Best Wishes from Toronto

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season

Wintry Toronto

It was a magical day with snow flakes swirling around, spreading a thick fog over the city, covering everything in white. Yes, I know it's not fun when you're driving blindly into a sheet of snow, or struggling against an icy wind blasting across your face. But when you're walking, and dressed warmly, it's truly awesome to be out there against the elements, and watch the snow transform the city ...

In the park, children were tobogganing, their thrilled laughter echoing in the fresh snowfall. On the sidewalk, an older woman was trying to cover her face from the wind, and slipping on the snow. I gave her a hand and led her to the store, and she was all smiles. A passer-by with a bouncy step grinned, telling me in her caribbean accent how much she loved snow. We winked at each other with an unspoken understanding.

She probably gets asked as often as I do how I could bear the cold north when I was born on a sunny island. With the creative opportunities and freedom that Canada offers, winter is easy to bear. I don't miss the continuous tropical heat as I love the change of seasons, spring's blossoms, summer's lush greens, fall's colourful leaves, winter's snow flurries ... they inspire me to no end.

I love you, Toronto

There's something about the cold weather that makes me want to get cosy and warm at home, but there's so much to do in Toronto that I'm often willing to brave the cold. So many artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, filmmakers are spreading their creative and innovative vibes throughout the city that it's often hard to choose which event to go to. From neighbourhood restaurants and bars that feature musicians, and artists' work to contemporary operas and documentary screenings, the choice is endless. 

While walking by Queen Street the other night, and watching skaters gliding gracefully on the ice rink with our City Hall standing behind them against the sky, like some sci-fi building about to lift up, I thought of  how much this city means to me. So grateful to live in this cultural hub and its multicultural diversity. Toronto has offered me the freedom, and opportunity to be an artist, photographer and writer who can make a living from her art. And the people who live in this city, the kindness of friends I've made over the years have inspired me immensely.  I love you, Toronto.

Photography Exhibition and Book Signing of Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius

Photography Exhibition and Book Signing of Island Lovers

Stella’s Lunch Box

145 Lauder Avenue (just south of St. Clair) Toronto

Sunday December 4th

1 to 4 pm 

Come by, and meet friends in this charming café, and enjoy the photographs, 

poetry reading, and live music in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. 

If you can't join the event and would like to buy this book as a holiday gift, it's also available at Book City Yonge & St. Clair (1430 Yonge St), Book City Beaches (1950 Queen St. E), Indigo online, amazon.ca, amazon.com

Supermoon over Toronto Skyline

On Monday evening, I went with a friend to Humber Bay Park to chase the moon. A surreal experience watching the glow creeping behind clouds, rising behind the CN tower before finally making its way up in full glory.

Launch of Island Lovers at Toronto's The Word on The Street Book Festival

Inviting you all to the Toronto launch of Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius at The Word on The Street Book Festival on Sunday, September 25th from 11 am to 6 pm at Harbourfront, 235 Queen's Quay West.

I will be with four other authors at the Toronto Hakka Heritage Alliance booth, booth 151, along the lake, near the Toronto Star  tent. You can't miss it ...

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Island Lovers in Mauritius

Thank you to all the avid readers who purchased Island Lovers in Mauritius where it was launched on August 6th at Bookcourt, Bagatelle Mall in Moka, followed by book signings on August 19th at L'Artelier (L'Atelier Litteraire) Port Louis, August 26th at Bookcourt, Caudan, Port Louis, and August 31st at Petrusmok Bookstore, Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene.

Thank you Mauritius for your interest in my work and for the radio, newspapers, and tv interviews. I'm very touched by the tremendously positive response to Island Lovers. It's been an exhilarating visit on the tropical island where I was born. So wonderful reconnecting with family and friends, and enjoying the lush beauty of the seaside and countryside. 

For  those who couldn't make it to the launch and book signings, and are interested in getting a copy of Island Lovers in Mauritius, it is available at:

Bookcourt Stores  

(Caudan, Trianon, Flacq, Bagatelle, Cascavelle, Airport, Grand Baie)

L'Artelier, Port Louis

Petrusmok Bookstore, Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebène

Librairie Le Cygne, Rose-Hill

For wholesale orders in Mauritius, please contact the distributor, Harold Venpin at 230-5256-1165


Info on the Toronto launch coming soon ...

Book launch of Island Lovers in Mauritius

I will be at Bookcourt book store in Bagatelle Mall, Moka, Mauritius on Saturday, August 6th, from 1-4 pm for the launch of my new book, Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius, and hope many of you who live there will join me.

I took the photos in the book during several visits to Mauritius, and the images inspired me to write poems on the island I left so long ago, an island that still brings back fond memories.

Looking forward to seeing you ...

Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius

Slowly emerging from my writing cave ... So excited to share my book cover. It will be out soon in Mauritius, and in Canada, later in the fall. Will keep you posted ...

Luminato Festival at The Hearn

What a thrilling experience to be at The Hearn yesterday. The Luminato Festival brought back to life this fascinating decommissioned generating station in a celebration of art, music, and dance. I hope this building becomes a new landmark for creative expression in Toronto. The festival runs from June 10th to 26th. Check the activities on Luminato's website

This giant, rotating mirror ball, continuously casting its refracted light over exposed steel beams, wires and peeling walls had a surreal effect,. I felt as if I was in a sci-fi movie, surrounded by ethereal creatures floating around.

Even the windows seem to be works of art ...

Le Pavillon, a makeshift restaurant on the upper floor of The Hearn. 

What a resourceful use of the generating station's control room.

Dining at Le Pavillon. 

A treat for those who made reservations, but since we did not, 

we were lucky to get last minute seats at the bar, and enjoyed the delicious French cuisine.

Majestic hallway, softly illuminated to bring out neat architectural details

One of my favourite sculptures, made of meshed acrylic

Industrial elements throughout the building

For more impressions on the Luminato Festival at The Hearn, check Schuster Gindin's article in Living Toronto