Team Canada

 OCT 25, 2019

This is my trekking team. We are a group of 14 Canadians. Most are from Alberta but a few also live in BC.

This is the start of our trek. We will spend the next 14 days walking up and down mountain trails together. Our end goal is to reach the Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m or 13,550 feet.

Diwali Festival

 Oct 25, 2019

The city is preparing for the Tihar or Diwail Festival. Venders are selling colors that can be spread out on shires and temples. These powders are so vibrant and beautiful. They add a colorful element to my walk through the markets.

Kathmandu

 Oct 25, 2019

This is the Boudhanath Stupa in the center of Kathmandu. This was my first day in Nepal. I got to meet my new trekking team and we spent the day sightseeing around the city with our guide.

This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. It is also seen as one of the most important centers for Tibetan Buddhism after the arrival of thousands of Tibetan refugees in 1959. This site is considered one of the holiest Tibetan Buddhist sites outside of Tibet.

The stupa is topped with a Buddha eyes that are painted on all sides so they can look every direction.

The Power of Porters

 Oct 23, 2019

Trekking in Nepal is easy when you have a porter. They carry your main bag so you just have to bear the weight of your day pack. The porters are amazing. They work so hard and are amazing fast trekkers.

This is my porter and without his help I never would have been able to trek 135km up and down the mountains of Nepal.

Trekking Photos

 Oct 23, 2019

Here are some photos from our ABC Trek in Nepal. 

ABC Trek

 Oct 22, 2019

I just finished a 14 day trek to the Annapurna Base Camp. We walked a total of 135 km and climbed to the height of 4,130m.

Headed to the mountains

 Oct 8, 2019

We are starting our trek today. We woke up to a beautiful sunrise and a view of the snow covered mountains. There will not be many WiFi spots in the mountains so you will have less details from me for a while.

Exploring Kathmandu, Nepal

 

Which One Is Mine?

 Oct 8, 2019

It was a long travel day from Saipan to Kathmandu. My wake up call was at 3:30am and I arrived in Nepal and finally got to my hotel room at 2am. So I was very happy to finally relax.

When I arrived at the Kathmandu airport it was crazy. I needed to fill out a ton of paper work to get my visa. It was a confusing process. It took a long time. So when I finally got that done and now through immigration I had to search for my luggage. I had a panic as my sleepy brain could not find it. I was looking for a black suitcase. It was such a relief when I finally found it with the help from one of the workers.

The Himalayas Are Calling

 Oct 6, 2019

I have been dreaming of Nepal since my last visit in November 2018. I am longing for the burn of my legs as I climb up steps and gain altitude. I am looking forward to crisp mountain air and expansive views.

Travel Day

 Oct 6, 2019

Today is a long travel day with a 3:30am start. We were at the airport at 4:20am and our flight took off at 5:20am to return us back to Hong Kong. I had a 3 hour layover and then a flight to Singapore. Now I am waiting for my next flight to Kathmandu. It’s a rainy afternoon in SG.

Where In The World Is Saipan?

 Oct 6, 2019

A few people have asked me where Saipan is so I thought I would share these google map photos to help paint a picture for you.

Battle of Saipan

 Oct 4, 2019

I enjoyed watching these videos as they gave me more insight to the Battle of Saipan.

Video #1:

https://youtu.be/y9qi1Ge3ThY

Saipan Sunsets

 

Saipan Typhoon

 

Oct 4, 2019

We learned that in November 2018 Saipan was hit by a massive typhoon. The south part of the island was hit the hardest and even a year later we can see the damage. Many buildings have had their roof ripped off. Trees are broken off and smashed windows.

Breakfast of Champions

 

Scuba Diving in Saipan

 

Oct 4, 2019

More photos from scuba diving in Saipan!

Diving in Saipan

 

Oct 4, 2019

We joined Green Flash Diving and went to explore Saipan underwater. We spent 2 days diving around the island. We saw sharks, eagle rays, octopus, turtles and many different fish.


We also saw a US plane that was shot down during the war. The plane is starting to fall apart but we could still see the wings and the propellers. Our next dive was to swim around the wreck of a Japanese boat that was sank during the war.


There is an amazing amount of sea life living on or around these wrecks. The coral is growing and taking over the wrecks. The bottom of the ocean floor is littered with ammunition. We were able to pick up long lines of bullets rusting away in the sea.


These photos belong to Syd from the FISHGUYZ dive shop. He shared his photos with us. His dive shop is at the Kanoa Resort in Saipan and I would highly recommend diving with him.

Saipan’s History

 

Oct 4, 2019

As we are staying at Saipan we are learning more about the history of this island. We visited the history museum and I found out that the Spanish made Saipan a colony in 1668. Then they sold the island to the Germans in 1899. The Germans had control until the Japanese captured the island in WW1. The Japanese took over control in 1919.


This all changed in 1944 during the Battle of Saipan. It was a huge battle when the US Army fought the Japanese and finally took control of the island. Over 1,000 Japanese civilians committed suicide by jumping off a cliff as they were scared to be captured by the US Army.


After WW2 ended the island was administered by the US. Then in 1978 Saipan became a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Country Count: Saipan #56

 

Sept 30, 2019

We made it to Saipan and yesterday we went diving. We visited Lao Lao and the Grotto. It was an amazing day underwater. We saw turtles and octopus. Our dive master gave us some insight into the history of Saipan. Today we plan to visit the beach and go snorkelling to look for eagle rays.

Hong Kong Airport

 

Sep 28, 2019

I am waiting at my gate and watching the news it appears that there is a protest going on in Admiralty. The news coverage shows fires and water canons and large crowds.

I spent the day outside at the harbour front near the IFC and I didn’t see or hear anything. I was sitting outside watching world rugby. The protests are in only one area or district and you can be oblivious while you are right next door. This news report surprised me as I was not aware that this unrest was unfolding.

I had found this poster list the dates so I knew something was likely to happen on the weekend.

2019: Hong Kong Visit

• • 
    

  • Sep 28, 2019

I had a quick stop in Hong Kong as I am traveling to Saipan. For me it was a chance to catch up with friends and eat at my favourite dim sum restaurant.

I saw this post it note message during my stay but I didn’t see any protests. There are signs of the unrest and I did find areas with vandalism damage. At the airport there was new security protocols.

Hong Kong: Rugby

 

Country Count: Iceland #54

 Sept 25, 2019

Here are a few photos from my trip to Iceland in July. 

2019: I Love Hong Kong

 

I am back in Hong Kong and it feels like home. It is hot and sunny out, with a temperature of 30c. I am walking the streets in SaiYingPun with a smile on my face. I will go over to AIS this afternoon to visit my friends. I look forward to seeing everyone and hearing about their summer adventures.

Tomorrow, I am back to the airport and headed to Saipan. Luckily this is a much shorter flight. I think I was traveling for 22 hours yesterday. I was thankful for a bed to crash into at my girlfriends house. I had no problems sleeping through the night as I was exhausted.

My return to Hong Kong went smoothly. I landed, got my luggage and go on my favourite A11 bus. No issues with protests. However, I did notice a strong police presence at the airport and there was a huge, new metal gate at the bus terminal. This is the new security entrance and the police can close and lock the gate if needed.

2019: Flying to Asia

 

This is the start of my adventure. My day began with my alarm clock going off at 4:45am. My dad made me coffee while I got ready and we were off to the airport for a 5:20am check in.


Today is a a long day of travel 3 flights. Regina to Edmonton. Edmonton to Vancouver. Vancouver to Hong Kong. I am looking forward to arriving back in Hong Kong.

2019: Let's Travel

 

Small Black Dog

 

2019: Back to School

 

Painting Projects

 

Saskatchewan Sunsets

 

Hong Kong: Funny Signs

 

Fall Magic

 

Rest & Relaxation

Sept 20, 2019

It has been nice to have time to relax. I have been on my own schedule and often not very productive.

2019: Getting Ready To Travel

Sep 20, 2019

There are a few things to do before to wrap up my time here in Canada. My to do list seems to get longer and longer rather than shorter. Time is running out and I hope I can get organized for my trip.