ELEVENEVELE 11:11

I’ve done it. I’ve been to Chiang Mai for Songkran, bucket list, life goals, all of the clichés. I wanted something more from my time there. Living life on a whim at this point had only improved my situation, and I wanted an adventure for my last few days up north. “Fuck it.” I thought. I need to go to Pai. I had heard all about it from the travellers I had met and figured that was my next destination. I got to talking with John, an eager brit that was staying at the hostel and loved motorcycles, and I had casually mentioned that I was thinking about renting a proper bike (none of this scooter business) and booting through the 700+ twists and turns through the mountains to get to Pai. He was all about it. Sold. No turning back now So the next day we rented our bikes for 24 hours and started on a journey that will continue to be the best memory of my trip so far. The view was amazing As we rode through the amazing scenery I figured this was pretty m...

Setting out to plan the trip I really had no plans in mind. I just figured enough to book a one way to Bangkok and hit the ground running. I was going to burn it on both ends as long as I was still breathing. Plans meant constraints, and constraints were pretty much shackles at this point. I did know I wanted to make it to Songkran. Every year starting April 13 Thailand celebrates its new years celebration. In sanskrit the word translates roughly to astrological passage. The holiday is very important to the Buddhist majority of Thailand as it marks a new beginning and a way to start clean and begin a new trip around the sun.  Just a wild scene On the streets it is pandemonium. In what has to be the world's biggest water fight, businesses and people line every lane with buckets of ice cold water and load up the water guns and proceed to have the best time ever. In Phuket they celebrate for one day/night. There is water everywhere you go and if you enjoy the crazines...

After the madness of Koh Phangan I needed a break. A break from the partying, the people, the noise and commotion. The boat to Koh Tao was a short journey and there were plenty of amazing small islands to watch as they passed by the scenery. Windblown and awestruck once again we hit land and I met up with a friend Derek who had been working on the island as a DJ for several months. Derek not working He showed me the hotel he was staying at and I snapped up a room right across from a hard-court soccer pitch which would be hosting a tournament featuring players from Koh Tao and other islands of the region. These guys were good Mr. J's I was bottom left, Derek was by the blue bin After getting settled I took a look around and quickly decided this was far more my speed. It was in places like Koh Tao that really allow me to reflect on what an incredible trip this has been. From the giant and sheer cliff walls of Phuket with its incredible views, the atmosphere...

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - Hunter S. Thompson   You meet all kinds of people travelling. 90% of the time they are the best types of people. Resourceful backpackers full of knowledge and wisdom. Artists, thinkers, philosophers, and folks that generally know how to have a good time.  In the two months of travelling so far I have met some from all walks of life. Several are on a more spiritual trip, looking for answers that their previous environment couldn't provide. There are those that just needed a break or a vacation as we all do at some point, without the intermissions from life the monotony can start to chisel away your being from the inside. I know a few people who desperately need to escape. Certainly, I did. There are those seeking adventure and the adrenaline junkies who get their fix in the skies, mountains, streets and waters of the world.  There may be aspects of each that everyone fits into at ...

The full moon was in full swing, people were hanging from rafters. Everywhere along the stretch of beach that has seen some of the biggest parties in the world you could feel the vibe, left and right, up and down. The moon is full, and the lights are on  At this point these were the only passable pictures After meeting up with a giant crew of Calgary-based crazy people, we set out to light the Had Rin beach up. Getting separated about 18 times, I just gave up on the fact that I would be hanging out with any dedicated group of anyone and found a tiny staircase to go chill in for a bit and take some pictures. To the beach Paint up  Whatever is going on here is awesome Eventually I found people I knew, had a great night and then before I knew it the next day had awoken me on a wooden deck/bed. In all a good night, full moon parties are cool to experience but in the end it’s a giant beach party, ko phi phi had already shown me plenty of thos...