The Soneva Gili Resort, Maldives

MODERN GONZO IN THE MALDIVES Oh, you're really going to love this... I finally get the opportunity to chase down those screensavers, jump inside the island paradise calendar and taste life in one of the world's most exclusive luxury resorts. Feasting on the experience of a $2000 a night overwater villa, above sharks and manta rays, I gain insight into life on the road before reality demands a cheque, and Lord knows I'm still paying for it. Here's the REPORT, and the GALLERY. Other News: 1. Rocking the Pemberton Music Festival Coldplay, Death Cab, Tom Petty...em, none of them would agree to see me but I did meet some pretty cool bands in these two hysterical segments I hosted for my good friend Ian at VancouverIam. This is what I get up to on my days off, in case you were interested. A party in two parts: PART ONE / PART TWO 2. Vancouver Radio Interview For those of you kicking around Vancouver, I was interviewed on 1410 AM Talk Radio on Travel Pages with host Jim Bjorkes. Sweet. 3. Vancouver Citizen to Travel Host A very cute online interview featuring yours truly, with the very cute Camila of VancouverIam 4. New Articles from the Gulf News Surfing in Canada? British Columbians know all about Tofino, but the rest of you might be surprised to find me pulling tubes in the frigid waters of southern Vancouver. Pity I don't know how to surf. Also, check out Tribal Tourism in Ethiopia, and kicking it old school with some Adventures in Peru. Next time, it's serendipity in Sri Lanka, and a whole lots of adventure in Europe. Did you ever wake up, check the news, and find out Russia has invaded a country on your immediate itinerary? Yep. One of those days. Enjoy the Maldives, Robin MODERN GONZO IN THE PHILIPPINES In Paradise, life is like a buffet... Instantly recognizing the potential for travel buzz, I relish luxury adventure in an Asian country with Latino edge, heading south to Palawan to find my island El Dorado, sea kayak amongst limestone cliffs, dive with clown fish, explore underground caves and try and break into a prison. With so much food on the buffet, I can only bite off what I can chew. Click here for the REPORT, and here for the GALLERY. MORE NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF ESROCK 1. A couple funny new stories from my column on MSN. Here's the bizarre man-eating doctor fish in South Korea, and yes, that is my foot in the picture. Also, 8 great places you've never heard of, although if you've been on my site, chances are you have. 2. Did an interview on CBC's Sounds Like Canada yesterday (not-quite-live from Sri Lanka), and don't be surprised if you come across my name in Forbes Magazine, Travel+ Leisure, and the Airmiles Magazine. Only this time, instead of writing stories, I'm quizzed as an adventure travel expert. What's that FDR quote: "There are as many opinions as there are experts." 3. New stories about hometown British Columbia. First a story about surfing in Tofino for the Gulf News, and last weekend a story in the Vancouver Sun concerning "glampers", glamourous campers, as I board a luxury expedition yacht to cruise in high style with the guys at Exposure. 4. How strange, to catch myself on TV in the Maldives. Yep, Word Travels is now being screened a couple times a week on Nat Geo Adventure throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Italy and Australasia. We're halfway through shooting season two, and the adventures are just crackers! In Canada, you can catch the re-runs on OLN throughout the week. Ever tired but constantly inspired, Robin MODERN GONZO IN SOUTH KOREA Onion howsayou friends, old and new....(that's Korean, for something or another) Just had an absolute riot in South Korea. No seriously. Water canons, armored buses, riot police, all very surreal, all very real. But I also had time to prostrate 108 times in a Buddhist monastery, have my feet nibbled on by carniverous fish, corrupt the minds of Korean youth, and eat way, way, way too much pickled cabbage. Read the full REPORT, or check out the GALLERY. Up next: The Philippines. Followed by the Maldives. Basically, I've been chasing screensaver paradise for the last couple weeks, and happy to report, the chase is over. If you could only see the water that is running beneath the stilts of my reef villa...and the cute shark puppies chasing their tales. As always, safe travels, whether you're moving or not, Robin OK, it's been a while, so let's spin the dial of vicarious adventure, shall we? MODERN GONZO IN TAIWAN The Fire Doctor of Taipei pours alcohol over my back, and sets me alight. After the hot stuff, he hands me a sledgehammer and insists I try and break his fist. I was a little preoccupied from having eaten the Number Two at a toilet themed restaurant, and discovering that Taiwan currenty has 800 Chinese missiles pointed in its direction, and therefore, in my direction. Join me as I learn the difference between the two Republic of Chinas, and take you in behind the scenes on the set of Word Travels season two. Click here for the full report, or just shoot ahead to the gallery! NEWS FROM THE ROAD! 1. Word Travels is going global, in more sense than one. As of July 1st, our little TV show will be airing in over 40 countries on none other than National Geographic Adventure. Australia, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia a little Europe...they're all about to become fans of the onscreen Gonzo! I know, I'm shocked too. 2. In Canada, check out the latest issue of Outpost Magazine for my new column, Thrillseeker. How else will you learn about the world's highest commercial bungee jump? 3. I'm now a monthly columnist for MSN too. Tips to kill time in an airport, why hostels rock my world, and most recently, a gut attack of puns in Taiwan's Modern Toilet restaurant, and plenty more to come. 4. If you're in Ontario, you can also catch my latest Chillest Places in the World column in Chill Magazine, and new stories also coming up in the Vancouver Sun, and Gulf News Dubai. 5. Anyone check out my new "big hat for a big head" Modern Gonzo promo vid? Special thanks to Zach Williams for the editing effort, and Ben Sigston for the tune! 5. My very good friends at Bravenewtraveler.com will be running my reports in weekly installments. They've got a great website loaded with travel tips, news, and articles from fellow travelling lunatics like myself. 6. Do I sleep? You're kidding right? This summer, prepare for adventures from Sri Lanka, the Ukraine, Korea, Romania, the Philippines, Mexico, Eastern Turkey, Jamaica, hell, throw in the Maldives. My ugly yet newly refurbished hat is shuddering for the punishment to come. Thanks to everyone who wrote in with tips and support, it's nice to know you're out there. Now I've got to prepare a class for a bunch of 11 year-old Korean kids, because it's never too late to corrupt the youth. Peace and safe travels, wherever this finds you Robin