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.
Shot Feb 28th, 2012
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That beautiful beachfront resort you're staying at? Well, where you're sleeping was probably once a jungle, or at least something wilder than your semi-hard mattress.
Taken near the sleepy seaside village of Kuala Penyu, this photo is just one example of the rapid development taking place in Malaysian Borneo.
Sabah has seen an influx of tourism thanks to its incredible nature and wildlife, and the neighboring Sarawak state is trying to catch up and get a part of the tourism dollars as well. Add a burdgenoning middle class in Malaysia and cheap low cost airfares, and it's no surprise why people are clearing the way for more.
In no time, the quiet little place I stayed at will just be one amongst many.
Shot May 14th, 2010
]]>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.
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…
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!
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.
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.
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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, 2011
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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.
The pilot pulls the levers to let the maximum amount of fuel to feed the burners. Preparing for liftoff, and to fly in the sky.
The Thailand International Balloon Festival happens yearly in Chiang Mai around November. You can read more about the festival here, and check out a photo essay my friend Dan shot of the same event over at Canvas of Light.
Shot November 25th, 2011
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So things have been a little quiet around here recently, and no it’s not just my typical blog posting procrastination at fault… this time. (though there was some food poisoning)
Both travel and tech are things that Dave (of What’s Dave Doing) and I have been talking about for over a year since we first met up traveling in Vietnam in mid 2010. After subsequent meetups that year in Cambodia & Thailand, then Canada in the summer 2011, the idea began to take shape.
When we both happened to make the move to Chiang Mai, Thailand a few months back, the wheels were finally put into motion. We gave birth to a website.
Too Many Adapters is a site all about Technology for Travelers, and I’d like to think we have the cred to back it up. Travelers for a combined 20 odd years, and geeks since we were kids (birth?), we know the score for the techie nomad and the non-techie traveler too.
So whether you need to know if your smartphone is ready for your next adventure, tips on getting the most out of your new camera, or why a Kindle is a bookworm’s dream on the road, we’ll cover it all. We’ll also have the technology news that matters for travelers, gear reviews, and all you need to know to get the most out of your gadgets, 2-3 times a week.
1) Check it out. Tell us what you think by leaving a comment on an article, and contact us and let us know how we’re doing.
2) Like the TMA Facebook page
3) Follow TMA on Twitter
4) Add TMA to your Google+ circles
I’m really proud of what we’ve put together, and I really hope you like it. Please help us spread the word!
Too Many Adapters (Awesome)
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2009 in New ZealandI 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.
Winter of 2008 in my hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada was particularly cold, even by Saskatchewan standards. The temperature didn't get warmer than -25c for 24 days straight, a new record. A day spent shuffling around town to visit family, it was cold, and the last one in Canada for awhile.
Xmas Tree 2008
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Relaxing out of the wind on the Kepler Track2009 - OceaniaAfter setting off on my first round-the-world adventure back in 2009, I found myself with two travel partners in Dasha and Keith traveling around New Zealand. Looking to do something different for the holidays, we trekked the Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park beginning on December 24th. The 4 day trek spans 60km overlooking New Zealand's typical breathtaking scenery.
Though we spruced up our bunks with some garland and a couple of stockings the night before, xmas day was a spent trekking on steep ridges in gusting winds. A quick summit of Mt Luxmore provided nothing but a brief moment of celebration, before kneeling down to prevent ourselves from being blown off the peak. No views more than 3 meters ahead from the peak on this day.
The clouds did break later in the day, and by the time we found our way down in the valley, it was relatively warm again. We rounded out the trek a couple of days later.
Cozy Xmas 2009 bunk, with xmas stocking and bonus stinky socks.
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Clear in Ushuaia 2010. It's an Xmas miracle!2010 - South AmericaA few days shy of celebrating xmas on Antarctica, my father and I spent December 25th hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park after arriving back in Ushuaia, Argentina. It was a short 10km trek on the Hito XXIV Trail to the Chilean border along the shore of Lago Roca. Cool and foggy, it was a good day for a hike.
Arriving back in Ushuaia, the town was bustling after being eerily quiet the night before. Panicked that we wouldn't be able to find a place to eat, we sat down at an Irish pub and had a horrible meal of fish and potatoes. We remedied that mistake in the only way I know how: Ice cream. That evening, the owner of our guesthouse treated us to a show of the according with a lesson in the history of tango music.
Tierra del Fuego NP with my Dad, Xmas 2010
Xmas 2011 with Karin2011 - AsiaThis year, even though I was fighting a cold, I wanted to get something going on here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We decided on a trip up to Doi Suthep west of Chiang Mai, making the last 3 xmas a "hat trick" for National Parks.
We spent an hour or so fighting the crowds up at Wat Pharathat Doi Suthep in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park before heading back home to Chiang Mai. Unfortunately there would be no big hikes today. A quiet meal at a local Mexican restaurant rounded out this low-key xmas.
Wat Pharathat Doi Suthep, Xmas 2011
The only question left, is which continent I will find myself on next year on December 25th? (If you're my Mom, you're probably hoping for Canada).
Where did you spend your holiday season this year?
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The last lunar eclipse of 2011 happened this evening. For the uninitiated, this event happens when the earth casts its shadow from the sun onto the moon, and it happens roughly 2 times a year on average. If you see it, and whether or not it's full or partial depends on where you are on our lovely planet Earth.
Even though the clouds conspired to obstruct my view for much of the evening, we were able to sneak a peek here and there. This shot, taken as the eclipse crawled towards totality, was about as clear as a shot that I could get.
I wanted to be an astronaut. I mean, as a kid, who didn't? A bit of a space nerd, I used to launch rockets and point out stars and constellations to anyone within earshot. I've seen more than a few lunar eclipses myself, so it was a little strange to hear that it was the first one for so many people I was with tonight. Oddly enough, most of my memories of lunar eclipses involve 4am alarms in the dead of Saskatchewan winters. Needless to say, it was a little milder in Chiang Mai this evening.
Shot Dec 10th, 2011
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Summit morning on Mt Kinabalu
I was recently (or months ago, but who's counting) nominated by Annie of Wayward Traveler and Dave of What's Dave Doing to take part in the "My 7 Links" project. The brainchild of the fine folks @ Tripbase, it's a neat way to look back at what is coming close to two years here at Skinny Backpacker.
I'll be honest, I don't know what my most beautiful post is. Maybe you can pick for me instead. These days, I'm listening to a lot of Underworld, and I really like this photo I shot so let's go with that.
My first collection of photos from the least inhabited continent on the planet, Unreal Antartica. Who knew that pictures of ice, snow, and penguins pooing would be so popular?
Although I haven't posted most of my more controversial stories (yet...), living in Scandinavia for 6 months exposed me to a view of immigration far different from the one I knew from back in Canada.
Immigration is a hot topic come election time during the past few years, and something that has bred racism by some in an otherwise inviting place.
Ever wonder if that chick you're talking to in Thailand is really a dude? Well thanks to my friend BT, we've got Nerdy Travel Tips - Ladyboys. Untested by me personally, but if you're a nerd, I'm pretty sure it's failsafe. :)
Well in a way, who wouldn't want to look at photos of me eating dessert? In "Culture Quirks - Sweden's 'Semla'" I go into the history of this seasonal treat, try a few, and give a play by play on the process of putting one into your (actually my) face hole. And you're welcome.
Picking up an gun in Cambodia in a open air war museum was much more than a 30 second experience. Why do we make guns? Why are they so easy to use? Why do I even know how they work? I still think about the experience, and the worldwide implications of guns and war, all the time. Read My Date With An AK-47.
Sick, alone in my room, my belongings scattered on the bed and floor. I wrote Define: Travel - 6 Months and Counting at what could be a low time in travel.
And finally, I'm nominating the following travel bloggers to share their "My 7 Links"
Dan Nahabedian from Canvas of Light, a fantastic photographer based out of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Marc Passion from Marc Passion Travel, worldwide jet setter extraordinaire.
Shawna & Chais Meyer from Full Course Travel, digital nomads currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
What are your favorite posts of mine? Oh really? Don't all speak up at once!
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