You can probably see what I'm getting at here; finding time to tell the rest of the world how much of an incredible time I am having is dam near impossible. So, after three months on the road, here is a super quick update!
JAPAN
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo
Japan is a country of extremes. The cities are huge, electric and adrenaline packed while at the other end of the scale the historic temples, shrines and gardens of Japan are some of the most tranquil places you'll ever visit. In just two weeks I managed to pack in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Nagasaki and loved every minute of it. I have two firm favourites; Kyoto with its mix of old vs new and Nagasaki which is chilled out and of a 'managable' size.
Suwa Shrine, Nagasaki
CHINA
Pudong, Shanghai
If ever there was a county that represented 'progress' then this is it. China is developing on a massive scale, with whole cities being constructed from scratch and the old being bulldozed to make way for the new. The environmental and economic strains and delights were all evident in my month long journey through Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Yuangshuo and Hong Kong. I went in with an 'idea' of what China may be like and came out with a completely transformed perception of the place. It is a country of massive proportions in terms of size, population, ambitions and natural beauty which is struggling to keep up with itself. I know now that we'll all be affected by the course China takes over the next decade or so.
The Great Wall of China, Beijing
Giant Panda, Chengdu Panda Base
THAILAND
Koh Tao, Thailand
For several reasons my travels through Thailand didn't go quite as planned. As I arrived in Bangkok the government ordered its troops to storm the Red Shirts camps in Bangkok, killing and injuring many people. This prompted a quick flight out of the area and down to the tropical islands of the south. The islands are very popular with backpackers and are awash with westerners, but it is easy to see why. Pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, superb diving and the best in Thai cuisine make the south of Thailand a very easy place to fall in love with.
Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
MALAYSIA
Twin Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
I've yet to complete my full journey through Malaysia (currently in Sabah) but this country has already left a strong impression. The mix of Chinese, Thai, Indian, Indonesian and local peoples ensures a rich cultural experience. The Malay people are also some of the friendliest I've come across on the travels so far. In the past few weeks I have visited Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands, Perhentians and Sabah, enjoying the sights and excellent cuisine along the way.
Orangutan, Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Sabah
There will be more updates to come as I process the backlog of images from my travels and settle down to some serious work in the next few months. All of the images will be available to view and download via the Escape Images website soon. In the meantime if you'd like to see more please feel free to drop me an email via danny@escapeimages.com
The Escape Images Blog follows photographer Daniel Sweeney on his travels around the world with his camera. If you are interested in photography, travel, adventure, nature or the great outdoors then there should be something here for you. Daniel is currently at home in Scotland preparing for his next round the world voyage which begins in April when he'll be jetting off to Japan. Please sign up above to keep up to date with new images and stories direct from the field.
