I have been working on developing Beach Travellers, an Adventure Travel Company, for nearly eight-years now and not a day goes by that I don't think about music. Music mirrors and coincides with my passion for travel, and I feel blessed to have an outlet to express myself with. It goes without saying that there is a strong link between travel and music. I believe it's because of the world's heartbeat that we connect with when we're at our rawest point.

Moreover, music is one of the magical time stamps that trigger your memory of past experiences be it travel or other special moments in life. When you're removed from your home routine you get down to the basics, and become your true-self. Your heart, voice, and body connect you with the earth. As my passion for travel came at a young age travelling around BC, my passion for music was always present.

I was in several bands growing up, and after graduating I teamed up with some local musicians and formed friendships and musical bonds that I believe will never fade. We were together for nearly 4-years, during which we created music, became men, and had amazing experiences.

We released an album (purchase here) in the fourth year of playing together and shortly after I took off to Asia to guide Beach Travellers trips during the busiest summer we'd had so far as a company. From there on, all the band members drifted into other projects, and other stages in life.

The core of Suzy consists of Ben Brown from "Redbird", Diego Zaragoza from a band called "Kicking Horse", Ande Love, a prairie boy who moved out to Vancouver at a young age, and myself. The core of the band all sang and wrote songs to contribute to a repertoire of over 30 songs.

The band played shows throughout Vancouver and the lower mainland for over 4-years, before separating and moving on to other things. Diego went to Australia and had a baby, Ben has immersed himself into the music world and is a very successful and sought after drummer, Ande is working high up in a landscaping operation, and I co-founded BT.

I couldn't be more excited about this long-awaited reunion. There will be two dates and they're sure to be shows to remember.. at least for us.

~TJ Hermiston, Beach Travellers co-founder & Suzy lead singer

Concert Details:

Saturday, July 23rd @ The Anza Club - Tickets $12
Facebook event here

Saturday, August 6th @ The Crescent Beach Legion - Tickets $12

To get tickets to the upcoming shows please email tj@beachtravellers.com or call me at 604-897-0126.

Here's a recent video we created for the reunion shows:

This song and entire Suzy album available for purchase here

For more information on the band, please visit:

www.facebook.com/thesuzyband
www.myspace.com/suzymusic

Hey all,

Last month, to my great surprise, I got off the plane to find that Rio had been invaded by Asians and that speedos had completely vanished from the Brazilian fashion scene. I could not believe my eyes.

The disappearance of speedos was devastating. However, my disappointment was assuaged by the mouth-watering smell of Thai street food on virtually every street corner... curious, yet delicious.

I figured everything would fall into place once I had left the city for the countryside - I would soon find surf, capoiera, pao de queijos, samba, surra de bunda sessions, speedos, Brazilian bikinis, the Amazon and the occasional cayman.

I found nothing of the sort. What I had thought would be a surf break looked instead like a lake in Jurassic Park, and in my search for caymans, I found nothing but elephants.

Disheartened by my confusion, I turned to a tiger for affection, at which point I thought to myself, that there`s only jaguars in Brazil, no tigers.

Silly me.

Elated by my discovery (and relieved to finally know where I was) I began to develop a harmonious relationship with the land and became known as Ravatar.

Thailand was smooth sailing from then on, and most of all non-stop laughs.

I had a blast guiding in Thailand. I never thought I would sing Aladdin songs for Thai School children, or get a lesson in Burmese history from Heart on the back of an elephant. I certainly never imagined that I would witness the exchange of sacred vows between two lovely ladies as a half-naked Mexican minister.

I`m in Bali now and am thinking of you all. Thanks for making Thailand June 2011 so much fun!

~ Ravi Handa - Beach Travellers Brazil Adventure Guide (and sometimes Thailand) Guide

The offerings in Bali are something rare and unique, unlike anything I had ever seen before I came to Indonesia. When arriving in Bali, they are definitely one of the first things you notice. These offerings are EVERYWHERE! Outside your bedroom door, at the front desk of the hotel, on the streets, outside a food shop, the list goes on...

Made by the women of the household, these offerings contain various items inside a small dish made out of banana leaves. An incense stick, a cookie, some rice, and flower petals are just a few of the contents. The Balinese offer this to their Hindu gods three times a day, expressing gratitude for what has been given to them, and it is so interesting and peaceful to watch the Balinese women undertaking their rituals and carefully placing these offerings in various places.

As you stroll around the streets in the early morning to go grab some tea and banana pancakes, you can't help but notice the lovely aroma of the incense burning from these offerings, and the smell stays engrained in your memory forever. Ask anyone that's ever been to Bali: the smell of incense is a Balinese staple and anytime you smell it afterwards, you're transported back to Bali in your mind.

Don't feel bad if you accidentally step on an offering. They get driven over, walked over and stomped to bits throughout the day. They are meant to rid away evil spirit and bring good fortune to the people in the house or to the shop. Balinese see kneeling down and blessing the offering as a duty and honor of daily life to rid bad spirits and bring good health to the family.

It's hard to describe the magic of Bali with words, and these offerings are one of the many things that make Bali such an amazing place. I guess you'll just have to experience for yourself! Check out Beach Travellers "Bali & Beyond" trip dates here

~Maggie Verity, Beach Travellers Bali guide