Marc's Public Blog


All | Aquariums | Arduino | Btrfs | Cars | Cats | Clubbing | Computers | Dining | Diving | Electronics | Exercising | Festivals | Flying | Halloween | Hiking | Linux | Linuxha | Monuments | Museums | Outings | Public | Rc | Sciencemuseums | Solar | Tfsf | Trips




More pages: March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 October 2003 August 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 January 2003 November 2002 October 2002 July 2002 May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 March 2001 February 2001 January 2001 December 2000 November 2000 October 2000 September 2000 August 2000 July 2000 June 2000 April 1999 March 1999 September 1997 August 1997 July 1996 September 1993 July 1991 December 1988 December 1985 January 1980



2021/10/29 Diving in Maldives on Carpe Novo
π 2021-10-29 01:01 in Diving
This was my first time going to Maldives, for a combination of reasons like it's just about as far as you can make something be from where I live in California (more convenient for people in Europe), I'm also troubled by the country's politics and laws, and the place is pretty crowded but most of the boats seem to offer similar dive sites on similar schedules, causing more crowding. Still, it was time to go and try, so I picked one of the higher end boats, Carpe Novo.

  • Picture Gallery of better pictures and videos (371 from 25 dives over 9 days): https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZSX9K9MmYHFZLjaH9
  • Picture Gallery of best pictures and videos (123 from 25 dives over 9 days): https://photos.app.goo.gl/BramBX1HSac9pGto9
  • I first did some land based diving with Ocean Junkies as soon as I arrived (2 dives in the afternoon after arriving and 2 more dives the next morning before going on the liveaboard). Those dives were actually surprisingly good:




    so many eels in a hole
    so many eels in a hole

    The next morning, I went back with Ocean Junkies for 2 more dives, and they were quite good too:



    got lucky to see a tiger shark so close to town
    got lucky to see a tiger shark so close to town




    I then went to Carpe Novo, we were supposed to get a checkout dive that day, but it never happened, so in the end we started diving the next day:












    We did a couple of dusk/night dives:





    we got to see a whale shark in passing
    we got to see a whale shark in passing

    rally realy small octopus
    rally realy small octopus






    this was really special, we saw 2 octopus having sex
    this was really special, we saw 2 octopus having sex


    poor shark went for a tasty lure
    poor shark went for a tasty lure



    beautiful jelly fish
    beautiful jelly fish


    We definitely got to see a lot of eagle rays:







    We also got to see a fair amount of nurse sharks, they are so cute. I found this one:







    One of the highlights was this dive where we saw 8 or 9 mantas that stayed with us for the whole dive:






    It's a good thing that I had two cameras (RX100M3 and RX100M7), as the M3 I normally used, ended up fogging up from how many pictures I took, and I was able to continue with the other one:


    We got lucky with octopuses, plenty to see, one even went feeding for us












    And that was it for the dives, 9 days, unfortunately not a lot of dives for that amount of time (only 25 dives), but apparently in Maldives, it's hard to get more for a variety of reasons (3 dives/day seems standard, and it's not allowed to boat at night if the weather isn't good, and it wasn't).
    We had a fair amount of rain, and bad visibilty and low light most days, but all in all, we still had a good time and saw things.

    We saw some nice islands from the boat:




    The day before last, we got a covid test so that we could fly out:



    'till next time:




    If I come back, they recommended a south trip the 10 day trip coming back in April-May, or a north only trip (which they don't currently offer).

    See more images for Diving in Maldives on Carpe Novo
    2021/10/28 24H in Maldives
    π 2021-10-28 01:01 in Ntrips
    I had not been to Maldives before, because honestly, from California, it's just about as far across the world as you can make it, around 21H in planes, not counting connecting time. On the way there, I went through Singapore, 16H flight. Singapore Airlines only had business on hat flight, and weird spacious seats where you had to be sideways for your legs, but the seat was straight (yes, #firstworldproblems, haha):


    food was good of course
    food was good of course

    Singapore airport had all the cool attractions shut down or inaccessible for transit passengers. I ended up spending multiple hours at the nice lounge, waiting for my flight to Male/Maldives:


    they also took security seriously
    they also took security seriously


    I did not starve at the lounge :)
    I did not starve at the lounge :)

    Finally, after may hours in planes, arrived over Maldives:


    Boats would pick up people directly at the airport to go to other islands, although in my case I had 24H on land waiting for my diving boat the next day:


    A lot of people also take small planes to farther away islands:


    I'm told this is called a beach and that people sit on it, while collecting skin cancers and looking at the waves :)


    In my case, despite my hotel dropping my reservation, I got on a local dive boat with Ocean Junkies as soon as I could after arriving, and did a couple of nice dives, and then two more the next morning. The dives at the top of the page linked were surprisingly good.



    lots of friendly cats
    lots of friendly cats

    although I was super jetlagged, I hung out with the crew afterwards
    although I was super jetlagged, I hung out with the crew afterwards

    I only spent limited time in Malai, but my impression was that all the people I interacted with were very nice and helpful, but it is still very mush a shariah law country, where a strict version of islam is mandated for all citizens, although apparently some allowances are made for foreigners, probably only because of tourist money. Obviously, I'm not a fan of that:



    The other issue with Maldives for me, it's that it's damn far, probably the farthest diving location I can get to in the world, so that makes it not a first desintation compared to closer places. One very nice plus of the place was the pretty impressive cellular connectivity across all the islands and atolls.

    Virtually all my time was spent on the carpe novo dive boat though, so I didn't have to worry about land/country issues too much.

    Nice pictures from the flight out:







    See more images for 24H in Maldives
    2021/10/22 After a 2.5Y wait, Our next EDC Vegas
    π 2021-10-22 01:01 in Clubbing, Edc, Festivals
    Waiting a year for EDC is a long wait, but it got moved in May 2020, and moved again in October 2020, and again in May 2021, that was starting to be torture, and it finally happened on Oct 2021, not a moment too soon!

    woohoo!
    woohoo!

    so glad to be back
    so glad to be back




    The Grounds:

    Even though the event was not sold out, and used tickets were going for very low prices, insomniac did not cheapen out on the event. Plenty of DJS were not able to come due to covid travel restrictions, but the grounds were just as impressive as usual:


    On day #3, I went early (before sunset), I was able to talk myself into the big ferris wheel and got a special ride to the top when it wasn't opened yet. Got some great shots of course:






    Too bad most people missed sunset due to the opening times:



    the calm before the storm
    the calm before the storm

    I later got a ride on the 2nd ferris wheel as soon as it opened at 19:00:





    this one
    this one

    a few things moved, a bit more ground was used
    a few things moved, a bit more ground was used

    this was a cute addition
    this was a cute addition


    favorite burning man art as always
    favorite burning man art as always

    firmament
    firmament

    always a crowd favorite too
    always a crowd favorite too


    nice parking job
    nice parking job




    sure, I went for a few rides, even more fun when you're not sober :)




    Downtown EDC was well setup:




    Lots of stores too:







    great to see Pixel Forest again
    great to see Pixel Forest again

    unfortunately the pixel forest tunnel didn't have the fantastic music/visuals combo it had in 2019
    unfortunately the pixel forest tunnel didn't have the fantastic music/visuals combo it had in 2019


    Fireworks

    There are fireworks, and there are EDC fireworks. After EDC fireworks, it's harder to see other fireworks, for sure, especially with the drone show that was added this year:











    Fireworks of all 3 days:

    The People

    Festival goers in Europe probably think I'm some weirdo that came from space (especially those idiots that run creamfields and actually prevent you from getting in with anything cool, because I guess it's better to keep it boring). This is really one of the things Insomniac has done so well, fostered this culture of cool totems and costumes:





    kandi meetup
    kandi meetup



    And great to see more LED totems, even if I'm still the only wearable LED outfit:


    this totem was nice as it allowed taking pictures, videos, and replaying them
    this totem was nice as it allowed taking pictures, videos, and replaying them



    this was pre-made but really cool
    this was pre-made but really cool

    And of course, got to meet an ever growing list of friends:

    normally we have more folks. We will next time!
    normally we have more folks. We will next time!

    so great to meet trancejesus in person
    so great to meet trancejesus in person

    Triode and Kifi
    Triode and Kifi

    Mark Estes who wrote some of the animations (like this one) on my outfit
    Mark Estes who wrote some of the animations (like this one) on my outfit

    But let's not forget my friend Afik I first met at EDC, and turns out we live close enough to one another. We became good friends, along with all of Afik's friends, a dedicated group in TFSF and TFLA:



    are there more beauiful people?
    are there more beauiful people?

    also met Rory first on the internet, helped him with some code now running his furret totem
    also met Rory first on the internet, helped him with some code now running his furret totem

    And there are so many performers that get ready for us:



    I feel so thankful that we were stll able to have some of my favorite DJs:







    Fadi totally slayed, and he's such a nice guy. 'You again' indeed, 3rd time we met in a week :)
    Fadi totally slayed, and he's such a nice guy. 'You again' indeed, 3rd time we met in a week :)

    Lots more people of course:




    damn, respect!
    damn, respect!


    And yes, people waited a long time!




    And of course, the party within the party:








    But anyway, let's get on with the festival:

    Day #1

    I was lucky to have a nice view on the shuttle locations from my room, shuttle locations that Insomniac is still not giving precise GPS waypoints for, making many people walk quite a bit trying to find them:


    lots of busses waiting at mid strip to take happy ravers
    lots of busses waiting at mid strip to take happy ravers

    no line when I got there around 17:45, but the busses weren't going yet
    no line when I got there around 17:45, but the busses weren't going yet

    Unfortunately, despite all the busses and staff being there, the first bus didn't leave until 18:00, which was too late with traffic, so we only arrived at EDC past 19:30, and I barely got to Khromata's set around 18:45, having missed 45mn of it. I hope that insomniac fixes this for real and allows busses to leave earlier (at least 17:30) on fridays, since there is bad traffic each time.

    Happy to see Khromata, even if it was only for the last bit of her set:



    Quantum Valley looked nice, but the atom bar in the middle blocked the screen for many pictures
    Quantum Valley looked nice, but the atom bar in the middle blocked the screen for many pictures


    So good to be back:



    I spent most of my time at Quantum Valley, trance head that I am, but tried to see a few others too:


    Ciaran Mcauley
    Ciaran Mcauley





    So great to see Haliene live again
    So great to see Haliene live again


    This was my beef about the atom look of QV, it messed up the screen and pictures:


    Paul van Dyk
    Paul van Dyk


    Paul Oakenfold was next, he was a complete mess, totally coked up, a disaster with the microphone when his buddy didn't take said microphone to make things worse. He even totally messed up a mix, reset a track from the start and played it twice, because 0 fucks given. So sad, he's such a pioneer and truly one of my idols. This is why you shouldn't do drugs, kids, or pick them carefully :)


    so happy to be here :)
    so happy to be here :)

    yes, I see you :)
    yes, I see you :)

    but really, I'm bored out of my mind
    but really, I'm bored out of my mind


    I spent some time to check out Kinetic Field with special access just in time for seven lions:









    I used my prototype code that lets me send custom messages from my phone
    I used my prototype code that lets me send custom messages from my phone

    I then stepped back a bit for a better overview
    I then stepped back a bit for a better overview

    it was then time to come back for some good psytrance from reality test:


    she was nice to see her fans after her set was over at 05:30
    she was nice to see her fans after her set was over at 05:30

    Video Summary:

    Day #2

    Back for day #2, by then the friday traffic was gone, so the 18:00 shuttle got there just before 19:00, opening time from the shuttle side.
    A few stages:



    Great to see Alessandra Roncone again
    Great to see Alessandra Roncone again

    After randomly discovering Say My Name at the last EDC, I went to see him again:
    After randomly discovering Say My Name at the last EDC, I went to see him again:

    Seeing Vini vici for the 3rd time in 2 weeks :)
    Seeing Vini vici for the 3rd time in 2 weeks :)



    I was excited to see Pendulum Trinity again after seeing them at Creamfields, good show.



    Video Summary:

    Day #3

    For Day #3, I wanted to see Z-Trip who was playing before 19:00, so I had to take an uber (shuttles start too late), and got there at 17:30 from the other side:


    Z-Trip did slay, so happy to have seen him in person. It's a shame that he played so early, which caused so many people to miss his set:

    Z-Trip did slay, so happy to have seen him in person:
    Z-Trip did slay, so happy to have seen him in person:





    I also took the time before the main festival opened to see the calm before the storm:

    And then the gates opened and everything else started:






    And back to the trance stage for a lot of great sets:



    Went to see Eric Prydz with my friends. Interesting visuals but too techno-ish for me:




    So back to the trance stage to catch the rest of cosmic gate:


    Holy shit did Aly and Fila's Fadi slay. It was funny, it was my 3rd time seeing him in 7 days, but loved it
    Holy shit did Aly and Fila's Fadi slay. It was funny, it was my 3rd time seeing him in 7 days, but loved it





    Also had a bit of fun, took pictures, saw people:




    nice view from the passport grounds
    nice view from the passport grounds

    And I finished the last night with a B2B between Saymyname and 12th planet:



    Video Summary:

    It was literally my first time staying until the end of EDC (my flight at 08:15 was just late enough that I could stay until 05:30, catch a shuttle back to my room, arrive at the hotel just before 07:00 and take an uber to the airport to catch my flight out: The ending ceremony was underwhelming, not a big deal that I missed it in the past:




    thank you, come again :)
    thank you, come again :)


    2021/10/21 A bit of Vegas during EDC 2021
    π 2021-10-21 01:01 in Ntrips, Vegas
    With EDC Delayed 1.5 years due to Covid, this time EDC was in October. I got there a day early in case there were pre-parties or other cool things to do. I ended up meeting some of my friends for a pre-party, although I first had to go to EDC Will Call to pick up a spare ticket for a group member and then went to see Niko playing at pool party:






    From there, I went to the nearby mob museum which was detailled and entertaining enough:





    When I got out, I went to visit the fremont experience I had never seen all these years. Nice lighting:




    Then it was time to go to area 15 and meet Alvin and go to Meow Wolf a very interesting art installation/game:





    the game starts in a store wtih lots of funny fake products
    the game starts in a store wtih lots of funny fake products




    But the game really starts in the back, Alvin and I finished it in a couple of hours. He did most of the work at the end as I was getting tired with jetlag having just come back from Holland 3 days before:







    The rest of the week was mostly spent at EDC and recovering from it. Thankfully I had a room with a nice view of the strip, so that gave a few nice shots:




    On EDC Day 1, we went to Bellagio for their buffet that now closed at 15:00. It was still good enough with unlimited mimossas. Of course, went to see the conservatory which is always a delight to visit:








    Two days later, after failing to get into the Cesar Palace's buffet the previous day (reservations only and even by going early, they didn't take walk-ins), we got in the the last day. Still a very good buffet:


    And that was it for Vegas, of course most of my time was spent at EDC 2021.


    See more images for A bit of Vegas during EDC 2021
    2021/10/15 ADE 2021 Day #4: Luminosity's This Is Trance at Panama, Amsterdam
    π 2021-10-15 01:01 in Clubbing
    With covid, it had been 2 years since This Is Trance at Panama in 2019, so glad to go back, even if it was more during day hours (15:00 to 00:00 due to the midnight curfew). Actually earlier hours was just as good, it's all about the lineup, and the lineup was solid.
    ADE Day #4 for my outfit, despite a lot of "close contact", survived and was still working. Even the neopixel strips were still working. I also found out that with my 3rd battery, I should get 13 to 14H runtime (about 240Wh of batteries for the 148,032 LEDs on the outfit):


    The different security staff that day had a quick look at my stuff, but again was nice enough to let me in without issues, although they didn't allow people to come in with even an empty bottle of water.

    Back at Panama, Panama, I missed you, and your 20cl glass bottled municipal water, as well as 2 euro fee to go use the toilets (but they are nice, you only pay once per night, and I didn't first have to exchange my money for worthless tokens, so it could be worse, haha. That was my fee to go refill my bottle of water)
    It's not a huge venue and it was packed to the brim, so it definitely gave for a more intimate feel. Everyone was having a great time. Actually I wondered if anyone was sober at all, and by that I don't mean beer, haha. The crowd vibes were just amazing:



    the VJs did a good job with lighting and lasers
    the VJs did a good job with lighting and lasers


    Paul Thomas opened at 15:00:


    The Thrillseekers was next, Steve did another enjoyable set again:





    Factor "I can't believe I'm getting paid to have this much fun" B was next, OMG, he was on fire:




    bring it on!
    bring it on!

    Good to see John O Callaghan next, as always he's more calm and composed, but that didn't stop him from another great set too:


    Did I mention FactorB was having a lot of fun? :)
    Did I mention FactorB was having a lot of fun? :)


    Aly and Fila was back again, and we didn't mind :)



    FactorB went to enjoy that set in the crowd with us
    FactorB went to enjoy that set in the crowd with us

    The studio had Road Kahan and then Suncatcher & Exolight, happy to see them again after Untold in Romania:




    Back in the main room, Bryan Kearney was next, and played trance that was less hard as usual. I enjoyed it more as a result:


    And Manuel Le Saux closed the night:




    It was also great to see the newlyweds Robert and Nadine Nickson for a group picture:


    Manuel nicely played a song for them:



    And after 9H the night was over, so much fun, one more picture with Suncatcher & Exolight, it was cool to meet again after Untold:


    Video summary:

    2021/10/14 ADE 2021 Day #3: Aly and Fila OTC at Panama, Amsterdam
    π 2021-10-14 01:01 in Clubbing
    ADE Day #3 was at Panama with a 6H Aly & Fila OTC, I just added a new logo to my outfit. Great to see Fadi again, just a few weeks after Untold, and a few weeks after he came to see us in SF:








    Panama was not as full as the next day, but still pretty packed
    Panama was not as full as the next day, but still pretty packed






    Fadi was super nice with the crowd as always
    Fadi was super nice with the crowd as always

    Video summary:

    2021/10/13 ADE 2021 Day #2: ASOT 1000 Special at AFIS Live, Amsterdam
    π 2021-10-13 01:01 in Clubbing
    ADE Day #2 was back at AFIS Live, this time was ASOT's 1000 celebration (ASOT 1038), as a warmup for the one that got moved to february 2022 after the unfortunate cancellation of the september show due to NL covid rules.

    the T-Shirts were ready :)
    the T-Shirts were ready :)

    I did my best to represent TFSF
    I did my best to represent TFSF

    The show started at the ASOT studio and was migrated live to AFIS:





    Mark Sixma was next:




    Then, Armin took over for a 2H set, I had my outfit ready for him :)





    we even got some live singers
    we even got some live singers

    great to see Susana again, singing her new single with Armin
    great to see Susana again, singing her new single with Armin


    The last hour was Vini Vici, both of them this time (so funny that I literally was with one of them a few days prior in SF):






    While it was only 5H and really a warmup for the real ASOT 1000 rescheduled to feb 2022, given that we were all hungry for parties again, it was great to have this night:


    It was also cool to be on the official stream quite a bit, like here:




    Full Stream, I'm visible during these offsets: 3:07:45, 3:17:09, 3:40:21, 4:07:59, 4:09:39, 4:20:06, 4:20:17, 4:23:37, 4:39:51, 4:48:29, 5:04:48, 5:13:44, 5:21:40, 5:47:11, 5:50:54, 6:16:27, 6:18:58, 6:25:08, 6:25:57, 7:14:01, 7:14:57

    My Video summary:

    2021/10/13 5 Days Around Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden during ADE 2021
    π 2021-10-13 01:01 in Holland, Ntrips
    Since I was going to Amsterdam for 5 days to attend Amsterdam Dance Event, I used the opportunity to see family who was around, and visit a few places I hadn't seen. I had combed Amsterdam pretty well in my last 2 visits, so I went to see less common things, as well as nearby enough towns.

    nice weather in SFO
    nice weather in SFO

    After Turkish Airlines nicely cancelled my flight, I ended up with Luftanza to FRA and then AMS. Service was decent1108*
    After Turkish Airlines nicely cancelled my flight, I ended up with Luftanza to FRA and then AMS. Service was decent1108*

    Eventually arrived in Amsterdam, despite the connection (no direct flights during covid)
    Eventually arrived in Amsterdam, despite the connection (no direct flights during covid)

    The first day, after unpacking and a quick meeting in my hotel, went to AFAS Live for AMF DJ 100


    The next day, I took my bike on the train and went to Den Hagg to meet my cousin Frank during his lunch break. I then used the remaining time to see other things I hadn't seen in Den Hagg yet (the car museum is world class, and so is the Eischer museum):




    I kind of half randomly picked Museon, a science-ish museum which was ok-ish, but was nothing to write home about:





    so happy that I got to see some of those in real life
    so happy that I got to see some of those in real life




    I was done quickly enough that I had time to see the Kunstmuseum next door, and that was much better, including works from Mondrian:









    Mondrian:





    Then I just had time to bike back to the main train station to get back to AMS in time for my 2nd evening show, ASOT 1000 special at AFIS. Sadly I got to the train station just a bit too late for bikes to be allowed (they are not allowed during 'rush' hour), so getting back was a bit tricky. Biking through Den Hagg is always fun, it's a pretty town:



    They should have a remake of 'dude, where's my car' but with 'where's my bike'
    They should have a remake of 'dude, where's my car' but with 'where's my bike'

    Day #3, I decided to go check out the NXT Museum which was hit and miss. Not a must do, but a fun way to spend an hour or so:









    Since I had a bit of time left over, I looked around on google maps and randomly found the 'WONDR Experience', also a bit out of the way in some hangar. I only had 45mn or so, which was a bit rushed, but it was just enough for a reasonable visit:












    That evening, I went to Panama for Aly and Fila OTC, which was of course well enjoyable.

    The next mornign was Day #4, I had a bit less time, so I just went for a bike ride a bit outside of the city center to a street that had art outdoors, and saw a few things on the way, and accidentally bought $100 of cheese, ooops ;)



    my cheese being wrapped up
    my cheese being wrapped up


    weather was surprisingly good for october
    weather was surprisingly good for october






    found a few street markets
    found a few street markets



    finally made it to the art street
    finally made it to the art street







    didn't do the museums again, had seen them already
    didn't do the museums again, had seen them already

    That evening was really the afternoon, the much longer Luminosity's This is Trance

    Day #5, the last day, there weren't any compelling ADE parties (no music I was likely to really enjoy, and besides after 4 days in a row of partying, I was a bit partied out too :) ), so I looked for day trips out of Amsterdam, and Leiden won. It's a charming town about 30mn away by train:



    I started with Boerhaave, a medicine/science museum:






    Next, I did the Volkenkunde museum, which had an extensive collection of art from different civilizations:











    I finished with the small Observatory and Botanical garden:









    I had no idea that Holland had a wild population of parrots
    I had no idea that Holland had a wild population of parrots

    Leiden had more museums than I was able to see in one day, so I did as many as I could fit before the day was over (18:00):





    It was time to back to Amsterdam, buy some groceries (mostly stropwafels) and get ready for the early flight home the next morning (with another detour via FRA)

    2021/10/12 ADE 2021 Day #1: AMF Top 100 DJ Awards at AFIS Live, Amsterdam
    π 2021-10-12 01:01 in Clubbing
    I was fresh off the 2 planes that got me to Amsterdam from California (no direct flight because of covid), and after getting setup in my hotel, I went straight to AFIS Live for the AMF Top 100 DJ Awards. It was obviously not a Trance event, but there was some good trance, and honestly the rest of the music was also enjoyable, so I had a good time. Due to the covid curfew, the event was only until midnight, which was fine since I was obviously jetlagged and tired :)

    AFIS Life was nice enough to let me in with my outfit without issues, overall the Dutch are more pragmatic, so I wasn't overly worried (except for that Luminosity incident in 2019). I was there 15mn before it opened, so I got in quickly, but made the mistake to take a few pictures before heading for the rail, so I never made front row during the night, but I still had a great time :)


    security was quick and painless
    security was quick and painless


    The lineup was 6H and very varied:


    I had never seen Christina before, she played some good trance
    I had never seen Christina before, she played some good trance


    Mariana Bo was also full of energy, good show
    Mariana Bo was also full of energy, good show












    Armin won the 'highest trance award', haha
    Armin won the 'highest trance award', haha





    Then came the top 10 DJ results:

    Armin got #3 again, not bad
    Armin got #3 again, not bad

    And David still at #1
    And David still at #1

    AFAS Live was a pretty big venue:




    they had lasers, but they were fixed, could be a better setup I think
    they had lasers, but they were fixed, could be a better setup I think

    from a distance, it looked nice though
    from a distance, it looked nice though


    It was a good night. The only downside was AFAS had pick pockets, which thankfully would have struggled to get things from my weird pockets, but that's not cool. That was a first good night, 3 more to go :)

    Video summary:

    2021/10/10 Another Fleet Week in SFO
    π 2021-10-10 01:01 in Flying, Nflying
    I cannot believe it had been 15 years since last time I went to see fleet week in 2006. Glad I decided to go back, even if this time red bull air races was not happening.
    Thanks to Lee for joining me, that made it more fun.

    I got a slightly better camera 15 years later, so the shots were a bit better. It was cool to see an airliner flying so close to the ground/water:



    yeah for energy management, cool that the flight by wire allowed this
    yeah for energy management, cool that the flight by wire allowed this



    low enough to buzz the boats
    low enough to buzz the boats

    coast guard
    coast guard





    damn, that's a lot of control authority
    damn, that's a lot of control authority
































    Outside of driving through San Francisco and terrible parking (had to park a long ways away and bike in), it was fun :)

    See more images for Another Fleet Week in SFO
    2021/10/09 Above and Beyond at Stanford
    π 2021-10-09 01:01 in Clubbing
    After seeing Above and Beyond at Creamfields (even if creamfields kind of sucked overall), and then ABGT 450 in London, they came 20mn from my house, so even if it was only a 4H event (really short) and Stanford, I had to go of course.
    The stanford security rules were a bit over the top. Almost nothing was allowwed, and they didn't want my outfit either, but thankfully a manager of a manager was nice enough to make an exception and let me in. Thank you.





    Pretty Pink started at 18:00:




    It got dark, went to see friends for pictures:









    Andrew Bayer took over after an hour:


    And by 20:00, Above and Beyond took over:










    It was a bit short (only 4h), but a good night. Definitely a good night:

    good crowd on saturday
    good crowd on saturday

    Video Summary:

    See more images for Above and Beyond at Stanford
    2021/10/09 Vini Vici at Midway SF
    π 2021-10-09 01:01 in Clubbing
    I need to keep the title short, but it was actually Tony Dex, Alastair James, Khromata, Vini Vici, and Achimyst. A lot of us arrived just around 23:00 for Khromata though because we were at Above and Beyond until 22:00.

    It was 3 hours of triplet bliss, thanks to all!



















    Video:

    See more images for Vini Vici at Midway SF
    2021/10/02 TranceFamily SF Festival, 10H, 4 rooms, Bliss!
    π 2021-10-02 01:01 in Clubbing, Tfsf
    Everyone had been shelterd a home for too long, last year we had an epic 72H twitch stream, but well, it was online only. This time it was in person again, with 4 rooms, people, friends, and lasers! The lineup was stacked.

    Bright at early in the afternoon due to a 02:00 curfew
    Bright at early in the afternoon due to a 02:00 curfew

    friends from arount the world, re-united
    friends from arount the world, re-united

    nice TFSF kandy :)
    nice TFSF kandy :)

    Hi Ryan :)
    Hi Ryan :)

    And it was picture night, woohoo!


    great to meet Somna
    great to meet Somna

    I recently added that for Sean Tyas :)
    I recently added that for Sean Tyas :)

    so nice to finally meet GO, he's a bit crowd shy :)
    so nice to finally meet GO, he's a bit crowd shy :)


    even M.I.K.E. and Sean at the end
    even M.I.K.E. and Sean at the end

    Time to party :)





    did I say the lineup was stacked? yes, it was
    did I say the lineup was stacked? yes, it was

    vynil classics
    vynil classics



    So many sets happening at the same time. I saw a good part of Somna's set, but wish I had done the entire set




    Findtherabbit doing an excellent job with visuals, Somna's set was so much better with them
    Findtherabbit doing an excellent job with visuals, Somna's set was so much better with them


    Jumping back and forth between stages:


    Sean Tyas, great set too
    Sean Tyas, great set too

    Somna then handed over to Alessandra Roncone, I think it was a first for her in SF




    But there was more, things just didn't stop:





    Did I mention lasers?| Life is better with lasers, isn't it?









    But it wasn't time to stay in one place, if you did, you missed out:


    fuck you MF :)
    fuck you MF :)

    M.I.K.E. finished the night on mainstage:



    And that was it, the night was over, so much good trance, absolutely the best event TFSF has ever had. Ulrich, you outdid yourself, thank you!

    Ulrich and Sony
    Ulrich and Sony

    Video Summary:

    And after party at Afik's, thank you;




    By 05:00 it was finally time to go home, after such a great day, thank you to all.


    More pages: March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 October 2003 August 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 January 2003 November 2002 October 2002 July 2002 May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 March 2001 February 2001 January 2001 December 2000 November 2000 October 2000 September 2000 August 2000 July 2000 June 2000 April 1999 March 1999 September 1997 August 1997 July 1996 September 1993 July 1991 December 1988 December 1985 January 1980

    Contact Email