was five years enough???

I have just returned home after 5 years of travelling in 24 counties across 4 continents. I thought I would share, not necessarily the best photographs I’ve taken but the ones which sum up each one of the countries that I visited.


France. After spending several weeks cycling across the country this was my last day in the country. Up in the Alps approaching the Italian border it was only a 20 mile climb to reach it!




Italy: Tuscany...need I say more!



Greece: it was hot, mountainous and arid. Here in Delphi the views were wonderful.




Turkey: if you like ruins, come to Turkey! You will be spoilt for choice. The people are warm and friendly (although in the hinterlands they are quite reserved and formal, well until you get to know them)




Iran: culture shock is just the start, trying to cross a street in Tehran is even more so! Up in the mountains near Zoroastrian fire lakes, assassin’s castle and the Caspian sea are multi coloured landscapes where the donkey is the main form of transport.



India: a huge, confusing, crowded and beguiling country. One thing that you will find nearly everywhere is a Tank. The monsoon waters are stored here and used for drinking and cooking. This one is at the ancient city of Hampi.



Nepal: after the chaos of India, Nepal was a welcome change of pace! In the valley of Pohkara, life still revolves around the rice harvest.



Thailand: I spent all of my time in the north of the country up in the mountains and the golden triangle! So for me, Thailand is all about flowers, rivers and temples.



Malaysia: even though it is a Muslim country it is also a melting pot of western and eastern cultures. Here in Melaka you can find Chinese temples with the biggest josticks I’ve ever seen.



Indonesia: here on the island of Sumatra are vast swathes of virgin forest slowly being cut down for palm oil production. Hidden in the jungle are small scale rubber plantations providing much needed income for the local population.



USA: I spent a few weeks cycling across Utah, Arizona and the south of California. The arid landscapes were great but people that drive those large mobile homes really need to learn that it is okay to cross the line in the middle of the road when passing someone on a bike!!!!!!!!!



Mexico: despite all the problems with drug trade, Mexico is one of my favourite places. Away from the tourist hot spots life carries on as normal. In Mexico, normal is fiesta!



Belize: deep in the jungle of this former English outpost is the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. This is the entrance to the mythical Mayan underworld. Following the course of the river upstream into the darkness you come across offerings and sacrifices to the ancient gods



Guatemala: on the Mayan fortress island of Flores the streets were narrow and like the rest of the country the houses are all brightly painted.



Honduras: although this was the most disappointing country I had been to “tourist wise” it had some of the best landscapes in central America.



Nicaragua: great coffee, warm and welcoming people and painted houses that put Guatemala to shame.



Costa Rica: in the highlands in the centre of the country, cloud forests and hummingbirds



Panama: I didn't spend that long in the country. Yes it has highlands, cloud forests and beaches but I was looking forward to south America. I did hang out in Bocos del toro for a while...but sadly it was the wet season.



Colombia: even thought this country is full of grand colonial architecture and amazing landscapes for some reason I just loved all the different doors found along nearly every street.



Ecuador: in a small village in the north of the country I was lucky enough to take part in a Inti Rami festival. Costumes, drinking, dancing and later on in the evening chicken kissing!




Peru: such an amazing land, with a richness of landscapes, history and people. However flying over the Nazca lines was such a rewarding experience (and I hate flying!!)



Bolivia: unlike the rest of South America, Bolivia had the least amount of European settlement. Here in the highland town of Sorata is the annual fiesta. Civic awards were being handed out and the women got together to gossip, clap and drink beer long into the night.



Argentina: in the north west of Argentina nestling along the Andes are large areas of cacti filled desert landscapes. Dotted along the famous “Ruta 40” are small villages, with white washed adobe buildings. Many of the buildings are, like this one, used by local artists selling arts and crafts to the passing tourists.



Chile: in the south of the country is Patagonia, a land filled of mountains and crystal clear lakes. Roads are few but great views are plentiful.



Easter island: miles from anywhere, expensive to get to but absolutely gorgeous to visit.