In September of 2010, I took a trip around the world. It was something I had always wanted to do. We flew west around the world stopping in Singapore, Thailand, India, France, Italy, and England.
It was an amazing, life-changing trip that helped me gain a global view of life and art. These are the photos I took along the way.
Part V of the Around the World Series
After a night in London and a day in Paris (we return later), we arrived in Venice. Perhaps more than any place we were going, Venice had the highest expectations. It’s beauty has been told a million times over by writers, painters, filmmakers, and photographers. So all I will say is this, it’s all true. Venice is wonderful.
Previous stop: India
Next stop: Florence, Italy
Part IV of the Around the World Series
It was at this point in the trip that I noticed a trend, the more relaxed I got, the fewer pictures I took. That made Phi Phi Island come in dead last on the picture count. Coming in first however, is the wonderful land known as India. In the land flowing of stares and glances, I had little else to do but take pictures.
However, while it may not be on the top ten list of best vacation spots, it is certainly one of the most historic and rich lands. More than any destination, this place was the most culturally rich. They have, whether by the people’s choice or not, avoided adopting western influences. What is taboo here, is normal there and vise versa.
The challenge of photographing India is in the choice of what not to photograph. Everywhere you turn there is something even more strange. But in order to capture anything good, you have to stop and focus in one story at a time.
Previous stop: Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Next stop: Venice, Italy
Part III of the Around the World Series
We arrived in paradise. Phi Phi Island is the most beautiful remote place I have ever been to. To get to this place, you would have to take (at a minimum) two planes, a taxi, a ferry, and a longtail boat. There are no roads on Phi Phi island, only beaches, bungalows, and boats.
We roughed it at the Holiday Inn Resort. I would sit on the beach, snorkel, eat Pad Thai, snorkel some more, and then eat some more Pad Thai. In short: heaven.
Unfortunately, I didn’t make the most of my photographic opportunities—too much Pad Thai. There were many more uncaptured beauties to this little world. You’ll just have to visit it yourself.
Part II of the Around the World Series
Leg two of the round the world trip landed us on the laid back island of Phuket, Thailand. It’s gorgeous and filled with friendly, smiling people. If you ask me where you should go on your trip, this is the place I’d send you.
The first few colorful pictures are from a street market near Kata Beach. I wish I could have spent the day there, the lighting and the people were beautiful. Everyone was engaged in something interesting and was more than willing to let me take a few photos after a smile.
The first three black and white photos are of Chalong Temple near Phuket Town. And the last two photos are on top of the highest peak in Phuket, which also happens to be where they are building a giant Buddha statue, affectionately titled, Big Buddha (not pictured, sorry).
Previous stop: Singapore
Next stop: Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Part I of the Around the World Series
First stop on the RTW trip.
We arrived on Sept. 5th after 26 hours of travel. Felt jetlag. Recovered with our friends at the Holiday Inn. And once we got over the 12 hour time change, we spent just enough time to snap a few pictures and get out.
Singapore is an astoundingly clean city filled with shopping malls filled with escalators. Here are just a few of the pictures I took in the town.
Don’t miss the Durian ice cream in bread at the end. Quite the cultural experience.
