| 4:02 AM |

“A still more glorious dawn awaits / not a sunrise, but a galaxy-rise / a morning filled with 400 billion suns / the rising of the milky way.”

- Carl Sagan

I woke up at 3 am, rode a bike alone into the pitch black Atacama Desert, and photographed the center of the Milky Way rise above me. It was something I’ve always wanted to do, and it was worth it.

I have no words to describe the feelings I felt being underneath all those stars.

(at Atacama Desert, Northern Chile)

9.11

Despite barely scratching the surface, Africa is teaching me a lot.

Mt. Kilimanjaro broke me, but also taught me how to persevere and find strength when there is nothing left to give.

Our planet is truly a wonderful and beautiful place, incredibly diverse and magnificent, despite it’s complexity. It is worth protecting.

The wilderness has the power to transform and build character. There is nothing quite like being in the wild and you can get trampled by an African elephant if you’re not careful.

I’ve been enriched and moved in so many ways, mainly by the people that I’ve encountered along the way.

There is beauty everywhere worth pursuing and exploring, even in the places that we least expect it. Get out there and find it.

Be fearless. Be wild. Be free.

All My Best,
Reuben

#thisisafrica #bigcatsplayball

(at Zanzibar, Tanzania)

Today’s surf mission on the outer reefs

#thisisafrica #bigcatsplayball

(at Zanzibar Island)

Went diving and found a few fish

#thisisafrica #bigcatsplayball

(at Zanzibar Island)

Surface to Air II

#thisisafrica #bigcatsplayball

(at Zanzibar Island)

My travel partner in crime @andrewmklein in the light.

We’ve had one hell of an unforgettable African journey together that included getting chased by elephants at camp and seeing great white sharks swim inches from our faces.

He led me to the summit of Kilimanjaro, and looked after me after I barely made it down.

This journey wouldn’t be the same without him, and my heart is full after sharing this great adventure together.

#thisisafrica #bigcatsplayball

(at Zanzibar, Tanzania)

A sea of pink flamingos

#bigcatsplayball #thisisafrica

(at Lake Manyara, Tanzania)

| MY SWEET NEW RIDE |

I managed to score the last Tokyo Bike in this beautiful color, since they stopped producing it last year.

I’ve been eyeing it for over a year so it was probably meant to be.

(at Wiiliamsburg, Brooklyn)

This upcoming November and December I’m excited to head back to Argentina and Antarctica.

Here’s a street photo I snapped in La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina earlier this year.

#antarcticaordie

(at Buenos Aires Argentina)

California here we come, right back where we started from

#nofilter #comiccon

(at San Diego, California)

Into the Wild

I’m on a mission to get a dome housing for my camera, to experiment more with separating the water from the air.

(at Montauk Beach, New York)

Surface to air #alohafriday

(at Maui, Hawaii)

Getting geared up to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with @andrewmklein.

I’m hoping these lightweight hiking shoes will carry me nearly 20,000 ft to the summit.

Do any of you have any tips to share for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro?

We leave in just over a month so let the countdown begin…

#neverstopexploring #bigcatsplayball

(at New York City)

There’s so much to be grateful for, especially surfing 80 degree water with @josephandrewtv ✌️

#alohafriday #hawaii #travelstoke

Charlie’s Angels, Hawaiian style, or something like that

(at Maui, Hawaii)

My first stateside Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus dive and first time using feet and PSI while diving. No tiger shark sightings on this dive #shootsbrah

(at Maui, Hawaii)

Aloha 🍍✌️

(at Maui, Hawaii)

| HOME SWEET HOME |

After 4.5 years of living here and numerous flights back and forth, this is the closest fly by I’ve ever experienced over Manhattan 😍

It’s fascinating how such a simple, fleeting moment of beauty can really stop you in your tracks.

And I’m so excited to be back home!

#empirestateofmind

(at New York City)

Retracing the steps of my youth #wearestillwild

(at San Clemente, California)