November 2, 2011:
My 8th book, "Incredible Destinations" is now available. It is a compilation of the 120 most incredible destinations across 80 countries, including countries such as Yemen, Jordan, Oman, Iran, Azerbaijan, Romania, Ukraine, Finland, Argentina, Guatemala, Laos, Borneo Island, Japan, and many more.
My 8th book, "Incredible Destinations" is now available. It is a compilation of the 120 most incredible destinations across 80 countries, including countries such as Yemen, Jordan, Oman, Iran, Azerbaijan, Romania, Ukraine, Finland, Argentina, Guatemala, Laos, Borneo Island, Japan, and many more.
January 10, 2012:
Soon I will reach a very special birthday milestone and I must celebrate it in a special way. After much consideration, I have decided to spend it at my favourite spot - Mount Everest. I have been to the south side in Nepal (a 16-day hike), so this time I will photograph Everest from the north side - from Tibet. Will start the trip in Lhasa (3,490m), through the Yulong Pass (4,520m), the Lhaka La Pass (5,220m) and up to Everest Base Camp (5,545m). It will be mid-winter and a challenging trip. However, nothing can beat the cold I endued near the north pole.
Located in the far north of Vietnam, the area around the town of Sapa, located high in the mountains, is known for their spectacular rice terraces. The colorful hill tribes such as the Black Hmong, Red Dzao and the Zai, will make your visit a very memorable experience. Fog often covers Sapa but when it lifts, views of the rice terraces in the shadows of Fansipan mountain, the highest in Indochina (3,142 m / 10,308 ft), is magnificent. Read more....
The Canary Islands (legally recognized as a nationality of Spain and referred to as Islas Canarias) lie just 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara in western Africa. It includes the larger islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma, as well as several smaller islands. Easily reached by plane from some European cities, in particular Spanish cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, these islands are gems worth exploring. Read more...
Posted June 16, 2011
Not surprisingly, the Swiss Alps is one of the places you must visit before you die. There are many places where you can base yourself to explore by train, bus, car and even on foot. Best is to go during the mid winter season to explore the snowy Alps in all their glory. Along the Montreux to Interlaken route which winds around the mountains are small villages such as Château-d'Oex, Gstaad, Zweisimmen, and Saanen where you can get off and stay for a few days - or never ever leave again. Read more...
Posted May 14, 2011
Even if you don't have the guts to hike the remaining 850 km to the North Pole, a few days in Svalbard will be an unforgettable experience. There are at least 500 polar bears on the main islands of Svalbard. In winter their roaming area is very large and you may not see any. In summer, when there is much less ice and snow, there is a bigger chance to see them. Read more...
Posted April 11, 2011
Two of the best places to see Orangutans in their natural habitat is the Gunung Leuser National Park in northern Sumatra Island of Indonesia, and Borneo Island of Eastern Malaysia. In both locations is best to go on a few days trip through the jungle. In Indonesia, head for the city of Medan, and then a long trip to Bukit Lawang, a small village on the banks of Bahorok River. In Borneo, fly into Sandakan. Read more...
Posted March 3, 2011
The so-called "Golden Ring" area of eastern Russia lies towards the east / north east direction of Moscow. It's aptly named after the many golden domed cathedrals spread out across several towns and villages in a circular route. Many of the ancient towns along this route played a significant role in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. Read more...
Posted, September 30, 2009
In September 2009 I took a smallish twin prop plane from Reykjavik, Iceland, for the 2-hour flight to Kulusuk, one of the tiny settlements on the eastern side of Greenland. (Un)fortunately Greenland is not ready for tourists. While there is so much to see, its almost impossible to reach these places with your own (legs) transport. You need a helicopter, boat, and Greenlandic dogs (a type of husky). Read more...Posted August 25, 2009
The Republic of Iceland, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, has a population of almost 320,000 with Reykjavík as its largest city where approximately two thirds of the population live. Reykjavík is a modern town with a well advanced infrastructure and when you're here in this town, it sure doesn't feel like some far-off tiny island known for its fire and ice. Read more...
Posted June 30, 2009
Head down to southern Iran to the town of Shiraz, in search of something special. This area is apparently the origin of Shiraz wine (where the Shirazi wine was produced). However, wine has long been outlawed since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, so no more Shiraz wine here! The area of Firuz is where you will find the nomadic people referred to as the Qashqai. These people are nomadic pastoralists. Read more...
Posted May 30, 2009
Hikers in the Nepalese Himalayas have two serious choices: The Khumbu (Everest) region in the west, or the Annapurna region in the east. I have done both but spent more time in the Everest region. I liked both and my advice is to do both. They are different and they are both spectacular. This is a photographers paradise and an experience of a life time! Read more...Posted April 30, 2009
Sweden's Ice Hotel is a few hours north of the Arctic Circle in the Swedish Lapland. Here you can roam around the 73 rooms (between 10am and about 5pm) and be amazed about how artists have carved sculptures for the 50 or so themed rooms. Fancy staying over night? No problem. A standard square room costs US$350 and if you want one of the many themed rooms, be prepared to pay from $400 to $900. Spend time in the Ice Chapel and the Ice Bar for Vodka on the ice. Read more....Posted February 16, 2009
Tancho Cranes and Hooper Swans migrate from the upper Russian Siberia to the relatively less harsh winters of eastern Hokkaido. Watch as these cranes do their love dances in the snow and feel free to join the swans in the lake. When bird spotting in the deep freeze gets too tiring, soak in one of the many romantic outdoors natural thermal springs while your surroundings get covered up in soft falling snow. End off the day with creatively prepared Japanese cuisine around the fire place, and sleep on your tatami after sipping on a cup of green tea. Read more...Posted January 15, 2009
I recently had a good talk with John Pilkington who explored the Mekong River in 2003 and with two Tibetans reached and mapped its source at over 17,000 feet in northern Tibet. They followed the Mekong from it's sprawling Delta in Vietnam through China's Qinghai Province right to its source! His stories and photos inspired me to take a new look at the amazing lives of the people of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Read more...Posted December 20, 2008
Ushuaia (pronounced [u'swaia]) is the capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina. While this is not the most southern settlement, it is generally labeled as the "southernmost town" in the world. Slightly further south on the Chilean islands are a few tiny settlements before the open sea leads to Antarctica. Puerto Williams, on the Chilean island of Navarino is further south and has only 2800 inhabitants.
Read more...
Ushuaia (pronounced [u'swaia]) is the capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina. While this is not the most southern settlement, it is generally labeled as the "southernmost town" in the world. Slightly further south on the Chilean islands are a few tiny settlements before the open sea leads to Antarctica. Puerto Williams, on the Chilean island of Navarino is further south and has only 2800 inhabitants.Read more...
Posted October 18, 2008
I have been living in Hong Kong for 12 years and decided to take a new fresh look at this amazing city. I still have not explored all of this city with its labyrinth of streets and alleys. Around every corner is another surprise and once you start with experimental photography, the city gets an entire new and refreshed meaning. I just love my city - Hong Kong, China. Read more...For more travel reports, see left column under "On Special Assignment" and "On Location".
Just a few pics of wildlife around my brother's and sister's houses in South Africa
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