About Travel and Travel Pictures

Snapshots bring back the memories of happy journeys

About travel: I rely on my travel pictures to tell me where I've gone and what I've seen, since I don't trust my memory. Like this picture of a trip to China. It was a hot and humid afternoon, and Nanning China's Green Park gave the illusion of coolness as I wandered the paths, then across this charming bridge.

Though the air was thick with hazy smoke from Nanning's many stacks, at least it was quieter away from the hundreds of motor scooters on the streets outside.

I bought a bag of food pellets from a vendor to toss to the koi circling under the bridge. Now, when I look at this photo, I remember how the koi roiled the water, clambering over one another to feed, and how children came running at the sound, squeeling excitedly. Suddenly, I am back in China.

Stick a pin in a map of the world . . .

And I'm there! Avid and armchair travellers alike can take Snapshot Journeys visit to distant lands, to see what a place looks like, or at least, how it looked when I was there. And when I'm planning a trip, one of the things I want to know is, What does a place really look like? I want to get a 'feel' for a destination so I want to see a few photos first. Yet most tourism pictures are provided by public relations companies and photographers who have the luxury of time and ideal conditions.

Real photos, real life

Most travellers do not have the luxury of unlimited time and perfect weather: We take our pictures 'on the fly'. And unlike travel and tourism brochures, with photos shot at leisure and under optimum conditons, my photos (as do those of most travellers) show the reality of 'take what shot you can get while you have the chance.' Even if the photo isn't the best, it will still bring your memories flooding back.

Of course, I've tried to include the best pictures, but if it comes down to publishing a less than optimum picture or no picture at all, I publish. At least you can see for yourself the smog, the drizzle or smoke haze, and see that's what it could look like when you visit. If it doesn't, then you'll have some great photos.

Travel the World

So have a look at China (Beijing, the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Hong Kong and Hong Kong Islands), tour around Ethiopia (the Highlands -- Gonder, Axum, Addis Ababa, Debark and the Simien Mountains, Bahir Dar and Lake Tana), Australia (Far North Queensland, Kangaroo Island wildlife), Sri Lanka (Kandy, Sigiriya, Galle, Colombo), Thailand (Bangkok, Floating Market and the River Kwai), the Dominican Republic (Sosua, Santiago, cigar making, waterfalls) and Haiti (Cap-Haiten, Fort Liberté, Labadie, artisans), Portugal's Algarve , the Rock of Gibraltar and Chile. Go for the scenery, stay for the friendly people!

Go Alone if you Have to!

If you've 'always wanted to go to ____________ ' (fill in the blank) and still haven't, my advice is Just Go! And go alone, if you have to, You'll be glad you did.

As many times as you may wish someone was there to share the experience, there are just as many, if not more, times when you congratulate yourself for being so self-reliant, adventurous, and just plain self-indulgent. There's something that verges on guilty pleasure about going where you want, when you want, or eating when and where you want, and seeing the sites and attractions that appeal to you.

Hopefully, these photos will help you decide to go see for yourself. See my travel tips and my tips on what to pack . And take along your travel guide books.