I pick up my camera and feel a little something on my hand. Strange. I look down, and in the dim light, I see a couple of black specks. So I head to the bathroom, flip on the light, put my camera over the white porcelain sink and brush the side of it with my left hand. A couple dozen black specks appear against the whiteness below, and they're moving.

Unsure of exactly what I'm seeing, I have a look at the open charging port on the camera, and tiny ants are flowing out. My camera has turned into an ant farm.

JourneyDustin MainApril 8, 2019Sony, Ant, Camera, Thailand, Chiang MaiComment

A Time For Reflection

Every year around this time, I spend some time reflecting on the year gone by.

What really happened in the past 12 months? What went really well, and what could have been better? What did I accomplish, and what did I learn? At first glance, it may seem simple, but I spend hours and hours going through it all to really develop the picture.

JourneyDustin MainDecember 28, 2016Chiang MaiComment

Stealing Wishes @ Loy Krathong Festival - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Light the candle on your krathong, set it in the water, make a wish, and release into the current of the river for it to drift away.

It's that simple...

Unless there is a troll under the bridge stealing your wishes.

The Loy Krathong festival celebrated in Thailand each Oct/Nov is especially...

As the Monks Gather - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Monks, and Buddhism in general, have a strong bond with society in Thailand and other neighboring countries in the region. However, a recent article in the New York Times suggests that as the region becomes more wealthy, monks will lose relevance in the...

What's Been Going On - January 2013 - Asia

So you may be wondering why it has been so quiet around here. The short answer... is Burma (Myanmar).

Back in October I headed back to Burma for another 5 week stint, hiking lush valleys, visiting hilltribes, biking around to monasteries, and talking to the people about their country and democracy. As all of my trips to the country have been, it was quite eye opening, and left me yearning for more and more.

Update on What’s Been Going On October 2012 – Asia -> North America -> Europe -> Asia

Autumn is upon us, well for some at least. Me, not so much. It's the tail end of the monsoon in Thailand and I'm holed away in my makeshift office watching it pour down from behind a desk overlooking the Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

I'M HEADING BACK TO BURMA

My first trip to Burma / Myanmar earlier this year has left a lasting impression on me, and I'm already heading back. In fact, it was just yesterday that I picked up my fresh new visa from the embassy here in...

Update on What’s Been Going On March 2012 – Asia

JourneyDustin MainMarch 24, 2012Hpa An - Burma / MyanmarMyanmar, Burma, Mt Kinabalu, Chiang Mai, Malaysia, Thailand, Awards, Too Many Adapters Comments

Street Monk - Chiang Mai

Not saying it's because of a hard-knock life, but this monk stood out.

It was his Sak Yant tattoo and his deep red robe. A walk showing an unusual uniqueness in a sea of monks, swinging the fabric as he moved. He walked alone, when there were thousands of others around.

I shot this at an event in Chiang Mai where 12600 monks gathered to accept alms for the flood victims in southern Thailand.

Shot November 27, 2011

A Fiery Lift Off - Chiang Mai

It's early in the morning, and the park is filled with hot air balloons hurriedly trying to set up. For each balloon, teams of people work together to attach the basket, test the burners, and roll out the balloon itself.

Then comes this.

4 Xmas - 4 Continents

I hadn't even realized it until a few weeks ago, but xmas 2011 was my 4th xmas celebrated in as many continents. Admittedly, I use the word "celebrated" pretty loosely as I'm neither religious, nor into the gift-giving, commercial bonanza that Dec 25th has turned itself into. Traveling, and my first xmas away in 2009, was a much needed break from the hustle and bustle that the end of the year inevitably brings back 'home' in Canada.

All images and content copyright Dustin Main 2009-2023 unless otherwise specified.