And now for something completely different...

Good News for a change!

Tourism Malaysia (Canada) wants to host us in Malaysia as this is a really big year for them. What "host" means - I'm not entirely sure but it seems like it should save us some money. They are offering a FAM rate - which means a media familiarization trip.

They are not connected to the film permit office other than they are willing to be our sponsor - they can't guarantee it can all happen fast enough - very separate departments - but I'm going to be following up on that Sunday night ie Monday am in Malaysia. The Grand Prix is on when we are there and they will ensure we have access to shoot it. I think that's totally groovy.

They will look after planning our tour - they seem to be quite excited to do so. There is the largest firefly colony in the world, a huge ferris wheel Eye on Malaysia and lots of great stuff to do. So...the permit question is really the only hitch.

As most of you know - it's pincushion time - more shots!! For everyone but particularly those who did not previously go to Kenya...you know who you are.

Ken and I had a looooong talk with Skip - the European satellite guy. I urge you all to check out his site cooltv.eu

It's really interesting and very exciting. He really wants the show and offered some options we'll need to digest and think about. I am not sure I can really see any downside. 119 million homes. Lots of promotion.

Verry interesting.

With all of the above and Ken's recent trip to TO - things are happening.

But....thank God it's Friday.

Where in the world...?

I dunno...maybe Malaysia - hope so - just waiting for approvals - lots to do there - they are celebrating 50 years of nationhood - festivals and fun galore - really a lot of great things going on but we are waiting to make sure they'll let us in to film.

Other than that - Ken is playing coy with any info from TO - guess we have to wait til his birthday celebration tomorrow to get caught up.

Yes...I'm tired...but I'm excited too. Who else gets to spend their evenings this way - travelling the world online and investigating opportunities....trying and failing and trying again. And dreaming of possibilities.


It's A Wonderful Life.

The glamourous, exciting life of a producer

I'm cracking up!

I just received the quote from the helpful lady in Thailand and for her "help" and the crew and accommodation for her crew and the film officer and the permits and the location fees, we're likely adding around $15,000 to the cost of the Thailand episode....ain't gonna happen.

Looks like I have to start over.

I'm tired. Sorry to be so whiny.

Bali (again) is an option but I'm feeling like the helpful people I'm finding in these countries just want to suck the life out of us. That was part of the problem with Bali.

Borneo and Greece are back on the table.

Ai Yi Yi.

I've asked the Thailand lady to relook at things but I am not hopeful.

Stay tuned.

Ken is KING

Ken has a meeting with Corus on thursday afternoon. Somehow I feel that if anyone can sell this show to Corus - it's Ken. We're sending out a pre-package today!

the Thai's that bind

Ladies and gentelmen, we have a winner. we will be going to Thailand for our second destination. A much more exciting show, I think and a better choice all 'round.

Hope everyone is happy with the choice.

It will be really gruelling. lots of moving around in both countries - so pack light!

You're all going to think I'm crazy....

I'm seriously considering changing back to Thailand....thought I'd bring you all into my decision-making nightmare...

Although Bali looks to be a little cheaper - I'm having a difficult time finding a real whiz-bang activity that will make the show a winner. Lots of little stuff - but as I delve deeper into each thing it's seeming a bit ho hum to me.

Thailand has the long elephant trek, overnight train ride, monkeys picking coconuts, long-necked women...and the fabulous Phuket Island.

I think it's more exciting and I have heard back from them now re: the permits and we won't have any trouble with that.

I find it hard to disappoint the people I've been working with on developing the Bali show - but I can't let that influence my decision. The most important thing is the show - right?

Anyhow - I can't make anything happen for at least 12 hours 'cause everyone over there is sleeping right now. So I'll noodle it some more. But...any comments are welcome....

Slow down the world - it's moving too fast!

Couldn't possibly update all the news on here but I'll hit the highlights.

Leaving for Delhi, India on March 21st thru LA, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur. Travelling Malaysia Airlines.
We'll see the Taj Mahal, ride an elephant, see tigers, go to Bollywood, take a houseboat up a river in Kerala. We'll interview two bands with two very different types of music. Shea will take dancing lessons, visit a school and a fishing village and an outdoor laundry.

Then, it's off to Bali from Mumbai through Kuala Lumpur again. We'll return on April 9th . The Picante crew will continue to man the fort.

In Bali she'll ride ATV's, drive a Bali Buggy, go paragliding, plant rice, take part in ancient Balinese ceremonies, take a boat cruise, ride a banana boat, and interview an all girl rock band.

Ken and Ezi are off to Toronto on Thursday to get Ezi a new passport. s - I'll get an update on that this morning.

Unky Duck's working on Costa Rica and Denise is working on Kenya.

Ken's been speaking with CBC and I have had a contact with Coru

I'd say it's time for an update

There's just been so much going on, it's hard to keep up.

I have received the necessary financing to finish the series. This is a really big step forward.

Looks almost certain that we will shoot 2 episodes in India and one in Bali at the end of March. The India show is going to be outstanding...in addition to a great tour company, we have excellent cooperation from the Indian Tourism people and a woman on the ground in Mumbai who is arranging a visit to a Bollywood set, the band and dance lessons, and so much other great stuff.

Bali is the next choice because we can rent a house there really inexpensively. It's an adventure tourism destination similar to New Zealand so I think it will make a great episode to wind up the season with.


I've made contact with W (The Women's Network) - we might have some possibilities there, and Denise is working on proposals for some other public broadcasters.

Ken is working with Joseph and we'll have more news later today on our next steps in that arena.

Ezy is going to be able to get a new Argentinian passport so he's on board.

Life is exciting at SRWT!!!

Patient, I'm not.

Anyone who knows me knows that patience is not one of my strong points. It's really difficult to wait for these various government organizations to return contact or to provide the info we need. So as we wait for some sort of feedback from Thailand I thought I'd spend the morning contacting other tourism boards to see if I could generate some interest.

Thought you'd enjoy imagining these other various destinations (we're pretty confident India is destination #1 - this is for destination #2)...

I wrote to Bali, Tahiti, Borneo, Viet Nam and Dubai. We'll see if anyone bites.

Shea's diagnosis is finally in. She did indeed have a nasty parasite, picked up in Costa Rica. Called cryptosporidiosis...will mean more to Chris than anyone else I'm guessing. Anyhow - she's all better now but she was definitely down for the count for awhile. Likely picked it up during her slide for life whitewater rafting adventure.

Not looking good for Ezy to join us on the trip. His Argentinian passport expires in April and he's in process of becoming a Canadian citizen. We're sure going to do what we can though. BIG disappointment for both he and Shea if he can't come.