On my loooooong flight(s) back home from Reykjavík to Kuala Lumpur, I fretted and fumed, and told myself, “I’m tired of this. I’m too old for this. I can’t do this any longer.” It’s 36 hours since I’ve got home, I’ve rested well and now I can’t stop making plans for future trips! Anyone relate?

This legend turns 99 today, and this is such a lovely tribute to the man and the ways in which he has enriched our lives ❤️ www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Next up in my #icelandalbum, the stunning waterfalls dotted across the country - it is said there are over 10000 (I can believe that, given how so many along the roads don’t even get star billing). I stopped to see only a handful, but each was so unique and aweinspiring.

I knew Iceland was going to be beautiful, but it truly took my breath away. Starting a photo series today of my #icelandalbum

For a travel piece on Sri Lanka, I’m looking for new, exciting hotel openings across the country. Please hit me up with your recos #journorequest

You need expert eyes to spot these camouflaged cats in their natural habits. I wrote about the snow leopard trackers of Ladakh’s Lungmar Remote Camp work towards responsible wildlife tourism and conservation in the barren lands of Hemis National Park. adventure.com/snow-leopard...

My Uganda trip late last year lives rent free in my mind - and my latest two stories published this month are from those memorable days. Here’s a six-pager on trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see mountain gorillas. www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/lifestyle/ug...

Re. this old NYT piece: Whichever side of the debate you fall, just remember - writing always demands focus, dedication and professionalism. Don't treat it like a hobby, don't miss deadlines, don't be afraid to ask for more money. www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/b...

Here's a question for writer folks: when struggling with writer's block, do you ever go back to a story you wrote ages ago and read it again, just to say - "Ok, so I CAN write. I can do this. Deep breath." No? Only me? Ok then. #freelancejournalist

Want to see cherry blossoms, but daunted by Japan's costs and crowds in peak season. Try South Korea instead. For Nikkei Asia, I wrote about gorgeous Gyeongju, known as the museum without walls. asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Li...

For Travel + Leisure, I wrote about the unique, fascinating ecosystem of Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania - a forest Ernest Hemingway described as “the loveliest I have ever seen in Africa.”

Ha ha, this would be funny if it weren’t so scary!

Travelling solo is wayyyyyy better than travelling with someone who’s not in the same wavelength as you. It’s the latter that can make you feel lonely and miserable, even in your dream destination. #travel #solotravel

I stood in minus 15 C temp, at an altitude of 3,700 meters, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard. While I eventually saw one, the waiting gave me an important lesson in mindfulness. I wrote about this challenging, exhilarating experience for Nikkei Asia: asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Pic...

Recently came across something Anthony Bourdain (purportedly) said and it resonated so hard - “Travel is not a reward for working, it's an education for living”. Yes, absolutely ✈️

It was a winter wonderland in #Armenia - at Dilijan pass, the unexpected snowfall in late winter was just magical ❄️

Night falls silently on Mount Kazbegi - the view from my room at 9pm #Georgia

Snowy days in Kazbegi #Georgia

For my latest story for National Geographic, I explored Xian’s magnificent city walls, delving into its history and present day form as an urban park. www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/artic...

The colours of Sri Lanka’s tea country 💚

2024 was also a wild, wild year for me - I saw lions and leopards, cheetahs and servals, giraffe and zebras, hippos and rhinos, chimpanzees and gorillas, elephants and antelopes. I also began the year with tigers at Tadoba and ended it with snow leopards at Ladakh.

Scenes from a small town fair - anyone remember these annual events? It used to so exciting as kids!

2024 was a great year in terms of travel - I saw cherry blossoms in South Korea, stayed with an eagle hunter in Mongolia, walked on the Great Wall near Beijing and marvelled at the Terracotta Army of Xian, hiked to see chimpanzees and gorillas in Uganda, and went on safaris in Kenya and Tanzania.

At 13000 feet altitude and minus 15 temperatures, this was by far the most challenging, exhilarating and frustrating trip of 2024. I went for snow leopards and saw TWO, with each sighting lasting for several hours 1/2

What I’ve been up to these last few days. Watch this space!

Is there any scene more quintessentially African?

Ngorongoro crater is one of the most incredible landscapes I’ve ever seen - a sunken forest ringed by green hills, and packed with an astonishing variety of wildlife. This must be the original Garden of Eden, methinks. #Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is known for its unique tree climbing lions - and we saw four of them on this trip 😍

When Kilimanjaro shakes off the blankets of clouds and decides to reveal itself 😍 #Kenya #Amboseli

My latest story for Forbes India is about responsible tiger tourism at Satpura National Park and my stay at the lovely Reni Pani Jungle Lodge. www.forbesindia.com/article/life...

Important reminder