The inspiration for The Daily Explorer came from its fore-runner and sister publication, The Daily Lama. Ray’s first ever online travel publication, it was jointly created with fellow traveller Nikki Ashley, with the first issue being published in December 2005. The Daily Lama hired renowned online Editor Amber Solaire to work with Mozzie Byte and a hand picked team of experienced journalists and over the 18 months of the publication’s life, it was a huge success. Over 16,000 visitors went online to read about Ray and Nikki’s adventures in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia and thousands more still continue to search for and read these stories every day. Many of the issues published included video clips and presented a tongue-in-cheek view of life on the road, as well as substantial factual information about all of the places they visited.
Below are the links to all 37 issues of The Daily Lama that were published between December 2005 – March 2007, with the most recent at the top and the oldest at the bottom:
Title: Sun, Surf and Snaps from Sydney Published: 7th April 2007
Our Aussie guest journo Chuck Maboomerang makes his farewell contribution to The Daily Lama, as Ray and Nikki complete their three month tour of Australia, with a visit to the largest city in the country – Sydney. During their stay, Ray tries his hand at surfing and Nikki catches up with her two cousins and some old friends too!
Title: Midsummer in Melbourne Published: 26th February 2007
Our Aussie guest journo Chuck Maboomerang follows Ray and Nikki as they visit Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria. They explore the city, including the famous aquarium and Queen Victoria market, drive along the coast to the Twelve Apostles and enjoy the festivities at the St. Kilda Festival, as well as catching up with a few friends. And Ray attends a workshop in Digital Storytelling and produces his first one minute video documentary.
Title: The Island at the Bottom of the World Published: 12th February 2007
Ray and Nikki make their first visit to the small, lush and beautiful state of Tasmania, an island off the southern coast of Australia. Once again, our Aussie guest journo Chuck Maboomerang finds out what they got up to during their stay.
Title: On the Road Again … in Australia (Part Two) Published: 31st January 2007
Following their Christmas break, Ray and Nikki hit the road again for a once in a lifetime journey by road from Perth to Adelaide. Our Aussie guest journo Chuck Maboomerang follows them as they head east on their epic 3,000 kilometre drive, crossing a section of the desolate, arid Australian Outback known as “The Nullarbor”.
Title: On the Road Again … in Australia (Part One) Published: 24th January 2007
In Part One of a two part feature, our Aussie guest journo Chuck Maboomerang finds out what Ray and Nikki got up to in Perth over Christmas and tells us more about the preparations for their mega 3,000 kilometre trip from Perth to Adelaide across the desolate, arid Australian outback, known as “The Nullarbor”, which you can read about in detail in Part Two.
Title: Colon, Farewell – Goodbye to Thailand Published: 19th December 2006
In our last issue of the Daily Lama in 2006, Ray and Nikki visit The Spa Samui. Our Health and Fitness correspondent Me So Fit finds out what their seven day fast and detox is all about, and then follows them to Bangkok, where they finally depart Thailand for Christmas ‘down under’ in Perth, Western Australia.
Title: Thailand Re-Visited Published: 6th December 2006
Our cultural correspondent Po Scard follows Ray and Nikki as they return from Vietnam to briefly re-visit the Kingdom of Thailand and complete their last major trek this year. They also celebrate ‘Loy Krathong’ in Chiang Mai. We announce the winner of our T Shirt of the Year competition and introduce our new resident literary expert Paige Turner, who makes her debut with her first book review.
Title: Down and Out in Vietnam (Part Two) Published: 26th November 2006
In the second part of our two part feature, our special guest travel correspondent Gran D. Tour follows Ray and Nikki as they travel to Dalat, in the Central Highlands. We then go with them to the coastal resort of Mui Ne for the final stop in their two month visit before they make their way back to Saigon for their departure from Vietnam.
Title: Down and Out in Vietnam (Part One) Published: 17th November 2006
In the first of a two part feature, our special Vietnamese guest travel correspondent Gran D. Tour follows Ray and Nikki as they leave Sa Pa and head south, along the coast of the South China Sea. Visiting numerous towns en route, they make their way back to Saigon for their eventual departure from Vietnam.
Title: Our Friends in the North Published: 31st October 2006
Our Environmental correspondent Eco Xavier catches up with Ray and Nikki in Sa Pa – a beautiful mountain region in the far north of Vietnam, close to the Chinese border, perfect for trekking and home to a number of ethnic minority villages. And our prize winning “T Shirt of the Year” Competition is now open. Vote for your personal favourite from those you will have seen Ray wearing in The Daily Lama photographs this year!
Title: Pictures from Hanoi Published: 26th October 2006
Our Health and Fitness Correspondent Me So Fit catches up with Ray and Nikki in Vietnam’s capital – the charming, bustling northern city of Hanoi. Highlights include their visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, and they get involved in the early morning exercise rituals down at the Hoa Kiem Lake.
Title: Saigon – 3o Years On Published: 3rd October 2006
In this issue, with assistance from Des Rezz and Hi Plo Tein, we pick up Ray and Nikki’s trail as they leave Cambodia and cross the border into Vietnam for a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it was formerly known.
Title: Cambodia Uncovered (Part Two) Published: 22nd September 2006
Po Scard continues the journey though Cambodia with Ray and Nikki as they complete their visit to Siem Reap and head for the capital city, Phnom Penh, via the coastal town of Sihanoukville. Some of our readers may find our report disturbing, as our two travellers reveal some of the horrors that the Cambodians have had to endure in their recent past, and some they still face today.
Title: Cambodia Uncovered (Part One) Published: 18th September 2006
In Part One of a two part feature, our cultural correspondent Po Scard follows Ray and Nikki as they begin their journey through the Kingdom of Cambodia, and reports on their visit to one of the country’s most valuable historical assets – the huge, ancient and mystical complex of temples at Angkor, in Siem Reap.
Title: Birthday Bliss in Bangkok Published: 1st September 2006
From the hub of South East Asia, our entertainment correspondent Ivor Hangover reports on Ray and Nikki’s Bangkok re-union, their birthday celebrations which were five days apart, and their departure from Thailand for the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Title: Secret & Skypes – From Southfields to Samui (Part Two) Published: 23rd August 2006
Amber Solaire and Mozzie Byte reveal what Ray and Nikki got up to during Ray’s six week break from travelling in England, whilst Nikki went south to Ko Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. And we explain what all the secrecy and skyping was about as they headed towards their their re-union in Bangkok.
Title: Secrets & Skypes – From Southfields to Samui (Part One) Published: 17th August 2006
In the first part of a two part feature, Amber Solaire and Mozzie Byte remind our readers about what was happening to Ray and Nikk after they completed their TEFL training in Chaing Mai, back in June.
Title: University Challenge (Part Two) Published: 7th June 2006
Our wisdom and well being correspondent, Bud Wiser, brings us full coverage of Ray and Nikki’s five-week TEFL course at Chiang Mai University, and the conclusion to the exciting story of their mission to become qualified English teachers.
Title: Following the Mekong Trail (Part Two) Published: 5th June 2006
Our cultural correspondent Po Scard, continues with his coverage of Ray and Nikki’s recent trip to Laos, including their experiences of the New Year festivities, their encounters with the spirit world and other highlights of their adventures together.
Title: Following the Mekong Trail (Part One) Published: 28th May 2006
Our cultural correspondent Po Scard reports on Ray and Nikki’s first travel experience in Asia outside Thailand. He follows them on the slow boat along the mighty Mekong River and finds out what else they got up to during their recent trip to Laos.
Title: University Challenge (Part One) Published: 13th May 2006
Our wisdom and well being correspondent Bud Wiser talks with Ray and Nikki mid-way through their Teach English course to find out why they decided to take a ‘travel break’ and go back to University. He catches up on what else they have been up to since they left Bangkok at the end of March and finds out about their views on life in Chiang Mai.
Title: The Funny Thing Is (Bangkok Special) Published: 20th April 2006
In the third installment of our special three part feature on Bangkok, our resident funny man Mustapha Laff announces the winners of our last caption competition and presents some more hilarious images from Thailand’s bustling capital.
Title: Three Weeks in Bangkok (Part 2) Published: 19th April 2006
Our cutural correspondent Po Scard is joined by our transport correspondent Mo Ped who takes a closer look at how to get around Bangkok. And our resident Chef, Hi Plo Teen continues the theme of contrasts from Part 1 by looking into some of Ray and Nikki’s dining and entertainment experiences in the city.
Title: Three Weeks in Bangkok (River Kwai Supplement) Published: 10th April 2006
Our cutural correspondent Po Scard presents a special supplement to our feature on Ray and Nikki’s visit to Bangkok and gives us a more detailed insight into the story behind the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Title: Three Weeks in Bangkok (Part 1) Published: 8th April 2006
In the first of a three part feature about Ray and Nikki’s recent experiences in Bangkok, our cultural correspondent Po Scard discovers that they found Bangkok a city of many contrasts. We present some of the highlights from their visit.
Title: The Funny Thing Is (Part 2) Published: 13th March 2006
Our resident funny man Mustapha Laff compiles another collection of images of the unusual and the ridiculous from Ray and Nikki’s travels and invites you to take part in The Daily Lama’s first ever caption competition!
Title: The Only Way Is Up Published: 12th March 2006
Our climbing correspondent Ricky Roper follows Nikki and Ray as they try rock climbing in Krabi. They then head for the beaches of Ko Phi Phi and across the border into Malaysia on a ‘visa run’ before taking the overnight train back into Bangkok.
Title: Nature’s Playground Published: 8th March 2006
Our conservation correspondent Eco Xavier reports on Ray and Nikki’s recent visit to one of the most beautiful natural areas in the southern part of the country – Khao Sok – one of Thailand’s protected National Parks.
Title: Silence is Golden Published: 23rd February 2006
Our Wisdom and Well Being correspondent Bud Wiser reports on Ray and Nikki’s experiences from the Buddhist monastery at Suan Mokkh in southern Thailand, where they both have recently participated in a 10 day silent Vipassana retreat.
Title: A Carnival Atmosphere in Ko Samui Published: 16th February 2006
From The Art Palace Hotel in Chaweng, our entertainment correspondent Ivor Hangover soaks up the atmosphere at a Carnival party before Ray and Nikki say farewell to the islands and head for the mainland and their ongoing adventure.
Title: Wherever I Lay My Hat Published: 18th January 2006
One of travelling’s greatest challenges is finding the right accommodation. Our property correspondent Des Rezz gives us an update on how Ray and Nikki have been getting on since they arrived in the Gulf of Thailand and gives us the ultimate checklist for finding the right room!
Title: Life is a Beach Published: 14th January 2006
Our roving beach reporter I. Candy gives us an insight as to what is “hot” on the beaches in the Gulf of Thailand and finds out what Ray and Nikki got up to whilst spending time on the islands.
Title: The Funny Thing Is ….. Published: 11th January 2006
Our resident funny man Mustapha Laff reports on the unusual and the ridiculous from the Gulf of Thailand!
Title: Island Hopping in Southern Thailand Published: 8th January 2006
Cultural correspondent Po Scard brings us up to date with Ray and Nikki’s travel itinerary and finds out what they have been up to over the last eight weeks, as well as giving us a peek at some of their future plans.
Title: Yoga can be Healthy and Fun Published: 8th January 2006
Connie Fuscious reports on the recent completion of Nikki’s two month programme as a volunteer at the Healthy and Fun Yoga Cafe in Bo Phut, Koh Samui.
Title: Reading Between The Lines Published: 6th January 2006
Wisdom and Well Being correspondent Bud Wiser updates us on Ray’s recent visit to palmist Bharat Om on the island of Koh Samui.
Title: Welcome to the Launch of The Daily Lama Published: 23rd December 2005
Our global explorer left England for Thailand on November 12th 2005 and this was the launch issue of his first ever online travel publication! Ray and fellow taveller Nikki Ashley initiate themselves into the Thai culture on the island of Ko Samui, where they celebrate Christmas before departing for a tour of the islands in the Gulf.
