Tom Robinson and his girlfriend are obviously great traveller. They also take a great shot, with a twist. It all started with a whimsical idea and grew into a monster of awesome pictures. I've selected a few that stood out in my opinion. You can see them below.
See some more Feet First shots
In most people’s minds, Japan invokes images of crowded supermetropolises bustling with jam-packed subways, neon-drenched electronic districts and futuristic travel systems. Indeed, Japan has a highly urbanized population and some of the world’s largest cities. To visit Japan during the August high season, when the whole country grinds to a halt for the annual Obon vacation, is to suffer the stifling heat of this country’s hottest month in the suffocating pressure of the summer crowds. Or so goes popular wisdom.
But as large as Japan’s 128 million strong population may be, most of it is concentrated in a small portion of the country, leaving vast mountainous areas wild and untouched by urbanism. A prime example is Yakushima.
Arizona, Arizona, Arizona. What do you think of when you think of Arizona? My grand-mother lived there for a decade, so I think of urban sprawl and cacti. I guess most people think of the Grand Canyon. And the OK Corral. In any case, my girlfriend and some friends and I we're going to pick up some new things to think about. We were going on an Arizonan roadtrip. My girlfriend is a shutterbug, so why don't you check out the sweet pics.
Click here to check out Arizona
Bye bye Figueres, Cadaques here we come! After a hard day of climbing, we expect today to be much easier. Well, we are in for quite a surprise! On the map, everything looks fine and dandy... In reality, Cadaque is well tucked away, surrounded by steep mountains. Now we finally get the meaning of Costa Brava, which means wild coast in Spanish.
Read on about my Spain bike trip
It's day one and we have no idea what's ahead of us! The bike I reserved is way too big (Riopels are more torso than legs apparently) so we end up renting a mountain bike instead. This means that we have to transfer all of my gear on to Myka and André's bikes since mine doesn't have racks. Off we go, the fantastic trio, straight into the mountains of Girona!
To discover our adventures and the Dali museum
My Marvelous Bike Trip in Costa Brava, Spain
If you love the concept of relaxing in all-inclusive hotels, and the most you’ll walk is from your beach chair to the bar stool, then this trip is NOT for you! If on the other hand you are a decently active person who isn’t scared of the unknown, then I highly suggest going the route less traveled. Sure you’ll be stinky at times, your ass will be somewhat sore from all the riding and you’ll be so hungry you’ll feel like passing out. But it will be the trip of your lifetime. Here’s how it goes.
For bike touring tips and product suggestions
You are leaving on vacation and you are not sure whether to pick a backpack or a rolling back? Here is my advice…
You’d rather travel comfortably and not go off the beaten path? Guided tours in private coaches, hotels and restaurants are on your vacation plans? Well the rolling bag is especially made for you. A luggage is ideal at the airport and in hotel elevators, but that is pretty much it.
See what Louis thinks about backpacks
After an 8 ½ hour flight and a 2h stopover in Zurich, Switzerland, we finally set foot in Bucarest, capital of Romania. We still had a 3h car ride ahead of us. Luckily my brother was there to take us to shores of the Black Sea, to Constanta, my home town.
The greating was fantastic, my parents and friends were waiting for us and, even if we were exhausted, we stayed up late. I tried my best to get some rest since we still had a long road trip (about 600km or 8h) to head North, to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding. That party was thus just getting started…
I must add that after 2 years of living in Quebec, everything seemed rather small, but so much denser: cars, roads, even houses, everything!
The wedding was a sweet success! A real Romanian party, 18h to 6 in the morning, all included: dancing, food, drinks, happiness! For the doubters, here’s proof, an example of traditional Northern Romanian dancing
Read more about Eugen in Romania, click here
Another fine contribution. When's yours gonna be?
*** WARNING: Sensitive souls beware, this article contains explosive content***
Which is to say that the article includes speech fit for a sailor. On the flip side, appreciative ears may enjoy this article to a soundtrack provided by Sébastien himself. Have a good listen and a great read!
Véro Altitude
Hello my friends,
For those of you who assume that I’m tanning in the Sun, surfing through life surrounded by chicks in bikinis as you're stuck in a cold, wet fall: let me lift your spirits a little.
For two weeks now it’s been raining harder and harder with each passing day. I came down yesterday to see a friend I had been wakeboarding with this past summer in Santa Theresa, Costa Rica. It is such a dead season here that most of the shops and restaurants have closed for an indeterminate length of time due to the rain. It’s been pouring at least twenty to twenty-two hours a day. The sound of the rainfall is no longer soothing, and three of the four routes out of where I’m staying collapsed yesterday.
Beached Boat
I departed Nicaragua yesterday morning at 8 am. The border crossing lasted from 9 to 10:30 as our bus was searched top to bottom. We carried on until Barranca, where I was ejected from the bus in an incredible downpour. On the brightside, I narrowly avoided a five kilometre traffic jam where construction was underway further up the road. They’re developing a new auto route where they’ve blasted through the mountain and, as well organized as they are, the protective fencing on the cliff side was overlooked. So, with the recent rainfall (109 cubic meters this month as opposed to the usual 25), there have been massive landslides in several locations and others where the pavement has simply crumbled, creating impassable gaps in the road. Could someone please tell the Gods that we’re still 2 years from 2012 for Christ’s sake?
So there I am with my pack, my surf board and my guitar on the side of the road hoping for an empty taxi to materialize and take me down the other fork in the road to a sketchy little town called Puntarenas where I can catch a ferry. The hotels all rent by the hour there, and just yesterday morning a corpse was observed floating down the river, its head and feet missing. An enormous alligator recently emerged from the marsh due to flooding and, after having killed it and cut it open, some locals found a stomach full of human bones.
I wake up. Slowly. It’s Saturday and I had fun Friday evening. I drowsily open the curtains. That’s when I smile. A perfect day. The sky’s a blue so lush and crisp it would make a painter cry. Narry a cloud in sight. The leaves have changed. Bright red. The contrast between the red and the blue only serves to make them more beautiful.
And to the scenery, add the day’s plans : eat a hearty breakfast, loaf around and then hike up Mount Owl’s Head. Ooooh yeah, these are the days you savour like a fresh apple.
A whole bunch of bacon, eggs, fruit, yoghourt, toast and home fries later, we're stuffed. Now's not the time to go for a hike. A little digestion is imperative.
Once that's done we head on out. Owl’s Head awaits us. I rub my hands in anticipation of a good hike: blood flowing, lungs pushing, heart racing, sweat flowing.
Read more about the hike up Owl's Head
In Gaspésie it’s an obligation to eat seafood, provided that you like that sort of thing. Who doesn’t like to tuck into a nice big, freshly caught lobster? We do, and certainly took maximum advantage of our situation. We tried, with our feet in water much too cold, to coax one into the cooler, but it was in vain…. After only a few seconds, we decided, due to our numb, swollen-red feet, to go to the nearby fish store and pick a monster out for ourselves. The choice wasn’t difficult as there were only lobsters in the tank. We’ve tried to cook them in all sorts of ways and our favourite is on the grill. This worked out well as we had brought one along with us!
Read more Second Supper in Gaspésie: Lobster
Perusing the information superhighway, I came across this video by Scott Stoll. I figure we can always use some inspiration to go out there and rock the world, in a good way. It also reminded me of the many places on my to-do list, not to mention this little story: a few years ago, while still living at my parents, the doorbell rang. I went and answered and some dude asked for my parents. I went to get my mom. It turns out the guy had been our neighbour when I was too young too remember. He was cycling across the world and thought he'd drop by. He'd started in Amsterdam, went East through Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia. Took the plane to San Francisco and was now in Montreal, woo!
Read more Around the World on Two Wheels
Warning: the focus of this article was nearly taken hostage, prior even to its own creation, by the sheer rudeness and paranoia of America (more specifically their border guards); however, my train of thought will remain unwavering: that’s right this is another article about cycling. What could be better than a cycling trip? A cycling road trip is the only correct answer, my friend.
So off we go to Burke, Vermont in the world’s sexiest traveling vessel, the Chevrolet Venture. Two guys, a dog, and a painting brought back from Vietnam. The aforementioned border guards apparently found my person suspicious and felt compelled to search our car. An empty ski box was violated, dog food was discarded like bio-waste and stern scowls were thrown around like Michael Jackson references a few weeks ago. It was like being in Super Troopers but without the hilarious laughter and mustaches.
Read more about Mark Altitude's adventures in Burke, Vermont
Remember that part in Forrest Gump when he just starts running and doesn’t stop? I sort of did that the other day. After a delicious meal at my parents’ place, I left on my bike with the intention of going home, a paltry 9km away. Along the way, I realized I had an urge to go further. And with apologies to Oscar Wilde, I can resist everything except an urge to go further. And further I went.
Patagonia Tres Parka: When civility and practicality meet. For more info: altitude-blog.com To purchase the men's parka: bit.ly To purchase the women's: bit.ly
Outdoor Research Virtuoso: Downy goodness for brutal expeditions. To purchase: bit.ly For more information: altitude-blog.com
Outdoor Research Stormbound: A ski jacket for the most demanding athletes To purchase: bit.ly For more info: altitude-blog.com
Video presentation of the Nobis She-Ra To buy the Nobis She-Ra: bit.ly For more information: bit.ly
