Last updated Nov 27, 2018 | First published on May 4, 2017 | Sumatra
Charcoal clouds swirled across an onyx moonscape of mud. Hanging around didn’t seem like a good idea. Precious few things get me going at 04:30. Sunrises definitely aren’t one of them. I made that mistake once in Maui. Flip-flopped and freezing, I nearly broke my...
Last updated Sep 16, 2021 | First published on Jul 1, 2015 | Laos
Somehow, the leeches knew this was my first time jungle trekking in the Luang Nam Tha Protected Area in Laos. They were relentless and persistent but pretty well left my guide alone. I scraped the wiggling bloodsuckers off with my knife at every stop, but new ones...
Last updated Aug 11, 2021 | First published on Nov 15, 2011 | Sumatra
Two months ago I tackled Gunung Sibayak — an active volcano in North Sumatra, Indonesia, with three new friends. The visuals, eerie landscape, and risky down climb were part of an adventure that I’ll never forget. As an added bonus, I was kept awake all...
Last updated Jun 24, 2021 | First published on Jul 10, 2009 | Indonesia (Not Bali)
The perfect day. After my usual lunch of rice and fish, and telling the lucky divers an envious goodbye as they left on the boat (I can’t wear fins with my feet still bad), I put a shirt on, grabbed my knife and camera, and headed for my favorite place in the...
