On the remote Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, indigenous Even people watch over large herds of reindeer as their ancestors have for centuries. We caught up with them after traveling by snowmobile. Blowing winter snow stung my face like 1000 tiny frozen needles. Riding snowmobiles through a whiteout in 60 mph winds, with a wind chill… Continue reading Wild Kamchatka: Visiting Russia’s Nomadic Reindeer Herders

I’m paddling away from a four foot wall of crystal blue water, rising up from the ocean and bearing down on my position. I feel a push as it catches my board, faster & faster. In one quick motion I hop up in a crouch, knees bent, feet wide, arms out, pointing right as the… Continue reading Surfing Siargao: Ocean Ecstasy In The Philippines

The skyscraper’s 43rd floor is the most haunted of them all. Treading carefully over piles of debris, I pick my way through musty darkness praying I won’t vanish into a hole. It happened in the bathroom. One morning a local photographer who was climbing the tower happened to smell something rancid and went to investigate.… Continue reading Ghost Tower: Climbing Bangkok’s Abandoned Skyscraper

Giant pillars of karst limestone protrude into the sky around Railay Beach, home to some of the best rock climbing in the world. Even the monkeys love this place. Climbers from around the world regularly flock to Krabi Province to test their skills on the 700+ bolted climbing routes around Railay Beach. After working behind… Continue reading Rock Climbing Limestone Cliffs At Railay Beach

Hordes of screaming men possessed by their magic Sak Yant tattoos run wildly towards a shrine, crashing into the human shield of soldiers protecting it. Welcome to Thailand’s bizarre Wai Kru Festival. Each year over 10,000 people gather at Wat Bang Phra, a large Buddhist temple about an hour outside Bangkok to recharge the magic… Continue reading Possessed By Tattoos: Sak Yant Wai Kru Festival

Everyone wants to ride elephants in Thailand. Including me. That was until I spent the day at an elephant sanctuary and learned the disturbing truth about this popular activity. Just imagine how incredible it would be to sit atop a massive 9 foot tall, 4-ton beast while lumbering your way through deep rivers and pristine… Continue reading Why You Shouldn’t Ride Elephants In Thailand

Over 40 people watched in silence as a famous Thai monk repeatedly penetrated my flesh like a sewing machine. His Sak Yant needle sent waves of searing pain into my back. Traditional Sak Yant (also called Sak Yan, or Yantra) tattoos are hand-etched onto the skin using ancient geometric designs mixed with Buddhist prayers. They are believed… Continue reading Blessed By A Monk: How I Got My Magic Sak Yant Tattoo

Have you ever traveled luggage-class before? It’s like a billion times more awesome than first-class! These are just some of the reasons why. First-class. The envy of all travelers everywhere. It’s truly how the ultra-rich get from point A to point B with complimentary alcohol, ample legroom, top-notch service, and plenty of privacy. But hold… Continue reading Why “Luggage Class” Is Much Better Than First-Class