Escape into the Real world
Tales of adventure and photography from the far reaches of the world. Follow along as this full-time traveler pushes the boundaries to capture the essence of a place and its culture.
Light the candle on your krathong, set it in the water, make a wish, and release into the current of the river for it to drift away.
It's that simple...
Unless there is a troll under the bridge stealing your wishes.
The Loy Krathong festival celebrated in Thailand each Oct/Nov is especially...
Read MoreSo you may be wondering why it has been so quiet around here. The short answer... is Burma (Myanmar).
Back in October I headed back to Burma for another 5 week stint, hiking lush valleys, visiting hilltribes, biking around to monasteries, and talking to the people about their country and democracy. As all of my trips to the country have been, it was quite eye opening, and left me yearning for more and more.Read More
Autumn is upon us, well for some at least. Me, not so much. It's the tail end of the monsoon in Thailand and I'm holed away in my makeshift office watching it pour down from behind a desk overlooking the Democracy Monument in Bangkok.
I'M HEADING BACK TO BURMA
My first trip to Burma / Myanmar earlier this year has left a lasting impression on me, and I'm already heading back. In fact, it was just yesterday that I picked up my fresh new visa from the embassy here in...Read More
I understand that not everyone can just slam sticks on buckets and show you what's up. Fortunately, this guy can.
With little more than a couple of drumsticks, three battered pails and a hunk of metal by his side, he wailed away outside Bangkok's famous MBK Center. Check out the short clip I recorded of him below...Read More
Rural Burma / Myanmar
Well the updates have been on the low side recently (even by my standards) and if you’re not on my Facebook page, Google+ page, or Twitter, you might have even thought I’ve disappeared. Fear not, I’m still making my way around the globe, I’ve just been a little busy. Here’s a little catch up (working backwards).
Two years later than planned, but I’ve made it, and it’s as awesome as everyone has told me. I’ll save the details for later, but I’m only a week in and it has already been full of smiles, mountains, festivals, and many new friends. I haven’t shot so many photos in one place since I was in Antarctica in late 2010.
A couple of weeks ago it was announced that I won Lonely Planet’s Best Travel Adventure Photography contest for a photo from my 2010 climb of Mt Kinabalu on the world’s highest Via Ferrata. Along with the honour, first prize was a new Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone! Look for a review on Too Many Adapters later this summer.
Via Ferrata, My Kinabalu, Sabah
I received a nice surprise when I was named the Best Travel Photography Blog of the Year by Hostelbookers in late December. Unexpected, but highly appreciated. There were many excellent bloggers and photographers among the list of winners and runners up, and I am very honoured to be mentioned along side of them.
Pigmobile, Central Vietnam
I set up camp in Chiang Mai in late October 2011 until mid February 2012. The plan was to do a complete overhaul on Skinny Backpacker, launch a Travel Technology website, work on getting my photography to the next level, and streamline my work duties. Chiang Mai is the sort of place that attracts really interesting people, and it made for great networking, meeting new friends, and for testing the waters living abroad.
Well some of that happened, some not quite so. Together with Dave of What’s Dave Doing, I…
After nearly 2 years of chatting about it around the globe, Dave and I launched Too Many Adapters In January 2012. TMA is a website that is all about “Technology for Travelers” and where we talk about all the sorts of gadgets, issues, news, and opinions that make up the current world of travel tech. From smartphones to kindles, tips & tricks, reviews and even the odd rant now and then, we’re hoping it becomes the resource for travelers and their gear. Don’t fret if you’re not a nerd though, we have a little bit for everyone.
The response from our launch only 2 months ago has been beyond our expectations. Come check us out, and follow TMA on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for all the updates.
My father made a quick 1 day detour to Chiang Mai as I arrived in late October, and we celebrated with the Yi Peng festival just outside of the city. It was a fantastic experience, but unfortunately he was off to Canada the next day. This marked the 6th continent my Dad and I have traveled to together. I’m still one up on him as he hasn’t been to Australia yet...
Yii Peng / Loy Krathong festival, Thailand
My Mom made me proud by coming all the way to Asia to meet me in February. After a missed flight added 18 hours to her flight itinerary, she bounced back and enjoyed her first trip outside North America as we enjoyed the sights, sounds, and tastes of Chiang Mai. After enjoying laid back Chiang Mai for 10 days, we flew to Hanoi for some of it’s trademark moto-chaos (pictured below). Part of the inspiration of this trip was my photos from northern Vietnam from mid 2010, and we set out on side trips to Sapa and Halong Bay so she could experience them for herself before sending her off back in Canada. My friends called her a “baddass” and a “Super Mom” for making the long trip over which was well out of her comfort zone.
Shirley thought the sidewalk was safe... Hanoi, Vietnam
Great question! Well after I leave Burma (Myanmar) in a month or so, I plan to set up a base for a month or so to work on projects and my mass of photos before making on last side journey (maybe Penang, Mt Kinabalu or East Timor) before heading to North America for the summer.
In June, I’ll be at the World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon. I missed it last year when I already had a trip to the Faroe Islands booked, but my friends raved about it so much I’ll be there this year.
In July I may be at TBEX (Travel Blogger conference). I attended last year in Vancouver, but this year is still up in the air.
Otherwise, this summer I am hoping to make it back to one of my favourite spots in the Canadian Rockies, Mt Robson. Loose plans are for this to come together in late June with my Dad and brother. I may also try to convince a good friend to trek to Top of the World Provincial Park in British Columbia again. We’ve done it 10 years ago, and 5 years ago, so as far as I’m concerned, we’re due. We have a history of things going wrong when there (one blown out tire on a forestry truck road, one time lost where we thought we would have to sleep in the forest), but it always makes for good stories. Hopefully I don’t fall off a cliff this year.
I’ve been testing a new blogging platform, so maybe we’ll see that rolling in May for Skinny Backpacker.
I’ve had a few offers for my photography being published, but I just haven’t been up to it. I take photos for myself, so I haven’t really thought of my work to be on the next level. It’s a bit of a mental hurdle I’m working on jumping. Thanks to the support of my friends and fans, I’ll be making this a priority from now on. Here’s to letting no more opportunities pass me by.
Thanks to everyone for your support. I have much to share, and not enough time. Back in a month-ish.
Not saying it's because of a hard-knock life, but this monk stood out.
It was his Sak Yant tattoo and his deep red robe. A walk showing an unusual uniqueness in a sea of monks, swinging the fabric as he moved. He walked alone, when there were thousands of others around.
I shot this at an event in Chiang Mai where 12600 monks gathered to accept alms for the flood victims in southern Thailand.
Shot November 27, 2011Read More
It's early in the morning, and the park is filled with hot air balloons hurriedly trying to set up. For each balloon, teams of people work together to attach the basket, test the burners, and roll out the balloon itself.
Then comes this.Read More
I hadn't even realized it until a few weeks ago, but xmas 2011 was my 4th xmas celebrated in as many continents. Admittedly, I use the word "celebrated" pretty loosely as I'm neither religious, nor into the gift-giving, commercial bonanza that Dec 25th has turned itself into. Traveling, and my first xmas away in 2009, was a much needed break from the hustle and bustle that the end of the year inevitably brings back 'home' in Canada.Read More
A sea of orange pouring through the streets. 12600 monks, in their exceptionally bright robes like 12600 burning candles.
The occasion was the alms giving ceremony in Chiang Mai, with the public urged to bring donations of canned & non-perishable food. This year, the donations would be turned over to the victims of the disastrous flooding that has recently taken place in Thailand and made news headlines around the world.
On an early morning last month, I woke up to witness the ceremony.
Read More
