Recently, I went to a photo critique meetup in San Francisco where I got to show my recent series about the streets of Saigon. It was a small group, mostly Bay Area millenials. Most were professional or serious amateur photographers. I was one of the three people showing, and when my turn came, I was,…
Staying Safe From Crime
Most of the world is pretty safe, believe it or not, contrary to what you may hear from the TV. Of course, there are variations. Generally, Asia is the safest region in the world, especially East and South-East Asia. Muslim countries are generally very safe as long as there is no warfare there, which we…
My Top 10 San Francisco Sights
There’s no question that San Francisco should be visited by anyone who sets foot in the US. Europeans, in particular, love it: its Victorian buildings and maritime setting reminds them of a few similarly set cities on the continent, plus its liberal traditions are closer to the hearts of many young European travelers. Just like…
The Story of a Photo – Hail Rider (Kyrgyzstan)
The hike to the mountain valley of Jety Oguz was supposed to be a beautiful one. A short taxi ride from Karakol, and you are in the foothills of Tian Shan, steadily ascending along the dirt road, bypassing the turnoff to the Girl’s Braids Waterfall and continuing forward till you pass lush pastures and face…
Car: to Rent Or Not to Rent?
On my recent trip in Eastern Europe, I spent a few days with friends with a rented car, and also travelled on my own using public transport. Let’s talk about pros and cons of each option. If there you are travelling with a friend and/or a girlfriend, the best choice is almost always to rent…
My Top 10 Man-Made Sights
Sometimes we travel to see the natural beauty, and sometimes we go half-way around the world just to gawk at the marvels build by man over the centuries. I love both equally, to be honest – in my most recent trip to Central Asia, for example, I had a chance to enjoy both types of…
Happy July 4th!
I would like to wish all my American (and Filipino) readers a happy Independence Day! You have probably figured out by now that the word “independence” means a great deal to me, especially during travelling. I urge every one of my readers to break free of the organized tour business and try travel on your…
The Story of a Photo – Despair (Cebu)
When I think of real poverty, anywhere in the world, there are a few places that immediately come to mind. Some of them I never visited, such as some of the poorest countries in Africa, others I have seen but not really explored much, such as slums in Indian cities. Then there is poverty that…
It’s Not About The Country Count
As I am writing this post, I am on a few-week long trip to Central Asia. In fact, I am in a small town of Karakol in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan getting ready for a 2-day trek. It’s a fantastic region, and since it has done away with visas for citizens of most countries, it’s…
Should You Ask Permission for People Photography in the Street?
We have already talked about how you can turn your travel photographs from bland and banal to interesting by simply incorporating people into them. But what about getting permissions from people before you “shoot” them? A lot of “responsible” travelers and photographers will tell you that you should always ask before taking pictures of people….