The Journey

Troop Life

Troop Life

Six months living with rescued and wild primates has deeply affected me. For the better - mostly - but I'm also left somewhat haunted by the similarities between us. I've seen shocking cruelty executed towards primates by disconnected humans who apparently fee...

Darwin Primate Group Sanctuary

It's been a month now, sorting through the difficult circumstances facing Darwin Primate Group and its fledgling primate sanctuary for rescued and orphaned Chacma Baboons and Vervet Monkeys. I didn't think the issues here would be solved so easily, but some...
Bean

Walking With Baboons

The first time I stepped out onto the trail behind the baboons, I didn't know what to expect. Karin Saks called them into formation and off we went; through the endangered Yellowood forest with three or four young rescued baboons doing what they do best: playi...
Tsitsikamma National Park, ZA

Welcome to Tsitsikamma

I can't tell you just how excited I am to be here. It took about six hours by bus on the R2 to reach Plettenberg Bay or as the locals say "Plet Baai". The Garden Route is a dramatic, verdant landscape I look forward to exploring: It reminds me a lot of the rug...
Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is Lekker

Locations. It's what we know as "Indian Reservations" in the west. Where poor people of the wrong racial persuasion are hidden away from the privileged masses. Out of sight out of mind. I expected the worst coming to South Africa, but I'm honestly amazed at ho...
I Hear the Drums Echoing Tonight

Hurry Boy, It’s Waiting There For You

This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. A lifetime of longing was about to bear fruit as I boarded a plane for Africa. It may be hard to believe but I sang Toto's "Africa" all across the continent. We departed Doha, Qatar at sunrise and got lucky on...
Bangla Road, Patong Bay, Phuket, Thailand

Phuket’s Illegal Wildlife Trade

A dark shadow creeps among the perfect postcards of trendy tourist-laden Phuket, Thailand. This is exactly what I expected: the humid stink of sewer, sweat and petrol sticks to everything while everyone's just trying to make a buck. The Kingdom is a nerve cent...
Ko Racha Yai | Kingdom of Thailand

Kingdom of Thailand

After a mindful month absorbing what I could of Balinese Hinduism, Thailand appeared high on my list of places to visit next. The Kingdom is a nexus for the illegal wildlife trade, but there are many more layers to the SE Asian hotspot. As a Theravada Buddhi...
Island of the Gods | Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Bali – Island of the Gods

In this landscape inspiration comes easy. But before I get too far ahead of myself. The journey is about researching solutions, exploring cultures and promoting higher values. It's also about personal growth, and learning what we - and I - can live without...

Leaving Home

And so it begins. The seeds of this pilgrimage sprouted in my mind many years ago. No matter the successes I experienced, something was always missing. A late night revelation told me I wouldn't find what I was looking for at home in Vancouver. I suspected to ...