The Parisian Passport Problem

My travel experience has taught me one thing: OPEN YOUR MIND. It's a beautiful realization, but not always the most fun lesson to learn. I would like to share some of those lessons with you.

Lesson 1: The Parisian Passport Problem

I'm talking about the time I was in Paris and lost my passport. TRAVEL TIP #1: TRUST YOUR FRIENDS WITH YOUR LIFE but NOT YOUR PASSPORT. Back then I only had a point and shoot Advantix camera. Buying that camera was like owning an Atari. Cutting edge for a hot second then technology made it obsolete. We spent our time wandering the Champs Elyse, eating gnocchi to the drone of a player piano, exploring the endless corridors of the Louvre, the cathedrals, the opera house, biking beside the Seine and drinking at pubs in and around the winding roads of Montemarte. Our hostel, inappropriately called the "Friends Hostel" was less than friendly. Yet, OUR SPIRITS REMAINED STRONG. We woke each day to crepes or pain au chocolat with cafe au lait.

As we arrived at Charles De Gaulle Aiport, the missing passport came to light. It was dramatic. Tears were shed. And so began, EVEN MORE FUN IN PARIS!!!! As it was Friday and the American Consulate was closed, we had to wait until Monday to resolve the Parisian Passport Problem. We went to Musee D'Orsay, found a friendlier hostel near Notre Dame, and explored the Latin Quarter, a real gem in the city. TRAVEL TIP #2: ROLL WITH IT.


BIKE RENTALS IN CHIANG MAI!!!!!!


Stay Tuned for Lesson 2: THE BAHAMA-VENTION

SEMI-Final Celebration

NEW VIDEO



We are thrilled to be SEMIFINALISTS . . . 25 days of voting is intimidating, yet OUR SPIRITS REMAIN STRONG!

TOGETHER WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE

Our odds are good when you vote periodically. Maybe every day.

Wake each morning and say"MMMMmmmm A warm cup of coffee tastes best while I vote for Greg and Phil." or "I wish laptops worked in the shower so i could vote while I wait two-minutes for my hair to condition."

Be our Enablers. Enable our WHITE WATER ADVENTURE!!!!

EARLY AM HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE!!!

I have already found our first order of operations: a HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE!!!

According to the attached itinerary, Phil and I can be done with the majestic adventure by 9AM. THAT LEAVES A WHOLE DAY OF POSSIBILITIES!!!!!!



5:30am Transfer from hotel to balloon launch site

6:00am Morning coffee or tea during passenger briefing

6:30am Flight duration: 1-1 1/2 hours flight over beautiful Northern Thailand countryside

8:00am Enjoy a luxurious breakfast at the landing sight complete with Champagne celebrations and a Flight Certificate from our Pilot.

9:00am Transfer from landing-site to hotel



A luxurious breakfast is crucial to our success as Ultimate Thailand Explorers. This is the beginning of something much larger than Phil and myself. As of today submissions have closed on applications to be the Ultimate Thailand Explorers!

EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING!!!

THATS RIGHT at least 301 people on facebook have said "YES, PHIL AND GREG CAN!!!" And of course, it's true.

Together We're Unstoppable!!

Highly Controversial Imagination Photograph

Okay, everyone, for some reason Greg didn't want everyone to see the amazing time we had on our Imagination Vacation to Chiang Mai.

I disagree.

So, here it is (click on it to see the full version)!








Now you can see for yourself the beautiful hills! The forests! The Ping River! And, don't even think about trying that yoga posture at home!

If you think the detail in this picture is astounding, wait until we take our real trip to Chiang Mai!

IMAGINATION VACATION!!!!

It snowed this week in MN. Minnesotans are not sure whether they are shoveling or raking. Yesterday, the balmy 27 degree (Fahrenheit) weather smelt like bad coffee and felt like it. Even the heater stank of burning carpet.

AND YET our spirits remain strong! TOGETHER WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE!

It's at these times that Phil and I, more than ever, need an "imagination vacation." With eyes shut tight, we both embarked on a journey of infinite possibilities!

Narration heretofore . . .

GREG: Look around you Phil. What a beautiful day in Chiang Mai! The sun is shining bright, the sky is wide and blue. I love this crisp and fresh December air.

PHIL: It tastes like candy to my lung-place. This city is buzzing with adventure. Let's hop in that tuk-tuk and drop by the market for some breakfast!

[Later at the market]

GREG: I feel lost in this whirlwind of sight and sound. My brain feels like an internet and that is not at all a problem!

PHIL: Chiang Mai-Goodness! Our tuk-tuk turned into a grinning elephant. It has ears like Dumbo and it flies over the beautiful skyline.

GREG: Look down at that temple it reminds me of a metaphor! LET'S GO!!

PHIL: The peace here stills and soothes my soul. These prayer flags make me feel like rainbows and starshine!

GREG: Exactly! Look the spiritual resonance of this sacred place has taught me a fascinating yoga posture never practiced until this very instant.

PHIL: You are walking on water . . . i think. (CLICK)

[Phil has taken an "imagination photograph" which is strictly against the protocol of this imagination vacation]

GREG: Why did you have to take a photo Phil? Why can't you just appreciate this moment.


. . . That totally ruined the vacation for me, and Phil continues to apologize. I refuse to accept in hopes that it never happens again.

MORE IMAGINATION VACATION TO COME!!

Eco-Travel + Chiang Mai = Dream Vacation

It's no secret Greg and I are kind of hippies--we practice yoga, are on-again/off-again vegetarians, have a strong affinity for tea tree oil, and try to be all-around responsible citizens of the Earth.

One of the things that excites us most about Chiang Mai is the eco-travel opportunities. It turns out "eco-travel" is synonymous with "gorgeous-informative-adrenaline-pumping good time."

Just looking into our options boggles our minds and swoons our hearts:

Zip-line Tours Through the Rain Forest! (I'm not going to lie; this terrifies me a little. Just look at that person dangling from the tree. Well, the dangling part isn't so scary because there's a harness, but look at that little, railess platform. Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% excited to do this, but jeez!)

















Hanging out with the Local Hill Tribes!









Hiking!










White Water Rafting!










The most mind-blowing part is the affordability of these adventures. The question is never "How am I going to afford this?!" it's "How am I going to find time to do it all?!" (We'll show you how to do it all, if you vote for us to be your guides.)

All About Elephant Rides

I know you must have watched our video about a million times and have thought, "Man, how did those guys get everything perfect on the first take?!" Well, truth be told, we didn't. Here's an example of some uncut footage.