Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – I met a new furry friend inside the courtyard of the Kalan mosque; after a few head scratches the black shadow followed me throughout my visit. We temporarily named him Gato 2. As we walked back out through the Po-i-Kalyan I was sideswiped by a mini two legged creature in a giddy state.





















Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – We walked back through the Bagcha-Darvaza gate of Khiva after a jaunt outside the Ichan Kala; coincidently discovering a lovely eighteenth century plastered portico with carved wooden beams adjacent to a mini subterranean mosque. As we wandered through in admiration, the curators extended us some of their lunch.
















Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – We arrived into the old port city of Muynak (Mo‘ynoq) via a dusty part of the silk road. Evident on our travels were remnants of cotton cultivation; the result is that the Aral Sea has been reduced to mostly sand. Standing on the port-side seabed one can't help but accept. The present day desert was once a salt water oasis; its abundance, now reduce to a graveyard for once floating ships.
















Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – Wandering around the heart of Samarkand, one can't miss the Registan. Standing in the centre of the public square one is surrounded by three madrassas, each with a portal and an inner courtyard. Each one impressive, with handpainted tile work in varied hues of blues and turquoise. One can't help but feel miniature amidst the patterned, textured walls.





















Türkiye (November 2019) – My visit to Istanbul was a tease, a brief layover after a whirlwind of silk road activity. Built in 360 AD, formally an Orthodox cathedral, converted during the Ottoman empire into a mosque. The Aya Sofya museum is a spectacular place space where people of all faiths seems to connect with deep appreciation. There's an outstanding mix of classical Christian iconography with remnant of original mosaics, opulent candelabras, holy Islamic script and a minbar adoring the interior of the mesmerizing structure. Despite the ongoing renovation, tourists and selfies are abundant.


















Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – Traipsing around in the Silk Road city of Khiva; the epic centre of cross culture knowledge, wisdom, religion and trade has been a long held dream. Walking the historical stone roads and taking in the breathtaking blues, turquoise and white painted tiles have been mentally stimulating. The site of numerous sufi tombs are tranquil and peaceful similar to moments visiting with familiar ancestors long since past, perhaps in part because this assignment honours my grandparents.
















Mexico (November, 2017) –  We spent a couple weeks traipsing around Oaxaca; the first week of our travels involved sporadic encounters with devils, beasts and catrina's from early dawn til past dusk. Being in Oaxaca for Dia de los Muertos was an experience of a lifetime.
















Madagascar (March, 2010) – After a couple hours of rumbling through dirt roadways we arrive to meet our "zebu 4x4" for passage towards "the baobabs". For several hours, these beautiful beasts carted through harvested rice paddies, small tributaries and muddy ponds filled with wild blue hyacinths. Despite the jarring transportation, the surrounding canvass was spectacular.
















India (March, 1998) – From Agra; I ventured by taxi to explore Emperor Akbar's former haunts. I peregrinated through the glorious remnants of Fatephur Sikri; stuck by the light and shadows cast through the marble jalis, particularly those encompassing the mausoleum of a famed Sufi saint are indelible in my minds eye.
















India (December, 2016) –  Just outside the main entry to the famed Agrasen ki Boali in Delhi, camouflaged between the colourful painted graffiti style murals of Vishnu and Ganesha stood a youngster manning his structure-less snack shack.
















England (July, 2013) – I was bursting with joy, upon descending the train. For my cousins amusement; he guided us from the Eurostar to King's Cross Station to catch sight of Harry Potter's magical disappearing cart, on the way back to his flat for spat of mischief.
















Madagascar (March 2010) – Having fallen asleep while watching for shooting-stars from my tent atop a barge. I woke up with the breaking light; curious to saunter through the little village adjacent to the floating logs our barge was tethered to. As the sun started its ascent into the sky, it was evident that I had wandered into harvest season.
















Madagascar (March, 2010) – The train stopped numerous times while aboard the "jungle express" chuga-chuga choo-chooing through several small enclaves, some barely large enough to be called villages. Each time the train halted, merchants would approach with local fare: mysterious fruits, mystery meat jerky, sugary fried beignets, steamed taro cakes in banana leaves and of course bananas of all shapes, sizes and colours.

Morocco (September, 2014) – My reveries of Marrakech typically conjure the assault of colours, textures, patterned mosaics. Also the sounds; pulsating, resonant with the heartbeat of the city. Sometimes though it's the quiet moment lost in wanderlust, in unusual places with curious characters.
















India (December, 2016) – The "love-birds" and I spent the day promenading around Jaipur,  incidentally stumbling upon a hidden Kali temple situated amid the bustling city markets. We made our way along the winding walkway into a small courtyard with several elevated structures. The delight of exploring the sacred space as daylight started to dim; was the multitude of colourful kites in contrast with the dusking sky.
















Canada (May, 2011) – The ROM holds memorable explorations through my early learning years; the bat cave, dinosaur skeletons, totems. A realm of natural history, worldly antiquities and a couple mummies. I distinctly remember the time; Ms. Mummy lost her toe, we scurried out of there in our best version of an Indiana Jones action sequence. It took me a few months before another venture into the Egyptian collection, despite the weekly visits to the museum on the way home from school.
















India (December, 2016) –We drove several hours from Gangtok through the mountains; arriving at Ravongla to explore the Sikyamuni Buddha and marvel at the panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga. Bewildered at the size and splendour of the surroundings, we descended the meditative walk down through the garden below. The spectacular golden buddha and snow-capped peaks were more dramatic on our way out; enhanced by the blaze of orange and red hues, remnants from the setting-sun.





















Thailand (January, 2003) – After a rather uneventful train ride; the adventure started by negotiating a rickshaw driver to cart us around the historical ruins of Ayutthaya. We roamed from temples to monasteries, and stopped to observe various size and shaped buddhas – including an ancient buddha head enveloped in the roots of a banyan tree. I marvelled at the weathered history; the dilapidated stones and the overgrown trees in the former Siamese capital.
















India (December, 2016) – Just before exiting Enchey Monastery, I passed a group of novice monks laughing and leaping about. It took me a few moments to realize I had stumbled upon an intense small pebble battle; opposing sides launching tiny eroded pieces of ancestral under-earth at one another. It finally occurred to me that these mini crimson robed children, were indeed just being kids. I watched for a few minutes before waving and hustling back down the steep incline to meet the motoring vehicle.
















Cambodia (December, 2002) – Our boat for hire, deposited us for lunch at a small floating village situated along Tonlé Sap Lake. We scrambled up a series of rather precarious wooden ladders into a well weathered stilted hut. Perched above; we devoured the sounds and the sights of daily life, as animation drifted by.

















Madagascar (March, 2010) – The train deposited all passengers in Tolonguina; a remote village in the middle of the cloud forest, for the night. After a brief encounter with the mafia and a quick bite of local stew, we hiked up several kms to a paradise surrounded by clouds. We spent the evening bewildered by the panoramic view, almost impervious to the buzz and bites of elephantine insects vying for tourist blood.





















India (May, 2017) – We ventured into Kolkata's Mullick Ghat in search of flowers for rather auspicious occasion. Rambling around between monstrous piles of marigolds, jasmine, lotus flowers and leaves of all shapes and sizes. Curious, I wandered past the market, up towards one of the derelict temples sitting along the ghat in hopes of catching a shot of Howarah bridge. Instead I stumbled upon a rather sweet surprise; enveloped in bright yellow and orange, she sat there cradling her infant.





















France (May, 2012) – Paris for me evokes memories of nostalgia; loving memories of childhood adventures, culinary epiphanies, art and history lessons... Liberté, liberté cheri!
















India (January, 2017) – The along the shores of Mother Ganga lies a series of ghats. At Babu ghat in Kolkata; one always find a myriad of food and chai vendors, barbers, kushti masseurs and an array of priests with altars. For a few dollars; I started the day feeling blessed.





















Mexico (November, 2017) – The Zócalo park in the centre of Oaxaca contains everyday curiosities; with a multitude of musicians, performers and vendors. Nothing seemed more amusing than the monstrous multicoloured clouds of balloons, strategically placed in arrangements around the park.





















Mexico (November, 2017) – After an eventful day of pyramid hopping, we ended the evening at Plaza De La Danza. It was a night of wonders; stumbling upon indigenous groups from across the Americas. We watched intensely as the various tribes danced to the beats of drums.
















India (December 2016) – Amer's marvel is the Amber Fort, despite the hoards of tourists I found a few moments of photographic wonder. The remaining details of ivory and mother of pearl inlay around the doorways, mirrored walls and hidden passageways eventually leading to the fourth inner courtyard, where the rumours suggest once held veiled activity. For me it was the way the enigmatic light danced on the weathered baradari pillars, striking in contrast to the backdrop of the dilapidated inner courtyard.


India (December, 2016) – In Rajasthan, somewhere between Jaipur and Abhaneri we stopped in for lunch at a small rural family compound. We ate a traditional lunch, while a gaggle of children milled about; some doing chores, some too young to do anything but giggle. I wandered about, even trying my hand at spinning fodder for the herd of buffalos, turns out the children made it look rather easy.

















Madagascar (March, 2010) – Once a dense forest; what remains is a dusty dirt road and the Avenue Des Baobabs. Between rice paddies full of blue water lilies and low laying brush along the plains, stands these majestic sky-scraping trees. Rambling down the road, one feels miniature next to the towering giant baobabs. I had the honour of celebrating the start to a new turn around the sun with a breathtaking view.
















Madagascar (March, 2010) – Sometimes it's the way the light glows off the skin, the way the faces emerge from the darkness. It's the interaction, the surprise, the surreal... it's the gaze from a distance.
















Mexico (November, 2017) – Our new friends brought us to San Antonino Castillo Velasco, in time for a saunter through the local cemetery. We discovered plots in full bloom from the annual tomb decorating contest. Walking the narrow intertwining paths; I followed the sounds, revealing a trio of musicians serenading the ancestors.
















Morocco (September, 2014) – For me the Red city was a feast of architectural wonders; including the massive arched doorways, which in my imagination held mysterious urban oasis' amid the chaos of the surrounding medina.






















India (December, 2016) – Our last stop of the day, was a pitstop in Abhaneri to explore one of the historical Chand Baori's. The repetitive geometric architectural design carved deep into the surface was a spectacular sight. Although the green hue of the diminutive rainwater collected at the bottom, clearly marked the site of yesteryears. The little moment of magic was the Hindu priest preparing to preform his rituals. Evidently landlord to a small derelict altar set off to one side of the large stepped-well, I watched as he began his prayers.





















Cambodia (December, 2002) – Entrenched in the jungle, Ankor Wat is a complex of Buddhist temples. Rambling around obscure foliage and stone shrines, we stumbled on a small group of novice monks building a stupa. Our presence broke the silent composition of stones and mortar into a standing monument in honour of a passing life. Instead we had a moment of smiles, giggles and curious questions.





















Madagascar (March 2010) – What strikes me when travelling is the resiliency of women, the strength in the eyes, the kindness and curiosity of heart, the intensity to give all to the brief experience. Strangers passing one another by; the flash of a smile, the click of the camera. In a blink; it's the mind's eye that remembers what the lens could not capture.
















Madagascar (March, 2010) – Before leaving the comforts of home, my grandfather and I excitedly discussed my itinerary. On his suggestion; I sought out the only train still operational in Madagascar which traverses a remote expanse of the country.

The Fianarantsoa-Côte Est railway is a colonial built railway that connects the high plateau to the sea. Due to a cyclone a few weeks earlier; the train from Fianarantsao was only partly operational. Despite delays and changes in itinerary; happenstance allowed for me to see some of the most threatened habitat in the world, including several isolated villages situated in the cloud forest.
















India (December, 2016) – Sikkim is a rather mystical mountainous region, where one feels utter peace surrounded by heavenly blue sky and panoramic views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga. At Lingdum Gompa we stumbled upon a group of novice monks rehearsing for an upcoming ritual cham dance ceremony. Without costume and masks, we watched as the boisterous group perfected their steps.
















United States (September, 2016) – New York City; the city that never sleeps and never ceases to amaze. With it's resilient rebuilding, gentrified development, diversity of expressions and moments of reflection.
















France (September, 2014) – Despite spending a great deal of time in France, immersed in tradition, culture, food and family. My discovery of Paris blossomed in the summer of 1996. I took an enlightening art history class which permitted me to venture into unknown parts of the city.  Along the way I found new favourite haunts and some rather mystical beasts.





















Thailand (December, 2002) – Being face to face with any wild animal is exhilarating. Elephants are majestic, emotive, empathic and sensitive. I've had several close encounters with these amazing creatures and I look forward to my next elephant adventure.
















India (January, 2003) – While perhaps not the most popular tourist destination in India, Kolkata holds me at an emotive and affective level. My ancestral connection to the city has allowed me to explore it's many canals, ponds and other natural subsidiaries. These waterways are where one encounters life: bathing, cooking, cleaning, play and socializing are all connected by water.
















Mexico (November, 2017) – Being in Oaxaca for Dia Del Los Muerto was surreal. Surrounded by beasts, devils, a myriad of la calavera catrina's. Dazed for days in processions; in cemeteries, out on the street, even feeding on midnight tacos. I'd do it again in a minute!
















India (March, 1998) – Rambling my way around the haunting structures of Fatehpur Sikri was part of an awakening; for a split second in time, intuition connected as magic occurred. There are times in your life that mark philosophical rights of passage, those few months in India changed the entire direction of my life.






















Morocco (September, 2014) – We spent the week immersing ourselves into the beautiful chaos of the Jemaa el-Fnaa souk. Weaving our way through narrow passageways of merchants hawking pottery, leather and metal goods, argan oil, spices, "flying carpets" and life's essential... food. At dusk, the emanating smells, sounds, sight and taste were an overwhelming delight.
















Cambodia (December, 2002) – We spent an afternoon hightailing it along Tonlé Sap Lake; the three dames filled with excitement and wonder, watching the shoreline while daily life passed... we skiddooed away.


Madagascar (March, 2010) – After days of floating along the Tsirisihina, westward from Miandrivazo towards the sea. I discovered a collection of miraculous things the moment I ventured into a tiny remote village.  Years later, I still envisage a group of children chasing one another with a rather chilled-out chameleon.