The High Cost of Development - Sabah

That beautiful beachfront resort you're staying at?  Well, where you're sleeping was probably once a jungle, or at least something wilder than your semi-hard mattress.

Taken near the sleepy seaside village of Kuala Penyu, this photo is just one example of the rapid development taking place in Malaysian Borneo.  

Sabah has seen an influx of tourism thanks to its incredible nature and wildlife, and the neighboring Sarawak state is trying to catch up and get a part of the tourism dollars as well.  Add a burdgenoning middle class in Malaysia and cheap low cost airfares, and it's no surprise why people are clearing the way for more.

In no time, the quiet little place I stayed at will just be one amongst many.

Shot May 14th, 2010

Update on What’s Been Going On March 2012 – Asia

Well the updates have been on the low side recently (even by my standards) and if you’re not on my Facebook page, Google+ page, or Twitter, you might have even thought I’ve disappeared.  Fear not, I’m still making my way around the globe, I’ve just been a little busy.  Here’s a little catch up (working backwards).

I’m in Burma (Myanmar)!

Two years later than planned, but I’ve made it, and it’s as awesome as everyone has told me.  I’ll save the details for later, but I’m only a week in and it has already been full of smiles, mountains, festivals, and many new friends.  I haven’t shot so many photos in one place since I was in Antarctica in late 2010.

 

Lonely Planet Best Travel Adventure Photography Contest Winner

A couple of weeks ago it was announced that I won Lonely Planet’s Best Travel Adventure Photography contest for a photo from my 2010 climb of Mt Kinabalu on the world’s highest Via Ferrata.  Along with the honour,

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Street Monk - Chiang Mai

Not saying it's because of a hard-knock life, but this monk stood out.

It was his Sak Yant tattoo and his deep red robe.  A walk showing an unusual uniqueness in a sea of monks, swinging the fabric as he moved.  He walked alone, when there were thousands of others around.

I shot this at an event in Chiang Mai where 12600 monks gathered to accept alms for the flood victims in southern Thailand.

Shot November 27, 2011

A Fiery Lift Off - Chiang Mai

It's early in the morning, and the park is filled with hot air balloons hurriedly trying to set up.  For each balloon, teams of people work together to attach the basket, test the burners, and roll out the balloon itself.

Then comes this.

The pilot pulls the levers to let the maximum amount of fuel to feed the burners.  Preparing for liftoff, and to fly in the sky.

The Thailand International Balloon Festival happens yearly in Chiang Mai around November.  You can read more about the festival here, and check out a photo essay my friend Dan shot of the same event over at Canvas of Light.

Shot November 25th, 2011

Introducing: Too Many Adapters!

So things have been a little quiet around here recently, and no it’s not just my typical blog posting procrastination at fault… this time. (though there was some food poisoning)

Both travel and tech are things that Dave (of What’s Dave Doing) and I have been talking about for over a year since we first met up traveling in Vietnam in mid 2010.  After subsequent meetups that year in Cambodia & Thailand, then Canada in the summer 2011, the idea began to take shape.

When we both happened to make the move to Chiang Mai, Thailand a few months back, the wheels were finally put into motion.  We gave birth to a website.

We named it “Too Many Adapters”

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