ASIA - Solo Overland Travel & Transit

"Solo Travel through Asia can literally drain a person's energy and boost it at the same time"

It doesn't matter how trodden down Asia has become with its endless impact of foreign visitors subduing it - there's plenty of space, and a ton of diversity for everyone. Gateway entries and exits into Asia are many with a substantial mecca of crossroads from any direction that's chosen. The simple choice of bashing through the continent is by all means in favour for those that only plan a short duration, but cover as much ground as possible. Even a 12 month stint through the thick of it isn't enough time to complete the entire continent. Asia's bucket list are scattered from one corner to the other with so many other hidden possibilities in between them. 
Overland transiting through a continent couldn't be easier with anything that has wheels on it heading in any direction. Hong Kong to Turkey, or Mongolia to Indonesia are relatively straight forward transits without too much fuss. 
​​Asia's influence, and clash of cultures are unmatched for those who travel, and transit through the entire continent, and are well rewarded with visions lasting a lifetime.

​Asia Overland - Main Transit Routes 

Asia - a continent of escape for some, and a paradise of cheap shopping and beaches for others. It has everything beyond expectations that can literally drain a person's energy, and boost it at the same time. Those who overland transit doing the hard yards know who they are, and what to expect from this diverse mixed continent that can make or break some.
​The timing of travel should be optimised with seasonal weather patterns. Hanging-out in pre-monsoon heat or sub-zero temperatures are experiences to remember. What's what Transit Baggage covers different items having a proven track record with my own approval rating. Deciding what photo gear to use is one's personal choice. The Photo-Gear page has a variety of classic Nikon stuff and accessories I still use today. 

Using images, screenshots of images, data, or maps from this website even with original source links back to this website is INVALID, without prior permission of approval and consent by the website owner - website disclaimer website contact

There's four good optional flight paths into the edge of Asia to begin overland travel journeys through the continent. Touching down in Jakarta transiting northward is one option. Landing in Hong Kong has a few overland routes reaching Nepal, Indonesia, and to Europe. Mumbai is an excellent arrival hub for travel in any direction. Open land borders through Asia makes it simple and uncomplicated. It takes plenty of time and energy to complete the entire north and southern circuits of Asia. India and Indonesia alone will absorb endless months of travel without even thinking about it. The northern overland route from Russia, into Mongolia, China, and Japan have been an optional path for decades. Ferry sailings from Vladivostok to Japan are every week. Travelling overland towards Europe can be done via Mongolia through Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Armenia-Georgia to Turkey, or the lower overland route through China-Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran to Turkey. Reaching Africa from Asia can be done by ferry boat from Gwadar port, Pakistan to Muscat, with ferry links on the Saudi Red Sea coast from Duba to Suez, Jeddah to Port Sudan, and Jizan to Massawah.     

Several ferry boats sail each week to Busan-South Korea from Shimonasaki port in Japan. South Korea has good ferry boat connections from Incheon to China with 8 different locations in China to choose from.
There are also direct ferry boat sailings to Shanghai departing from Osaka port. The Okinawa-Keelung Taiwan route no longer exists, but boats do sail each week both ways from China to Taiwan. Cargo ships to the Philippines out of Taiwan taking passengers are infrequent, but possible. Reaching Malaysia from the Philippines can be done from Buliluyan port-Bataraza, Palawan by fast cat ferry sailing to Kudat Port, Malaysia.
​Although, there are no direct ferry-lines operating between Indonesia and Australia, empty live export cattle ships do sail weekly both ways from Darwin to Kupang port and East Nusa Tenggara. Hitching on private yachts from Indonesia to Darwin is another option if you're lucky enough to find one. Now, with the Indian-Myanmar borders open in both directions, it's possible to travel through to Europe with choices of using three overland transit routes (Middle East, north west Asia & Trans Siberian)
​South Asian Terrorism Portal (SATP) : Earthquake Map

ASIA - Solo Overland Travel  

Spending 2 or 3 years travelling through Asia clocks up fast. Long-term travel requires a healthy cash flow to cover costs. Doing Asia on the cheap can still be done, although this will depend on personal taste and choice of travel. Couch surfing, and having a large list of Asian contacts will certainly go along way. Cycling and hitchhiking through Asia has always been a favourite way to slowly get through each country - fitness and patience required. The easy laid back lifestyle camping and beach crashing along the coasts, free-diving catching fish for daily meals can literally stop anyone in their tracks for months on end.
​Just don't run out of money becoming a Beg-packer in Asia. There's literally millions of desperate Asians trying to survive without the need of westerners begging for "travel donations" on the streets. This has been an issue for years with western foreigners arriving into the continent on the smell of an oily rag. Those not wanting to return to their home countries will try desperately finding ways to extend their stays as long as possible. Some wake-up returning home to work, or beg their Embassy to take them home. Others end-up becoming desperate drug mules - more on that down the page. 

Working in Asia with the right qualifications guarantees a job an income. One can always try the travel blogging addiction to earn a crust - good luck with that. Becoming a digital nomad is another option with many making Bali their home base, but factual data suggests only 20% of the digital nomad world make it past the threshold of survival. Creating a business in Asia is another alternative to remain in constant limbo, thus establishing a home-base somewhere within the continent. Many foreigners set-up trendy bars, meditation centres, pizzerias, or hotels catering for the tourism industry. Partnership scuba dive shops, or hiking and mountaineering tours are other options. Finding that niche market to cater for short time periods to be free 9 months of each year is what everyone is looking for. 
​Asian tourist visas are still cheaper than anywhere else, only Bhutanese visas being above the roof at $230 US per day - which is a total ripoff, even if it does include hotel and guide costs. I wonder how Bhutanese citizens would feel paying the same fees for Australia, Europe or the US per-day? Bhutan has a multi-billion dollar debt with the IMF, so the country has to come up with ways of paying their burden relief debt off.

Street & Travel Photography - ASIA

It doesn't matter what you like photographing throughout the Asian continent  - It will keep anyone busy for decades.

It doesn't matter what side of the Asian continent your on - random street photography will keep anyone flat out busy. Good reliable photo-gear is a must have no-matter the brand. Lightweight point & shoot, mirrorless and solid built DSLR cameras are personal options all available to use. Smart phone cameras are great as backups, location-snaps, and selfies, but don't rely on just using smart phone cameras through the continent - it's something that many have regretted when visiting wildlife parks and bird sanctuaries. Positive levels of interaction with locals will capture all those close-up portraits you've been dreaming about. Tripods aren't necessary if using super lightweight point & shoots, but they are required for astrophotography, night captures, time-lapse, and distant wildlife.          

Photography isn't complicated, but the times and seasons reaching certain destinations can be! 

​Foreigners purchasing narcotics from other foreigners are just as GULITY as those who smuggle and supply hard drugs!

So, you're in Nepal and run out cash, or just plain greedy to fund your lavish overseas lifestyle hanging out at moon beach parties in Bali or Goa? December is a favourite month to smuggle drugs to Bali and Goa. The influx of foreigners hanging out at beach parties are cash beach banks. Swallowing a load of hashish oil or cocaine in mini-capsules on flights to Bali or Tokyo sounds simple. This smuggling trick no longer works anymore! Today, custom narcotics police are smart-savvy!
​Foreigners caught smuggling narcotics throughout the Asian continent are severely dealt with without mercy. Hefty fines, jail time and death sentences await those ignoring the law.  

Foreigners drug smuggling throughout the Asian continent has been an on-going issue for decades. Taking a quick visit to the jails in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manilla, Bali, or Delhi is certainly enough proof of this. Foreigners from all walks of life serving lengthy prison terms - some having life sentences, or receiving the death penalty. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore issue death penalties. Immigration arrival forms clearly state this entering these countries.
​Asian drug cartels are many. They do entice, and use docile foreigners, by offering cash incentives couriering narcotics in or out of Asia. ​Countries like Indonesia imply the same rules to their own citizens. 
There are also the individual tourists who look for an easy way out when cash supplies run dry. There have been many methods over the years to smuggle heroin, cocaine, meth, and hashish out of Asia. The majority of tricks that have been used smuggling drugs are well known by anti-drug border police. An example of late, which has been around since the 8o's, is using international courier, or local postal service. India has recently clamped down on this classic method, by opening packages (no matter the size) and inspected. Foreign visitors caught can receive 5+ years jail-time.
Nepali land border crossings with India target foreigners upon leaving Nepal. Drug searches are intense. Drug dogs are used at certain border check points. Countless foreign tourists have been busted smuggling hashish across the border into India. 
Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand are snare dens filled with foreign drug smugglers. On the outside, Thailand, to some, may seem an easy country to purchase and smuggle narcotics - it's not. Snitches, the underworld, and undercover narcotics police work hand in hand together busting foreign tourists around the clock - non-stop!
Nothing has changed, For those wanting to remain in Asia, either have a healthy bank stash, or find an honest way to survive feeding your lifestyle. Suffering the consequences of slowly decaying in a jail cell, or flying home in a bodybag was a choice that many westerners have encountered. 
Thailand drug penalties and laws ​: Indian drug penalties and laws : Laos tourism drug ​culture.

DRUG SMUGGLING - DON'T DO IT!

It's better to be stone broke free, rather than wasting years behind bars - Laziness and Greed never wins!

: Bali, Indonesia July 2019 - Two Australian males busted for cocaine trafficking at the resort village of Canggu​
: Indonesia April 2019 - Gili Trawangan Party Island - US national busted with 1224 grams of Gunja, Meth, Magic Mushrooms - Pending Death Penalty 
: Bali, Indonesia - Dec 2018, British male busted with 31kg of hash oil - 15 years jail or Death Penalty
: Bali, Indonesia - Dec 2018, Peruvian British, German, Chinese, Malaysian busted 4 kg of cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and   ketamine - Pending Death Penalty
: Lahore, Pakistan - Czech Female eight years jail smuggling 8.5 kg's of heroin     
: Nepal March 2019 - 41 tourists Trans-Party drug bust - Pokhara 
: Thailand - Australian couple busted for murder and 500kg of Crystal  meth - Pending Death Penalty
: Indonesia - Seven foreigners executed by firing squad     : Thailand Koh Samui May 2018 - foreigner drug bust 
: Koh Phayam, Thailand 2018 - 27 tourists busted for marijuana
: Bali - Kiwi female busted for 0.43G meth
: Thailand July 2019 - American & Thai wife busted with 1Kg Meth, pistol, 205,000 Baht  
: Hong Kong - Greek female busted smuggling 2.6 kg of cocaine    
: Australia - World cruise 2 Canadian females busted smuggling 95kg of heroin
: China - Colombian female busted smuggling cocaine inside a laptop    
: Nepal - Australian male busted smuggling hashish inside a guitar
: Indonesia May 2019 - French male busted for 3Kg of ecstasy - Death Penalty
: Indonesia June 2019 - American, 2 Spanish, 2 Russians busted for drug smuggling
: Moscow transfer flights from Nepal or India carrying a small amount of gunja in "checked baggage" 7 years jail
: Bali, Indonesia Sept 2019 - Swiss male busted smuggling 30 grams of marijuana - 6.5 years jail time 
: Bali, Indonesia Oct 2019 - Two Thai females busted for 1Kg of Meth - Pending Death Penalty
: Bali, Indonesia Oct 2019 - French male busted for 22.5 Grams of cocaine - Pending Death Penalty
: Bali, Indonesia Oct 2019 - Russian female busted with 6.6 Grams of cocaine - pending - up to 15 years jail time
: Thailand Nov 2019 - 1 Nigerian  2 Australians busted with 1.2Kg of Meth
: Nepal Dec 2019 - 4 foreign nationals busted - 6Kg's of Cocaine 
: Bali, Indonesia Dec 2019 - 6 foreigners arrested caught smuggling various drugs into Bali
: Bali, Indonesia Jan 2020 - Russian couple busted cultivating marijuana- Pending Longterm Jail time.
: Bali, Indonesia Feb 2020 -New Zealand male busted for meth - Pending Longterm Jail time
: Bali, Indonesia Jan 2020 - American male jailed 9.3 years & 72k USD fine selling cocaine & marijuana 
: Bali, Indonesia May 2020 - American male busted selling meth - Pending Longterm Jail time.

​Singapore Gateway Hub - Southern Asia

Singapore's impressive skyline of its financial district, and Marina Bay at dusk. Singapore was once known as a tax free haven, now long forgotten. It's the cleanest city in Asia with spotless pavements and meticulous roadways. Singapore has a comprehensive street camera surveillance network that watches everything, and anything that moves, which makes it one of the safest cities in Asia. Drug smuggling still remains a mandatory death sentence, and chewing gum is still prohibited. Singapore is the easiest city in Asia to move around in to explore the different cultural lifestyles. It's the gateway to Indonesia and north west bound overland all the way to Istanbul.
​Ezilon political Maps - Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Transiting across Asia overland from Singapore through to Turkey onward to Europe without boarding a flight hasn't been easier. Relaxing on a beach somewhere in southern Asia sounds inviting, but travelling through one continent to another is much more exhilarating and rewarding. I've done this journey back and forth a few times with incredible travel-logs. 

​Asia - Escape In Any Direction

No matter what you're in too - Asia has you covered in all directions. Diversity through a continent can't get better than what Asia has on offer. A complete overland journey through all of Asia can literally take years of travel. India will easily absorb a year on its own experiencing seasonal changes, festival events, highland wilderness, tribal culture and wildlife sanctuaries. Travelling through Asia in a mad rush isn't recommended, anyway what's the rush? Those who come to Asia with limited time-limits usually end-up regretting it.      

Kuala Lumpur - Midnight Snap

Petrona towers is like a dual metal magnet The towers architectural design is a feat in itself with the entire outer structures finished to perfection in cladded stainless steel. Grabbing snaps of the towers night glow can be easily accomplished from all directions and angles. The above image was captured at midnight. Light pollution is an issue photographing city skylines. The image below shows large amounts of light and carbon pollution blanketing over Kuala Lumpur after dark. More night snaps down the page. Ezilon Malaysian map

The location below is a refreshing escape from Kuala Lumpur central district. It can be reached by local metro to the last stop. The Hindu temple complex is situated within rural surroundings on the outskirts of the city. A large cave with Hindu idols, buskers, including plenty of monkeys reflects a small taste of India.

Image Captures - Endless Subjects

Image captures are abundant everywhere where through Asia. Street photography is in your face as soon as you wake up heading out the door. When the hustle and bustle of street activity wears thin, just escape out of town to an isolated temple, or too nearby paddy fields for the day. Most short journeys out from large cities quickly change from urban sprawl in to slow pace rural lifestyle living.

The fruits of hard labour showing carved out hillsides transformed into rice terraces - Sapa region   

Random street photography will keep you busy non-stop all day. It's simple to find chaotic bustling avenues, overflowing traffic, side streets full of vendors mixed amongst jostling open-air vegetable and meat markets. Any good point and shoot, or DSLR will do the job - don't leave your room without one.

Morning daybreak random snaps through Asia will capture images like the above. 

​From the Himalaya to the Chinese coast, random street photography is endless. Actually, there's no excuse whatsoever to capture appealing subject matter through the lens. 

Street photographers use their own personal flair capturing images. These quick examples were taken using a tripod. Carrying a tripod around may sound like overkill, but alleviates soft, out of focus captures. Through the decades, I've learnt to appreciate the positives of using tripods. Today, wherever home-base is, a tripod is packed and ready to use.

Solo Travel Asia - Camera Gear 

Are you travelling through Asia without a camera? Different opportunities arise all the time to capture candid snap shots on the go, whether it be at local markets, on the street, or during transit. DSLR photo-gear will spend most of its time being used. Any up market point and shoot, M4/3, or full frame DSLR will guarantee satisfaction.

Quality branded cameras and lenses are well worth their cost, if long-term travel is planned. Smart phone cameras can't match the quality of most full frame lenses. The optic quality in some older lenses are as good or superior than many lenses sold on the market today. At the end of the day, it's all about affordability and what can be found new or second-hand that produces good images. Those born into the smart phone era may argue until they see the difference of image quality.

Using any type of photo-gear without knowing basic interaction skills with strangers won't get your far. I've witnessed this dilemma with foreigners who hadn't a clue of how to interact with strangers. While some street subjects like children, are simple to photograph, adults need more effort to capture close-up street-snaps of them.
Basic interaction skills begins by communicating with general chit-chat. Getting up-close with portrait lenses require positive interaction levels beforehand. Respect those who don't want to be photographed.     

Forget about camera brands, rather look at what is compatible that can fulfil your needs and constantly capture rewarding images. Some point and shoots out there can easily match DSLR photo-gear. Off course, reliability is what counts for any photo-gear to keep on keeping on well past their recommended use-by date.  

Highland wilderness​ - True Serenity

Are you looking for peace and solitude? head to the mountainous regions of the Himalaya. In general, high mountainous landscape is rugged with endless formations of desolate barren terrain. Snow drift blizzards through the winter months are a common occurrence with sub-zero temperatures dropping to -30C. During the late spring and summer months, sheep and goat herders share the same road tracks in isolated regions moving their flocks. Highland herders constantly move stock in search for fresh grazing pastures through the Himalaya. Heading to the hills escaping monsoon heat is common amongst foreigners. Warning - hiking and wildlife photography through the Himalaya is addictive. Ezilon Indian map

Night Street Snaps - Asia

The choice and options of point & shoot and DSLR cameras can't get easier. Most major brands offer quality equipment to easily capture almost anything today. Lens quality plays an important roll, a low grade lens will give poor results. Before purchasing photo-gear, research online what others use and recommend. Whatever one decides, don't rely on smart phone cameras for an entire journey through Asia. It only takes a few drops and knocks to put most smart phones to sleep.     

Total Isolation  - Tibetan Plateau  

Today, overland travel and transit through Tibet is virtually impossible without appropriate permits, travel schedule, official paperwork with tour groups. There are official tourist operators in Kathmandu who run small tour groups in and out of Tibet. The above image was taken from the back of an open truck heading to Nyalam during mid-winter. It was during the time when one could go anywhere before the 89 shutdown of individual travel. This particular route has been downgraded with a fresh highway further west at Saga since the Nepali 2015 quake. The lower image is a view of Gyantse, the crossroad township splitting overland transit routes towards Mount Kailash via Saga or to Lhasa. Ezilon Chinese map

Below, a Tibetan dressed appropriately during mid-winter wearing a thick rough yak skin coat. Yaks are used for ploughing fields, transporting goods, their meat, hides, fur, butter, and everything and anything else imaginable. Yak dung is commonly used as a fuel source  for heat and cooking in isolated villages on the Tibetan plateau.

Asian Wildlife

Capturing images like these shown were done using DSLR photo-gear. Cell phone cameras, point and shoot, and 4/3 cameras are unable to reach out at most locations no-matter the brand name. DSLR photo-gear has no trouble in any environment capturing wildlife. This isn't understood until trying to get-up close to any wildlife. Those who think DSLR's are history should take a quick look at global wildlife images captured with DSLR gear. Don't count grabbing close-ups with anything else unless it's at zoos.   

Getting amongst wildlife through south east Asia is relatively straight forward with most countries having plenty of mixed wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Indonesia, Borneo, Malaysia, and India are well known for their exotic wildlife parks which are easily accessible. Depending on the time and season travelling through Asia, migratory birds can be seen each year arriving in the thousands from around the planet.

If it's full on wildlife adventure you're looking for, the extreme sub-zero high altitude regions through the Himalaya will reward those who have the stamina and patience to capture images of Snow Leopards. Warm thermo clothing is required to sustain average sub minus temps from -10C to -35C @ altitudes of 4000+ meters. Just reaching these regions where Snow Leopards exist during mid-winter is a journey to remember. Many who do make it fail to capture images like the one shown above due to weather conditions, and timing at any given location. This pair of Snow Leopards were self-tracked without the aid or help from local spotters by finding fresh cut paw pugs in snow and fresh droppings. Reliable long range photo-gear is required. Cell phone cameras, point & shoots, and 4/3 cameras are useless for this type of wildlife photography. A surplus of extra batteries, tripod or rest-bag are other necessities. 

When visiting any wildlife sanctuary, a pair of mini binoculars is recommended for spotting and viewing. Photographing wildlife will normally require using DSLR photo-gear with a lens of at least 400mm focal length. This will also help when rendering and enlarging images if cropping is required. Point & shoot or cell phone cameras can capture close-up shots, but they definitely lack the power range, and quality optics of semi/pro photo gear. Many parks have their own guides who usually know where all the good locations are to get up as close as possible to wildlife. The below image for example, was taken from 75+ metres. The deer could hear the shutter of the camera even from this distance. If the deer had seen me, or if I had suddenly moved, they would have bolted back into the bush in quick succession. 
The overland travel & transit Photo-Gear page covers camera equipment I've used and still use today.

Action captures of birdlife are best during migratory periods within wildlife parks and sanctuaries throughout Asia.  

Random Street Portraits - Asia

Where does one start? The faces of Asia are many. Roaming through city streets or isolated rural villages capturing close-up portraits is both simple and rewarding. With good open Interaction levels - anything's possible. Never be shy as a visitor, usually, most locals will be more than happy to pose for a second or two. It's polite, and recommended to show any image taken to subjects before moving on. 

Many young novices tend to be shy and disappear when there's to many foreigners around, but if solo, the opportunity to capture close-up images of novices and other locals becomes easier. 

Taking close-ups is accomplished simply by openly interacting with people. This automatically opens up a window of countless opportunities that would never materialise if interaction is ignored.

Using manual focus lenses may seem backward to some. The above image was taken with a 105mm f/1.8 Nikon AIS lens @ f/1.8. The sharpness and bokeh of this lens is outstanding for an optic that was available on the shelves at camera stores in 1981. The lens was superseded in 2005. The 105 when de-clicked performs well for street videography. 

Strolling through side streets and alley-ways through Asian villages and cities will produce ample amounts of images. By habit, one becomes accustomed exploring areas on the outskirts of towns. This is where all types of different action is found. Everyday out on the streets, there's always someone interesting to photograph.

Tribal ambience is scattered all over this image, the basket above the fireplace is an old technique still used today for smoking fish, chicken and meat. An open fire set on a mud floor with a kettle brewing is the normal greeting entering tribal dwellings. This customary necklace design is unique and worn by elderly Konyak women in north eastern India. Getting to Mon district from Myanmar is via Imphal through to Kohima. 

In general, monks, even though most look serious all the time, have loads of humour and laughter, and easily photographed without any issues whatsoever.

Random street snaps like the above - a Bihari woman,  can catch you off guard down a side street with their colourful dress wear and aqua blue eyes. If tribal women are accompanied with their husbands  -  it's advisable first to ask permission before taking images.  This applies especially to Muslim women in public!   

Getting close-up snaps of locals, like this relaxed dude above are easily found when strolling through auto and mechanical workshops anywhere through Asia. 

A random street snap of a north Vietcong veteran who was casually taking his daily afternoon stroll. 

This image was taken at distance with the aid of a tripod which was set up to capture street images along a highway.

An over friendly local expressing his facial emotions of having a total stranger grabbing a close-up snap.

A random street snap within a market captured the expression and break of laughter from this Thai local.

This person could easily be from any of the many hundreds of different tribal communities spread across Asia.

Asia has there share of tough guys, like this local who works as a labourer lifting and carrying all kinds of heavy produce - all day non stop.

 A young Laotian novice spun around at the right moment capturing his eyes wide open in this random street image. 

A group snap with an array of cultural colour dress wear is what makes India stand out to be still one of the top countries globally for street photography. Everyday, anywhere through India is completely different to the next. Indian charm, the rush, the noise, the chaos, and unpredictability is what makes India a photographic paradise.   

Both random street portraits displaying their ethnic backgrounds, a Cambodian peasant, and a snap of a Vietnamese local from the DaLat region.

Below, strong facial features with customary tribal earpieces, necklaces and dress design are the rewarding image captures within tribal territories.

​Street Chai - It's Addictive 

If you enjoy sipping on fresh made street Chai, Asia is the perfect place to drink as much as you want to your heart's content. The continent is full of chai vendors, found on most street corners in bustling cities, and rural villages. Clay coal fired chulahs are still commonly used through India, although future regulations are brewing to shift towards gas.  

Chai vendors brew-up a variety of different blends. Black, milk, green, lemon, ginger, cardamom or spicy hot chai. Image captures from India, Nepal, Pakistan & Bangladesh.

Below, nothing beats a hot brew of chai on cold winter mornings up in the Himalayan mountains.

No matter the region or season across Asia, chai tea break stops are satisfying anywhere across the continent.   

Khao San Road 

"Some love the place while others can't wait to leave" 

Khoa San Road - Some love the place and remain for weeks on end, while others despise it, and can't wait to leave, never to return again - that's how Khoa san road was, has, and will always be. In the mid 80's it was a mecca for purchasing airline tickets to India, Nepal, Burma, and Bangladesh. Back then, during the evenings, only a few small tables were seen scattered along the sidewalk on the entire street, and were mainly clustered with half bottles of Mekhong whisky and buckets of ice. The 1/2 dozen guesthouses during that error would store luggage as long as you wanted for free - even for years on end. By the mid 90's, Khoa san road became a full on party street-strip that has never looked back. Khoasan road has always been a huge money making machine through the decades for Thai locals, and will probably continue to do so until the last plane lands. Ezilon Thailand map.

Preparing steamed food is as easy as it looks. A strong woven basket resting on top of a boiling pot of water with whatever food substance chosen cooks in no time. A removable lid allows easy access to empty or refill the basket.
​Below, within isolated regions through Asia, traditional mud floor kitchens are still used. Typical smoke boxes hang above fires to slowly cook all types of meat. Traditional lifestyle living with the smell of food, steam and billows of smoke pouring out the kitchen door is difficult to beat.            

Asian Sunsets  

Awesome sunsets are seen around the planet. As most probably already know, manmade pollution together with natural dust elements from volcanic ash mixed in the atmosphere enhance colourful effects. Asia has its fair share of stunning sunsets scattered across the continent. Some of the most unbelievable sunsets are witnessed in Indonesia after large fire burn-offs. Bangladesh and India aren't too far behind. Both countries with their large populations and heavily developed industries add and enhance colourful sunsets. Bangladesh overland map, Ezilon Indian map.

A washy pastel sunset image captured in eastern Myanmar. A tripod was used with a full frame DSLR 

The simplicity of any silhouette can be easily established during dawn daylight or late afternoons. If the  background is lighter than the subject, the image should look something like the above. Depending on the chosen subject and depth of field, a dramatised capture will result.

India has some of the most amazing sunsets in Asia. This image was captured on a tripod over looking Bikaner city pointing directing into the Thar desert towards Pakistan. A 1986-2005 Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 AIS manual focus lens was used. It would have been impossible to capture the sun this large without using the magnification of a long range tele-lens. A cable release was used to minimise camera shake, including delayed timer mirror-up. Added weight was used to keep the tripod stable. Extra weight was also placed on top of the lens. A classic 12MP Nikon D3S body @ 1/13th of a second.

Moonshots Asia 

Moon shot captures are always spectacular, the below snap is a partial crop  from an original raw file that was taken using a tripod to eliminate vibration.

Many high altitude isolated regions well away from city light pollution are great locations for astrophotography. The Asian continent has ample regions to capture moon shots and Milky Way. Nepal, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, and Tibet have numerous locations for clear viewing of the night sky.

Travelling with a tripod certainly isn't on everyones baggage list over-landing through Asia, but a tripod is required for astro-captures. This ensures images are captured with minimal movement and vibration. Forget trying to capture quality night images using smart phones, unless it's attached to a telescope. DSLR's may be considered "clumsy" in todays world of snap happy street photography, but in most cases they do guarantee satisfactory results without too much fuss. For astro, the pick of the bunch is the Nikon AF-s 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. This lens attached to any of Nikons semi-pro-pro full frame bodies will give good results. Canon, Sony and Fuji are also right up there with quality optics. The brand of camera isn't important, it's the lens quality that counts!  ​

Paddy Fields - Asia's Food Source

Imagine Asians without rice. Paddy fields are seen scattered far and wide throughout Asia. Vast fields of paddy are usually established where there's a constant water supply, either from rivers, streams or artisan water bores. Plantations are normally owned by extended families who share both the hard work harvesting the crops, and the profit gain when the rice is harvested and sold off in bulk lots.
​Planting and harvesting periods are the best times to witness lots of action and activity. Ezilon Vietnamese map

Head To The Hills - Sapa Region

A great retreat to stay for a week or two to escape the heat of Hanoi is further north to the mountainous regions of Sapa. The Sapa, are a mix of tribal communities with indigenous heritage of the Red Dzao, Phù Láwho, Black Hmong, Tay, and Giáy tribes. They share large portions of mountainous land who have carved out the hillsides creating endless layers of paddy terraces. The region has been well known for it's friendly tourism home-stays for many years and continues to grow with a positive vibe. If you want to learn the basic skills of terrace construction and paddy planting with a mix of tribal atmosphere, the Sapa region is the perfect place to do it. Street and landscape photography in this region is rewarding. Using your own or hired wing bling moped to get around the countryside is recommended. 

One of the first things that's noticeable in the Sapa region, is lots of happy chit-chat and plenty of laughter. If you haven't had a chuckle with locals for a while, and need a fix, then I advise going to Sapa. This is also a hub to get through to Laos at the Dien Bien Phu (DBP) crossing. Its's a 280 km scenic transit route which heads north west near the Chinese border, and then back tracks southward to Dien Bien.

Quick Snaps

Sometimes an image capture can materialise right in front of you, and disappear just as quickly into thin air. I was on foot in slow motion strolling along a winding dirt track that was leading up to a road junction. It was here when I had noticed a group of trees all bunched together with a rough looking bench seat nestled in the centre. I thought to myself - "wow, that would be a great image if only someone was sitting on the bench seat". Not even a few seconds later from out of nowhere, a blind man led by his helper appeared, and sat on the seat right in front of me. This allowed enough time to grab the capture above, before they left as quickly as they came. 

Capturing street images of children through Asia can't be avoided, they're everywhere. It only takes a small amount of interaction to grab their attention. Avoid crossing the line taking images of naked children  - Anywhere! even if innocently captured.    

If you're having trouble grabbing street snaps throughout Asia - you have a problem. Capturing images of locals are in all directions 24 hours non-stop. Strolling around within big cities or rural village communities gives endless opportunities too easily photograph random subjects. These quick samples were randomly captured by chance on slow walks.      

Want Hustle & Bustle? - Bangladesh

Dhaka still hasn't lost that "rush vibe" it was known for decades ago. You feel it as soon as you step out on to the street and walk a few blocks within the old quarter of the city, or down at the port. Dhaka is probably one of the best Asian cities for random street photograph. Dhaka will give you all the street images you've been looking for that the rest of Asia lost years ago. Nothing beats rush hour traffic through Dhaka. Using DSLR photo-gear with quality lenses is a must.

Every city in Asia has its own uniqueness with some that dazzle the visitor. Dhaka's colourful street displays of tangled rickshaws in amongst moving traffic and pedestrians is one of those cities. Dhaka's river estuary is also another vibrant bustling part of the old city region. A maze of rainbow water reflections from anchored boats and ferries are witnessed scattered along both sides of the port. A week is sufficient enough time to explore Dhaka at a slow pace. Overland  travel and transiting through Bangladesh is relatively straight forward with numerous types of road and boat transportation. 

Meeting Bangladeshis can't be easier as a visitor, one only needs to use a little interaction time, which gives positive results with either young or old anywhere throughout the country. Bangladesh, like India, is a street photographer's paradise which makes it well worth visiting for at least a month or two.

Pagoda Paradise - Mystic Valley 

Pink dawn pagoda silhouette - one of the best times to enjoy Bagan valley is when the skyline breaks into pastel daylight colours before sunrise.

Pagoda sunsets - this is the moment when visitors flock in droves to the most tallest pagodas to enjoy the ambience views of Bagan valley. Getting to a tall pagoda should be done early for a clear viewing position well in advance before the sun begins to drop. For $500 dollars (gulp), one can float across the sky for an hour watching the sunrise. (500 dollars can get you through Myanmar for a month)

Even well after sunrise, most pagodas are still overflowing with foreign tourists enjoying the views scouring around grabbing selfie snaps.

Machine Workshops - Rough Side Of Town  

Every township and city throughout Asia has an industrial zone. They're usually situated on the outskirts of urban complexes. Different types of contract manufacturing for local and offshore markets are visibly seen with an abundance of machine workshops scattered in all directions. If it's graphic photography you're looking for, then most industrial areas will have more than enough disorderly chaotic out/indoor workshops to choose from.

Classic Filling Stations

Old style hand pumps at rural filling stations for gasoline are still operating in parts of China and Myanmar. One positive with this manual system is whenever there's a power cut gasoline can still be extracted. Below is an image capture of an automotive shop that specialises in reground crankshafts and bearings. One can find these type of automotive shops in most major towns and cities from Pakistan through to Vietnam. 

Below, an engine getting a complete recondition overhaul, the rebuilder is in the process of boring and honing worn out cylinder bores on this engine. 

Night Snap Captures

Midnight street photography through Asia is rewarding. There's always something to capture after dark no matter what it is, or where it's located even with minimal light. Most large Asian cities have an issue with light pollution, so forget about astrophotography anywhere close to large cities. Checking out good locations during daylight hours for city skyline night snaps is recommended. Some high rise scrapers do have restaurants and bars on rooftops which may allow a tripod to be set up for a short time. Using a tripod for long exposure captures is recommended.
Image - Phnom Penh Central. Ezilon Cambodian map

Singapore central has a totally relaxed atmosphere after dark for any type of street photography. It's one of the easiest cities to walk around in without any issues whatsoever. The most difficult thing to do grabbing night snaps like the one above were the endless amount of location positions to place a tripod. 

Sometimes, a tripod may be left in the hotel, finding a power pole or a sign post to lean a DSLR camera body against to minimise vibration and shake works . Image - Old Hoian village in central Vietnam. 

A stream of chaotic traffic in Hanoi Central. The location where this image was captured is actually a fast food hangout directly with open views of the centre. Ordering a shake and french fries will give a free pass out to the balcony. 

Asian tribal festivals are many, capturing silhouette snaps like the above is a lot fun.

Sadhus - India

There's no doubt whatsoever that India has always been the number one country in Asia for capturing endless amounts of different random street images. Capturing street portraits all day long will wear most out. Taking images of strange mysterious Sadhus is common. Sadhus are easily spotted and found during annual religious events, or down at washing ghats, or within ancient cities like Varanasi and Haridwar, which are traditionally known as Sadhu abodes. Don't become a typical western tourist who quickly take snaps of Sadhus and run off in a hurry. A simple gesture, like offering a chai and chit-chat goes a long way.

Interacting with Sadhus won't just give you great image captures, it will also open the opportunity of socialising with them giving a close-up view of some of their daily routine habits. Sadhus have out-going personalities with friendly open attitudes towards foreigners. Sadhus enjoy their daily fix of charas smoking usually sharing a chillum. There's more on India in the Overland India  section.

It doesn't matter what photo-gear one uses, as long as it does the job - below, low light capture with a DSLR

​Water Reflections - Rivers & Estuaries​

If you're into water reflections like myself, most water canals and estuaries have busy waterways with anchored and moving boats which mirror display vibrant colours through the water. Waiting for subjects passing by does take time, and will depend on the location, and generally worth the patience.

Water reflections are everywhere, it just takes a good lens and tripod to capture some great snaps.

A local casually passing by with a capture of different pastel reflections in the background from anchored boats.

Long distance image @ 500 mtrs using an AFS 200-400 f/4 ED-IF VR II lens on DX mode (1.5 x 400mm) on a tripod.

The aid of using a tripod to capture water reflections makes it easier to get images like this.

An image of pastel maze like colours mirrored from close-by ships on to the surface of jet black water in an estuary.

A loaded boat with locals crossing the Irrawaddy river leaving a ripple effect across the surface.

Ankor Wat - 4 Day Pass - Knock Yourself Out 

Capturing a morning silhouette snap at Ankor Wat,  jostling around for a place to do it in peak season can be difficult.

Ankor Wat is on everyone's bucket list for those passing through Cambodia. The four day pass is well worth its price tag, because of the freedom to explore and go where you wish without rushing. Photographing the sun rise at the main moat is one out of the many highlights at Ankor Wat, although it can be mission for those using tripods if arriving too late. The jostle for a good position begins around 4am - don't be late.

Hanging out around the main temples gives the opportunity of capturing images of novices and monks.

With 2 million + visitors passing through Angkor Wat every year the chances of peaceful serenity is almost impossible. The wet season may give some freedom to setup a tripod at 5am with a bonus of reflections from a full body of water in the moat encompassed around the main temple complex.

Transit Mode - Asia​

When local public transport becomes non-existent, it's very normal to climb on board anything with wheels moving in the right direction. This becomes an automatic practice in any isolated region throughout the Asian continent. Grabbing lifts on the back of trucks or pickups, and mingling with locals is a major part of what overland travel and transit is all about. It's on these type of occasions during transit where the ease of interacting with locals occurs. Crossing through countries or entire continents using basic transportation is just a normal day. The Overland Transit section 

North West Thailand

North western Thailand has always been a great place to relax and chill-out when one needs a break from the rest of Asia. After months slogging it out over landing and transiting throughout the continent, many, including myself return to their favourite places for a few weeks, or month or two.

Storm fronts gathering momentum during the wet season are common and witnessed within the mountainous regions in north west Thailand. 

Random Street Snaps - Everyday's Different 

It only takes a small amount of interaction to capture random street snaps like above.  

One only has approximately two seconds grabbing images like the above, then it's lost forever - never hesitate to capture street shots of busy subjects. 

These portrait snaps were taken randomly within areas where most foreigners don't even bother to go. Taking a stroll to the edge of any town or village will usually create a small gathering of intrigued locals with invitations of chit-chat, and offers of coffee or chai. This gives the opportunity of easily taking close-up portraits without fuss or bother. I've never had any issues doing this through all the continents. Having positive interaction is all it takes.

Random street photography through Asia is like walking through a matrix of unlimited subjects to capture. It's an individual reaction to interact with locals, who maybe stationary, or walking close-by to randomly capture images of them. How many times have we all regretted not doing this? All those missed random captures of total strangers that we don't want to remember. In the real world of random street photography, one only has 3 seconds to decide, and act to capture any moving subject. The 1st second is thinking about it, with the 2nd second taking it. The last second the image is already gone, and becomes a faded memory lost forever. Another related issue is a flat battery that fails when needed - it's always advisable to carry a spare charged battery just incase.  

Shallow depth of field makes subjects stand out, and produces smooth out of focus washy backgrounds that photographers want as an end result.

These street images of children are posted here on purpose for other street photographers, and for those who are unaware of how any innocent street snaps can be taken and viewed in a negative way. In western countries, strangers taking street snaps of children without permission could be thought as something sinister, even though there was no intent of sexual exploitation. In Asia, streets are bustling with children, all having different lifestyles and upbringing. The majority of children in public are usually with family members or a parent close-by. Foreigners travelling through Asia have endless opportunities to freely take candid street snaps of children without complications like in western countries. Capturing random street portraits of almost anyone has been a normal occurrence for decades without issues through Asia, and other continents. In saying this, crossing over the red line taking images of naked street children should be avoided - Period! Local authorities, including western immigration officials have the right to browse through image files, and may seize and even arrest those on suspicion of CSAM.  
In Ethiopia, South Sudan, Namibia, and other countries through Africa, there are no regulations to photograph semi-naked people of all age groups within their respected tribal zones. Cultural festivals like the Kumbh Mela in India do show full exposure male genitalia, and is at the discretion of those wanting to capture graphic images of nakedness. There is a grey area with a fine line - just avoid crossing it and you'll be OK. 

A young girl stares directly into the lens showing no shyness whatsoever. Maybe she was thinking why a foreigner would capture a quick snap of her, instead of taking a selfie of myself? This is what was actually happening within this area close to an open river view point, foreign tourists were busy taking selfies of themselves with many walking straight past this little local without even noticing her.

 Young novices exiting out from a bush track short-cut from their temple was unexpected. Ezilon Laotian map

I had easily caught the attention grabbing a snap of these local passengers who were on a moving bus. I was positioned in the middle of a busy 6 lane expressway on top of a medium barrier dividing traffic flow. A tripod was used for this snap - sometimes location is everything.

The image above was captured along with 100's of other images in tribal territory using DSLR photo-gear and tripod 

A street portrait randomly taken within a small village environment in the south east of Bangladesh. The local, a Hindu was more than happy posing for a quick snap.

A close-up street portrait of an elderly Nepali who passed by where I was sitting outside a cafe. I invited her to my table and offered her something to eat and drink - which she accepted. Before she departed she kindly allowed me to capture a few quick images.

A retired headhunter from the Konyak tribe in northern Nagaland. His 1950's facial tattoo has faded through the decades, but is certainly still visible. The image was captured using a classic Nikon D3 body with a 40 year old Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT AIS lens in subdued light.

Earth Ovens and Dried Dung

Creative handmade designed earth ovens are typically seen in the highlands of Nepal, India Tibet, Mongolia and Pakistan. Locals craft their own unique designs using mud mixed with straw. Some regions still have an abundance of firewood or use dried dung. Getting cooking gas to remotes mountain villages still remains virtually impossible. Locals in these regions will normally resort to using dried dung for warmth and cooking. The above image was taken in a remote region of Nepal. Using dried dung as a natural fuel for cooking and heating has been around for centuries in regions without wood. The image below shows prepared yak dung slowly drying out in the small isolated township of Samye in Tibet. 

Passage of Time

Many remote regions in Asia are excellent places to capture images like these two samples, Antique wooden carts drawn with horses are still being used in areas well away from the hustle and bustle of large towns and cities. Elders of small isolated villages can easily be seen relaxing in their favourite porch chair, or taking a stroll down a dusty lane way. The passage of time within some of these communities still remain as they were a century ago. 

Photography - Asia Has It All

Asian random street portrait photography is everywhere - Shoot your heart out! 

Capturing great images in transit mode through Asia really depends how motivated you are. It begins withe early morning walks, and late evening strolls. One can never know what maybe lurking around a corner, or further up a river estuary that may become a shot worth hanging on the wall in canvas.

Capturing night street images of glittering reflective cityscapes in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai is trendy among local residents. Using a tripod will ensure vibration free captures with anything over a 1 second exposures.

Asia's Hemp Industry

Gunja, Bhang, hemp, dope, weed, cannabis, marijuana, pot, buds, grass

China is now the largest producer and supplier of cannabis in Asia with thousands of hectares of land used for cultivating legal cannabis. The global demand for cultivated hemp is used for textiles, and for treating various types of sickness such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. Wild hemp in Asia has been around for centuries, and can be seen growing in or beside cultivated farm crops, or within mountainous regions in Nepal, India, and China. The lucrative business of illegal cultivated hemp processed into hash has had its own supply and demand throughout the continent - especially in India and Nepal. Since the hippie era of the 60's, there's been a grey area for foreign tourists smoking gunja and hashish in Asia.
Grey areas depend on the region, and the corruption level, which varies from country to country. Bribe payouts are common practise from underpaid police looking for quick cash. This can amount to expensive payoffs, if searched and caught - even for a single joint. Carrying surplus amounts of weed or hash is entirely at your own risk.

Asia - A Matrix of Temples

Young novices can be shy at the best of times, avoiding strangers pointing cameras at them. Spending time hanging out around kitchen quarters beside temples will eventually capture images like the above. Interaction is imperative.      

There's no other continent on the planet that can match the amount of temples per square kilometre than what Asia contains. India alone shares a vibrant history of many different faiths with most religions still in existence in India today. Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Jewish temples are scattered across the country. 

Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar are saturated in Buddhist heritage and culture. Some temples are decorated and adorned looking just like fine art abstracts.

Personally, I'm not into temple photography, it's not that I completely avoid them, an impossible task in Asia, but they are places of worship, and prefer not clicking away inside busy religious establishments.Taking images of temples from the outside looking in is probably as far as it goes. Now and then, there are moments of capturing locals inside temples when invited to do so. Historical ancient temples like Angkor Wat and Bagan are just the opposite, and good examples of non-hassle photography to shoot your heart out all day.

Above, one out of many huge gigantic preserved stained glass paintings inside a 19th century church in India constructed during the British colonial legacy. 

Above, an original classic snap taken on the 1st overland trip into Tibet. The smell of incense odour with swirls of smoke billowing outside Jokhang temple with the sounds of gongs and chanting is one visual experience never forgotten. Below, pagoda paradise early morning at Bagan. It's now become a part of the overland transit route in either direction from India through to Thailand.

Photographing monks usually isn't an issue, although some monks and novices are camera shy. Taking images inside temples in Asia will depend if photography is permitted. If you're into this type of photography, keeping distance and showing respect in temples should be considered during live prayer worship. This especially applies inside mosques. The below image was taken from approximately 40 metres distance at an opening at the side of a temple which had enough light reflection.  

Below, a group snap of an extended Laotian family who invited me to their neighbourhood temple while staying in Laos.

Action Captures - In Motion 

As it has always been anywhere across the continents, rivers are a focal meeting place for everyone. Asia has plenty of waterways, estuaries, and rivers to visit, but one river especially stands out more than all the others - The Ganges.  It's here where Hindus congregate, and perform their religious rituals. On the banks of the Ganges, one finds Sahdus along the different Ghats from dawn to dusk - which is where this image was taken. 

Like all continents - festivals are many, with Asia topping the scales of multi mixed celebrations, and endless open air events held annually. Some major festivals run their course over a week, and attract ten's of thousands of locals from far and wide. This also includes India's north eastern tribal communities who celebrate the tilling and farming of their land. The above image was taken during a Naga festival event showing a tribal group demonstrating the art of sifting shaff.

Where There's Water - There's Action​ 

The Mekong river during the pre-monsoon season at its lowest level still gives lasting impressions.     

Some of the best street photography through any continent are along rivers, lakes, and estuaries. 

Where there's a water estuary - there's an untold amount of images to capture. Early morning before sunrise, most Asian river estuaries are already in full swing. Local fisherman, water taxis, and harbour markets are normally buzzing with sellers, and buyers purchasing fresh fish products. It doesn't matter which country, or what port or estuary location it is, they all have the same ambience - Hectic and flat out with most locals on steroids. 

The above image was taken on the edge of an estuary captured early in the morning. Below, a quick snap of a local boat operator offering a lift down river.

With a little interaction, images like below are captured anywhere through the continents.

​Ship Wrecking - Bangladesh

Large ocean freighters, cargo and passenger ships have been dismantled for decades in Bangladesh. The ship grave yard is scattered along a secluded bay along the mud flats situated south of Chittagong. Visiting inside ship yards are still permitted, but photo-gear, including cell phones, or anything that can take images is strictly prohibited and must be left with security guards at gate entrances. Early morning captures can be done outside the ship yards without much fuss, but there is a presence of invisible eyes watching. In the winter months (December-January) the sun rises in the correct position for light exposure. Arriving either early in the morning or late afternoon will give the options to see local shipyard crews wading through the mudflats with wire strops that are manually dragged out and attached to cut-off sections of ship. This is done like clockwork everyday following low tide movements. On the high tide, the cut-off sections of ship are then winched to shore. The possibilities of hiring a dugout to float outside the shipyard zones is permitted, but this is definitely at your own risk. The images shown here are crops from the original files, and were taken with an 800mm Nikon lens mounted to a tripod. There is also a large ship breaking yard in India (Alang), but permission with an issued permit is required. There are some who do sneak a along a side road before the security gate entrance, and pay a small bribe to enter into a yard - this is done at your own risk. If caught, all photo-gear will be seized, including a fine, and possible deportation out from India. My advice - get a permit.  

A few western funded NGO's have really created an anti negative atmosphere in and around the Chittagong region. I was followed by locals, who were watching and observing what I was photographing, and then questioned me several times why I had photographed certain machine shops in the industrial area. The ship breaking yards have the same presence. The concern of safety for salvage workers has been an issue for ship wrecking companies. The majority of large container and cargo ships being dismantled at ship yards belonged to western ship companies, who pawn-off their used sea junk to Bangladesh. The images shown are cargo ships being slowly dismantled bit by bit, piece by piece. Using a long tele lens will capture images like these from the pier - which at the moment is still permitted to do so.

An early morning salvage crew pulling  an industrial steel winch strop cable through the mudflats on the low tide.

A partially dismantled cargo ship showing its exposed engine room compartment with salvage workers off-loading items.

A group of morning salvage workers up to their knees in mud dragging a winch cable into position during low tide.

Sparks from a gas cutter spraying billows of molten flint as a worker inside gas-axes his way through a section of outer ship panel. The sections are then winched back to the shore line with cable strops. Below, a view taken in the morning at the end of a public accessible pier jetty. A dugout can be hired to get along the backside of salvaged ships which are scattered 12 kilometres along this particular beach. It's not advisable, and actually prohibited to enter past the rear of any of the beached ships on the high tide. This can and has been done, but it is at your own risk with no assurances of safety.  

Sadhus In Transit

One never knows who they'll meet down a side street or along a highway. I met these two Sadhus in a remote Nepali village who were heading by foot to Pokhara from the Lumbini region. 

Custom Jewellery - Silver, Gold, Rubies & Sapphires 

Well made designer jewellery can be found throughout south east Asia for one 1/3rd of the cost compared to western prices. Silver bling is as cheap as it comes with many vendors offering personal custom designs made to order. Nepal, India, Laos, and Thailand are overflowing with different jeweller shops and boutiques found in trendy tourist spots. Rubies, sapphires and precious stones are also plentiful. Anything of value purchased, including gold should come with an authentication certificate to validate the purity of the item. Individual jewellery sellers who roam the streets pawning-off large sapphires and rubies are actually selling fake flame fusion glass replicas. Shopping around comparing prices and quality before purchasing is recommended. If you already know how to identify the quality of authentic uncut gem stones, Myanmar is the best place to purchase them. Purity of uncut stones vary which requires a magnifying glass to spot cracks and flaws.

Top quality custom silver and gold rings with authentic cut stones won't be found among the endless amount of jewellery street vendors through Asia. Instead, finding an emporium where one can browse through local jeweller shops is where it all happens. Having your own unique designed rings made with flawless gemstones can take a few weeks to complete.
One of the best emporiums globally is located in Bogota, Colombia. I've had positive success having custom rings and earrings made on previous visits to Colombia. Second hand gold jewellery in Colombia can also be purchased for the weight price only without added costs for design work. Myanmar, DRC and Afghanistan have various genuine stones and gems, that can be locally purchased. Kathmandu has an overflowing amount of jewellers who can easily design, or finish one-off custom rings and earrings, if gemstones have already been purchased elsewhere. The smuggling of gold or precious stones without official receipts should be avoided, unless you like jail time, fines, seized gems and gold, and deported with a lengthy black-ban.              

Road Works - Asian Style

Manually crushing rocks by hand by women labourers is witnessed in many countries throughout the Asian continent for construction and road repair maintenance. As soon as a new layer of crushed stone is laid and rolled, the new layer is then sealed together with hot tar extracted from close-by hot fiery 44 gallon drums. The tar is then spread evenly across the surface manually with a hand-held bucket. Below, a night shift worker preparing hot tar in 44 gallon drums.

Monsoon Rains  - Grabbing Snaps 

While most run for cover to shelter themselves when downpours occur, this is actually a rewarding time to head out on to the street to capture some great images. Monsoon weather conditions are prime with heavy rainfall that can continue non-stop for days on end. Depending on what photo-gear is used, the lens will need protection to stop rain drops, and spray reaching the front element. An umbrella does work, but hand holding any DSLR with one hand, and an umbrella in the other takes a little practice to master in pouring rain. Control and aperture settings will vary for each image capture, including focus. Carrying a few cloths to wipe away rain droplets on the front element is required and can't be avoided. It's also recommended to wipe and dry lenses before placing them back in the camera bag. This will stop fungus spores developing in humid climates.

The above image was captured at 4am during the middle of a fierce thunderstorm in India. A tripod was used to get the image.  Below, a couple of young drenched novices who stopped for a quick snap before disappearing.

If you've been out and about during monsoon rain dumps grabbing snaps and don't intend to use photo-gear for a few days, its advisable to wipe and dry everything before packing any equipment into camera-bags. Many make the mistake within humid climates by placing wet lenses into camera-bags zipping it shut for weeks on end and wonder why all of  sudden fungus growth has developed inside their lenses. Silica gel packets in camera-bags will only absorb and protect lenses from small amounts of dampness. Wiping down soaked photo-gear before packing will avoid a lot of screaming later.  

Both images were captured using a 12 MP DSLR. Lenses with quality optics are far more important than the amount of megapixels a camera sensor contains. If you're deciding to do blowups to billboard size, then go for it and spend your cash on a 80+ MP camera. In general, most people rarely enlarge images past A1 (23"x33"). Even enlarging an images to 40"x60" on canvas, a 12 MP camera body with good quality glass will be satisfactory. The majority of the images through this website were captured using 12 MP camera bodies.     

Don't Be A Western Beg-Packer!

Westerners living the lifestyle off-shore by beg-packing for cash handouts only has one theme - An off-shore western beggar!  -->  Get a working holiday visa or maybe try Beg Packing in your own country first! If you become stuck and hard out off-shore, which does happen --> Go to your Embassy and beg them to get you home. Avoid becoming a part of the "Westerner Beg Packing" craziness, and leave street donations for the down and out locals, who need cash more than anyone else to survive.

Top header Images

Twins - Myanmar

Potala Tibet

 Hanoi - rush hour

Kaza - India

Are you travelling through Asia only using a smart phone to grab street portrait snaps? Big Mistake! Don't follow the herd thinking smart phone cameras will do everything you've led to believe. Take some good advice, and invest in a quality 4/3 or DSLR, if street photography suddenly becomes a passion - which happens! One of the biggest mistakes people do before future planned travel journeys, is to save space and weight. Cell phones become substitutes replacing cameras. After a few weeks, or month on the road, one finds out cell phone cameras have their limitations. Running around shopping for cameras off-shore may sound simple enough, but lost time, half missed shots, and the learning curve, to become familiar with new photo-gear will be more frustrating to many. Understanding the fundamentals to master anything begins with knowing how to use it first. Purchasing new cameras before any travel, and using it for at least a month before departure is by far a wiser choice than during any travel journey.