the cobbled streets of cusco, peru

Cuzco and I didn’t get off to the best start… an all night Salsa session in Cali, Colombia, followed by a flight straight to Lima and directly onto a 20 hour bus to Cuzco. Needless to say I was shattered and miserable before I even got there and this coupled with the severe altitude sickness from heights of 3300m. However, despite all this I adored Cuzco. In fact it rates as my 3rd favourite ciudad in South America!

It’s a juxtaposed city, where modern Peruvian life operates alongside colonial Andean architecture and colourful indigenous locals. It would be impossible not to become totally captivated by Cuzco’s beautiful cobbled streets, charming plazas and spectacular views. Of course Cuzco’s main attraction is its proximity to Machu Picchu but there is still plenty more to do… Immerse yourself in local life by meandering around the indigenous markets, take in the Inca ruins whilst on horseback and white-water raft down one of the nearby Rio’s.

To tackle the altitude sickness make sure to sip lots of coca tea, walk slowly up the extremely steep cobbled streets, avoid alcohol and get early nights if you can…

meu lugar feliz

Most people if asked to name their favourite city in the world would struggle, not me, Rio de Janeiro would win hands down. This cidade maravilhosa has everything a city could ever provide: fantastic food, alluring locals, non-stop partying and captivating landscapes. If you are fortunate enough to visit then do not miss out on the following:

- Watching the sunset over the rocks in between Copacabana and Ipanema

- Observing the local fisherman in the early evening at Praia Vermelha

- Having a picnic in the botanical gardens

- Dancing the night away in a Samba club in Lapa

- Make sure to open your eyes and take in the truly impressive street graffiti

- Being a culture vulture at the Instituto Moreira Salles

- Immersing yourself in the football mania at the world famous Maracana stadium

- Taking in the panaramic views at the top of Pao De Acucar

Rio’s energy and natural beauty is truly captivating and I defy anyone that visits and doesn’t want to throw a tantrum when leaving.

“In my photography, color and composition are inseparable. I see in color.”

William Albert Allard

“Words and pictures can work together to communicate more powerfully than either alone.”

William Albert Allard quotes

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough," 

- Robert Capa

‘Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.’ 

- Walker Evans

Street Photography Now

"Since nothing is so secret or hidden that it cannot be revealed, everything depends on the discovery of those things which manifest the hidden... He who wishes to explore nature must tread her books with his feet." - Paracelsus

"The Amazon River. Puerto Nariño, Colombia"

- 70km in 6 days

- 1 giant lava eaten

- venemous snakes, tarantulas, parrots, grande mariposa, caiman, monkeys, toucans, giant rodents, poisnous toads, glow worms and a plethora of bugs

- approx. 120 mosquito bites

- piranha fishing

- ridiculous amount of rice and beans

- pink Amazonian dolphins
- 1 x Haruki Murakami book read

- night-time censoring in the jungle

- washing in the river

- the murder of Jeffrey!

"An indigenous Community on the Amazon River. Puerto Nariño, Colombia"