Travel

Earthrise, 2026 — Still Not Flat, Still Very Real

/ John Wagenvoort / Leave a comment

Well… there it is.

After all the waiting, all the quiet coasting through deep space, Artemis has delivered.

A new Earthrise.

And just like in 1968, it doesn’t shout.

It doesn’t argue.

It simply… shows.

The images

Then, the Moon, backlit. A perfect dark sphere with sunlight wrapping around its edge. Orion sitting there quietly, doing exactly what it was designed to do.

What you’re actually looking at

These aren’t just pretty pictures.

They represent:

  • A spacecraft that travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres
  • A trajectory calculated so precisely it loops around the Moon and comes home
  • Systems, materials, and engineering built on decades of knowledge
  • Humans, once again, operating beyond low Earth orbit for the first time in over 50 years

No drama.

Just:

“All systems nominal.”

A gentle note to the sceptics

Now, I know… somewhere out there, someone is typing:

“It’s CGI.”

Of course it is.

Along with:

  • The Apollo Guidance Computer (which you can literally power on today)
  • The Saturn V rocket (still standing, still explainable bolt by bolt) (Hat’s off to Luke Talley)
  • The engineers — past and present — who can walk you through every system in detail
  • And now… Artemis, repeating the journey in full public view

At some point, you have to admire the scale of the “production.”

Because apparently, it’s been running flawlessly for over half a century.

The quiet power of this moment

Back in Apollo 8, astronauts didn’t set out to take the most famous photograph in history.

They just noticed something.

Earth… rising.

That same thing has happened again.

Different spacecraft. Different era.

Same reality.

Why it matters

This isn’t about proving anything to anyone.

It’s about perspective.

That small blue arc above the Moon isn’t:

  • A country
  • A border
  • A disagreement

It’s: Home

Final thought

Rockets don’t care what we believe.

Cameras don’t care either.

They just record what’s there.

And right now, what’s there is undeniable:

  • We Went Back
  • We saw it again
  • And it’s just as sensational as the first time

Thailand Trip 2025 – Trip Summary

/ John Wagenvoort / Leave a comment

Our 2025 Thailand trip has been one of the most relaxed and enjoyable visits we’ve had in years. After arriving in Bangkok on 24 October, we first spent about a week in Phetchabun and Sukhothai, easing into the trip with cooler mountain air, quiet roads, and some of Thailand’s most beautiful historic ruins. Sukhothai in particular was a highlight, with its peaceful ancient temples, giant trees, and wide open spaces that are perfect for slow wandering and photography.

From there we made our way into the slower, rural rhythm of Isaan. Bew kindly lent us her Mitsubishi, and we drove from Udon Thani to Ban Nong Pai in Kalasin, settling into familiar surroundings and family life.

This visit lined up perfectly with the rice-harvesting season. Across several days we watched local farmers cut, spread, and dry their rice along the rural village roads. What always stands out is the effortless respect from the community, cars slowing down, weaving around the drying rice, and treating the whole process as a normal and important part of village life.

We spent time exploring the area, visiting local temples, and calling in at a small mushroom farm, where we learned how growers can harvest multiple yields from each substrate bag and sell their produce for up to 100 baht per kilo.

Most importantly, this trip has been about family. We spent time with May and her son Folk, caught up with relatives in Udon and Kalasin, and enjoyed evenings filled with food, conversation, and the warmth that only comes from being back in Isaan. We also had the chance to reconnect with Kari from Finland and share a few laughs over the quirks of language and culture.

It has been a simple, grounded, and meaningful trip. As it comes to an end, we’re taking home a renewed appreciation for the slower pace of rural Thailand, the generosity of family, and the beauty of the everyday moments that make this part of the world feel like home.

Until next time.

Off on Friday – Good Friday for some.

/ John Wagenvoort / Leave a comment

Well, déjà vu would be the right expression relative to how I’m feeling now. Nuch has her bags packed. Although I’m betting not securely. There will be an ambit claim on any space I have to spare I’m sure.

This year’s trip will have us revisiting the much loved Songkran festival. Our stray family members will make their way from Bangkok once again as they do every year. I am prepared. I have my waterproof housing for my camera and ready for the aquatic onslaught.

First we will be spending some days in Bangkok and environs. My wife has been out of shopping circulation and will need to catch up I’m sure. I will of course remain house bound for the duration until the 11th, when we take off for Khon Kaen. We will endeavor to take in some sights as well. Though I don’t like my chances.

Khon Kaen will be a reawakening of the primal instinct within me as we (I) go through many hours with no sleep. Sleeping on the floor with only a reed mat to cushion the experience. Dogs howling, cows flatulating, and cocks crowing. Hmmmmm, why do I keep coming back.

Love it,….. Stay tuned.