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Notice my camcorder in my hand for these shots. The footage is great.
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Friday, December 29, 2006
Bungy in Bali! (Part One)
Do I look nervous? (Left) The view from the top was really nice. (Right and bottom)
A good way to get over a fear of heights is to bungy jump. Im not afraid of heights but you still get some last minute jitters.
A super cute couple.....well she was super cute. (Top Right)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Singapore and Indonesia Complete
Its hard to believe I have already visited 7 countries, some twice!
Singapore was interesting. Its about as clean and controlled at Tokyo. Pollution levels are about the same as Canadian cities and way above Asian standards. When I arrived in Singapore it was raining. Singapore is full attractions like zoos, gardens, architecture and Sentosa Island. So you can imagine if it rains everyday there is nothing you can really do.
I decided to get in some solid mall and gym time. I walked around trying to figure out what to buy myself for Christmas. Eventually I bought a pink psp with two games. I have tons of pictures to show later.
The highlight was actually going out with all the fellow rain wet travellers. The hostel I stayed in was one of the best ive been so far. They had free internet, breakfast, gym, pool, videogames, movies and a library! I met the rare American traveller, some Canadians and a lot of Scandanavians.
After three days of rain Mark showed up from his last beach location of his trip, Bali. Its always nice to see Mark. He brought the sunshine with him and we managed to do about 6 things in one crazy day. We headed out to the Museums, mall, Raffles hotel, and the famous Singapore harbour. Seeing him go for the last time was pretty easy because we will connect again soon. We have discussed going to South America with another friend of mine Aaron in the summer of 2008 or 2009. I think the three of us would get along for a crazy summer trip to Rio and Carnival!
From Singapore I headed down into Indonesia, probably the hottest place ive been so far. Sadly my only destination in the enourmous Indonesia was Bali. Bali is Hawaii meets Thailand. Amazing sunsets, great surf, unreal food and cheap costs made for a good 8 days in Bali. I spent most of the time working out and eating. I think I might have broke a toe running on the beach barefoot at night. Id love to come back to Indonesia sometime in the future and do the entire country propertly. Im rushed to get back to Thailand for New years. There are some amazing mountain hikes further east. Indonesia also offers Komodo island where the Komodo dragons still reign king.
Cool story. On Christmas morning I decided to take a stroll right at sunrise. I got some great shots walking around on the beach. I pulled out my camcorder and took in the amazing colours when I caught someone giving me the finger! What the? I asked him what that was for and he proceeded to try to fight me. Feeling all macho from my sober, fit state I told him to sit down before I put him down. I think I scared the crap out of the guy because he was all shroomed out from the night before. Apparently the death sentence isnt enough warning to people because he didnt mind partaking in the magic mushrooms. I think I got it on tape, cant wait to watch it.
My last full day in Bali I decided to get in some solid Bungy jumping. It had been raining the two days previous so I needed to get up early and beat the afternoon showers. I arrived at the bungy site after a 45 min walk from Kuta beach. The seemly small 35m. tower didnt bother me when I was paying but once you get up there you realize what your about to do. Lets just say its harder than you think. The freefall is way WAY more fun than I could have imagined. They strap you in and you take 1-2-3 hops forward then 1-2-3-Bungy giving your mind no time to say, "WTF moron dont do this!". Haha.
The second and third jumps were even freakier because I was asking the guys to give me pool touch jumps and all kinds of variations. I got off some backwards jumps and flip jumps. A flip jump is when you are strapped in by the small of your back. You run and jump then when you bounce back up you tuck and roll in the air. Ive got some amazing video and photos to post later today. My last jump involved me holding my camcorder and doing a tradition swan dive. It was a rush because I was concentrating on getting good footage of the fall, Oh I did!
Im back in Singapore for a connection flight to Phuket. Flying is interesting. There are some cool things to think about when travelling over multiple time zones. Your body releases chemicals during sleep cycles, your muscles relax and your mind seems duller. The concept of a Soul tether is really interesting. William Gibson the creater of the genre, cyber punk, wrote that people that travel alot are constantly waiting for their souls to "catch up" to there bodies. Imagine that you travel 14 hours over 3 time zones. Your soul is attached to your body by a long tether and flapping behind the aircraft being stretched away from you. When you land your body is in shock and you feel almost nothing, everything is quiet and slow. You soul is slowly being drawn back to your body. I thought this was a fun thought to think about.
Anyways Ive just slept in a hourly hotel room for 4 hours and perhaps not only is my soul behind me but my common sense,
Good Night!
D.
Singapore was interesting. Its about as clean and controlled at Tokyo. Pollution levels are about the same as Canadian cities and way above Asian standards. When I arrived in Singapore it was raining. Singapore is full attractions like zoos, gardens, architecture and Sentosa Island. So you can imagine if it rains everyday there is nothing you can really do.
I decided to get in some solid mall and gym time. I walked around trying to figure out what to buy myself for Christmas. Eventually I bought a pink psp with two games. I have tons of pictures to show later.
The highlight was actually going out with all the fellow rain wet travellers. The hostel I stayed in was one of the best ive been so far. They had free internet, breakfast, gym, pool, videogames, movies and a library! I met the rare American traveller, some Canadians and a lot of Scandanavians.
After three days of rain Mark showed up from his last beach location of his trip, Bali. Its always nice to see Mark. He brought the sunshine with him and we managed to do about 6 things in one crazy day. We headed out to the Museums, mall, Raffles hotel, and the famous Singapore harbour. Seeing him go for the last time was pretty easy because we will connect again soon. We have discussed going to South America with another friend of mine Aaron in the summer of 2008 or 2009. I think the three of us would get along for a crazy summer trip to Rio and Carnival!
From Singapore I headed down into Indonesia, probably the hottest place ive been so far. Sadly my only destination in the enourmous Indonesia was Bali. Bali is Hawaii meets Thailand. Amazing sunsets, great surf, unreal food and cheap costs made for a good 8 days in Bali. I spent most of the time working out and eating. I think I might have broke a toe running on the beach barefoot at night. Id love to come back to Indonesia sometime in the future and do the entire country propertly. Im rushed to get back to Thailand for New years. There are some amazing mountain hikes further east. Indonesia also offers Komodo island where the Komodo dragons still reign king.
Cool story. On Christmas morning I decided to take a stroll right at sunrise. I got some great shots walking around on the beach. I pulled out my camcorder and took in the amazing colours when I caught someone giving me the finger! What the? I asked him what that was for and he proceeded to try to fight me. Feeling all macho from my sober, fit state I told him to sit down before I put him down. I think I scared the crap out of the guy because he was all shroomed out from the night before. Apparently the death sentence isnt enough warning to people because he didnt mind partaking in the magic mushrooms. I think I got it on tape, cant wait to watch it.
My last full day in Bali I decided to get in some solid Bungy jumping. It had been raining the two days previous so I needed to get up early and beat the afternoon showers. I arrived at the bungy site after a 45 min walk from Kuta beach. The seemly small 35m. tower didnt bother me when I was paying but once you get up there you realize what your about to do. Lets just say its harder than you think. The freefall is way WAY more fun than I could have imagined. They strap you in and you take 1-2-3 hops forward then 1-2-3-Bungy giving your mind no time to say, "WTF moron dont do this!". Haha.
The second and third jumps were even freakier because I was asking the guys to give me pool touch jumps and all kinds of variations. I got off some backwards jumps and flip jumps. A flip jump is when you are strapped in by the small of your back. You run and jump then when you bounce back up you tuck and roll in the air. Ive got some amazing video and photos to post later today. My last jump involved me holding my camcorder and doing a tradition swan dive. It was a rush because I was concentrating on getting good footage of the fall, Oh I did!
Im back in Singapore for a connection flight to Phuket. Flying is interesting. There are some cool things to think about when travelling over multiple time zones. Your body releases chemicals during sleep cycles, your muscles relax and your mind seems duller. The concept of a Soul tether is really interesting. William Gibson the creater of the genre, cyber punk, wrote that people that travel alot are constantly waiting for their souls to "catch up" to there bodies. Imagine that you travel 14 hours over 3 time zones. Your soul is attached to your body by a long tether and flapping behind the aircraft being stretched away from you. When you land your body is in shock and you feel almost nothing, everything is quiet and slow. You soul is slowly being drawn back to your body. I thought this was a fun thought to think about.
Anyways Ive just slept in a hourly hotel room for 4 hours and perhaps not only is my soul behind me but my common sense,
Good Night!
D.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas!
Ho Ho Ho!
Its something being one kilometer from the equator on Christmas. Not only do you long for a white christmas but you miss all the thing associated with the cold. Things like: Closed shoes, sweaters and hoodies, hot chocolate, fireplaces, snowboarding, warm baths, the crunch of snow under your shoes, eggnog, a warm bed and hot-tubs.
This year is going to be the first year im away from family. In my 25 years ive always been able to spend at least 2 or 3 solid days with friends, family, and well ....Brianne. This year I have none of those things. Am I complaining? No.
I think Christmas, for me, is about enjoying others. I think maybe God knew that people would come together and celebrate with friends and family. Its the one time of year when differences and arguements seem to mute for just a moment. Like wind on a cut the pain of life goes away for a moment.
Christmas for me bring back memories of childhood. When my father used to turn into the evil 'TICKLE MONSTER!" ahhh! How about when I got so sick one year I had to miss out of a vacation and stay home watching movies like The Hulk. Or how about the three years in a row where the family packed up camp and went to West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in the world, to ride the coasters or watch the dolphins. Trading rooms with my sister so that we could wake up in a strange place then exclaim, "Fun!".
Christmas is also time for pets. I always remember having a pet beside me during Christmas. When it was Joe (Border Collie) opening a large rubber tug-ring, or Jazz (Terrier-Poodle) sniffing out the random smells. Malaya (African Grey parrot) finding it much more fun to pick at the wrapping paper than the seed inside. Even my bearded dragon looking in intently.
This year I intend to think about how blessed ive been with my Christmas's. Ive been fortunate enough to always have good years, scratch that, great years. The food, family, pets, weather and four christmas's with Brianne have been amazing. I will never forget that.
This year I am in Bali, Indonesia. I started my Christmas morning early. I awoke with my usual Christmas glee and walked down to the beach just making the sunset. At 5:30a.m. you can usually find a quiet spot to sit and reflect. My reflecting includes my ipod and a camera.
Today I am treating myself to a facial and a full body scrub. After the scrub I head down to the 35 meter Bungi platform at the end of the beach. For $75 dollars I can enjoy jumps all day with pictures and movies included. Lets try for 10 jumps?
Tonight after the sunset I fully intend on finding the local Starbucks, ordering a hot chocolate, sitting under the a/c, then close my eyes and remember Christmas's past.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hopefully I am home for Christmas next year.
With Love,
Daniel.
Its something being one kilometer from the equator on Christmas. Not only do you long for a white christmas but you miss all the thing associated with the cold. Things like: Closed shoes, sweaters and hoodies, hot chocolate, fireplaces, snowboarding, warm baths, the crunch of snow under your shoes, eggnog, a warm bed and hot-tubs.
This year is going to be the first year im away from family. In my 25 years ive always been able to spend at least 2 or 3 solid days with friends, family, and well ....Brianne. This year I have none of those things. Am I complaining? No.
I think Christmas, for me, is about enjoying others. I think maybe God knew that people would come together and celebrate with friends and family. Its the one time of year when differences and arguements seem to mute for just a moment. Like wind on a cut the pain of life goes away for a moment.
Christmas for me bring back memories of childhood. When my father used to turn into the evil 'TICKLE MONSTER!" ahhh! How about when I got so sick one year I had to miss out of a vacation and stay home watching movies like The Hulk. Or how about the three years in a row where the family packed up camp and went to West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in the world, to ride the coasters or watch the dolphins. Trading rooms with my sister so that we could wake up in a strange place then exclaim, "Fun!".
Christmas is also time for pets. I always remember having a pet beside me during Christmas. When it was Joe (Border Collie) opening a large rubber tug-ring, or Jazz (Terrier-Poodle) sniffing out the random smells. Malaya (African Grey parrot) finding it much more fun to pick at the wrapping paper than the seed inside. Even my bearded dragon looking in intently.
This year I intend to think about how blessed ive been with my Christmas's. Ive been fortunate enough to always have good years, scratch that, great years. The food, family, pets, weather and four christmas's with Brianne have been amazing. I will never forget that.
This year I am in Bali, Indonesia. I started my Christmas morning early. I awoke with my usual Christmas glee and walked down to the beach just making the sunset. At 5:30a.m. you can usually find a quiet spot to sit and reflect. My reflecting includes my ipod and a camera.
Today I am treating myself to a facial and a full body scrub. After the scrub I head down to the 35 meter Bungi platform at the end of the beach. For $75 dollars I can enjoy jumps all day with pictures and movies included. Lets try for 10 jumps?
Tonight after the sunset I fully intend on finding the local Starbucks, ordering a hot chocolate, sitting under the a/c, then close my eyes and remember Christmas's past.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hopefully I am home for Christmas next year.
With Love,
Daniel.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Mark and Dan: The Final Chapter
The exclusive Raffles hotel where you can order a Singapore Sling cocktail.
The Merlion.
If you take 10 giant steps back from your subject and then zoom in you can create this effect. The subject looks like it has more depth and blurs the backgroud. (Left)
I didnt mean to make this picture so large but im too lazy to redo it.
I took this shot out of mild amusment. (Top Left)
I liked the lighting. I found the Peacock to be the perfect animal to sum up Mark and I's trip. (Right)
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