Category: Independent Travel
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Ethiopia’s Timkat Festival
Today, I’m joining the Timkat festival, a celebration of the Epiphany that’s particularly revered in Ethiopia. One of the major sites is actually taking place in my neighbourhood across from where I live in a local soccer field. The celebration is pretty much 24/7 for a few days, and since I’m still jetlagging, I get…
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Arrival Day 1
In my first vlog post, I leave Toronto on a rainy winter day and step foot into Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. It’s a big (but pleasant) culture shock as I head right into the city on a quiet day during the Timkat festival, and here are some of my immediate reactions to the…
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Travel Hacking: Skipping The Resorts In Cuba
I love travel. But I don’t love all-inclusive resorts. They never truly represent the countries they reside in, catering to generally indifferent tourists and showcasing a country’s culture in a pre-packaged form (i.e. cultural shows). At the same time, I can understand the necessity for them as many people prefer to lie safely on a beach…
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Adventure Photography – Zion Narrows Silky Timelapses And Daunting Canyons
The Narrows hike in Zion National Park is probably my choice for the best bang-for-the-buck National Park hike. It’s a huge slot canyon, stunningly beautiful, not particularly difficult, and is fun as heck. When it’s not raining and the flash flood danger is low, it’s a not-to-be-missed hike in Zion. I’ll write some tips down
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#5 One Fear A Day – Having No Travel Plans
I used to travel like this. I’d get 3 weeks off from work to take my annual vacation, then I’d pad the vacation with unpaid days off, accumulated unpaid overtime, or long weekends. I’d pore through a recommended guidebook, then scribble out an agenda. So, for example, going to Turkey: Day 1 – Land in Istanbul…
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The Sunscreen Song (Japanese Version)
Dear Friends, After a lot of hard work, I’m pleased to release The Sunscreen Song in Japanese along with a new, inspirational video. I hope it inspires a nation. Please, please share the video if it inspires you! It’s got much, much more footage from my recent adventures, including some really crazy scenes. I…
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The World’s Strangest Food I’ve Encountered
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Someone asked me this recently, and I immediately described a strange dish I once had in Peru. Then another interesting meal popped in my head, and before I knew it, the floodgates had opened, and I had to write it all out in a post. Although I’ve gone…
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A Couple Of Mini Adventures In Ontario (Video)
I’ve been on a work tear recently coming up with a hot new Club Dance program, but I finally released it, and decided to take a few days randomly roaming around small towns in Ontario. Being in nature and outdoors really frees my creative spirit, and upon hindsight, I think my efficiency would have improved…
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The World’s Most Delicious NON-Deep Fried Foods
Today, I’m going to take a break from my usual run of topics and just write about the most delicious foods I’ve eaten abroad. Although I’ve indulged in some strange things on the road, from roasted Peruvian guinea pig (cuy) to munching on Cambodian crickets, I’ve discovered that the most delicious foods are actually pretty…
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A Guilt And Gratitude Lesson In Myanmar (Burma)
“I’ll have this ice cream float” I pointed to a picture on a menu while a waiter to my order before wearily slumping into the comfy cushioned seating of a quasi-upscale restaurant in Myanmar. Soon, this would be the location of an important personal lesson on gratitude. Let me provide a little background for those of…