most serious threats to the integrity of global biodiversity. When nitrogen is deposited on terrestrial ecosystems, a cascade of effects can occur, often resulting in overall biodiversity declines.

Reducing air and water pollution and safely managing chemicals and waste is crucial to addressing the nature crisis.

Direct exploitation of natural resources

Unsustainable logging greatly contributes to deforestation
Persistent usage of dangerous chemicals posing threat to plants and insects. Photo by Pixabay/ Reijo Telaranta

The recent IPBES report on the sustainable use of wild species reveals that the unsustainable use of plants and animals is not just threatening the survival of one million species around the world but the livelihoods of billions of people who rely on wild species for food, fuel and income.

According to scientists, halting and reversing the degradation of lands and oceans can prevent the loss of one million endangered species. In addition, restoring only 15 per cent of ecosystems in priority areas will improve habitats, thus cutting extinctions by 60 per cent by improving habitats.

Negotiations at COP15 are expected to focus on protecting plants, animals and microbes whose genetic material is the foundation for life-saving medicines and other products. This issue is known as access and benefits sharing governed by an international accord – the Nagoya Protocol.

Delegates at COP15 will be looking at how marginalized communities, including Indigenous Peoples, can benefit from a subsistence economy – a system based on provisioning and regulating services of ecosystems for basic needs. Through their spiritual connection to the land, Indigenous Peoples play a vital protection role as guardians of biodiversity.

Invasive species

Unsustainable logging greatly contributes to deforestation
Invasive species pose a threat to native species and negatively impact the ecosystems. Photo by UNEP/ Stephanie Foote

Invasive alien species (IAS) are animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms that have entered and established themselves in the environment outside their natural habitat. IAS have devastating impacts on native plant and animal life, causing the decline or even extinction of native species and negatively affecting ecosystems.

The global economy, with increased transport of goods and travel, has facilitated the introduction of alien species over long distances and beyond natural boundaries. The negative effects of these species on biodiversity can be intensified by climate change, habitat destruction and pollution.

IAS have contributed to nearly 40 per cent of all animal extinctions since the 17th century, where the cause is known. Meanwhile, environmental losses from introduced pests in Australia, Brazil, India, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States are estimated to reach over US$100 billion per year.

IAS is a global issue that requires international cooperation and action. Preventing the international movement of these species and rapid detection at borders is less costly than control and eradication.

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About COP15
From December 7-19 in Montreal, Canada, 196 governments will meet to strike a landmark agreement to guide global actions on biodiversity. The framework will need to lay out an ambitious plan that addresses the key drivers of nature loss and puts us on the path to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.



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