London

Last year I traveled to London for a family wedding. It's a city that I had visited before, but certainly would not have included onto my list of desirable travel destinations. If I'm honest, London is the type of destination I always imagined traveling away from; big city, tall buildings, too many people, gray weather et al. But the city surprised me in a strangely nostalgic way. I left fascinated and slightly overwhelmed. Thanks for the expectation shift London. I still cant wrap my head around your climate though.

Into the Great Wide Open

Back in April, before we departed on our 3 week U.S Pacific Coast road trip from Seattle down to San Diego, Andy wisely invested in a video camera. Throughout the incredible journey down south, he was to use said camera to film virtually all aspects of the trip. We all chipped in with the odd cameo to capture those memorable moments but ultimately it was Andy's project and his vision all those months ago to produce an A.V clip that commemorates the once-in-a-lifetime experience has now come to glorious fruition with this recently completed self-edited teaser. From all accounts, a full length feature will follow in the future. Take a bow, Andrew and Meg. Thanks for the memories.

Anatomy of Melancholia

Rice Paddy in H.D.R

Three different exposures of the same shot stitched together into one image makes for an interesting perspective of the Balinese rice paddy we overlooked while having lunch yesterday. Apart from the automated blending of the three images, no other editing was done to the finished picture.

Indonesia Part 2

After an unfortunate and ironical scooter crash that left Sam and I with a few sinister roasties, we were mandated to avoid the ocean for a few days while said wounds could heal to avoid infection; rife here in the tropics. Scooter crashes are so commonplace here that they seem inevitable;. In our case however, it was not another human to blame but three mangy, scraggly dogs who at the exact moment we passed their sitting place, decided to simultaneously run directly underneath our front tyre in a sudden fighting burst. In a lame attempt to avoid contact, we swerved but alas, in vain as we involuntarily disembarked onto the dirty asphalt. Surface wounds they may be, but our roasties did require a quick cleanup from the local hospital and a few days of treatment. In lieu of our inability to surf and swim, we decided to take a few days to head inland to Ubud to explore the country, which is a magnificent mixture of small villages, rice paddies and many local markets, art galleries and warungs. Cape St Francis friends, Fred and Kelly also visited us during this time and we were fortunate to meet for some drinks, exploration and a breathtaking Indonesian sunrise drive across to the South East of the Bukit Peninsular. The island of Bali continues to overwhelm and with plans to explore further including a few trips to neighbouring islands, we're feeling as blessed as ever. 

Just a few battle scars

Ubud is full of alleyways begging to be wandered into.

Monkeyforest Road. Ubud.

Ubud rice paddie

Sunset and drinks in Ubud

The food in Ubud is perhaps the best we've tasted in Bali.

Ubud Gallery

Fred's Satay Hotplate

Sunrise walk.

Indonesian Sunrise over Lombok

Legian Beach.

Frederick; post-surf

Our Ubud balcony

Indonesia Part 1

With plans to travel all over Europe already set in motion, we suddenly received an offer to work in Bali starting almost immediately. With funds dwindling, we decided to take the chance and accept knowing full well that Europe's accessibility could be tapped into at a later stage. Perhaps one of the enticing aspects of this new decision was the need to fly back home to the Republic for 10 days for several logistical reasons including visa applications, cheaper flights and to offload 2 bags full of ski and winter gear. Our brief stay spent at home was a joyous occasion spent with friends and family that rejuvenated us in such a way that only ones' home can do. But a new experience lay in waiting, this time heading East to the tropics. The first 2 weeks spent here in Bali have been eventful and full of wonderment. In this time, we decided to turn down the job offer. This difficult decision was taken for many reasons but what remains most relevant is the opportunity afforded to us now to spend an extended period of time exploring the island at our leisure. And after 14 days here, that's exactly what we've done. With a centralized apartment as our base we have been able to venture North past Canggu and South into the Bukit peninsular for surf and beaches. The Balinese culture is such an appealing one, filled with happiness and goodwill and their land is such a paradise that to explore it is not only possible on a shoestring budget but is so rewarding in the treasures you uncover around every turn of the motorbike. Then there is the surf...

Sam; composed in Saunr

Our evening surf and run is always capped off with a shower and swim in one of the many luxury resorts dotted along the beach. Just smile and wave to the guard.

Kuta, for all the madness, does still have its charms.

Hungry Eyes.

Uluwatu at 6 feet with 8 foot closeouts. This day saw many a broken leash and one gnarly swim from the top of the point.

Padang Padang looking ever so beautiful in the evening glow with no hint as to what lies beneath.

Arvo surf check.

The culinary experiences in Bali are nothing short of magnificent with the local Warungs our best source of an authentic Indonesian meal. 

Padang beach in the evening

Jimbaran bay heading South.

Balangan dreaming

Balangan lunch with a very distracting view.

Our chariot.

It's all a bit overwhelming for a goofy-foot.

Lazy days in Bingin

Bingin pickings.