Restless Ben

After a year backpacking around Asia I return home to the United States. From the Himalayas in Nepal to the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I set foot back into the working world and check off a bucket list item, to become a ski bum.

From the undersea world of thresher sharks and sardine schools I make my way north to explore the higher altitudes of North Luzon. With my visa extended, there was no excuse not to give the Philippines a proper lap.

The brothers Orndorff reunite in the Philippines to make a pilgrimage to the oldest tattoo artist in the world. A few storms add some water to the mix but fail to rain on their parade.

Tracking down a stolen GoPro and some remote surf breaks keeps me busy in the Philippines.

In pursuit of the Philippine’s best beaches I travel through the autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao.

After a brief stay at a Buddhist monastery, I realize meditation and enlightenment are trickier than I thought.

Getting back into my hostel the hard way, downhill mountain biking, and posting up at a hippy, Ewok village. After Myanmar, I set my sights on northern Thailand to cool my heels for a bit.

My buddy Joe and I take a boat east along the Indonesian Archipelago, from Lombok to Flores. We climb Mt. Rinjani, dive with Mantas, and check out the world renown surf.

Hot air balloons, Buddhist temples, and hill tribes. As if preserved in a time capsule, Myanmar’s cultural treasures are still remarkably unadulterated by outside influence.

Traveling the Indonesian archipelago, my buddy Joe and I hike a volcano, visit Komodo dragons, and rub shoulders with manta rays in some of the world’s top dive sites.

Swimming with Blue Whales, hand line fishing with the locals, surfing clean waves, and dancing barefoot until dawn at a New Years Eve beach party. Unable to resist its draw, the southern Sri Lankan coast reels me back in.

With a bit of betel nut to put a bounce in our step and make our mouths numb, some new friends and I conquer several rewarding hikes in the heart of the Sri Lankan highlands: World’s End and Horton’s Planes National Park

Planes, trains, and tuk-tuks from Indonesia to Sri Lanka.

Averting a structure fire, spearfishing, and a shakedown. From Ubud to Gili Air and back to Canggu, I complete my scooter tour of Bali a few dollars poorer but otherwise unscathed.

Getting reacquainted with the raw power of the ocean on a surfboard before immersing myself in spirituality and calmer waters at a Balinese temple.

Building an airplane in flight. With no responsibilities or timelines, I get into a routine that includes surfing, street food, and sweating profusely. Unlike vacationing, long-term travel develops organically along the way.

Finally heading off. A canceled flight and a change of departure airport weren’t going to stop me. I wasn’t about to let Delta rain on my parade.

Field testing my gear load-out for my world trip. This episode is about trying to strike a balance between having everything I need to sleep anywhere and still fitting it in one backpack. Shenandoah National Park seemed like a fine spot to take it out for a spin.

A hiccup along the way. After quitting my job my brother bought his first home. To help him fix it up I push my flight and roll up my sleeves. Family first. Paradise can wait.

Hopping off the hamster wheel. My first show is the story of taking a leap of faith to pursue my dream of traveling the world. Step one, quitting my job.