Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.4 Spring 2018 | Page 24

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Left: Wat Phra Singh in the less touristed
north of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Below left: Cherry-blossom season makes for
striking photo opportunities that extend well
beyond the cityscapes of Tokyo.
©KAEWMAHAKHUN/ SHUTTERSTOCK
The Japanese capital may not have the trademark skyline
of New York or London, but this glittering megacity has
no shortage of memorable photo opportunities
8
TOKYO
The Japanese capital may not
have the trademark skyline
of New York or London,
but this glittering megacity
has no shortage of memorable photo
opportunities. Of course, there are classic
shots worth collecting: the insane crowds
of Shibuya crossing, the quirky fashion
24 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
sense of the Harajuku teenagers and
the famed fish markets of the inner city.
But there’s more to discover through
your viewfinder. Visit in April and the city
is awash in white blossoms and hanami
picnics celebrating the arrival of spring.
You could also capture the frenetic
energy of Shinjuku or the easy-going
charm of the city’s izakaya bars. Need
respite from the crowds? Take your
camera for a wander through Shinjuku
Gyoen, an oasis of green in the city.
Happily, everyone is recording the
minutiae of daily life on social media, so
you’ll have no problem blending in with
the crowds when you’re shooting with a
compact camera or your phone.
9
SEYCHELLES
Looking for the ultimate
beach photograph to inspire
envy amongst your friends
and Insta-fans? You’ve come
to the right place.
But before you book your ticket to
the Seychelles, do yourself a favour: buy
a good-quality polarising filter for your
camera. For that gleaming white sand and
turquoise water to “pop” on screen you’ll
need to take care of the glare.
With that box ticked you’re ready to
shoot some of the most remarkable
beaches on the planet. Start on the tiny
island of La Digue, where you’ll spend
hours trying to capture the surreal beauty
of Anse Source d’Argent. Think white sand,
waving palms, sculpted granite boulders,
clear waters and coral gardens. It’s
unforgettable.
Over on Praslin there are plenty of fine
plages, too. Anse Lazio is superb, but the
one to seek out is Anse Georgette. Though
officially part of the Constance Lemuria
resort, public access is allowed. It’s a stiff
walk to the beach, but worth every step
for a shot of this castaway slip of tropical
paradise. Happy snapping.
10
THAILAND
Crafting unique images
of Thailand doesn’t
come easy. Dreaming
of shooting Koh Phi
Phi Leh? Got plans for documenting the
Full Moon parties on Koh Samui? Inspired
by Bangkok’s Reclining Buddha? Sorry, but
those clichéd images are yesterday’s news.
But the “Land of Smiles” remains one
of the most intriguing destinations in Asia:
it’s affordable on the rand and boasts
wonderful food and friendly people. So
book your ticket to Bangkok, then hop on
the sleeper train north.
The city of Chiang Mai is a fine base
from which to discover the rural areas
of the country’s far corners. Sandwiched
between Myanmar and Laos, it’s a meeting
of cultures – evident in the rich traditional
culture and clothing you’ll discover as you
hit the road north.
It’s also a rural society, so spend happy
days photographing rice paddies and
tea plantations, small-scale farms and
long rides on lonely rivers. It’s Thailand,
without too many tourists. Pack plenty of
memory cards.