FreelyWander Resurrection

Hi Everyone,

It’s Shawn here. If you haven’t noticed, the blog has been silent for almost a year… sorry about that. I was having too much fun scuba diving in Thailand, feasting on the cuisine in Vietnam, climbing the Great Wall (you know where), and enjoying the National Parks in my home country of Canada! I’ll give you a quick recap of the adventures in this past year.

My last post was from Rome nearly 1 year ago. Jon and I then flew to Thailand, and spent 4 months in Southeast Asia. From there we flew to Hong Kong and wandered around China for a month. I finished the first leg of my journey in Japan for a month.

From Tokyo, Jon and I took diverging paths. Jon continued travelling in Southeast Asia after Tokyo, and spent the summer in Prague. He ventured out to London and flew back to Canada this past September. We met up in our hometown and swapped tales of our many adventures.

I headed back to Canada in May, and based myself in the Okanagan Valley. I visited with family and friends, and made lots of fantastic camping trips to Canada’s and the USA’s National Parks! I then flew out to London, England on October 2. I will be in Europe for 2 months, and then Mexico/Central America for 2.5 months. My wanderings will then venture back to Canada and to my work on February 20, 2017. This is the pre-ordained return date in my contract! Yes, I got a 2 year leave of absence from work to go backpacking… some companies are this cool!

So, what does this mean for the blog? 2 things:

  1. I will begin posting about my new adventures in Europe, Mexico, and Central America
  2. Also, I will make postings about our travels in Asia, and my ventures in Canada/USA. I’ll label these postings so you don’t get confused between my past/present travel postings.

Good times await! Stay tuned for the many adventures! Cheers!

Shawn

Battambang, Cambodia Photo Gallery

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Stark housing difference of Battambangs inhabitants.

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Rice is the name of the game.

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Wat Banan temple a taste for Angkor Wat.

 

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Macaques hanging around a pagoda, inconspicuous plotting behind there calm demeanor.

That indeed is a slingshot.

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One family we visited worked exclusively with bananas. The best banana fruit leather on the planet.

And another making rice paper. Liquefy the rice and cook it by stem, lastly left to dry in the sun.

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Giant barrels of fermenting fish overwhelm you. Choice cuts drying in the sun. And left overs to be grinded up for fodder.

Brewmaster pours out complentary shots, while explaining his rice hooch procedure.

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Quick pit stop at the only winery in Cambodia.

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Bats mark the sky as the daily mass exodus takes place from a cave on Sampeou mountain.

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From one braclet to eight. Wasn’t particularly fair to buy one. Though I had fun haggling and picking out different ones.

 

 

 

Phnom Penh, Cambodia Photo Gallery

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Phnom Penh National Museum.

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The Central Market has everything you need.

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Christmas spirit?

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Fortune telling tools.

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Who needs tables, have a seat anywhere.

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Ko Chang, Thailand Photo Gallery

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Beautiful Ko Chang tropical mountain hike. Never sweat so much.

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Sunset shot from beach right behind Pajamas hostel.

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Loy Kratong Festival The name could be translated as “to float a basket”, and comes from the tradition of making krathong or buoyant, decorated baskets, which are then floated on a river.

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After floating our flower baskets we went to a festival, fried bugs, carnival games and dancing!

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One of the best hostels I’ve ever had pleasure of stay at. Cheers guys!

 

 

Bangkok Photo Gallery

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The Chakri Maha Prasat in the Grand Palace complex.

Pictures from around the Grand Palace.

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Though the Grand Palace is a busy place, don’t miss it.

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View of the complex from a near by park.

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Before the Maui Thai matches started.

Day time shots of the backpacker Khao San Road.

Pictures from the gigantic Chatuchak weekend market.

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The Giant swing chilling in the back.

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Avoid bleeding! Use the toilet properly.

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Airavata is a mythological white elephant who carries the Hindu god Indra.

Rome Photo Gallery

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Think of Rome and the Colosseum comes to mind.

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Neighbor to the colosseum the Roman forum is vast in size and scattered with histories relics.

Old house of many gods the Pantheon has been restored and is free!

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Vatican spotting during sunset.

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Inside the luxurious St.Peter’s Basilica. Truely a feat of architecture.

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A sphere within a sphere.

Random shots from roaming Rome.

There are many many basilicas around Rome so rich and spectacular.

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This ceiling has an amazingly 3D perspective.

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Finish off with a sunset, and a goodbye to Europe.

Florence Photo Gallery

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Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Shots inside the Santa Maria.

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Perseus with head of Medusa.

Ceiling shots from the museum Uffizi.

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Florence has a variety of architecture styles offering alot to explore.

Bridges!

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Coolest garbage system I’ve seen.

Wish I shot more of these street art stop signs.

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Have a good day!

 

 

Venice Photo Gallery

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You’re pretty much guaranteed snapping  good canal shot.

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A boat for every need.

Had some beautiful days exploring around the infamous city.

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Gondolas will take you down the hidden and less visited areas. Too bad there 80€ for a 1/2 hour!

Another day in the office, creating glass art on the island of Murano.

Colorful, chill and quiet island of Burano.

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Make sure to catch a sunset while traveling down the grand canal.

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Naples and Pompeii Photo Gallery

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The Spanish district.

Out and about exploring the bustling city.

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0.05 € elevator toll for our hostel.

Gesù Nuovo church. The facade is covered in little pyramids which hids the baroque interior.

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A painting of the view ahead.

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A plaster cast of a Pompeii citizen.

Some shots of our visit to Pompeii. Mind your pockets on the train out here.

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Some of the best restored frescos. Pompeii  is dated at 79 AD.

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Greek-Roman Aqueduct under Naples is a pretty fascinating experience.

Journeying Through Life