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When you travel with LBW, you’ll be in the company of seasoned experts who know Thailand like they’ve spent their whole lives there. Not only do our leaders know how to find all the best spots in the country, they’re experts in making them as thrilling as possible. There’s more to it than knowing how to read a map – our leaders are adventurous, easygoing people who turn the lines on that map into unforgettable road-trips and the dots into the experiences of a lifetime. All of our leaders have an endless passion for Thailand and would love to share it with you.

Brady Hedlund

Favorite Place: Vang Vien, Laos and Koh Tao

Favorite Travel Memory: Traveling through Laos with my pet monkey Marly, motor biking around town with him holding onto my forehead, taking him tubing, and teaching him how to swim.

Past Travels: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Burma, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Australia, Mexico, Caribbean, England, Holland, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Egypt United States.

Favorite Activities: Thai Boxing, snorkeling, surfing, snowboarding, listening to live music, learning new languages, and just relaxing on the beach.

When I went to Thailand for the first time, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was amazing; nothing will ever compare to my first week there. I absolutely fell in love with the country and it made me feel like I had to share this incredible place with everyone I possibly could. I first got my travel bug when I went to Australia in 2005, but I don’t think I would have been so addicted to the lifestyle if I hadn’t accidentally ended up in Thailand. Luckily, I moved into a share house with some friends of mine and we slept there the night before we were allowed to move in. We all ended up getting kicked out. So, the next morning I made a snap decision to hop on a plane to Thailand. It was the best choice I could have made. I was supposed to only go for 3 months and then fly back to Australia, but I canceled that flight and ended up staying in Asia for over 8 months. It was the best 8 months of my life so far. I went to 7 different countries, but none of them felt like home as Thailand does. It’s the air, it’s the food, it’s the people, it’s the land and the water. There’s absolutely nothing else like it in the world.

I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, which is a completely different atmosphere. I’ve spent my whole life looking out the window wondering what else was out there, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life finding out. I know how much depth my travels have brought to my life, and I’m driven to share that same feeling with as many people as possible. To me, a trip to Thailand represents freedom. It’s a step towards the life that I want to look back on when I’m old. I want to tell interesting stories and have memories that nobody else ever will, and I intend to keep finding those on the beaches, markets, and in jungles of Thailand.

Rong

Home Town: Krabi, Thailand

Favourite Places: Ko Phangan, Ko Tao

Past Travels: Thailand

Favourite Activities: Chillin

My name is Rong (Wrong). I grew up in southern Thailand in a village south of Krabi town I lived with my mother, father, 3 sisters and 2 brothers. We are a very close family and always take care of each other. I help pay for my sisters schooling and make sure everyone in my family is happy. I make the best out of everyday day. If its raining or I have no money I still have a smile on my face. I never make it ruin my day. I am always happy, there is no reason to not be happy. When I finished school I went to Collage and took tourist information and hotel. After 3 years of school I worked as a jungle guide for 3 months and took tourists to waterfalls and hot springs. After I saved up enough money I opened up my own office for kayaking trips and tourist information. I had my business for 1 month and then the Tsunami wiped out my office and I lost everything. So I moved to Ko Lanta and started working at Nature Beach Resort as a bar tender for 4 years. That is where I met Brady 3 years ago. Brady came by himself and all of the rooms were full at the hotel but they said they will find him somewhere to sleep not to worry. So Brady sat at the bar with me all day and night and drank with me. I taught him some sayings in Thai and some good Thai food to eat. I always wanted to show people around my country and show them how easy going everyone and everything is. If you never come you never know. WHY NOT!!!!!!! Welcome to real life. Welcome to Thailand. The land of smiles.

Asia Basinski

Favourite Place: Railay, Luang Prabang, Sydney



Favourite Travel Memory: After having my first taste of Thailand on a 40 day LBW tour in 2009, I decided I wasn’t ready to go home. Rather than head back to Canada, I went straight to Australia where I had lived and worked for a year while traveling down the east coast. When I finally did make my way back home, I had stopped in South East Asia for about 3 months first. My trip that was initially only meant to last 6 weeks ended up being over 18 months long and it was the best experience of my life!



Past Travels: Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Australia, USA



Activities and Interests: Hiking, Yoga, Reading, Blogging, Dancing, Learning new languages, checking out markets, trying new foods & lazing on the beach




Traveling has always been a passion of mine; I think the travel bug was instilled in me at a very young age thanks to my dad. My father had worked abroad for the majority of my upbringing and he would always come home with such amazing stories, trinkets and photographs. Growing up, my world revolved around globe-trotting, I am fortunate enough to have family overseas in Europe which had also enabled several family vacations abroad. These days I find that I always crave the next destination, the excitement of seeing something new and different, but nothing has come close to blowing my mind the way Thailand has. Thailand was my first “big trip” on my own, and it completely captivated me in every possible way. 



I think one of the most important aspects of travel is the way it enhances your life and opens your eyes and soul to one of the most fulfilling journeys of personal growth. Embarking on journeys abroad have helped me gain so much perspective in my life and have enabled me to let go of many superficial values, taught me life lessons and generally made me a much more positive person. Thailand has truly broadened my mind on such a deep level. 




Words couldn’t possibly do any justice describing how passionate I am for this country, especially the culture, language and let’s not forget the food! I am hopelessly addicted to Thai cuisine and a complete market junkie, although I suppose it can’t be helped, I am a girl after all. There is something completely visceral and enthralling about Thai markets, the sights, smells and sounds tantalize your senses and send a rush of culture shock through your system. Personally, it’s a feeling I live for! If you’re up for a good bargain and feeling adventurous in the food department I’d be more than happy to show you what Thailand has to offer.

So let Life Before work take you on a journey to this incredible country that is enriched by beautiful scenery, stunning history and culture, amazingly delicious and artfully prepared fare, as well some of the kindest people I have ever met. From the frenzy of frenetic energy in the capital of Bangkok, to the more relaxed “island time” pace of life in Railay, Thailand truly offers something for everyone and it’s so easy to see why so many people keep coming back.



Dan Fillion

Favorite place: Railay, Fiji, Mama Lao’s

Favorite travel memory: The night I got lost in the Australian jungle and slept in the bushes, alone, without any equipment or supplies.

Past Travels: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Fiji, United States, Canada

Favorite Activites: Travelling, meeting new people, drinking on the beach, exploring, sports, and rock climbing

I started travelling a little later on in life, at the age of 24 I took my first adventure overseas. I sold everything and set out to see something more. It lasted 29 months and I got to experience 10 different countries. Thailand quickly began to feel like home and I stayed for over 18 months. Working in the islands of Southern Thailand I got to meet people from all over the world, and not only got to experience Thai culture, but the many cultures of the many countries that come to visit this paradise on earth.

In Thailand, I’ve had the chance to sit on the nicest beaches, with the kindest souls, and the most adventurous tourist in the world. It has opened my eyes and stolen my heart. I will never forget these steps in my life, Thailand is a country you’ll never forget. The only regret will be that you couldn’t stay longer.

“If you want to experience something you have never done, you’ll need to go places you’ve never been!”

“Come let me show you a different side of the world”

“Sawadee Krap”

Ing

Home town: Launceston, Tasmania Australia

Favorite place: Denmark , Ghana, Thailand, Philippines, Egypt
Past Travels: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Canada, Malaysia, Burma, Hong Kong, Australia,New Zealand, Argentina ,Brazil, England, Holland, Sweden, United States, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Slovakia, Germany, Czech republic, Ireland, Wales, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Egypt, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Togo, Indonesia, China, India, Macau, Philippines, France, Belgium, Finland

Favorite Activites: Eating, surfing, snowboarding, road trip

I did my first around the world trip when I was 18 and the rest is history…..

The one thing about travelling that people forget to mention is, its not just about the beautiful places that you visit, its the people that you meet that will change your life! The experiences some good some bad will make you wiser to situations that you might be put into later on in your travelling life. I’ve been living on and off in Thailand for over 10 years I wouldn’t come back here 25 times if I didn’t think the world of this place, so all I’m gonna say about Thailand is that it has everything beautiful mountains, amazing tropical islands, lots of culture and the people are just so friendly. The question is not, why should you come to Thailand? Its why shouldn’t you come here ?

Mike White

Hometown: Okotoks Alberta Canada

Favorite Place: Ko Phi Phi Thailand, Vang Vieng Laos, Sihanoukville Cambodia

Favorite activities: Creating my own adventures, Cliff jumping, Rock climbing, Tubing, Scuba Diving, Producing/Djing, Snowboarding, Da Beach, and anything that gets my adrenaline pumping or puts a smile on my face.

Past Travels: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Belize.
Favorite Travel Memory: 10 Day silent meditation retreat in southern Thailand, it was one of the most difficult but rewarding experiences of my life.

When I first got the idea in my head to start traveling, Thailand just made sense. At 21 and having never even left Canada before I made a life altering decision that I was tired of living a day in day out boring old job that didn’t give me the pleasure’s I desired in life.

When I reached Thailand I knew I had made the right decision. There’s something about Thailand that is irresistibly attractive and extremely addictive. Be it the extremely friendly people, the cheep yet delicious food, buckets of alcohol for less then a newspaper, its pristine beaches and mysterious jungles, or the feeling of absolute freedom. Whatever it was that got me I am now completely hooked. Thailand and Buddhism are one in each other; they are a way of life that grows on you until you feel the comfort like you belong there.

I spent a total of 7 months in South East Asia finding as many hidden gem’s as it had to offer, I found a lot but I’m sure ill never find them all. The life lessons I have gained from traveling are something I can use in my every day life for as long as I live. Traveling teaches us how to act the way we are hard wired to act, to interact with other human beings and just live life to the fullest. One thing I know is that I’m addicted to traveling like its crack and wont stop till there’s nothing left to see or my heart just can’t take another beat!

“The core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences.”

Jenny Dublenko

Home town: Edmonton, Alberta

Favourite Place: Vang Vien Laos, and Koh Phangan

Past Travels: Road-tripped the entire west coast of the U.S all the way to Mexico. Las Vegas, Coachella Music Festival, and Pemberton Music Festival. London, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and of course Thailand.

Favourite Activities: Snorkeling, skiing, yoga, listening to music on the beach….preferably with a cocktail…life just doesn’t get better than that!

Favourite Travel Memory: Discovering the madness that is tubing in Vang Vien. Seriously so much fun. I rearranged my whole flight home for one extra day in this amazing place! I think I teared up a bit the day we left.

I’ve been struck by wanderlust…I love travelling. I love seeing and experiencing new cultures. Thailand is just one of those countries that sucks you in…how do I describe it? Its beautiful, its fun, the parties are just better, the food is amazing, the pace of life is slower and the people are friendly. I’ve become addicted to Thailand and every time I go back it just keeps getting better! Everything pulls you in…the madness of Khao San road, getting the best ever stir fry or soup from a random street vendor, full moon parties, beaches, and jungles. There are too many amazing things to list about this country. Just visit it and see for yourself…it is the best place ever. One of these days I’m just going to stay there because I always hate leaving!

Dean Willis

Home town: Manchester, England

Favorite place: Queenstown, New Zealand

Past travels: New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, United States, Canada, Dubai, Spain, Canary Islands, and Balearic islands.

Favorite Travel Memory: was getting stuck in a rain shower in Thailand Krabi while riding a motor bike in shorts and a t shirt. It only lasted half an hour, but it was so funny even though I was so wet I couldn’t help but smile.

Favorite Activities: rock climbing, snorkeling, snow boarding, quad biking, listening and playing music (as I am a DJ too), traveling (I will see the whole world before I die)

There is nothing I need to say about Thailand apart from the moment you go there you will be hooked, like every other tourist that goes there year after year. I’ve been going every year for 4 years and I love it. Were ever else I go traveling I always go there as well. The people, the food, the way of life, and the people you meet. I can’t say a bad thing about the THIALAND.

I started traveling when I was 24 I first moved to the Balearic islands of the coast of Spain were I’ve been living and working for last six years , from the mouth of April till the end of Sept . I am a DJ on a holiday resort called Magaluf. Every winter since I’ve been there I’ve been traveling, living in other countries getting a feel for their way of life. So far I’ve been to some beautiful countries, but Thailand is on the top of my list, that’s why I go back there every year. I can’t work out whether its the beautiful foods, or the diversity of there culture, or the beautiful beaches and relaxed way of life or maybe its the partying and the good people you meet on the way, I don’t no, if you have the real answer maybe you can tell me after the trip has finished. Trust me your life will change once you have been to Thailand. Enjoy and hope to see you soon for some fun in the sun.

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