A Fiery Lift Off - Chiang Mai

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

4 Xmas - 4 Continents

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.

2008 - North America

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.

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12600 Monks, One Street - Chiang Mai

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... (click for the full gallery)

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Lunar Eclipse - Chiang Mai

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

My 7 Links - A Quick Look at the Archives

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.

1. My Most Beautiful Post:  Underworld Live Redux

 

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.

2. My Most Popular Post: Unreal Antarctica

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?

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