Life in the Himalayas
My mind was fried. My body felt like it had been beaten with a stick. I had naively made the assumption that I would be able to actually sleep on the overnight bus, and arrive refreshed in the morning, not
Thank You, India
OK, I was really nervous about heading to India. I’ve heard so many horror stories about traveling there. It’s hard, it’s dirty, it’s challenging … all that. And you know what? I got there, and damn if it wasn’t true.
Things I Learned In Southeast Asia
In May of 2003, as part of a solo around-the-world backpacking trip, I spent one month traveling through Southeast Asia. I visited Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, moving through the countries by whatever method made the most sense at the
Instant Messaging & Taking Over the World
carla: yea…i can’t believe how much you and bob are alike in voice and looks willbchase: really? willbchase: some say we’re nothing alike … some say we are carla: i heard you were nothing alike so i was surprised, but
Culinary Adventures in Hanoi
I knew I was getting myself into trouble. I certainly didn’t have to rely on my gut instincts to know that. I just had to look at the situation, really. Here I was, about to head off into the dark
Canyoneering Zion
With the rope locked tightly in my right hand, I took a moment to look down. Nothing but air stood between my neoprene boots and the sandy Zion canyon floor 100 feet below. The water-carved sandstone walls curved and contorted
Mountain Biking the Soquel Demonstration Forest
I bunny-hopped the log pyramid, and whipped my bike around the corner, hovering slightly over the seat, gently guiding the bike by pressing my inner thighs against the saddle. We pushed through the deep, lush forest, spinning past thick stands
Adventure Racing With The Peanut Gallery
“This is where things really get interesting,” I thought, as the three of us hugged, lay down in the mud pit, and started rolling, struggling to hold onto each other. Months earlier, my girlfriend and I decided to participate in
The Dipsea Experience
The sand stung our faces as the first helicopter touched down on the beach. Its red fuselage dipped below the horizon of the small stand of trees between us and the beach, and the paramedics ducked, turning their heads to