Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop

Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop

There are road trips, and then there are Road Trips. These are the road trips that offer fantastic scenery, unique stop overs and a drive like no other. Some of them are even world famous like the Great Ocean Road in Australia with its rugged coastline and scenic bends.

In Southeast Asia, the Mae Hong Son Loop is probably one of Thailand’s greatest road trips. Especially popular with motor cyclists, its a circuit of more than 600 km winding its way through the mountains of Northern Thailand. The route starts and ends in Chiang Mai. Along the way, you will see misty mountains, quaint villages tucked in valleys, cozy home stays and esoteric cafes. Being a loop, you can travel in any direction; clockwise or anti-clockwise.

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East Java – The Road Less Traveled

East Java – The Road Less Traveled

With a touch of regret I left Mt Bromo for the next stage of the photography tour. I wished I could have spend more time at Mt Bromo for a more in depth exploration of Mt Bromo’s crater, Tengger Caldera and the Sand Sea. As the journey continued, winding mountain roads and misty views gave way to emerald green padi fields as we descended the slopes of Mt Bromo and headed eastwards towards Banyuwangi town on the east coast of Java.

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Mt Bromo: Sulfur Clouds and Sand Seas

Mt Bromo: Sulfur Clouds and Sand Seas

Rising from the heart of East Java, Mt Bromo is one of Indonesia’s most iconic volcanoes. Named after Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and standing at 2,329 meters above sea level, Mt Bromo may not be the highest volcano in Indonesia, but it is definitely the most impressive with its raw volcanic beauty.

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Melbourne Memories

Melbourne Memories

Last year, I finally had the chance to visit Melbourne, a city I’d always wanted to visit. Although my stay was brief, as Melbourne was just a stopover on my way to Tasmania, the city left a strong impression in just a few days. With no direct flights from Singapore to Tasmania currently available, Melbourne serves as the most convenient gateway, offering easy connections by domestic flight or even ferry to Hobart and beyond.

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Ho Chi Minh City Revisited

Ho Chi Minh City Revisited

My first visit to Ho Chi Minh City was in 2010 on a short weekend trip. It was a whirlwind experience rushing from one sight to another trying to take in as much as I could. In December of 2024, I had the opportunity to visit the city again at a more leisurely pace. This time I was more selective on what to see and not revisit places that I’ve already covered in my first trip. At the same time, I was also amazed by how much the city has developed over the last 14 years when I was away. Modern skyscrapers jostle alongside colonial architecture, and a new metro line had just started operating a few days ago.

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The Nomadic Life

The Nomadic Life

While the nomadic culture of Mongolia is widely known, few have experienced the authentic lifestyle of a true nomad (and I’m not referring to modern digital nomads). As part of a photography tour to Mongolia, I had the opportunity to witness the Golden Eagle Festival firsthand. However, the real cultural immersion came after the festival when we enjoyed a homestay with a nomadic Kazakh family who are also eagle hunters. This experience provided insight into the daily lives of the Kazakhs, their deep-rooted traditions, and the intricate relationship they share with their golden eagles. It was a rare glimpse into a way of life that has endured for centuries, offering an understanding of their customs, challenges, and the delicate balance they maintain with nature and their hunting companions.

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Golden Eagle Festival

Golden Eagle Festival

Like a scene from a historical movie, I faced an army of hunters clad in fur skins and traditional Kazakh attire, riding on horseback with fierce-looking golden eagles perched on their arms. This captivating scene marked the start of the annual Golden Eagle Festival, held near Ölgii in western Mongolia and I was there to capture this unique festival’s vibrant sights.

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Hobart: First Impressions

Hobart: First Impressions

Hobart has to be one of Australia’s most under rated cities. Its like an after thought when you had enough of Sydney and Melbourne. But once you’ve been to Hobart, you’d have wondered why you didn’t come here earlier. The city was founded in 1804 as a British penal colony on the island of Tasmania. Originally known as Hobart Town, and sometimes shortened to Hobarton. The town grew rapidly as a port for the whaling and sealing trades, becoming a major hub for Antarctic exploration, By this time the ‘Town’ was dropped as Hobart had become a city. Throughout the 19th century, Hobart developed as an important administrative and commercial center, with the construction of significant Georgian and Victorian buildings. The city faced challenges in the 20th century, including the devastating 1967 bushfires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster. However, Hobart has since reinvented itself as a cultural and tourist destination, known for its picturesque harbor, historic architecture, and proximity to natural attractions.

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