Mark Baker - Year 39
I am currently working my notice and everything is very nearly in place for me to fly out of the country on the 10th of July. But why am I in this situation and how did it happen when less than two years ago I had a nice house, a good job, and was living […]
Do you like my cards? I do, however the Zen Dog really appealed to me. Thought was given to it and it was made personal, it relates to how the next year is hopefully going to be. The words inside related to fun and experiences, both of these are really important to me. Life is short […]
For the last 18 months or so I have been living a minimalist lifestyle. I have 3 sets of clothes, as you can see from the image above, and all the items I own can fit in to one removal box. But why do it and is it something I will continue to do after […]
This morning I had a knock at the door and it was the postman. He returned my documentation and passport, but almost as importantly my passport contained the visas for Russia and China! I can now travel to my first destination of St Petersburg on the 10th of July. The plan is coming together, then […]
Travelling alone and not really liking Selfie Sticks, a feeling which was increased on my recent trip to London when walking across Westminster Bridge, I had to decide on another solution. I would like to introduce you to ‘Happy Hippo’. I like Hippos because they make me laugh, and yawn ;-). I particularly like this Hippo […]
This face was looking back at me from my Yoga teachers hallway. I imagine this character would be very wise. As well as being a great listening she would always share a piece of wisdom to help others make the best decision for themselves.
In less than 48 hours I am going to be in Russia. I feel it is important I know at least the basics of each country’s language before I arrive, so I am going to share my attempt at Yes, No, Please, Thank You, Hello and Good Bye in Russian. Да (“da”) – Yes PlayНет […]
This is the first in a series of photos documenting the different beds I sleep in while I travel. It seems correct to start with the one that has helped me start these travels. My Boston bed. Thank you for the lodging Mike.
This is me leaving the house this morning because today I travelled to London to stay over night before catching my flight early tomorrow morning for my year of travelling. Leaving Boston, and my friends, was a feeling of mixed emotions. I am excited about the adventure but know I will miss the people and the […]
A typical Travelodge bed, I find them pretty comfortable. This one was at the Heathrow Terminal 5 Travelodge. A good nights sleep ready for the big adventures of travelling!
Landing in St Petersburg at 14:20 local time I was ready to get off the plane and start exploring. This did not happen, but what did happen was much more advantageous. Leaving the plane and walking down the tunnel I arrived at a very crowded hall, full of people I quickly realised that this was […]
Whilst walking along Nevskiy Prospekt in St Petersburg I spotted this little fella looking at me. I imagine his character would be a little accident prone, like getting his head stuck in a railing. His voice would be ‘Raspy’ and ‘Rusty’. He will be easy to scare and make jump (Like SQ 😉 ! I am thinking […]
I really love the idea of having a multi-functional space to live in and this wardrobe can be hidden away into the wall when not needed.
I am travelling on a train across Siberia to Mongolia. I will start blogging again when I reach Ulan Bator.
When putting the seat down on the Trans-Mongolian Train I was greeted by this cheery fellow. I would imagine his character to very practical and helpful. He is very proud of what he does and understands what an important part in society he plays because without somebody to remove the waste we would all live in […]
These multiple face were found on shelving edge. Their characteristic is that off protection and surveillance to ensure the safety of everyone the care about.
On the journey from Beijing to the Great Wall these face were everywhere. Every seat back had a face which looked like it was wearing it cap backwards. This cool dude loves nothing more than relaxing, chilling and just watching the world go by. However on occasions, when he is bored, he can get up to […]
This long necked contemporary dinosaur looking figure caught my eye on the trip to Beijing West station to catch the bullet train to Guilin. This creatures characteristics will be that of a friendly animal who is good at finding things, he like nothing better than being task to find an object using all of his skills. […]
I have really chilled and enjoyed my stay in Beijing. The Chinese Box Hostel is a great place to stay, made easier by the excellent english of the people who work on reception. They are also very knowledgable of the area. The thing I have liked most, once again, is the different people I have […]
I stayed at the Riverside Hostel for one night after a 10 hour trip from Beijing on a bullet train. This idea worked out much better for me than having to navigate the hour and half public bus journey to YangShuo. It truly was a riverside location and overlooked the main river in the city which […]
Having washed my hands on the bullet train to Guilin this little fella was watching as I searched for a towel. I imagine this character to be a very calm, spiritual and caring individual. An expert in martial arts as well as the healing arts. He would only use his martial skills as a very last resort. […]
I always keep my eye out for great design as I travel and today I found a logo which is right up my street. I love design with double meanings and this logo for Shanghai Construction Group really delivers on this. The company generally builds high rise buildings and the red corner looks like a skyscraper if you see it as being […]
I moved hostel whilst in Shanghai and this was at Chi Chen Hostel. It was really good hostel with very helpful and kind staff. Very clean and a great atmosphere. What made it better is that I met a fellow traveller called David and we explored parts of Shanghai together and had some really great […]
Finding a place to stay in Busan on booking.com was easy because the Welcome Busan Hostel had a 9.1 rating which is very high. I can understand why, the owner is friendly and helpful as to are the other members of staff. The facility is quite new, very clean and well maintained. It is located […]
I spotted this face in the market in Seogwipo, Jeju in South Korea I am still considering the type of personality and characteristics this face may have. If you have any ideas please let me know.
I like this little face staring at me because it requires two faces to make one full mouth. I will have to think of a way to incorporate this little guys characteristics.
The only night I could stay in the 9 hour hotel was the Friday night because it was fully booked after that. I booked up and took the last bed. I then had to find hostel for the other remaining nights and to my surprise there were none, so I treated myself to hotel (and […]
In Hiroshima I stayed at the Guest House Carpe Hiroshima Koi which was a nice place to stay for a few days. The owner was very helpful and a big baseball fan, his Hiroshima team was in a playoff promotion game the night I arrived and he was excited and hopeful. Unfortunatley they did not […]
The Sun White Hotel in Osaka was the only a hotel available by the time I came to booking accommodation, and I got the last room! It cost £53 a night which is 5 times more than I have been paying for a bed for night in Japan, So that has come as a shock. […]
As I have been travelling I have been taking photos of faces that I see in everyday objects with the intention of illustrating them into little cartoon characters. So here are the first 3! If you would like to know their names, their personality traits and what everyday object inspired them click on the links […]
I staying Daikoku Hostel in Osaka for 5 days to give me time to prepare for my friend visiting. This hostel was really nice and I would highly recommend it because it was so clean, the owner was so helpful and the bed were comfortable. Its location to the main site in Osaka is great […]
This little face on a hand rail at Osaka Castle makes me think this character would be a great guide of some sort and supportive in helping others in need.
This friendly little face was found looking back up at me from the ground in the Manila Bay area of the Philippines. I think this character has been stepped upon her whole life but despite this has learned how to create a great life.
These little face were sat on a bench as I walked through Downtown Vancouver. I am still considering this little persons characteristics.
Whilst on a wildlife and scenic tour of Jasper in Chevrolet van I saw this seat belt face looking back up at me. I am still unsure of its personality yet, but will let you know when I have one.
Brushing my teeth on the train there was this big eye-lashed face fluttering her eyes at me. I am still unsure of its personality yet, but will let you know when I have one.
Because there was a snorer in the dorm room I had in Toronto, I felt a private room and the next hostel was the correct way to go. So I paid a little extra and stayed in my own room. I realised how much walking I had done the previous few days and after seeing […]
This speaker face reminds me of darthvader or black stormtrooper. I am still unsure of its personality yet, but will let you know when I have one.
Whilst in a great shop called Mixed Media in Hamilton, I was talking to the owner about finding face in everyday objects and he pointed to this face across the road. I am still unsure of its personality yet, but will let you know when I have one.
As I walked out from Mixed media to take a photo of the ‘Pipe Face‘ I spotted this face on the door. I am still unsure of its personality yet, but will let you know when I have one.
I stayed a nice and friendly guesthouse called Hamilton Guest House (HGH). The bed was comfortable and the room was nice but the whole basement needs a bit of refurbishment as it is abit of a hotchpotch. That said I would recommend to stay here.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Toronto for some creature comforts, it was everything you would expect from this brand of hotel. I would stay here again.
After deciding to walk from Ottawa Train Station to my hostel instead of catching the bus I spotted this face on the walk back. I am still unsure of its personality yet, but will let you know when I have one.
Another Hi Hostel and another great breakfast and a bed that is comfy. The only downside was the noisy guests in the same dorm room in the morning who were talking rather loudly.
Another HI hostel! This one was Ok, the bed was comfortable but no complimentary breakfast with bed I booked which I though was rubbish. I think there should be a Hostelling International standard for a consistency of experience. I can’t really grumble when you consider the room cost me $17 (£8.5) for the night, like […]
I imagine the characteristics of this face to a bit like a square jawed Sargent Major drilling its recruits to fitness.
This cute little face was staring back at me as I was eating an ice cream. This ones characteristic would be flexibility, adaptability and never really knowing who they truly are, but is always searching for the answers.
The face reminds me of an Octopus. So this little character is a multi-tasker who can do lots of things at once. She is a horder and loves to collect bits and bobs because she new know when she may need it.
Remotey here is very knowledge, a bit like a wise yogi in the corner. He knows a little about a lot and flits about from one interest to another. But loves learning all he can.