Lost With Maps (2024)

03/07/2015

That's it. We're home. The trip is over and I don't think it's sunk in yet. The scope of one year away from home, seeing new and doing new things every day, hasn't fully landed in my mind. At some point, I plan on articulating the feelings, thoughts and lessons I've discovered along the way but before I get to the epilogue, I want to take a moment and marvel at the simplicity of the numbers involved surrounding the trip. [ 82 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/07/a-year-around-the-world-by-the-number-infographic/

That’s it. We’re home. The trip is over and I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. The scope of one year away from home, seeing new and doing new things every day, hasn’t fully landed in my mind. At some point, I plan on articulating the feelings, thoughts and lessons I’ve discovered along the way but befo…

25/06/2015

The classic adage when you go traveling is something along the lines of "you will change but everything back home will remain exactly the same." Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. After a whirlwind weekend in Toronto, I'm faced with the prospect of no longer seeing two very dear friends from back home. My little Vancouver clique is no longer the same. [ 262 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/06/the-more-things-change-toronto/

The classic adage when you go traveling is something along the lines of “you will change but everything back home will remain exactly the same.” Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. After a whirlwind weekend in Toronto, I’m faced with the prospect of no longer seeing two very dear friends from…

22/06/2015

With only a few short days in Montreal, Jenna and I were lucky enough to catch up with our old friends, the Drivers. Simon and Katrina moved to Montreal a few years ago and this was our first chance to meet their three adorable kids. It was a whirlwind of energy until just before bed, when each of them would ask for a story to be read. [ 287 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/06/the-magical-trio-of-drivers-montreal/

With only a few short days in Montreal, Jenna and I were lucky enough to catch up with our old friends, the Drivers. Simon and Katrina moved to Montreal a few years ago and this was our first chance to meet their three adorable kids. It was a whirlwind of energy until just before bed, when each …

14/06/2015

Screeching into Broadway/Lafayette, the extended subway train lurches to a stop. The sound of metal grinding over metal echoes off the walls before being replaced by a cacophony of travellers frantically getting from place to place. It's controlled chaos, a hive of activity that spreads millions of people throughout the city. As a wide eyed tourist, it takes me a few moments to get my bearings and before I realize it, something magical happens. [ 333 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/06/the-sounds-of-the-city-new-york/

Screeching into Broadway/Lafayette, the extended subway train lurches to a stop. The sound of metal grinding over metal echoes off the walls before being replaced by a cacophony of travellers frantically getting from place to place. It’s controlled chaos, a hive of activity that spreads millions of…

12/06/2015

As a boy I loved staring at the night sky. My favourite was spotting shooting stars and as a young man I spent a great deal of energy, learning about constellations, planets and the science behind astronomy. For a time I thought I would pursue a profession in astronomy until I took a course in university and the dream quickly evaporated. [ 279 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/06/life-universe-everything-tucson/

As a boy I loved staring at the night sky. My favourite was spotting shooting stars and as a young man I spent a great deal of energy, learning about constellations, planets and the science behind astronomy. For a time I thought I would pursue a profession in astronomy until I took a course in unive…

28/05/2015

Fame. Few have it, and many want it, especially in Hollywood, California. After a twelve hour flight from New Zealand, Jenna and I arrived in LA tired, cranky, and ready for a post-travel nap. As we sat in the W hotel parking lot, awaiting our Airbnb host, none other than Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard came walking out the door. I immediately recognized him but she was harder to place, dressed in baggy coveralls with sunglasses and a hat. [ 381 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/05/runyon-canyon-la/

Fame. Few have it, and many want it, especially in Hollywood, California. After a twelve hour flight from New Zealand, Jenna and I arrived in LA tired, cranky, and ready for a post-travel nap. As we sat in the W hotel parking lot, awaiting our Airbnb host, none other than Kristen Bell and Dax Shepar…

23/05/2015

328 days ago, Jenna and I packed our bags, handed over our keys and took off to explore the world. We didn't know what to expect but we knew we were in for a great big adventure. Since then, we've seen over 90 cities in 20 different countries and travelled over 70,000 kms. Two days ago, we boarded a plane and for the first time in 10 months, we flew back to North America. [ 392 more words. ]

http://lostwithmaps.com/2015/05/rounding-corner-home-raglan/

328 days ago, Jenna and I packed our bags, handed over our keys and took off to explore the world. We didn’t know what to expect but we knew we were in for a great big adventure. Since then, we’ve seen over 90 cities in 20 different countries and travelled over 70,000 kms. Two days ago, …

19/05/2015

The Death of Stuart Little | Tongariro http://wp.me/p4NMhm-rS

It was supposed to be a classic story of David vs Goliath. Man vs Animal. Sam vs Stuart Little, aka the mouse in our cupboard. Only this time, when the victor was crowned, a veil of sadness clouded the festivities. In the end, there was no winner or loser, only sadness. This is the story of how Stuart Little died. [ 1093 more words. ]

15/05/2015

The Adventures That Shape Us | Rotorua http://wp.me/p4NMhm-rJ

The last eleven months of my life have been an incredible adventure. New currencies, languages, landscapes and people. Our day to day experiences change and more often than not, the next place we visit surpasses the last. We knew we were heading to New Zealand and the first thing everyone recommended was exploring the countryside in an RV. So in the spirit of adventure, we booked an old Volkswagon motorhome and peeled out on the roads of New Zealand’s North Island. [ 452 more words. ]

11/05/2015

What’s The Deal With Hikers? | Coromandel http://wp.me/p4NMhm-rh

Hikers. We've all seen them with their sturdy shoes, fleece jackets, and Nalgene bottles. And then of course, there's the friendly demeanour, constant smiling, and cheery hellos. It's almost as if they're too nice, I mean really, what are they hiding? Over the past three days, Jenna and I have tromping around New Zealand, taking in as many trails as our bodies can handle, and we've noticed a disturbing trend. [ 227 more words. ]

09/05/2015

Hiking the Pinnacles | Coromandel Forest http://wp.me/p4NMhm-ro

There's plenty to see and do when visiting Coromandel Forest, but no other activity offers the same amazing views of natural New Zealand as hiking the Pinnacles. A 2.5-3hr hike from the road end parking lot to the Pinnacles hut, and then another 40 minutes to the peak, provides a 360 views of New Zealand from 759 metres. It's breath taking, and not simply because it's a gruelling hike. [ 75 more words. ]

07/05/2015

“Great” End to Australia | Cairns http://wp.me/p4NMhm-rk

As "Wonders of the World" go, the Great Barrier Reef is top of the list for sights to see. With over 2,300km of reef formations and countless species of marine life, it's easily one of the most beautiful places on earth. Since learning to dive in Ko Tao, the reef has been top of mind for Jenna and I, despite our irrational fear of great white sharks. [ 558 more words. ]

05/05/2015

The Best Cabbie In the World | Sydney http://wp.me/p4NMhm-qU

It’s a special day when you meet someone with a lust for life. A person that exudes joy and casts a halo of happiness to everyone around them. The type that makes people smile for no reason, laugh at the dumbest jokes, and dance like crazed lunatics. I’m not only talking about a happy person, I’m talking about someone that leaves a lasting impression. [ 467 more words. ]

30/04/2015

A State of Emergency in Wine Country | Hunter Valley http://wp.me/p4NMhm-qS

The plan was simple. Rent a car, drive a car, park a car, and then sample Hunter Valley wine from a selection of 140 vineyards. In theory it was a great plan, in practice it was more difficult. With our hotel and car booked, Jenna and I were enjoying a "stay at home" day, care of our host Allan & Sandra. [ 617 more words. ]

27/04/2015

One Night at Pacha | Sydney http://wp.me/p4NMhm-qH

Saturday nights come and go, but every once in a while, you get a Saturday night fuelled by dancing bears, laser light shows and neon unicorns. Needless to say, these tend to be the ones that stick out in the memory banks. Thanks to our gracious hosts, Allan and Sandra, we were treated to one such night in Sydney. First some context - Allan is one of the producers at Pacha, an event that's self described as the world's most spectacular music & entertainment experience. [ 682 more words. ]

23/04/2015

The Paths We Choose | Melbourne http://wp.me/p4NMhm-qo

We've all done it. Asked ourselves the age old question - What if? What if I didn't take that job, what if I didn't meet my wife, what if I didn't take that risk? Before leaving on this trip, Jenna and I had plenty of what ifs. What if we don't get jobs when we get home, what if our house burns down while we're away, what if we struggle through traveling together and hate each other on the other side? [ 296 more words. ]

20/04/2015

Aussie Rules Football | Melbourne http://wp.me/p4NMhm-om

Aussie Rules Football. Aka Footy, aka AFL, aka the game that looks like rugby but is nothing like it, aside from the ball... sorry, scratch that, the balls aren't even the same. Prior to arriving in Australia, I knew nothing about the game. I'd seen highlights on TV, knew it was a vicious sport, but that's where my knowledge came to an end. [ 479 more words. ]

16/04/2015

Shaming The Macmillan Name | Coorow http://wp.me/p4NMhm-q6

Growing up, some of my fondest memories were gathering in the garage for a Macmillan Ping Pong Ding D**g tournament. Ya, that's what we called it. Fathers battled sons, mothers tussled daughters, and at the end of the day, one family member stood victorious with a paddle in their hand. Throughout the years, I've had some epic battles across the wooden court and I always thought of myself as a capable player... [ 515 more words. ]

13/04/2015

Driving With Alistair | Albany http://wp.me/p4NMhm-nl

The best part of travel is meeting people along the way. It's even better when those people are family. In Norway, Jenna and I were treated to a Norwegian welcome from family she'd never met and in Australia, it was my turn. Back in the sixties, my dad immigrated to Canada leaving two brothers. The eldest, Alistair, became a school teacher and later deputy headmaster at Hale, the school where the three brothers attended as kids. [ 695 more words. ]

09/04/2015

The Return to Normal | Perth http://wp.me/p4NMhm-nj

132 days in Asia, aka four and a half months of living a different reality. A reality where bartering is the norm, language is a series of hand gestures, and getting across the street is an adventure. I'm ashamed to admit it, but stepping off the plane from Bali to Perth was like letting go of an extra set of baggage I didn't know I was carrying. [ 367 more words. ]

04/04/2015

Caught In The Rain | Lombok http://wp.me/p4NMhm-mA

After nine months on the road, Jenna and I have learned our fair share of lessons. In Hanoi, we found that street-side sandal repair is not a real service. Sorrento taught us that overtaking buses on blind corners often leads to road rash, and outside Praya, on the island of Lombok, we discovered that black clouds bring far more than rain. [ 954 more words. ]

01/04/2015

East of Bali | Lombok http://wp.me/p4NMhm-mJ

On the off chance you one day find yourself in Bali, sipping on a Bintang and fending off the latest vendor's sales pitch, do yourself a favour and follow this bit of advice. Hop on a plane, charter a boat, do whatever you need to do, but make your way to a little island paradise east of Bali. Lombok is what I imagine Bali was fifteen to twenty years ago. [ 83 more words. ]

28/03/2015

The Bintang Decision Tree | Gili Air http://wp.me/p4NMhm-mk

Decisions. They're tough to make and we deal with them all the time. Should I hit the snooze button for the fifth time this morning? Should I stop by McDonalds on my way home from work? And my personal favourite, should I binge watch House of Cards all in one sitting, all three seasons? It's a never ending struggle. Except when under the influence of Indonesia's flagship beer, Bintang. [ 970 more words. ]

24/03/2015

The Fortunate Few | Uluwatu http://wp.me/p4NMhm-m9

It's five o'clock in the morning. There's no need for an alarm clock as the cacophony of roosters is enough to remind you that another day has arrived. Wiping the sleep from your eyes, you get out of bed and watch as the first signs of light slowly climb the walls of your open air house. There's plenty to do first thing in the morning and it's best to not to delay. [ 481 more words. ]

21/03/2015

Campuhan Ridge Walk Kicked My Ass | Ubud http://wp.me/p4NMhm-m5

India, Greece, Turkey, and Thailand. All countries that one might consider hot, especially India. The reality is that none of them can hold a flame to Indonesia. The blazing sun in Ubud, the heart of Bali, is a raging inferno. It bakes everything in its path and leaves crimson tan lines in its wake. It's a scary beast. [ 701 more words. ]

18/03/2015

Happy Birthday Jenna http://wp.me/s4NMhm-test

I'm not great at giving gifts. For Jenna's last birthday, I gently nudged her awake at 5am, watched her eyes open with the anticipation of a birthday surprise, and then asked her if it was okay to quit my job. It wasn't the type of present she was hoping for and it certainly didn't earn me any votes for husband of the year. [ 253 more words. ]

14/03/2015

Rider Wanted | Harley Davidson Application http://wp.me/p4NMhm-m6

Dear Harley Davidson, My name is Sam Macmillan and my eyes are open to a way of driving, no, scratch that, to a way of living that brings me closer to the earth beneath me, around me and rushing past me. A way of living that screams to be free and is best not described, but experienced. My name is Sam Macmillan and I'm the… [ 357 more words. ]

12/03/2015

Fear Of Flying... With Malaysia Airlines | Kuta http://wp.me/p4NMhm-lt

This may sound strange but the more I fly, the more my fear of flying becomes a sweaty palmed fiasco in the skies. When I take off, land, or feel any kind of turbulence, my breath shoots into my throat and I secretly start whispering my final prayers. It's irrational, I know, but no amount of safety stats gives me any comfort. [ 987 more words. ]

09/03/2015

When Everything Goes Wrong Traveling | Ho Chi Minh City http://wp.me/p4NMhm-lr

People rarely talk about the downside of travel. Maybe it's the week I just had or maybe it's road fatigue, but this post is getting dangerously close to a travel rant. Fair warning. To put it nicely, the past few days have been crap. After weeks of getting ripped off at every turn in Vietnam, multiple things going wrong at the places we've stayed (I had a knife fall on me from the top of a cabinet), and Jenna getting food poisoning for the second time in as many weeks, I finally had enough. [ 454 more words. ]

06/03/2015

Two Sides To Every Story | Ho Chi Minh City http://wp.me/p4NMhm-ln

Disagreements happen in the strangest places. This particular disagreement happened in the back of a minibus on our way back to Ho Chi Minh City. We'd just finished an afternoon at the Cu Chi tunnels, an attraction that tells the story of the Vietnamese guerrillas during the Vietnam war, or the American war as they call it here. After ten minutes of silence on the bus, two American women asked Jenna and I, "So what did you think of that film at the end?" They both had a smirk on their face and rolled their eyes as they said, "Talk about propaganda." They thought we were also American and were looking to gossip about the lopsided view portrayed at the tunnels. [ 397 more words. ]

Lost With Maps