Kathmandu to Mount Everest Base Camp

Wow! This experience is incredible. I never thought, my mind could be absorbed by a single question or a place: What exactly is happening right now? Am I out of this world or entering an amazing air-conditioned realm? Just 32 minutes ago, I was in Kathmandu, Capital City of Nepal, country of the Himalayas, where lies the world’s highest mountain peak. This peak has many names in many languages, such as Sagarmatha and Chomolongma, but the most popular name in the world for a mountain which soars to an elevation of 8,848 meters or 29,029 feet is "Everest". The highest elevation on the planet.



The most popular and the only aerial port of entry to the Everest region is Lukla. Lukla is a small village based around a primitive airport. The Lukla airport, officially named the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, has been time and again rated by National Geographic and others as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. I look out from the window of my plane, and the runway looks like a small, very short alley way. The airstrip is so short, barely more than 400 meters or a quarter of a mile, that I have a major adrenaline rush as we take off! After take-off my excitement sky-rocketed even more from just looking out the window at the incredible landscapes we flew over.



The main settlers of the Himalayas, known individually as a “Sherpa”, are equally renowned and unique when compared to Mount Everest, and were completely different from... Continue reading...

XplorMor Community Got Wet for Project H2O!

Our global XplorMor Community got wet with Project H2O!

   

Project H2O took place on the June Solstice, June 21, 2014.  2100 people from 73 countries joined the event!  The assignment was to capture water in its three forms (liquid, solid, gas) in as many settings and situations as possible as seen through each participant's perspective, and to promote getting out there and sharing a global experience through photography.

Participants used wonderful creativity to capture water from rippling rivers to glaciers to all-shapes of clouds.  There were even posts with words of wisdom about water.

The project showed us how intertwined water is in our lives and in the life of our planet.  The assignment succeeded in getting participants out there in order to share their vision and a moment of their day through photography, while creating awareness as to the intertwined existence of water, our planet and us.

Thank you for your support!

Continue to Explore. Photograph. Get Out There. Share... and look for the next Project on the September Equinox!

   

View photo galleries of Project H2O: Liquid, Solid, Gas, and the Project H2O album on Facebook.

Project H2O Aims to Focus the XplorMor Community on Water in all its Forms

Project H2O seeks to create awareness as to the intertwined existence of water, our planet and us. During these times of population explosion, technology advancement, increased building and global climate change, it is imperative we work together to ensure our future is bright and wet with cool, clear, flowing water. XplorMor Team wishes for Project H2O's assignment of observing and photographing water in all its forms and sharing with a worldwide community to raise interest and consciousness for water's integral role in our world.

Join event on Facebook, and post your photographs June 21, 2014! Everyone is welcome.

Rare Sighting of Water at Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

Project H2O will take place on the June Solstice. The assignment is to capture water in its three forms (liquid, solid, gas) in as many settings and situations as possible as seen through each participant's perspective, and to promote getting out there and sharing a global experience through photography.

Water offers many exciting photography possibilities.  It appears in numerous forms from bodies of water, like oceans and lakes, to clouds, mist and steam, to snowflakes, frost and ice-cubes, to glaciers, tear drops and sweat to holy water.  A photo for Project H2O could show someone pouring a glass of water or rain drops on a window or snow covering mountains... get as creative as you wish!

Read more about Project H2O and JOIN the XplorMor Community Facebook Event!

Tucuti: Gateway to the Perilous Darien Gap

Continued from Xplorer Journal: Navigating the Impenetrable Darien Gap...

As our expedition team finished breakfast, Vidal, a leader in the Tucuti community invited us to visit the town's school and observe the children at study in its classrooms. I was an English teacher in South Korea for a term, and Tucuti reminded me very much of the small town where I was located. I jumped at the offer and stepped in with his brisk pace.

We arrived at a building with architecture that I recognized: simple cinder block construction painted white, with the bottom half and roof edge, blue. I knew we were at a Panamanian School. The C.E.B.G. Inocencio Quintanar Blanco, is the main primary school for Tucuti. According to Vidal, the youngest students use the classrooms in the morning, and then the older students come in the afternoon as there are not enough classrooms to accommodate both at the same time. The other problem is the desks; only the small children fit on the seats, so the older must push them out of the way and have class while sitting on the floor. Do they complain? No. They are happy to have their books and a school with teachers to explain the subjects.

I toured each of the classrooms, surprising the students with my unexpected entrance. They responded similarly to the Korean children I taught, fascinated to see a tall white blond-haired girl. Their stares varying from excited to scared, made me smile. I speak some Spanish, so was able to introduce myself and communicate enough to put them all at ease. And, they were able to respond in English with a few phrases such as "hello, how are you?", "I'm fine" and "goodbye, nice to see you." They also eagerly gathered around their teachers for me to photograph them. What a wonderful experience... I believe they thought so too.

Read more...

National Parks Week is Here!

Get out there and take advantage of free admission to our National Parks and lands this weekend: April 19th and 20th!  In honor of National Park Week, our park lands will waive entrance fees this Saturday and Sunday.

North Fork Trail, Inyo National Forest, California

National Park Week celebrates all 401 amazing national park sites around the United States. This year's theme is "Go Wild!".  Events from Hawaiian sailing to mountain biking to wildlife talks and wildflower walks will be held at many of the national parks; to find events near you, check the event calendar.

Continue reading...

Glacier Trekking, Tongass National Forest, Alaska

XplorMor Communty Gets Colorful with Project Color

Project Color had the XplorMor Community chasing colors around the globe on the Equinox!

   

The Project took place on the March Equinox, March 20, 2014, with participants capturing the colors of our world on a single day. On this day the length of the sun's appearance is the same at all points on the Earth. The sun gives us light. Light gives us color. Hence, a great day for color photography.

The goal was to capture colors seen through each person’s perspective and creativity, and to promote getting out there and sharing the experience through photography.

The reason to participate was to have fun, and to come together as a community through a shared experience: to share our photographic vision, innovation and a moment of our day. The photos also allowed us to see and appreciate other parts of the world, other cultures and other peoples.

Project Color showed us how unique we are as individuals but how similar we are as a people. It melted differences and formed new bonds of understanding and friendship and joy. Thank you.

Continue to Explore. Photograph. Get Out There. Share... and look for the next Project on the June Solstice!

   

View the galleries for Project Color: Colorful Works of Art, Rainbow World and Vertical Images, and Project Color album on Facebook.

Project Color, the next XplorMor Community Event

Join the Event on Facebook.

Project Color will take place on the Equinox, March 20, 2014, when the XplorMor Community will chase colors of our world around the globe. Everyone is welcome.

Colorful Sprint for Project Color by XplorMor

Project Color aims for participants to post photos of color on the March Equinox when the days grow longer in the Northern Hemisphere and shorter in the Southern Hemisphere. On the Equinox, the “Earth is not tilted toward or away from the Sun and the length of the day is the same at all points on the Earth's surface.”  The sun gives us light. Light gives us color. Hence, a great day for color photography.

The goal is to capture colors around the planet on a single day as seen through each person’s perspective, and to promote getting out there and sharing the experience through photography. A color photo could show the rosy blossoming Spring or the orange glowing Autumn, the colors of your country, your city or town, your home or even yourself. From sunrise to sunset, from a far off coral castle to a nearby white walled temple, from blue city buildings to green country fields, or even just your red skirt, scarf or cardigan… possibilities are endless… get as creative as you wish!

The reason for participating is to have fun.  It’s about coming together as a community and sharing our vision, creativity and a moment of our day.  The photos may also allow us to see other parts of the world.  And, if the weather is bad add some innovation from inside your home or wherever you may be that day.

If you would like to be in the image, that's your choice!

Your photo and its information (as listed below) should be posted on the Project Color event page. If an issue arises post on the XplorMor Facebook page or email the image and its information to info@xplormor.com.  Please note: When the project day is over, photos will be moved into an album on the XplorMor Facebook page, and uploaded to Projects at www.xplormor.com.

Information to include with your photo post:

1. Your name as you would like it to appear with the photo

2. Description For example, me standing in a green rice paddy, or a red building in the city, or cherry blossoms, or yellow leaves of Autumn, etc

3. Location photo taken, including city and country

4. Title of image (if applicable)

5. Any other information you would like to share

For additional information, FAQs and rules, continuing reading about Project Color. 

#projectcolor #xplormor

Bali to Bangkok, Part 5

The final chapter of Bali to Bangkok (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)...

Soon I found myself showered and with a full stomach slipping into this big soft bed covered and comfy, relaxed and drifting off into a deep undisturbed sleep. It was early around 7:30 or 8:00 P.M. and I was ready to drift away till morning. Alas, Heaven turned to Hell at about 9:30 P.M. when a band fired up in the bar below me and at screaming Mack 5 decibels. The Thai’s have only one setting on their amps, all the way up. This went on until 3:00 A.M. With ear plugs and my head buried inside double pillows there was no relief. I began to feel like I was a prisoner at Guantanamo being tortured into signing a confession for having committed some heinous terrorist act.

In the morning I lay there in bed trying to recover a little bit from the torture I had just endured. I sat up and without my glasses I saw what looked to be on the snow white sheet a small black bug, looking like an ant I squished it with my thumb blood the size of a dime dominated the spot where this little creature had once been, bright red blood, my blood. Then I spotted another squished to as well and again bright red blood. Bed bugs! In all my travels I have not before encountered these vile creatures.

Bali to Bangkok by Robert Varney

That was it, with bloodshot eyes I staggered down the stairs to the front desk and explained to the desk manager that there was no way that I could possibly endure such another night.  And, that regrettably as lovely as the room was, it was never going to give me a restful night, something I now desperately need. I began to feel like a refugee fleeing from a war zone as I staggered across the street to yet a third guest house to inquire as to the availability of a room far from the little bar, bed bugs and loud music. I was shown on the third floor in the back a small but seemingly adequate room and the price was within reason so I now have moved for the third time in as many nights. Home at last?

Continue reading...

Bali to Bangkok, Part 4

Bali to Bangkok continues (Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)...

I quickly take up my bags, scurry out of the office, down the stairs, cross the lines of people, find counter number K14 walk up, and present my ticket. I ask the attendant if I can get on standby, she looks at the computer and says, “Yes, please check your bag here and you have 15 minutes to get to gate B6 before boarding.” Off I went in a dead run. Security check. Off with the shoes, belt, watch, cell phone… next they will ask to remove the fillings in your teeth. Scanned and screened, I recapture all my stuff and resume my fast pace to B6. As luck would have it, it is another seeming mile away.

Bali to Bangkok by Robert Varney

Running between horizontal escalators past the boutique shops selling bags and watches and duty free items I go. Alas, panting and out of breath I arrive just as they are announcing my boarding number and I slide into the plane and find my seat. I try to rest and gather my wits during the 1 ½ hour flight. We land. I disembark, gather the bags, find a taxi stand, buy a ticket to Karon Beach, wait forever for the taxi, jump in paying too much as this is not a time to try and bargain (it’s now close to midnight), and sit back in the cab gathering my breath once again. What is often as much as a two hour ride is cut in half due to the absence of any traffic at this hour; the streets are wide open and we make record time.

Continue reading... 

Bali to Bangkok, Part 3

Bali to Bangkok continues (Read Part 1, Part 2)...

Off I went to locate my bag. The information counter misunderstood me; I should have just shown her my flight number on my baggage claim. As it was not at what I discovered to be an empty carousel. Rechecking at yet another Information stand, I was to then find that my bag was at the complete opposite end from where I now stood. So off I went not yet realizing what valuable time this had cost me.

I arrived to see only one lonely bag left slowly orbiting around waiting for me to reunite with it. Grabbing it up and locating a baggage cart, off I went to find the departure floor and check what I then presumed to be one of several airline counters which had flights to Phuket. The departure floor is up three stories. There is a lift that will accommodate the baggage carts, but the line for this was too long. I abandoned the cart and lugged my bag up the escalator. At last inside the departure area and to inquire as to when would be my soonest opportunity to grab a flight to Phuket. Soon I realize that whereas last year there were many companies; there are now none. What?! I go to Information, and ask what happened to all the airline counters that were just there last year. Gone. Now there are only two airlines that have flights to Phuket. Thai and Bangkok airlines. Thai ticket sales, I was informed, was just across the many check-in counters at the end of Isle N. Above that up the elevator is Bangkok. Off I go to test my luck, which has not been proven to be so kind thus far.

Bali to Bangkok by Robert Varney

I worked my way through the throngs of people checking in, until I was able to cover the distance between the entrances of the check in area and the Thai Air ticketing office. The ticketing office resembled a bank of tellers. One was then obliged to use a small machine to get a number and watch and wait until your number came up on a screen informing you as to which of the several ticketing agents were free to accommodate you. There were several people before me, and then at last my number came up. 

Continue reading...

National Parks: Free Entrance This Weekend!

All 401 U.S. National Parks are providing free admission today through Monday to honor Presidents Day.  Visit the U.S. National Park Service website to view a list of Free Entrance Days, and see the list of Participating Parks.  Get out there, explore more, and enjoy some of our national treasures!

Rainbow Falls in Inyo National Forest by XplorMor

A bit of history...  On March 1, 1872, Congress passed an act that officially established Yellowstone National Park "as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people."  This event started a worldwide movement. And, today our planet houses more than 1200 national parks or equivalent preserves.

Continue reading...

Bali to Bangkok, Part 2

Bali to Bangkok continues (Read Part 1)...

The flight takes more time than flying from L.A. to N.Y.C. I gain an hour and still arrive at 7:30 in the evening. Then, Immigration. After walking what seems to be a mile of corridors I get to the entry area that leads up to the Immigration queues. A sea of people clustered in an unorganized mass leading to the ill-defined roped off areas that begin to define that which will  become the endless zigzag lines leading to the openings that allows you to stand before the Immigration officer and get your visa on arrival and pass on to the baggage claim. Phew. Exhausted just thinking about it. I am looking at hours of wasted time only to get to the point to where I can get my bag. Then off to begin inquiring about any hope I may have of an existing flight to Phuket. Even if I am able to book something for the next day, it will still take a lot of time just to find out.

Bali to Bangkok by Robert Varney

As I pondered my dilemma while facing this sea of people. I noticed a few people slipping off to the right of everyone and seeming to find some other way. So I decided to investigate. I slid up along the right side of all these people and came to the where I had seen people disappear. What I found was a line for non-foreigners. This was for the Thai people only. Dead end. I looked back to where I had just come and to my great regret, hundreds more people had joined the line! Then I got an idea that it came as a question. The question was, “how can I cut in line and not incur the wrath of several hundred people. I stood there looking at the hundreds of faces that stood trance like inching along slowly defining what was to become a portal to Thailand. l stood there looking across all these faces and all this mixed group of race and nationalities. Every known ethnic origin clustered for one common purpose. Enter Thailand. Many even more exhausted than I. One person stood out... 

Continue reading...

Bali to Bangkok, Part 1

When one dreams of travel one often imagines tranquility peace and relaxation. Or, perhaps adventure and excitement. The seamless transition from point A to point B. With the speed of modern air travel one is swept away effortlessly to a far off land. At times it is not always so. Sometimes things just don’t move along as smoothly as you had planned or imagined. Such was my transition from Bail to Bangkok. It all started when, after a lovely time on the Island of Bali, I decided to fly north to Phuket, Thailand.

Bali to Bangkok by Robert Varney

For the last several years, and up until this year, nonstop flights from Phuket to Bali and from Bali to Phuket were daily. I had not booked anything in advance because I was not certain just when I wished to leave Bali. My plan was to just secure the next flight whenever the nearest flight became available. I was not in a great rush. I had just spent two weeks in Bali and the outlying islands recovering from the horrors of jet jag. Plus I so prefer to enter Thailand in the small airport of Phuket rather than its international giant, as it services immigration for nearby countries and has less arrivals. At Suvarnabumi, the big international airport in Bangkok, immigration is a nightmare as it services all the major cities of the world. As a result tens of thousands of people arrive each day, day and night. Immigration alone often can take several hours standing in long lines, depending how many planes have recently arrived.

Continue reading...

The Sun Sets on the 2nd Annual Project Solar Day

MANY, MANY THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!  And, a special thanks to all of you who braved the cold weather in order to share a photo!

The 2nd Annual Project Solar Day took place on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2013. Hundreds of people from more than 40 countries joined the event.  Photos were posted from 20+ of those countries, and 15 states in the USA.  Many more participated through "likes" and comments.  Click on the following links to view slideshows of the photographs submitted to the 2nd Project Solar Day: Sunrises, Sunsets, Panoramas, Vertical Images and Everything in Between!

                        

   

                        

View slideshows for information on the photos posted here, and to see photographs from other locations including the United States of America, Nepal, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Libya, and more!

The event ended but comments, interactions and posted photos may continue to be viewed in the Project Solar Day Event on Facebook.

Next XplorMor Project to take place on the Spring Equinox.  Stay tuned for details.  In the meantime... Get Out there. Photograph. Share.

2nd Annual Project Solar Day 12/21/13

Join the Event on Facebook. Everyone is welcome!

Project Solar Day aims for participants to post photos of the sun traveling around the planet on a single day as seen through each person’s perspective, and to promote getting out there and sharing the experience through photography.

Inspiration from 1st XplorMor Project Solar Day 12/21/12

The reason for participating is to have fun.  It’s about coming together as a community and sharing our vision, creativity and a moment of our day.  The photos may also allow us to see other parts of the world.   And, if the weather is bad and the sun doesn't come out, add some innovation.

Read more about Project Solar Day 2013.  For frequently asked questions, rules and other notes visit FAQs.  

Kayaking to the Tufas

Kayaking on Mono Lake, California was one of the best expeditions we coordinated this year. The day was early October, blue skies with enough clouds to offer interest and no wind, making for glassy, reflective waters, and a day to remember!

XplorMor Kayak Excursion on Mono Lake

Mono Lake, situated in a 700 square-mile valley off Highway 395 just south of Lee Vining town in Mono County, California, is one of the oldest lakes in the western hemisphere.  It lies 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, and boasts spectacular views of  the  high Sierra Nevada Mountain range along its eastern shore.  Mono lake is a large, yet shallow saline lake about 70 square miles in size, and was formed around 700,000 years ago.  The lack of any outlet or run-off forces the lake to maintain high levels of salts, creating a unique ecosystem and an amazing buoyancy for kayaks!

Continue reading Kayaking to the Tufas...

XplorMor Kayak Excursion on Mono Lake

Relics of a Booming Wild West

Bodie Ghost Town is a time capsule to its "boom time" days, with beds made, tables set, lessons still written on the school chalk board, and cars parked in the driveways.  The town lies in silent wait for its former inhabitants that will not return.  It's as though the citizens of Bodie, gathered little belongings, and took off in the middle of the night, leaving even the clocks king.

XplorMor expedition to Bodie Ghost Town

When the goldmines dried up, there was nothing left to help Bodie's people survive this inhospitable terrain so they were forced to seek new lives elsewhere.  The only movement now are rolling tumble weeds, an occasional bird and biting cold gusts of air.  Make sure you take a jacket no matter the time of year!  And, bring water and food are there are no provisions in the town.

Continue reading Relics of a Booming Wild West...

XplorMor Expedition to Bodie Ghost Town

Petroglyphs at Fossil Falls

While driving on the 395 headed to Mono Lake and Inyo National Forest, an XplorMor Team member noticed the sign for Fossil Falls near a giant red cinder cone to the right off the highway.  They quickly googled for more info as I turned the car off the highway and onto the dirt road.  The Internet said we'd find a trail and interesting rock formations at the falls.  What that particular site failed to mention is that Fossil Falls is a dry creek bed; water hasn't run through it for ages.  Yet, there's plenty of signs to show how fiercely it once ran.

XplorMor Expedition to Fossil Falls, California

Fossil Falls rock formations were clearly carved and etched and smoothed over much time by the river that used to run through the valley from snow melt of the nearby Coso Mountain range.  We climbed down into crevasses and wound ourselves around the winding stone, and into the valley floor, exploring the facets and caves as we went.  We even came across some unexpected petroglyphs of animals.  A great find!

XplorMor Expedition to Fossil Falls, California

Read more and watch the XplorMor Expedition Slideshow.

Project Shadow Success!

Project Shadow took place on the Fall Equinox, September 22, 2013.  Over 1000 people from more than 50 countries joined the event. Photos were posted from 30+ of those countries, and 20+ states in the USA.  Many more participated through "likes" and comments.  Click on the following links to view slideshows of the shadow images entered into Project Shadow.... MANY, MANY THANKS!!!!

Explore Project Shadow slideshows: Animals, Objects, Shadows in the Sky, Shadow People, Sihouette People, World Around Us.

     

     

     

View slideshows for information on the photos posted above, and view locations from Egypt to Nepal to United States to Argentina to Myanmar and more!

The event ended but comments, interactions and posted photos may continue to be viewed in the Project Shadow Event on Facebook.

Next XplorMor Event to take place in December 2013: 2nd Annual Project Solar Day.

Get Out there. Photograph. Share.