As a Captain and a Divemaster, I’ve had to study the bowline knot with almost religious fervor. Thus, it’s the primary knot I know and remember, and perhaps, the only knot I can tie one handed. Back in 2019, I filmed myself tying a bowline with one hand. You can watch it here: The video…
Category: adventures
Riding a Japanese Ferry – The Tachibana Maru
As an island nation, Japan has many ferries connecting its numerous islands, and they are critical lifelines for the island communities they serve. When my wife and I visited Japan in September 2024, we went out of our way to ride one of these ferries, the Tachibana Maru. This ship runs a route along the…
Bizarre Sea Creatures of Japan’s Izu Peninsula
While scuba diving in Japan’s Izu Peninsula, I encountered many bizarre sea creatures. From peacock wrasse to porcupinefish, there’s all sorts of weird critters here.
Feeding Bowing Deer in Nara, Japan – 奈良で鹿に餌をやる
Nara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, and it is rich in history and nature. Here, there are over 1200 deer that roam the city’s numerous parks and temples, and you can feed them rice crackers called shika senbei or “deer cookies” (鹿せんべい). Known as shika deer, their name comes from…
Tokyo’s Dolphin Island – 東京のイルカ島
200 kilometers (120 miles) south of Tokyo lies an island that’s home to over 100 dolphins. Known as Mikura-jima, this place is nothing short of paradise. Every year between March and October, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins make their home here, and you can swim with them in the clear, blue waters of the Pacific. But the…
I’m Making a Stealth-Based Game Set at a Museum
Guess what! I’m building a museum! Well, not an actual museum, but a video game that takes place at a museum. In this game, you’re a secret agent assigned to investigate suspicious activity at the museum complex. As one of the basic mechanics, you have to be stealthy and sneak past guards and find artifacts….
The Wreck of the SS Yongala
23 March 1911. The steamship SS Yongala is nearing the end of her 99th voyage in Australian waters. She departs the town of Mackay at 1340 (1:40 pm) en route to Townsville, Queensland. She’s carrying 49 passengers, 73 crew, and 617 tons of cargo, including the racehorse Moonshine and a Lincoln Red bull. As she…
This Fossil is Fake! How to Identify Fake Fossils
Over the years, I’ve collected my fair share of fossils. Like any other collector, I like to search in person and online for the best possible specimens. But, occasionally, I do run into some duds. I have a perfect example from a tooth I bought from Morocco. See this fossil tooth? Yeah, it’s fake. Well,…
My Top 5 Shark Encounters
I’m Tidewater Teddy, and I’ve spent a lot of time above and beneath the sea. In the deep, blue ocean, I’ve seen my share of sea creatures, but of all of them, sharks are my favorite. Over the years, I’ve had some incredible encounters with these toothy fish. Here are my top 5 shark encounters!…
Iceland Landscapes with Somber Fantasy Music
Iceland is an incredible country with wild, breath-taking views. With massive waterfalls, gushing geysers, and even black sand beaches, this land is straight out of a storybook. It perfectly embodies a medieval fantasy atmosphere. When you watch this video, imagine yourself roaming the mystical wilderness while undergoing the ultimate quest.
Tidewater Teddy 