1
LIKE THE ANTI-INFLUENCER
You know what influencers make me want to do? Not do anything they’re doing. Don’t know about you, but it’s gotten to the point where literally, not interested. Or is that being hypocritical? Are we all influenced by the people we admire? And, why is it so difficult to follow our own path? Or is it just me? These are the types of topics that swirl in this little mind of mine at 4:27am under the influence of a heavy jetlag having returned from a trip to the Middle East. From Outside Magazine: “She pairs typical travel-influencer imagery—colorful shots of her, stylishly dressed, on far-flung city streets and beaches—with lengthy captions full of statistics, history, and thoughts on race, socioeconomics, and other dynamics. Led with all-caps titles, her posts are essays in their own right. Some explain how to travel more conscientiously, like “SANTA FE PUEBLOS,” which outlines respectful ways for nonindigenous travelers to interact with New Mexico’s indigenous spaces. Others spotlight people she meets, such as “STARTED WITH PEDRO ENG, ENDED UP KNEE DEEP IN A FORGOTTEN WORLD,” about a Chinese-Cuban man who maintains an archive of historical documents for the country’s Chinese community.”
2
MY OH MY-ANMAR
Myanmar always falls off my radar, eclipsed by destinations we’re much more accustomed to hearing about. But every once in a while, we come across a story about it (it’s been getting better as of late), or even just its name: “Myanmar” (or Burma as it was previously known) and it stirs up imagery of a place less explored, a mysterious place. If it wasn’t already mysterious enough, TripSavvy makes it even more so by putting together this list of nine places in Myanmar we probably haven’t heard of: “A largely forgotten ancient Rakhine city by tourism standards (for now) lies in the north of Rakhine state. Like the newly UNESCO-bestowed Bagan, the main thing to do here is explore the hundreds of temples within the archaeological zone. Unlike Bagan, the terrain is hilly, more dramatic, and with greener landscape making for luscious views. Most of the structures are within walking distance of each other, but a bike wouldn’t go amiss to see the full range of what’s on offer here. The best way to reach Mrauk-U is by flying to Sittwe and then taking a boat from the town up Kaladan River.” I mean, can we just start with Myanmar? It’s in South America, right?
3
COLD SHOULDER SEASON
I imagine when folks think Copenhagen, they think of two things: cold and crowded with tourists (I also think of that rock with the mermaid on it in the sea, which interestingly has a storied past, check it out here). Here’s a secret to Copenhagen – it’s just as lovely in the shoulder season (spring and fall) and there are almost zero crowds. Makes you think doesn’t it? Here is a nice guide to Copenhagen from Travel Awaits: “If you imagine colorful buildings and fishing boats when you think of Copenhagen, you’re envisioning the city’s Nyhavn Harbour. The harbor is one of the most popular destinations in Copenhagen, and for good reason. Restaurants, coffee shops, and scenic vistas abound up and down this charming canal. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk up and down the canals of Nyhavn without stopping, but you’ll probably want to stop at one of the many charming outdoor cafés. Since the harbor is a tourist hot spot, bites there are a bit more expensive, but the chance to enjoy those Nyhavn views is worth every penny.”
4
AS-IA VILLAGES-GO
When people think of Asia, it seems strange to think of off-the-beaten lovely villages that are calm, picturesque, clean and just worth visiting. From Suzhou in China, to Mawlynnong in India, and Malapascua in the Philippines, Departures put together a list of the most beautiful villages in Asia: “Travelers looking for a remote village adventure that will also fulfill all their wintery dreams look no further than the Shirakawa-go region of Japan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has fewer than 1,700 full-time residents, making it an ideal spot to get away from the rest of the world. To maximize the solitude, book an overnight stay in one of the village’s famed farmed houses, turn off your phone, computer, and any other device you have on you, and find a little inner peace.” There are some lovely places in this list – I will be bookmarking!
5
FRUSTRATED TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHERS
We all pretend like we are professional travel photographers when it comes to taking photos of our quests. I mean, I know deep down in my heart, I can quit my job and become a professional travel photographer if I ever needed (that’s how bad my own ego is when it comes to this!). Conde Nast, a trusted source of travel information, for me at least, has killed my confidence. Especially when I read their complete guide to travel photography: “As the routine of snapping and sharing becomes as habitual as rinse and repeat, others urge us to become more thoughtful with our travel photography. Just because we can photograph and share everything, in a matter of seconds, doesn’t mean we need to. In his feature, Tyler Moss explores the #nogeotag movement, and looks at just how our photo sharing can drastically alter a destination—and decide who gets to experience it. For professional photographers Gray Malin and Alex Strohl, the “how” of nailing their iconic travel photographs has relied more on patience, and analog techniques like driving massive props cross-country, or waiting for the perfect shot in sub-zero temps, than on any new developments.” Go out grasshopper and keep clicking away!
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!