U Bein Bridge, Mandalay
Fifteen kilometres from Mandalay in the former capital of Amarapura is U Bein Bridge. At 1.2 kilometres, it’s the world’s longest teak bridge and possibly Myanmar’s most recognisable landmark. It’s certainly one of the most photographed. I first visited here 12 years ago when the country was attracting few visitors. Today, it is well and [...]
Stone Carving in Mandalay
I’ve just returned from a week-long trip to Myanmar and the city of Mandalay to take photographs for my current book commission. Mandalay is to Myanmar what Chiang Mai is to Thailand – the centre of the country’s arts and crafts industry. Weaving, bronze casting, stone carving and much more can all be found here. [...]
New Books – Enchanting Asia Series
I am sure it could be said that my postings are infrequent and when they do appear are distinctly lacking in words. The truth is I’ve never really got with the blogging thing. And the reason is simple; I work for a living. I have always considered irrepressible blogging to be a sure sign that [...]
The Monk & Mickey Mouse
While in Yangon, this scene caught my eye. A monk, who has obviously not quite managed to shake of his desire for wealth and the material world, is choosing his lottery ticket while standing next to a woman with a Mickey Mouse umbrella. Visit the Portfolio for more images of Myanmar.
Return to the Shwedagon
I have just returned from Yangon where I was taking a few snaps for a book I am working about Myanmar’s many tourist attractions. It was great to be back in the country which is one of the most beautiful and photogenic in the region. Whenever is on my schedule, I always find time to make [...]
Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai
I was in Nong Khai last week. Luckily I returned just before it was hit by heavy flooding. It’s a pleasant little town, particularly at this time of year when it has a sleepy low season feel about it. The town sits in the northern reaches of Issan and you can enjoy lazy evenings dining [...]
Poi Sang Long
The website has been sadly neglected of late due to book commitments but all Thai images were sent to the publisher today. Now I just have to finish Laos and Cambodia editions…and am rushing off to Phonsavan in Laos tomorrow morning for a few days. Something I should have posted a few weeks ago are [...]
Rainforest World Music Fest 2011
Just a quick reminder that the annual Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak is coming up from July 8 – 10. If you are in the region, this stellar festival is really worth going to. This year’s line-up is as great as ever, and if the rain holds off it will be another fantastic event. [...]
Bhumibol Bridge, Bangkok
Bangkok has more that its fair share of impressive bridges but the Bhumibol Bridge, named after the King of Thailand is one of the most spectacular. It is part of a 13 kilometre long industrial ring road that connects southern Bangkok with Samut Prakan Province. It’s also just spitting distance from where I live so [...]
Pakse
The website has been dormant for far too long. Current projects are taking up most of my time, leaving little to spare on these pages. Enlivened by the discovery of Marston’s Pedigree in a Bangkok supermarket, I feel inspired to enjoy a glass of the amber nectar while posting a few shots taken in southern [...]
Wat Phra Kaew
I’ve been trying to take photographs at Wat Phra Kaew for a while but every time I go it is swarming with coach-loads of tourists. On two occasions I have simply turned back and promised to return when it is less busy; something that it never seems to be. I even tried to seek assistance [...]
Year of the Rabbit
This month’s travel schedule has meant that I am late posting images taken during celebrations to mark the Year of the Rabbit. The day after it all took place, I headed off to Laos for a whirlwind tour of the south, taking pics for a forthcoming book. Having just returned, I’ve hastily sorted through a [...]
Doi Suthep
As a destination for a weekend or extended break from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is hard to beat. Despite the fact that the city has experienced far too much uncontrolled development in years and suffers from bad pollution, I still have a deep affection for Chiang Mai. In fact I lived there for about six years, [...]
Bor Sang Beauties
I was in Chiang Mai at the weekend on a photo assignment and took a ride to Bor Sang, about 10 kilometres outside the city. The town is renowned for making umbrellas from bamboo and saa paper. On Saturday and Sunday the annual umbrella festival was taking place. This involves lots of typically Thai fun, [...]
National Museum Phnom Penh
It’s all very well having a photo blog but actually getting round to posting is another issue altogether. I realise I have been pretty lax of late but a punishing work schedule means it is all writing and photography but no time to post. So, time to hurriedly get something up before heading off to [...]
Ayutthaya
I have just returned from a long weekend in the town of Ayutthaya, one of the most culturally and historically interesting towns within easy reach of Bangkok. Thailand’s former capital is a must on any travel itinerary. Once praised by foreign emissaries as the finest town they had ever seen (at least according to Tourist [...]
Wat Pho
Of course, the downside of photographing Thailand’s main attractions is the inevitable temple and Buddha image overload. I’ve been traipsing round the major sites in Bangkok including one of my favourites, Wat Pho. Also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon, Wat Pho is one of the finest temples in Bangkok and renowned for a huge reclining [...]
Hua Lampong Station
I’m currently working on a couple of book projects and photographing to an agreed list of attractions around Thailand. It’s an interesting process because I am having to tackle subjects that I would normally not bother with. Of course, it is also a great way to build up a good stock of images. Last night I went [...]
Monk on the Beach
No, the heading’s not the title of a long lost album by the late great Theolonius… I was recently in Hua Hin doing a few reviews for the Bangkok Post and while there managed to snap a few shots of monks collecting alms on the beach. In recent years, the once sleepy royal resort town of Hua Hin [...]
That Luang, Vientiane
Vientiane has more than its fair share of stunning temples and monuments. The most significant is Pha That Luang, one of Laos’ most important cultural sites. Despite having communism thrust upon them, the people have remained deeply religious. Buddhist ritual and observance remain part of everyday life. Pha That Luang is a glorious golden monument [...]
Haw Phra Kaew, Vientiane
There’s a definite risk of Buddha image overload in the camera after a visit to Vientiane but it’s worth posting a few from Haw Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Built in the 1550s, the temple housed an Emerald Buddha image but when neighbouring Siam sacked Vientiane in 1778 it was stolen and [...]
Vat Si Saket, Vientiane
I’ve been a bit lax with posts just lately. Having recently returned from Vientiane I now have dozens of images to sift through and edit for a book project I’m working on. They’ll be a few posts over the next few days but they are likely to be brief. All images and few words – [...]
Love to Klong Toey
Thailand’s annual Loy Kratong festival was held on Sunday, the night of November’s full moon. I did hope to spend an evening enjoying the atmosphere and getting dozens of shots but I wasn’t really in the mood for it. I ended up with just a few – enough to get me out of trouble. During the [...]
Morning Ritual
Whenever I am travelling in Laos, or any country in Asia for that matter, my morning ritual is a leisurely stroll around a fresh market chatting to the ladies selling produce, grazing on a couple of local snacks, and taking pictures. Up north, markets are particularly colourful due to the presence of many different ethnic [...]
