Category Archives: TRAVEL

Incredible Real Life Castles from around the world

BhMf_oZCIAAlxn5.jpg-large

The ruins of Dunnottar Castle. Photo via.Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.10.46 PM

Lunar eclipse over Normandy Castle in France. Photo by Thierry Legault.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.11.44 PM

Werfen Castle in Austria. Photo by Goran Jovic.

BhMaLxCCAAAsT_c.jpg-large

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. Photo via.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.00.55 PM

Alcazar Castle in Spain. Photo by Javier Javisego.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.03.31 PM

Castle within a cave in Slovenia. Photo via.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.09.50 PM

Covadonga Castle in fog, located in Spain. Photo byy Scott Wilson.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.06.39 PM

Rock Of Cashel in Ireland. Photo via.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.12.40 PM

Castle in Germany floating above the clouds. Photo by Robin Holler.

BhNCPO3CMAAs_jC.jpg-large

Himeji Castle in Japan. Photo via.

Screen Shot 2014-02-23 at 6.14.40 PM

Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Photo by Alexey Seleznev.

BhMMmjNCQAAnmjF.jpg-large

Chillon Castle in Switzerland. Photo via.

BhL1fKGCYAAz3YX.jpg-large

Carondelet Castle in Belgium. Photo via.

BhMAJjpCYAAB0Yl.jpg-large

Sigmaringen Castle in Germany. Photo via.

BhLV05MCEAArcr4.jpg-large

Bourtange Castle in the Netherlands. Photo via.

BhI5Y3xCAAAJV5g.jpg-large

Hochosterwitz Castle in Austria. Photo via.

BhIz1iDCQAQrkY3.jpg-large

Bozcaada Castle in Turkey. Photo via.

BhIme3GCQAASkP5.jpg-large

Stalker Castle in Scotland. Photo via.

Source

Posted in ARCHITECTURE, PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Modern Hut in the Swiss Alps

new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal01-660x491 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal03-660x489 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal04-660x494 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal05-660x491 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal06-660x494 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal07-660x494 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal08-660x880 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal10-660x880 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal12-660x489 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal13-660x494 new-tracuit-mountain-hut-zinal14-660x491

It has a 116 beds, beautiful views, a solar collector, and is only accessible via helicopter. Sounds like the perfect getaway for anyone who is a member of the swiss alpine club, who owns it. The modern materials and minimal interiors are an awesome juxtaposition to the typical lincoln log cabins you see in the snow.

Source

Posted in DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE, PHOTOGRAPHY, TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Mexican Drug Cartel Boss Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman caught

The Daily Mail Article –

As Mexican marines forced their way into his main hideout in Culiacan just days ago, Guzman slipped out of through a secret door beneath a bathtub
He climbed down a corrugated steel ladder into a network of tunnels and sewer canals that connect to at least seven other houses in Culiacan, officials said
A set of photographs show the houses that appear unremarkable from the outside
But at each residence, the Mexican military found the same thing: steel reinforced doors and an escape hatch leading to a series of dank, smelly interconnected tunnels in the city’s drainage system
While Guzman escaped through the tunnels on this occasion, days later he was ultimately arrested after fleeing to the beachside resort of Mazatlan

Fascinating images have emerged showing the intricate tunnels through which the world’s Most Wanted Drug Lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman escaped last week only to be nabbed days later at a beachside resort.

As Mexican marines forced their way into his main hideout in Culiacan just days ago, Guzman, whose nickname means ‘Shorty,’ slipped out of the home through a secret door beneath a bathtub.

He then climbed down a corrugated steel ladder into a network of tunnels and sewer canals that connect to at least seven other houses in Culiacan, officials said.

Elaborate tunnels: Guzman escaped firstly through an open steel reinforced door leading to a series of interconnected tunnels in the city's drainage system in the city of Culiacan. The above picture shows one of about seven of these doors

Elaborate tunnels: Guzman escaped firstly through an open steel reinforced door leading to a series of interconnected tunnels in the city’s drainage system in the city of Culiacan. The above picture shows one of about seven of these doors

Caught: Just days after infamous Guzman escaped through the tunnels, pictured, linking his Culiacan homes, he was finally accosted at a beach side condo

Caught: Just days after infamous Guzman escaped through the tunnels, pictured, linking his Culiacan homes, he was finally accosted at a beach side condo

Got him: Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, pictured, was arrested Saturday but days earlier he evaded authorities by escaping through the tunnels

The photographs show the houses that appear unremarkable from the outside, but at each residence, the Mexican military found the same thing: steel reinforced doors and an escape hatch below the bathtubs.

Each of the trapdoors led to a series of dank, smelly interconnected tunnels in the city’s drainage system.

An Associated Press reporter who walked through one of the tunnels had to dismount into a canal and stoop to enter the drain pipe, which was filled with water and mud and smelled of sewage.

About 2300 feet in, a trap door was open, revealing a newly constructed tunnel.

Large and lined with wood panels like a cabin, the passage had lighting and air conditioning.

At the end of the tunnel was a blue ladder attached to the wall that led to another of the houses Mexican authorities say Guzman used as a hideout.

Working on the information gleaned through wiretaps and from Guzman’s bodyguards who were arrested in a series of raids from February 13, marines swarmed the house of Guzman’s ex-wife

But they struggled to batter down the steel-reinforced door, which gave the cartel boss the time he needed to flee.

Once law enforcement were inside, it was too late. Guzman was gone.

However, U.S. intelligence was good. Officials knew that he had been spending time at the beachside resort of Mazatlan, and they even knew where he liked to stay while there.

Way out: The drug lord went to great lengths to ensure he could escape, and the tunnels worked - at first

Way out: The drug lord went to great lengths to ensure he could escape, and the tunnels worked – at first

Intricate: The tunnels in the city's drainage system link seven homes, including this one

Intricate: The tunnels in the city’s drainage system link seven homes, including this one

Back door: Officials arrested one of Guzman's top aides a day after he fled and the aide told investigators that he picked up Guzman from a drainage pipe and helped him flee. This photo shows another home linked by tunnels

Back door: Officials arrested one of Guzman’s top aides a day after he fled and the aide told investigators that he picked up Guzman from a drainage pipe and helped him flee. This photo shows another home linked by tunnels

As he traveled south to Mazatlan, leaving behind grenades, rifles, ballistic vests and armored cars, because he didn’t have time to bring them, hot on his heels was a team of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

The DEA officers set up a base of operations with Mexican marines in the city, according to a U.S. law-enforcement officials.

Early on Saturday morning, Guzman’s reign came to an end without a shot fired.

Marines closed the beachside road in front of the Miramar condominiums, a 10-story, pearl-colored building with white balconies overlooking the Pacific and a small pool in front.

Wouldn't know: At each residence, including that pictured, the Mexican military found the same thing: steel reinforced doors and an escape hatch below the bathtubs. Each of the trapdoors led to a series of dank, smelly interconnected tunnels in the city's drainage system

Wouldn’t know: At each residence, including that pictured, the Mexican military found the same thing: steel reinforced doors and an escape hatch below the bathtubs. Each of the trapdoors led to a series of dank, smelly interconnected tunnels in the city’s drainage system

Drug lord: Joaquin 'El Chapa' Guzman is led into a military helicopter following his arrest early Saturday morning

Drug lord: Joaquin ‘El Chapa’ Guzman is led into a military helicopter following his arrest early Saturday morning

Raid: He was finally arrested during a raid Saturday at his condo, pictured, in Mazatlan, with his young wife

Raid: He was finally arrested during a raid Saturday at his condo, pictured, in Mazatlan, with his young wife

Smashing down the door of the condo, they seized the country’s most-wanted man at 6:40 a.m. without a shot being fired from either side.

‘He didn’t put up any resistance,’ Mike Vigil, a retired senior DEA official briefed on the arrest told The Washington Post. ‘He was physically tired from the stress of being hunted.’

The 56-year-old was marched outside in front of scores of hungry media and taken by helicopter to a maximum-security prison in Almoloya de Juarez, outside Mexico City.

It’s unclear yet whether he will be tried in the U.S. or Mexico.

STRATFOR-Mexican-drug-cartels-map

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, TECHNOLOGY, MOVIES, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Where Id rather be.

tumblr_mzeoedGrKm1qd3bpyo1_500

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Karl Lagerfeld Turns the Grand Palais Into a Grocery Store for Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2014 Show

chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-05 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-04 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-06 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-07 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-09 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-10 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-11 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-12 chanel-fall-winter-2014-grocery-store-runway-show-13

Known for his rather extravagant ideas when it comes to the backdrops of his fashion shows, Karl Lagerfeld one-upped himself yet another time. For the recent Chanel runway show at Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014, he had a full-blown grocery store built inside the Grand Palais, complete with fresh produce and shelves that stocked Chanel-branded bread, coffee, ketchup and champagne, among other things. The shopping baskets featured the label’s famous chains as seen on their luxury handbags, while models pushed shopping carts around the store.

Source

Posted in DESIGN, ART, STYLE, ARCHITECTURE, PHOTOGRAPHY, FOOD, MOVIES, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Swedish Pharmacy Ad Features a Woman Whose Hair Blows in the Wind When a Train Passes

clever-subway-ad-in-sweden-featu

Incoming trains are blowing the hair of a female model, featured on the Stockholm’s subway platform ad, interactive commercial for Apotek, a Swedish pharmacy brand.

Source

Posted in DESIGN, STYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY, TECHNOLOGY, MOVIES, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Nike Lunarterra Arktos is the ultimate all weather boot

Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Ms_1_detail1 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Ms_4_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Ms_5_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Ms_6_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Ms_8_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Black_3_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Black_4_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Black_5_detail-660x471 Ho13_NSW_TerraArktos_Black_7_detail-660x471

If you’re constantly braving some extreme weather conditions, chances are you own a pair of boots that look significantly less cool than Nike’s latest offerings with about 1/10th the technology. Its got the crazy lightweight comfort of their athletic shoes while still being insulated enough to keep your puppies warm, thanks to a mishmash of science used in their other offerings: Flywire, Hyperfuse, etc. One of the most interesting aspects is the removable bootie that can be easily slipped out of the external layer, which is perfect for quick on and off when entering or leaving a place you wouldn’t want to drag mud, dirt or snow in. Expect to see these at Nike Sportswear retailers this month.

Source

Posted in DESIGN, STYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY, TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Parko vs Fanning: 21 Days Red Bull Surfing

9778653_orig
Joel-Parkinson-DM_052512_LBIB_2161
as_surf_fanning_supertubes_2048

Episode one of 21 Days tells the story of Mick and Joel heading into 2013’s first event at Snapper Rocks.

The first world tour event of 2013, the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast, is just about to fire up. And while Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson have been sitting behind the rock at Snapper during their downtime, sharing barrels and riffing stories, come March 3 they’ll be donning jerseys and doing battle. Two best friends since childhood, two top 10 world tour surfers. A strange but endearing relationship, that’s easily the most engaging element of the coming contest.

The Quiksilver Pro, Snapper Rocks, gets closer and closer, and Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson can feel it looming. The surfing world’s collective shoulders tighten and even Snapper itself can feel the heat coming.

Mick and Joel, well and truly out of holiday mode now and deep into prep are as ready for the first event of the year as they’ll ever be. While Joel would never begrudge his media commitments (everyone wants a piece of you when you’re a world champ), he’s itching to get started on the year and get back into his competitive rhythm. Mick is focused as ever on training, building cardio and confidence in equal measures, using his love of challenges as motivation to push it.

With Joel the immovable object, and Mick the unstoppable force, episode two of 21Days documents another step towards impact.

The contest start date is in sight as both surfers make final preparations for the season opener.

Episode three of 21Days: Parko/Fanning is the last chapter documenting the lives of these two sportsmen as they ready themselves for the first test of the new year. The final lap before the flag drops might be the most nerve-wracking, but it’s also the most exciting.

Source

Posted in STYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY, MOVIES, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Gone Fishing.

tumblr_n0hxzmQBCS1tppyvho1_1280

Source

Posted in STYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

The Inspiration Pad

The-Inspiration-Pad-TM-5 The-Inspiration-Pad-TM-1 The-Inspiration-Pad-TM-2 The-Inspiration-Pad-TM-3 The-Inspiration-Pad-TM-4

By way of the NSFW American Apparel Tumblr, I found myself reading an article on My Modern Met staring at notebooks whose lines had apparently gotten drunk and started zig zagging off of the page. It was like a classic Composition Notebook had decided that it all of a sudden hated its job and set out to do its own thing, relinquishing order for a welcome bit of chaos.

The item in question is The Inspiration Pad and it is what was explained: it’s a notebook that is all sorts of kooky and decidedly all over the place. It’s kind of like a joke book without any jokes being told. It is a notebook that makes it’s users rethink how it is to be used: it forces you to get creative.

The pad is made by TM, a design and advertising studio started by Marc Thomasset. The goal of the firm is to “define, differentiate and drive action in a fresh and innovative way.” The product has been out for about a year now and obviously rocketed to being an item associated with creative freedom for the Internet generation, for a group who don’t actually need to physically write but instead could use piece of paper as a foil for drawing or sketching or doodling. In that regard, the product is almost a joke, using “inspiration” as a trendy subject to get people to buy it because as a DIY means of finding yourself. On the other hand, it just looks cool.

That’s just it: the notebook does fucking look awesome. The bending lines and maze work created warps the mind and the different variations on the theme make you want to get the notebook to see just how many ways Thomasset could think to reform the blue lines. The Pad is currently sold out but, if you are interested, there are some new ideas he has thought up for the next incarnation of that you can check out here.

Source

Posted in DESIGN, ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Best mode of transport around Tokyo

tumblr_m8tb3eFenR1r44y5xo1_500

Pharrell biking around Harajuku, Tokyo.

Source

Posted in STYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Oh Pioneer Mixtape: Kindle The Fire In Your Chest

Oh-PIONEER

Proven to be a great soundtrack for road trips into the wilderness, surfing safari’s & chopping down trees in your back yard.

Tracklist:
01. Pioneers! O, Pioneers! — Walt Whitman (Read by Will Geer)
02. Generator (First Floor) — Freelance Whales
03. Chicago (Adult Contemporary Easy Listening Version) — Sufjan Stevens
04. Night Beds — Night Beds
05. Welcome Home — Radical Face
06. Equestrian — U.S. Royalty
07. Furr — Blitzen Trapper
08. Home — Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
09. Magazine — Joshua James
10. Wagon Wheel — Old Crow Medicine Show
11. To Go Home — M. Ward
12. The Cave — Mumford & Sons
13. Boy With A Coin — Iron & Wine
14. Rise — Eddie Vedder
15. The Only Living Boy in New York — Simon & Garfunkel
16. Blue Ridge Mountains — Fleet Foxes
17. All My Days — Alexi Murdoch
18. If I Had a Boat — James Vincent McMorrow
19. To Ohio — The Low Anthem
20. Your Rocky Spine — Great Lake Swimmers
21. Hymn #101 — Joe Pug
22. Re: Stacks — Bon Iver
23. The Funeral — Band of Horses

Download

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSIC, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Facebook to Acquire WhatsApp for $16 Billion USD

facebook-acquires-whatsapp-01

Facebook will soon be the proud new owner of WhatsApp, but has said that it will allow the popular messaging app to retain its brand and operate independently. The deal includes $12 billion in Facebook shares, $4 billion in cash and an extra $3 billion in Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) for employees. As to what Facebook is getting through the deal, WhatsApp boasts some incredible figures including over 450 million users a month with 70% of those people online on a given day, a message volume nearing the global telecom SMS volume and more than 1 million new registered users a day.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg commented on the acquisition:

“WhatsApp had every option in the world, so I’m thrilled that they chose to work with us. I’m looking forward to what Facebook and WhatsApp can do together, and to developing great new mobile services that give people even more options for connecting. I’ve also known Jan for a long time, and I know that we both share the vision of making the world more open and connected. I’m particularly happy that Jan has agreed to join the Facebook board and partner with me to shape Facebook’s future as well as WhatsApp’s.”

Source

Posted in DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Red Bull Storm Chase Final 2014: Windsurfing through hurricane conditions

Red Bull Storm Chase

Frenchman Thomas Traversa was crowned the champion of the storm surfing universe. Despite weighing just 60 kilos, Traversa won the final leg of the Red Bull Storm Chase in hurricane conditions off the coast of Cornwall, UK, in front of Marcilio Browne from Brazil and Leon Jamaer from Germany.

With building-high waves and gusts of wind reaching 70 knots, only the best were nominated to participate in the “Red Bull Storm Chase”. During an 18-month holding-period, ten of the world’s best windsurfers waited patiently to catch three of the biggest storms on oceans around the globe to determine who was the very best. After Mission 1 in Ireland (January 2013) and a second mission in Tasmania, Australia (August 2013), Red Bull Storm Chase picked the storm-ravaged coast of Cornwall, U.K., for the third and final location for a showdown between the remaining four.

Source

Posted in STYLE, PHOTOGRAPHY, MOVIES, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Food for thought.

tumblr_n0wyw7APCx1rsezm9o1_500

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, FOOD, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

THUNDERCLOUD

Screen Shot 2014-02-17 at 1.27.55 PM standard_surf

Indie filmmaker, Talon Clemow, on his attempt to do justice to the greatest day of surfing in living memory

From 2010 through to the unforgettable events of the Volcom Fiji Pro in 2012, Cloudbreak – the reef off the island of Tavarua – witnessed a series of harrowing surfing performances that shook the sport to its core. Even more remarkable was that the men behind it all were in fact not the lauded million-dollar-a-year World Tour surfers, but part-time professionals happy to risk their lives for nothing more than the pure thrill of splitting a 20-foot tube. Thundercloud is an exceptional feature documentary by Gold Coast-based filmmaker, Talon Clemow, exploring all this and more.

At what point during that famous day in 2012 did you realise you were watching history unfold?

TC: When I saw (Ian) Walshy’s wave. That was the point when I was like, oh my god, this is next level. He took off, came off the bottom and as I zoomed in I could see this thing just rifling down the line and he pulled into it and just got really, really deep. I thought he was gone and then it spat and he just came flying through the spit. It was incredible, one of the deepest barrels I’d seen. I just went, woah! Up until then it had been (Dave) Scardy’s barrel in 2010 and Hippo in 2011 that were the benchmarks but that had definitely surpassed it.

You’ve put together an incredible feature film that takes place over not only on the events of the super swell of 2012 but also the similarly significant swells of 2010 and 2011. Was it obvious to you at the time that surfing was changing before your very eyes?

In 2010 when the decree changed (prior to that only guests of the Tavarua resort were allowed to surf Cloudbreak) it was in July and a big swell popped up in September and we went because it was the first time we could go. We had a good crew of Laurie Towner, (David) Scardy, Dean Brady and Shaun Cansdell but as soon as we arrived we realised all the guys were under gunned. They paddled out with the expectation of surfing without a ski and catching waves under their own power. Some guys were towing that morning. I think (Ian) Walshy got a mad one but when I saw Laurie try to paddle in to that big one that he didn’t make the drop on, on his 6’8, that to me was a changing point for Cloudbreak. Up until that point waves like that had been towed into out there.

The way the surfing is captured in Thundercloud; the sheer size of the waves; the way they thunder so symmetrically down the reef; and the way surfers so smoothly scoop up and into the waves of their lives – it all just seems so meant to be.

One hundred percent. That reef is 100% the best reef on the planet. It’s amazing. It’s incredible what it can handle. I don’t think there is another wave in the world that can break from two-feet to 20-plus and still maintain its shape and size. The shape of the reef and the different ledges it breaks on as it gets bigger, just the whole set up out there it’s meant to be, you’re right. It’s a wonder of the earth and a wonder of god’s creation.

There was some controversy on the day though and your film doesn’t shy away from it. 

Nah, well it’s all part of the story. That day was special for so many reasons. I think what transpired on that day was meant to be in order to allow for all the action that took place. The decisions that were made I think gave us a little bit of everything; freesurfing in the morning, then the event went on hold, then they ran it when the wind dropped and the wind picked up again and it was terrible when they called it off. When it was on hold all the big wave guys charged out there but the waves weren’t good at the start, then they got better. There was controversy but a lot of it came from commentary from people that weren’t there. I think the guys who were there made the right decision. Saying that, now they’re prepared for it. They (World Tour surfers) know to take an 8’0 to Cloudbreak. If it happens again there is no way they won’t surf it.

The way you cover the controversy in the film definitely reflects on some people better than others. Some of these guys are surfers you’ve worked with very closely over a long time. Were you concerned with how the film might affect your relationship with them?

Yeah, for sure. But my job as a documentary maker is to document the facts and I brought both sides to the table. I haven’t just made a biased opinion of it. As a documentary maker you have to bring two sides to the story. You know, I spoke to Bede this morning and said to him it would be great for him to come and have a look at the production. I wanna know what he thinks of it and I had the guy from the ASP, Matt Wilson (the contest director at the Volcom Pro in 2012) come to the office and look at his stuff. He was concerned after he saw the trailers that it was gonna be a stitch up. I said, look it’s not, I’m just reporting on the facts and I want your story. He gave me the all clear. I haven’t cleared it with the surfers but the parts with Bede and Taj, they’re in the firing line because they were in the next heat and they weren’t ready and weren’t prepared to surf but at the same time I think all the stories they told me were just their version of events and I’m bringing that to the forefront. I hope they don’t think I’ve stitched them up because I don’t feel like I have. I’m just letting them tell their story.

The guys who stole the show that day were largely part-timers – Kohl Christensen installs solar panels back in Hawaii for a day job, Dave Wassel is a lifeguard on the North Shore, Kala Alexander works at a chemistry lab. Yet they risked their lives for the pure challenge of getting one of these waves. How important was it to tell their story?

Well, first and foremost I don’t think any of those guys are part-timers. They’ve grown up surfing and around the ocean and have committed their life to big wave surfing. They might not be on the same sponsorship deals as some other guys but they are totally committed to big wave surfing and surfing in general so they live to surf. But apart from that their stories are 100 percent relevant because they participated and they were pushing the limits along with everyone else that was there. Their contributions will be remembered and revered and hopefully encapsulated in Thundercloud.

Can you describe what kind of characters the likes of Kohl, Kala, Wassel and Healey are?

All four are pretty individual. Trying to group them together is pretty hard. I know Healey the best out of all those guys. I’ve stayed at his house over the last few years in Hawaii. It’s kind of hard to say: Healey is a maniac but a very calculated maniac. He puts himself in positions because he wants those kinds of waves and you’ve gotta be a bit of a maniac to want a 20 foot wave that’s pitching up like those things are but at the same time he thinks and plans everything out because that’s what he wants.

Your favourite part of the film?

Surfing-wise it’s hard. There are so many high points in that movie. I think the story about that big set is the culmination of the whole movie – the set where (Mark) Healey had his board in the lip. There are so many stories just about that wave itself – Kohl was trying to catch it, Healey was too deep but tried to look back and work out where he was at so he could catch the next wave like that, Makua and Joel were on the ski talking about going to tow one of them and then that thing came in, there’s the story of the photographer who shot it and won the Nikon photo of the year award. I don’t think a wave like that has been seen anywhere on the planet but the way global warming is going and the fact all the storms are getting bigger and gnarlier, we’re gonna see bigger and better.

In order to bring this film to a public audience, I understand you made some pretty big sacrifices?

Yeah, I’ve done everything 100 percent independently. It’s been a big task – a big task. Taking it on individually wasn’t that hard of a decision but I think the experience of going through it financially and funding it has been tricky. I basically had to cash in a life insurance policy that I had because I needed money and I didn’t have any. It’s been hard. I’ve got a little boy that’s 18 months old, a wife, a mortgage all sorts of stuff. But yeah, seeing it all on the big screen and people enjoying it will be worth it.

By Jed Smith

Thundercloud World Premiere – Thursday February 13, Hayden Orpheum, Sydney

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, MOVIES, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Winter Groundswell.

tumblr_n0pg2eY69w1qzleu4o1_1280

I miss waking up to these. Sigh

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Japans Volcanic Crater Island Aogashima

aogashima 1unless otherwise noted all photos by flickr user mh2718

Aogashima – the blue island

Despite being 222 miles south of Tokyo, Aogashima, a remote yet inhabited island, falls under the administration of Japan’s capital city. But the address is where the similarities end. As of 2010, the 9 square kilometer (about 1680 football stadiums, for all you Super Bowl fans out there) island has 98 households and a population of 165, making it the smallest village in all of Japan.

Looking almost like a Jurassic Park-like natural fortress, the volcanic island is known as a caldera. Within the large crater is a smaller crater – a cinder cone – that was formed after the larger explosion. The steep rugged cliffs of layered volcanic deposits rise up as high as 1388 feet.

aogashima 2

Origins Shrouded in Mystery

How people first ended up on the island is largely considered a mystery. The island’s own legend has it that the island was once forbidden to women because it was believed that man and women living together on the island would anger the gods. The first written records of the island appear around the 15th century and many of them are of shipwrecks so there’s a strong possibility that sailors may have taken refuge on the island and eventually made it their home.

aogashima 3

Returning Home After Tragedy

A series of earthquakes in 1780-81 was followed by volcanic activity 2 years later. Lava flows burned down all the houses and residents were forced to flee to the nearest island, Hachijojima. Unfortunately, about half of the 327 residents did not make it out in time and perished. Those who did survive were forced to live out the next 40 years of their life on Hachijojima. Some sought out new life elsewhere but others could never forget their beloved island. One of these people was Jirodayu Sasaki, who, after 18 years of planning, courageously led an expedition back to the island and successfully resettled in 1835. He’s considered a hero on the island and there’s even a statue of him.

aogashima 4

Traveling to Aogashima

In this day and age, getting to Aogashima is actually much easier than you might have thought. They even have their own heliport!

  • First Class – fly from Tokyo to Hachijojima and then take a helicopter. A one way trip will take just a little over 2 hours and will cost about $240.
  • Economy Class – sail from Tokyo to Hachijojima and then take a smaller boat. A one way trip will take 14 hours and will cost about $100.

 

aogashima 5

aogashima 6

Entertainment

So what do you actually do once you get to this lost paradise? Well what it doesn’t have in beaches the island makes up in starry skies. Photographer Toshihiko Ogawadocumented some of these fantastic starry nights. The photos were taken from the 2nd caldera, where many people will go to camp out. There is also a volcanic natural hot spring where you rest those muscles from all the rock climbing you did getting there.

Otherwise there’s plenty of fishing, hiking trails and shrines to see. And the internet is probably shoddy so it’s the perfect place to unplug.

 

aogashima 7

aogashima 8

aogashima 9

Source

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

Visioneers: Dirty Old Mixtape

a1839430153_10

Mixtape edition of the album “Marc Mac Presents Dirty Old Hip Hop”. The mix originated from a mix Marc did for his show on Nuwave Radio. After a load of requests for this we’re making available as a free “legal” download again so help-ya-self.

1.Intro 00:49
2.Ike’s Mood 03:56
3.Runnin’ 02:26
4.Interlude 1 00:18
5.It’s Simple 03:10
6.Dirty Old Bossa Nova 03:25
7.Interlude 2 00:24
8.Funk Box feat. Capitol A 03:56
9.55 Dollars 07:18
10.Paul’s Guitar Story 02:55
11.Run For Cover 03:09
12.The World Is Yours 03:59

Download 

Source

Posted in ART, MUSIC, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment

This Is Not A Toy Exhibition Curated by Pharrell Williams

this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-01-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-02-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-03-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-05-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-06-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-07-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-08-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-09-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-10-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-11-960x640 this-is-not-a-toy-pharrell-williams-12-960x640

Pharrell‘s latest stint in the art world is as Guest Curator for “This Is Not A Toy” alongside Curator John Wee Tom and DX Associate Curator Sara Nickleson. The visually-striking exhibition showcases contemporary sculptures, figurines and artworks at Toronto’s Design Museum, Design Exchange. As the museum’s president explains,

Pharrell’s involvement is really due to the fact that he’s so passionate about the genre and explains that urban vinyl and collectible design is what brought him into the world of contemporary art.

Featuring works by Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Coarse, Huck Gee, FriendsWithYou and others, the exhibition approaches toys as a reflection of contemporary culture and contemporary design. The exhibition is now open and is on view until May 19.

Design Exchange
234 Bay Street
Toronto, Canada
M5K 1B2

Source

Posted in DESIGN, ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRAVEL | Leave a comment