Skye Gilkeson

Skye stepping out from the crowd at Sensoji Temple Tokyo. | © Skye Gilkeson

A Quick Tokyo Photography Guide

This  Tokyo Photography guide will give you a quick snapshot of what you can capture around the city with your own curated Tokyo photo tour. Tokyo is so diverse when it comes to subject matter to photograph; from ancient temples to street portraits, futuristic architecture and weird and wonderfully colourful meals. For a more detailed Tokyo itinerary, read or guide on How to Spend 4 days in Tokyo.

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Nakamise shopping street is a feast for those with a love of street and food photography. | © Skye Gilkeson

Sensoji Temple

Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji Temple has to be one of the best Instagram spots in Tokyo, albeit one of the busiest tourist attractions in the city. Set the alarm and make your way to this ancient site early to beat the crowds. Walk through the Thunder gate and walk the Nakamise Dori; a hive of activity, colour and craft where souvenirs and the thick smell of street food snacks pour out of the stalls.

Outside the temple you’ll find visitors bathing in the smoke from the jokoro said to boost their health, before entering the temple itself. Once you have visited the temple, take the time to follow your curiosity to the alleyways and backstreets behind the main courtyard and temple, these hidden corners offer some more unique angles on a very over-photographed site. The same extends beyond the temple ground the rest of Asakusa, a quaint area that has much more to offer than the temple itself.

Even if you aren’t a keep photographer Sensoji Temple should be part of your Tokyo itinerary.

Related: Photography Equipment for Beginners

A busy food vendor in the Nakamise shopping street. | © Skye Gilkeson

Nakamise Shopping Street

Nakamise Dori itself is the perfect street and food photography location. Buy a snack from the vendors, snap some shots of the people as they shop or buy a souvenir and use it as a prop in the middle of the buzz of people. There is so much to see and photograph here. I propped myself to one side and just observed through the lens at what was happening beyond the wave of people filling the middle of the street.

Related: How to Spend 4 Days in Tokyo

Chidorigafuchi cherry blossoms in full bloom | via pixabay

Chidorigafuchi Moat

If you are fortunate enough to visit the city during the sakura or cherry blossom season in Tokyo, you will be able to take advantage of one of the most incredible Tokyo photoshoot backdrops. The season is very short, beginning around the last week of March.

There are several parks and riverbanks that offer some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo. However, the Chidorigafuchi moat is a popular central spot either from the park or from a boat on the water, shooting back to shore.

If you are planning a Tokyo itinerary around the cherry blossom season, you will need to book everything from your hotel to tours well in advance.

Related: A Guide to Skiing in Hakuba Japan

Peeking through the trees to the skyscrapers outside the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tokyo. | © Skye Gilkeson

The Imperial Palace Gardens

The juxtaposition of old and new both outside and inside the Imperial Palace walls is a photographer’s dream. Any Tokyo photo gallery should feature photos from around the beautiful East Gardens. If architecture or landscape photography sets your soul on fire, you’ll love walking around the gardens, past the ruins and set up on the grass to shoot back towards the skyline. Pack some lunch and enjoy a picnic while you are there.

Related: Where to Eat in Hakuba

Skye outside the Imperial Palace East Gardens. | © Skye Gilkeson

Tokyo Skytree Tower

Tokyo Skytree Tower offers panoramic views across the expansive city and is well worth a visit. The 350-metre high Tembo Deck wraps around the tower with information boards and an app to help you get oriented.

There are photo opportunities out of every window and also through the glass flooring. The observation deck opens at 8am and closes at 22.00, so you can choose to capture the day time sprawl or the light show in the evening.

Related: Why You Should Book an Aitutaki Holiday Now

The expansive panorama from the Tokyo Skytree Tower. | © Skye Gilkeson

Ginza 

Wandering the streets of Ginza is a feast for any photographer with an interest in architecture or history. Catch the train to Tokyo Station in neighbouring Marunouchi; the building makes for the perfect first frame itself. The iconic structuree was first built in 1914 and has since been damaged by earthquakes and lovingly restored. Walk back through Ginza as you snap away while stopping at other must-see buildings in the area. A few include the Kabukiza Theatre, the Okuno building and the Wako building (with its stunning clock). Tokyu Plaza rooftop and the Ginza 6 rooftops are the places to get some shots from above or the wider area.

Related: A First Timer’s Guide to Singapore

Skye exploring Ginza, outside of Tokyu Plaza. | © Skye Gilkeson

The view from Tokyu Plaza Ginza. | © Skye Gilkeson

A local gentleman weaves through the Shibuya Crossing traffic. | © Skye Gilkeson

Shibuya 

Shibuya is a chaotic part of Tokyo. It is well known for the Shibuya Intersection, said to be the busiest in Tokyo, if not the whole country. The crossing is consistently flooded with commuters and Instagrammers alike; some on their way to work; others just trying to work a new angle. This is a standout at one of the most popular Tokyo photography locations and arguably also the most over-Instagrammed part of the city. Try your luck with low angles, mid-crossing shots and the iconic rooftop shots down to the Shibuya intersection from Mag’s Park.

Once you’re finished with your Shibuya shuffle photos, wander the back streets for some street photography gold where small izakaya are tucked quietly in the alleyways, away from the flashing neons of the skyscrapers.

Related: 5 Healthy Singapore Cafes

The Shibuya Scramble from Mag’s Park rooftop.| © Skye Gilkeson

Shinjuku

For those fun late night long exposure shots or some colourful street portraits, Shinjuku is the spot for you. Notoriously home to the city’s biggest red light district, you could come across anything during a late night Tokyo photo tour through these seedy backstreets. Whether you venture to Golden Gai or deeper into this area, you are bound to find something a little different here for your Tokyo Instagram feed.

Related: How to Plan the Perfect Weekend in Bangkok

The streets of Shinjuku in daylight are a stark contrast to their busy nights. | © Skye Gilkeson

Odaiba

No Tokyo photography tour would be complete without a photo of the skyline or famous Rainbow Bridge at night. Odaiba is the futuristic, high-tech entertainment precinct of Tokyo, built on reclaimed land. Visit the dazzling digital museum in Odaiba first, then head to Daiba Park for an incredible view back over the bay to the city. It is the ideal place to watch the sunset over the skyline and set up for a colourful Rainbow Bridge capture.

Related: Useful Travel Gifts for Women

Rainbow Bridge Tokyo as shot from Daiba Park. | via Pixabay

Harajuku

Photography in Harajuku is all about capturing colourful characters, culinary creations and street art. This part of Tokyo gets so busy, so try to rise up above the people to find some fresh angles on the crush of visitors. Takeshita Street is the obvious first stop; the famed pedestrian street is rich with people, weird and wonderful stores and plenty of props to buy. Try to visit some other backstreets for quiet and quirky boutiques and street art.

Related: Fun Things to do in Guangzhou China

The chaotic cross on Harajuku’s famed Takeshita Street. | © Skye Gilkeson

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson | Images © Ashley Drody | Featuring Pat Bailey

Related: Aitutaki Island: Paradise Found in the South Pacific

During our visit to the Cook Islands we stayed at the beautiful boutique property Sea Change Villas in Rarotonga (read more in our guide to things to do in Rarotonga Cook Islands). In Aitutaki, Pat and Ashley stayed in a private villa at Tamanu Beach Resort and Pacific Resort overlooking Amuri Beach.

Related: Things to do in Samoa

Related: Things to do in Byron Bay Australia

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Mark Condon

Make your travel photos pop simply by choosing the best travel camera for you. Image © Mark Condon

Rule #1: Your Smart Phone Has Its Limits

The smart phone has come a long way with regards to photo quality, but there’s still a lot that it can’t do when compared to a dedicated camera. Even though the latest iPhone has features such as ‘portrait mode’ which helps to blur the background behind your subject, investing in a camera and lens that can do this properly will make your photos look 10x better. In addition to this, when the light begins to fall, your smart phone will always struggle. If you resort to the tiny flash on your phone, the photos will usually look terrible. Invest in a camera which is able to shoot in ‘higher ISOs’, or in ‘faster’ lenses (i.e. ones with smaller aperture numbers, like f/2.8, f/2, f/1.8 etc), to be able to shoot after dark without the need for a flash.

Rule #2: Stay Small and Light

It used to be true to some extent that the bigger the camera, the better the quality of the image. This was largely down to the size of the sensor; the bigger the sensor, the more image data. However, times have changed and thankfully for travellers you can get a great camera that’s not much bigger than the average smart phone. Having a smaller, lighter camera is always a more enjoyable experience, especially while travelling. I’d recommend you handle the camera first before buying though, as how the camera feels in your hands is also important.

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Rule #3: Don’t be Tempted by Accessories

I love gadgets and gizmos, especially ones for photography. However, when I’m travelling, I choose to take the bare minimum; one spare battery, one lens (attached to the camera), and sometimes a strap. If you invest in an inter-changeable lens camera (like a dSLR), it’ll be tempting to bring along a whole assortment of different lenses. I’d strongly advise against this. 

Stick to your kit lens (usually a mid-range zoom like an 18-55mm), or even better, invest in an all purpose ‘prime’ lens like a 50mm or 35mm to cover all your bases. Prime lenses are usually ‘faster’, lighter, smaller, offer better image quality and teach you the fundamentals of composition much quicker than zoom lenses. Having less accessories will make your camera lighter and more agile, but it will also make you a better photographer in the long run. By limiting your options, you’ll learn to react faster, and anticipate your shot.

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Rule #4: You Can’t Afford to Buy Cheap

I’m all for getting a bargain, but there are some times when it’s best to invest a little more and buying a camera is one of them. You don’t have to break the bank, but if you want a camera that yields better results than your expensive smart phone, it’s usually wise to spend as much, or more than the price of the phone. For a decent camera to carry in your backpack, don’t opt for something too cheap or you’ll be buying another camera next year when you realise your photos look awful.

Don’t waste your money on cheap photography equipment. You get what you pay for. Image © Mark Condon

Rule #5: Don’t Worry if it’s Not Waterproof

Do you know what the perfect travel camera is? Clue: it doesn’t even exist. For a camera to be perfect, it would need to offer all the usual features, plus a lot of other ones that aren’t necessary all the time, but may help in 1% of situations. Features like being waterproof. Of course, I’d love for all my cameras to be waterproof. Unfortunately, this will never be the case, simply because, to make a camera waterproof, certain compromises need to be made. Most notably in image quality. So, whilst the latest compact underwater camera might look tempting for you as the avid traveller, take my advice and steer clear. Invest in a regular compact camera, mirrorless or dSLR instead. If you happen to go snorkelling and just can’t stand not taking photos, buy a waterproof disposable one.

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The best travel cameras can often be small, light, compact and fun to use. Image © Mark Condon

Rule #6: Have Fun

What I mean by this is choose a camera that you enjoy picking up and using. Whether that means choosing a small, light weight camera, or one that looks all retro and funky, it’s important that you want to take your camera out with you. It’s too easy to fall back on the “Oh, I’ve got my iPhone” excuse to not pack your camera in your handbag, but if you choose a camera that you can’t bear to be without, this will never be the case. The best travel camera I have found is the Fuji X100F. It’s not in everyone’s budget, but for the image quality, looks and durability, I highly recommend it. It’s also the camera I reach for first, as I love using it.

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Taking great photos whilst on holiday isn’t about having great gear. I know as well as anyone that photography is about much more than just the camera. Having said this, having the right tool for the job will make your life much easier whilst travelling, and buying a good camera to be able to document your trips with is a great investment.

Mark Condon

Mark Condon is a Sydney wedding photographer covering weddings all over the world.

Mark runs the website Shotkit, and is the author of LIT, More Brides, Lightroom Power User and the Shotkit Books.

shotkit.com/

Skye Gilkeson

Ban Mae Klang Luang, a community-based tourism village in the mountains south of Chiang Mai offers a unique peek into Thailand tribal life. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Ban Mae Klang Luang Village

The day we wound our way up the mountain to the Ban Mae Klang Luang village, was one of my favourite days I’ve ever spent in Thailand. Travelling to the area on the cusp of the rainy season meant we arrived as the morning mist was still lifting off the lush rice terraces, wrapping around us on each bend.

The Ban Mae Klang Luang village is about 80 kilometres south of Chiang Mai and sits at 1200 metres above sea level in the 3rd basin of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak. A settlement for the Karen tribes who came across the border from Burma in 1787, there are now four main villages in the area, each comprising 60 to 80 families. Enveloped by brilliant green forests, rice terraces and coffee plantations that support the families who live there, it sets a beautiful picturesque scene in the mountains.

Greeted by our guide, Ken we sat in a small hut as he explained how the village grew their own coffee while he roasted beans over the fire and brewed up a fresh pot of tribal coffee. A thick, black pour, we sipped slowly as Ken explained the origins of his tribe. Subsistence farmers, the tribe once farmed opium on the land now covered with coffee plants. Thanks to the help of the Thai government, namely King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Project founded in 1969 that taught the tribes about alternative crops such as coffee to curb the drug problem whilst ensuring they had a sustainable livelihood for their families.

As the caffeine kicked in Ken lead us up the hill into the village. Modest wooden hut-like homes sat clustered together on the hill, fighting off jungle greenery at every edge. It was beautifully silent, with just the occasional rustle of a local chicken foraging below the raised houses or young giggles coming from inside the village school building at the top of the hill. As expected, the locals were shy and mostly kept their distance, with a few bravely posing for pictures in their stunning colourful hand-woven Karenic textiles.

Despite the fact that they welcome tourists to the village as a way of supporting their families, this didn’t feel like a commercial tourist tour. It felt like a gentle, respectful visit to someone’s home. Our group was small, we didn’t enter the school or anyone’s homes and I felt privileged to be able to have a brief peek into their way of life, without the feeling that we were imposing or that they were in any way putting on a show for us. We were simply passing observers; as it should be.

The Ban Mae Klang Luang village is in the Ban Luang subdistrict about an hour and a half’s drive from Chiang Mai. Book a tour or for those looking for a more immersive tribal experience, there is accommodation that you can rent on site; from village houses to camping spots. Contact the Mae Klang Luang Ecotourism Information Centre at 089-952-0983 or 086-311-1791.

Unripe coffee beans in the Ban Mae Klang Luang plantation outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Our guide Ken smelling the freshly roasted coffee beans at Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The thick, black tribal coffee brewing while we wait at the Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The modest homes with stunning mountain views at the Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A cow enjoying the rich vegetation at the Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A storm brews over one of the village houses at Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A beautiful local woman who agreed to sit for us at the Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Karenic tribal textiles and the hands of a local woman tell the unique story of the Ban Mae Klang Luang village. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Bold and colourful Karenic tribal textiles, hand-woven in the Ban Mae Klang Luang village. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A cute baby girl spending time with her grandmother in the Ban Mae Klang Luang village, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A local woman dressed in traditional hat and dress in the Ban Mae Klang Luang village Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon

From the village we made our way to Doi Inthanon’s nearby Royal Project the Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon for lunch as the rain began to get stronger. There are a number of Royal Projects around the country. Beginning in 1969, the grassroots initiative was a push to help the rural populations to become self-sufficient, fight poverty and put in place farming practices that would sustain them and preserve local forests for generations that followed.

The Royal Agricultural Station was opened in 1977. While you can visit most of the Royal Projects to see exactly what they grow and promote, visitors can even stay on site at the Inthanon centre (camping, rooms or home stay is available), surrounded by the crops and stunning mountain landscape.

We sat down to lunch at the Inthanon Restaurant as the rain fell around us. It was a busy day with many full tables around us. I was particularly excited about this lunch as the produce is all grown on site. Stir fried vegetables, gorgeous salads, duck, meat and fish dishes were gradually brought out to our table and the food was deliciously fresh and healthy.

The Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon is about 1.5 hours south west of Chiang Mai in the Ban Luang, Chom Thong District. For bookings and information contact the station directly on 053-286-777.

The restaurant at the Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon serves up simple, fresh dishes from produce grown on site. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Naphamethinidon Chedis on Doi Inthanon

About a 30 minute drive further up towards the summit of Doi Inthanon and we came to the Naphamethinidon Chedis; two partner stupas built to honour the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987, and the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit in 1992. Perched on the summit overlooking the valley, views from each are expansive, showing off the stunning surrounding national park.

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us as we stepped off our mini bus. The fog was so thick, we couldn’t even see the top of the stupa from the car park. Climbing the stairs we wandered the gardens, caught slightly off guard by the noticeable chill in the mountain air. It was a nice reprieve from the humidity in Chiang Mai. Despite my best efforts, the fog made it impossible to get photos of the stupas or gardens. I can only imagine how beautiful it is on a clear day.

Another visitor wrapped in fog, standing at the edge of the valley at the base of the Naphamethinidon Chedis, Doi Inthanon, Thailand. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Wachirathan Waterfall

On our way back to Chiang Mai we stopped in the drizzle to see the Wachirathan Waterfall. One of the three main waterfalls in the Doi Inthanon National Park. A popular stop for visitors to the park as it’s very accessible we joined the crowds to try to capture the falls as the powerful spray covered us. There is a walk you can take to get a better view of the falls if you have a little more time or better weather. 

One of three major waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park, Wachirathan Waterfall is worth a quick stop on your way up or down the mountain. Image © Skye Gilkeson

While you can make your own way up to Doi Inthanon National Park via public bus and explore from there. I highly recommend booking a tour or at least a local guide. Having the day mapped out for us made it effortless and we could simply enjoy each part of the itinerary.

The Fit Traveller was a guest of Tourism Thailand for this trip. However, as always the opinions, images and words are authentically our own.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Steph Ridhalgh

Peace, quiet and the perfect hiking trails in Bear Lake Utah. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

World-Class Hiking

Surrounded by canyons and valleys, Northern Utah offers such a diverse landscape. The best way to take it all in is to hike some of the hundreds of kilometres of trails. The pot of gold at the end of each is typically a tranquil lake or a waterfall all to yourself to sit and contemplate life.

A glassy lake awaits us during a warm hike in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Green and gorgeous views around every corner while hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon, outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

A well deserved swim and float in a lake, found during a hike just outside of Salt Lake City Utah. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Breathtaking Views

Once you hike, climb, zip, ride, swing your way to the top of the mountains, the views will have you wishing you never see a car, plane, train or even person again. There is something to be said about sitting in nature, listening to the ambient sounds. In Northern Utah, you will be almost be overwhelmed with both the ways to take in these views and the beauty that lies in wait around each tree-covered corner.

A hot air balloon ride should be top of your list when visiting Park City Utah. It is spectacular. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Taking in the moment floating over Park City Utah during an early morning balloon ride. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Bear Lake Utah is a beautifully peaceful place to wake up, the aquamarine water sparkling in the morning sun. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Chair lifts offer breathtaking views year-round in Northern Utah. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Stunning views over the iconic Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Endless Outdoor Activities

Anything you have ever wanted to do outside in nature, you name it, Utah’s got it. From horse riding to hiking, kayaking, biking, rock-climbing and everything in between. 

Kayaking in Bear Lake is a must-do for your Utah bucket list. Image © Chad Case Photography and Video

Horse riding at This is the Place Heritage Park just outside of Salt Lake City was the perfect way to spend a morning in the mountains. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Olympic Park in Park City Utah is a playground for both children and adults alike. We tackled these runs on a tube. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Taking in the panorama over Ogden after a morning spent hiking and climbing with Utah Adventure Center. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Hiking in Ogden offers a great work out, stunning views and natural wonders like this waterfall. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Bear Lake Utah is the ultimate glamping spot in Northern Utah. We stayed at the amazing Conestoga Ranch. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Mouth-Watering Food

If seafood is your go-to on any menu, Northern Utah has your back. The ability to fly fresh seafood in from around the country daily is a unique offering for a landlocked state and perfect for the restaurants who serve up the freshest of fare. The culinary scene will satisfy even the most discerning foodie catering to everyone from the health nut to those seeking some good old-fashioned soul food.

The food in Northern Utah ranges from healthy farm fresh fare to comfort food favourites. The seafood is something you can’t go past on any menu. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Cosy up in cafes around Northern Utah after a day of hiking and treat yourself to classics like this mac ‘n’ cheese. Image © Steph Ridhalgh

Our road trip through Northern Utah was full of adventure, great food, friendly people and stunning scenery. While many head south to snap photos in the desert, we encourage you to drive north and explore the diverse and very surprising north; suited to anyone from the solo traveller to the whole family. You’ll fall in love just as we have.

The Fit Traveller was a guest of Visit Utah for this trip. As always, the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.

Find more information to help plan your trip to Northern Utah on Visit Utah

Steph Ridhalgh

Hailing from ‘down under’, Steph Ridhalgh is a journalist, producer, and blogger who suffers from a serious case of geographic schizophrenia.

Currently fulfilling her dream of living in New York, you can usually find her wandering the city streets, camera in hand.

www.stephridhalgh.com/

Skye Gilkeson 

The stunning view from Epar Od Mikinou road viewpoint is one that can’t be missed. Mykonos town opens up below like an intricately detailed cubist painting. While it’s tempting to stay in the hotel pool or the comfort of the Mykonos town streets, jumping in a car and exploring the quieter parts of the island is something I highly recommend. There are so many great spots to discover away from the crowds.

We spent our mornings in Mykonos running the empty cobblestone streets taking a break at a cafe near the Old Port. The water was calm, catching the golden morning light and the crowd was masterfully mixed. We saw partygoers wander past, holding each other up with one hand and clutching at early morning souvlakis with the other. They crossed paths with local delivery men, leaping off mopeds and cute, colourful cargo scooters, briefly enjoying the people watching with us, unknowingly part of the show. We would often stay for another round of frappes, not yet ready to leave our perfect viewing spot.

A man sits peacefully in front of the Agios Nikolaos church at the Old Port. As a romantic, I would love to think I caught him by coincidence, but I think this could be a regular stoop for him. He’s catching some of the afternoon sun and watching the boats busily pull in and out of the port. I was captivated just watching him. I wonder if he knew.

The iconic Mykonos windmills snapped form the window of a bar in Little Venice. We got to the bar in the early afternoon and had it almost to ourselves. Typically, you’ll find them full as the sun begins to set with the crowds inching for the best vantage point to catch those peach flushes on film.

My fascination with watching men around Europe catching up on benches continues. It’s something I have long loved to witness; sit back and see how they spend the time to debrief with each other. There are no mobile phones in sight, there never are. It’s time invested in chatting about what has been happening, that day. I suspect these friends have been occupying this seat for many an afternoon over the years. It makes my heart smile to see it.

The magical sunsets over Ornos Bay, Mykonos. Some of the most impressive I have witnessed anywhere. We sat on our deck in our hotel room as we were treated to light show each evening.

I used a Canon EOS 7D to shoot most of these images. Here are some other tech must-haves we never travel without.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Steph Ridhalgh 

Our Golden Triangle India Itinerary

I was heading there for only eight days and would explore the Golden Triangle, a 3-city Golden Triangle itinerary route, including Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, that gives both beginner and seasoned travellers a taste for the Indian culture and landscape and for those with an interest in travel photography in India, your own mini photography tour of India. In hindsight, getting that small taste was enough to satiate me and left me with thoughts and experiences I would process for at least a few weeks after returning. India is a symphony of beeping horns, fast tongue Hindi, and carefree cows.

Related: Exploring Kerala, the Birthplace of Ayurveda

Jaipur Highlights

Our Rajasthan Tour plan began in Jaipur was what I imagined India to be; chaotic street traffic weaved between street markets and ornate buildings. Jaipur, also know as the pink city, the colour of hospitality. While it’s not quite pink, but rather a terracotta shade, the city was painted in anticipation of a royal visit from Prince Albert in 1870s and has remained ever since in the old city.

Related: What to do in Chiang Rai

This city is the epitome of traditional craftsmanship, from the hand block printing of fabrics and to hear how many months go into hand knotting a single rug no bigger than a beach towel. Most people recognise the City Palace by the famous Peacock Gate, which is just one of four gates, each representing a season of the year. The intricacies are just beautiful.

Day Trips from Jaipur

Jaipur to Taj Mahal Day Trip

Even if you only have one day, like I did, a quick 3 to 4 hours drive from Jaipur or Delhi to Agra is totally worth it. Agra is not known for much more than its famous landmark, the Taj Mahal, and many are surprised to find it not in larger cities such as Delhi.

Famous and unforgettable, the Taj Mahal is more grand and bigger in impression than all the Taj Mahal photos in the world could ever show. It really is a whole spectacle just watching everyone clamouring around each other vying for the perfect selfie with the Taj Mahal.

Related: Photography Equipment for Beginners

Amber Palace Jaipur

When choosing day trips from Jaipur, Amber Fort (pronounced Amer)should be top of your list. The fort is on the outskirts of Jaipur in a small town called Amer. There are a couple ways to get to the top of the fort including an elephant ride. I chose to drive up admire the stunning creatures from afar. As well as taking in the sweeping views (when it’s clear), also look for the beautiful women who work as sweepers, ornate mouldings, manicured gardens and the monkeys that kind of rule the fort now.

Related: Meet the Little Yogis of Udaipur

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Jakarta

Delhi Street Photos Capture the Quiet Amid the Chaos

Delhi is where the old meets the new. It’s where large business hubs, consulate buildings, and modern shopping malls, stand side by side with ancient temples, local markets and run down villages. Crossing the street in Delhi, let alone anywhere in India, is no easy feat. You compete with Auto Rickshaws, cow-drawn carriages, other pedestrians, scooters, and cars. It’s like a computer game.

Chandi Chowk is the market of all markets. It was all bustle and even more hustle once we entered the main drag. Everyone had a job to do, from providing sidewalk shaves, to shoe cleaning to cooking the delicious Jalebi, a sticky sweet dessert and to be eaten on the go.

The locals are genuinely interested in foreigners. Some will smile and some will stare. I found them to be very intriguing. Something made me want to know more about where they come from and what their life is like. The children! The children were very cute, with innocent smiles and a cheeky twinkle in their eyes.

The food, oh the food. Most of my trips usually revolve around planning all the amazing places I will eat. India was no exception.  It is so hard to avoid massive flavourful samosas, chewy rice balls with spicy sauce and deep-fried syrupy jalebi sweets from the streets. But there also are many concerns about getting Delhi Belly. As long as you practice a few extra precautions, it is very possible to come and go without being hit with the dreaded downer.

Ok, so it’s settled. You are booking your ticket to India as we speak. I guarantee you will not regret it or the amount you can cover on your first trip. I am curating the best India itinerary and already have my trip back planned.

Steph Ridhalgh

Hailing from ‘down under’, Steph Ridhalgh is a journalist, producer, and blogger who suffers from a serious case of geographic schizophrenia.

Currently fulfilling her dream of living in New York, you can usually find her wandering the city streets, camera in hand.

www.stephridhalgh.com/

Skye Gilkeson 

Happy street vendor sitting on the edge of the famous Fatahillah Square, Jakarta, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The quiet hallways of the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Indonesia Photo Gallery

Jakarta, Indonesia

While we saw so many of the must-see sights in down town Jakarta, it was the local characters that I loved, in particular. A street vendor sitting on the edge of the famous Fatahillah Square, Kota Tua, the cheeky local girls at the Istiqlal Mosque who stalked us to snap their photos, complete with a trademark head tilt, a family of three generations of women who politely stood for my camera with shy smiles and peace signs in Bogor Botanical Gardens and the lovely groups of complete strangers who walked me across the chaotic streets of the city so I would arrive safely at the other side. Compensation? A simple group selfie, of course.

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Jakarta Indonesia

Cute local girls who loved to pose for photos at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Lombok Island, Indonesia

Lombok Island feels a lot like Bali felt about 15 years ago. While you will find more big resorts popping up around the island, in between you still find small villages with a warung or local restaurant, a small store with a few items, a simple spa offering massages for less than the price of lunch and the occasional herd of goats holding up traffic.

This stretch of sand sat in front of our resort. We spent our mornings running the shoreline as the sun began to heat up, our only company a local dog, trailing us during the first few metres and surfers enjoying the sets, largely to themselves further off shore. Lombok was the perfect place for us to start a year of full-time travel. We caught up on sleep, we ate local seafood and enjoyed the sunset from the pool.

Lovely laid back Lombok Island east of Bali reminds me of the popular island many year ago. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Gili Islands, Indonesia

While in Lombok we had planned to climb Mount Rinjani, but when we found out weather conditions wouldn’t allow it, we sought out another active adventure to take. Snorkelling and exploring the Gili Islands was what we chose. We jumped on a long-boat across to the islands and spent the day between the water, in search of the famous local turtles and walking the sand between the bars and beaches on each of the well-known islands.

Related: Snorkelling in the Gili Islands Indonesia

The gorgeous Gili Islands in Indonesia is a beautiful spot for relaxing and snorkelling. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Breathtaking Padar Island, Indonesia as the sun begins to set. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Komodo, Indonesia

This sunset on Padar Island is one I won’t soon forget. After hiking to the highest point on the island, we waited as the sun settled, the aqua water shimmered as it kissed the shore in each of the small inlets below, the grass turned golden and swayed with the breeze.

The perfect purple sunset off Padar Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

As soon as it eventually dropped, purple blanketed the sky in the opposite bay where our boats waited. Climbing Padar Island was one of my most memorable moments spent in Indonesia. Watch the video here.

Related: Exploring Komodo’s National Park by Boat

Two beautiful little girls who lead me around their village, Mesa Village, Flores, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Stunning traditional display of whipping by villagers at Mesa Village, Flores, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Flores, Indonesia

We could never have predicted the path the day would take, the morning we jumped in buses at Labuan Bajo airport to climb the mountain to Melo Village. A welcoming procession, a ritual with a chicken and my first taste of betel nut were just the warm up before we danced with the villagers in the mountains of Flores. Watch the Flores and Komodo video diary here.

Related: Why Flores and Komodo Should be on Your Bucket List

Calm water and broody volcano in magical Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Underwater world captured during our time snorkelling in Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Manado, Indonesia

Manado was such a sweet surprise on my trip to visit beautiful Sulawesi. As we boarded the boat to head out snorkelling I almost couldn’t contain my excitement, which manifested in a frenzy of photography. With my phone in my pocket, GoPro under my arm and Canon in hand, I was working the boards from one end to the other, trying to capture the beauty before us, on camera. I still don’t think the photos quite do it justice. It was a day where we barely saw another tourist, the snorkelling was some of the best I’ve done anywhere and I left with this powerful image of the broody volcano, watching over us ’til this day. That was just the beginning of our Sulawesi adventure. Plan your own trip with this guide.

Related: A Pocket Travel Guide to Sulawesi

Related: A Day of Eco Adventure in North Sulawesi

Our lunch spot at Lake Tondano, Sulawesi. A stilted seafood restaurant among the reeds. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Our oasis for the day, The Prince John Dive Resort in Palu, Central Sulawesi. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Palu, Indonesia

Stepping on to the sand at Tanjung Karang Beach, Donggalla felt strangely surreal. We had arrived in a haze the night before, rushing to Talise Beach for the last of sunset, inundated with crowds of friendly locals, completely unused to seeing a tourist in this part of the country. Instead, at Prince John Dive Resort, we had the sand to ourselves and the incredible crystalline water that beckoned at its toes. Some swam, others went snorkelling and a group rested in the shade, we had found a moment to truly relax in the most unexpected paradise in Palu, Central Sulawesi.

Related: 24 Hours in Palu, Central Sulawesi

A gorgeous local who was anxious to meet us and sit for a photo at Talise Beach, Palu, Sulawesi. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Golden hour at Talise Beach Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Tropical and rugged, the coastline at Namalatu Beach, Ambon was a lovely place to start our trip around the island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Ambon, Indonesia

It was on this stretch of craggy coastline at Namalatu Beach, Ambon that we were welcomed by a group of very shy local children, eager to impress with a performance of the traditional Saureka-Reka. While I loved the performance, I really loved watching the children themselves gather in groups afterwards, boldly approaching us for selfies on their mobile phones and then running off to explore the rock pools and boats on shore, while still dressed in costume. It was such a lovely scene.

Our other incredible discovery in Ambon was Liang Beach. It was like stepping into another world, arriving to the blues at Liang to immediately brought back memories of the Maldives. We were the only tourists but we were welcomed by locals keen to chat to us and find out more about Australia.

Related: Why Ambon is much more than a Diving Destination

Our young performers walking the rock wall after their traditional performance in Ambon, Maluku. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Ani and Jaharn, lovely women who couldn’t wait to practice their English with us at Liang Beach, Ambon, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The blues of Liang Beach brought back memories of the Maldives in Ambon, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson

A Norway Photography Collection

Bergen, Norway

Bergen is my friend Mariann’s home which means not only have I been there a few times, I have got to experience a lot of what it has to offer with each new visit. What I loved most about our last visit was when The Hubby took to the fields for a hike. Below is one of the typical photos of Bergen you will take walking along the waterfront. Try to explore more of Bergen than the waterfront though. We hiked from Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen and it was an incredible day. You only need about 3 days in Bergen to explore a little further but there are plenty of day trips from Bergen you can take too, should you have longer.

Related: The Best Hikes in Norway

Askøy, Norway

One afternoon while staying in Mariann’s house in Askøy, just outside of Bergen, we took her son out to the back of their property to pick fresh hazelnuts from the tree. We gathered our bounty and sat together breaking the goods and eating them raw. It was such a lovely activity to do together and reminded me of my childhood growing up in country Australia.

Tranøy, Norway

We travelled to Tranøy to stay in their family cabin for the weekend. I had done the same on my first trip to Norway all those years ago, but it was a memory I treasured. So I really looked forward to returning again, this time with both of our husbands too. We hiked, picked fresh blackberries, went fishing, played cards, ate a lot of home cooked food and really enjoyed our time together. We were away from technology which can easily take the joy out of experiences like those. It was such a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Related: The Ultimate South Iceland Road Trip

Rosendal, Norway

We spent one night in the gorgeous little town of Rosendal on our way to Folgefonna National Park. A scenic two-hour drive from Bergen, it’s the ideal base for hiking. We spent a drizzly day climbing the slippery trails of one of the mountains just near town. While the path was a little slippery and we got very wet, we loved every minute of it. It felt like we had the mountain to ourselves. Half way up we took shelter from the rain under a tree, hugging a cup of coffee and taking in the sweeping views back down to the fjord. It was heaven.  

Related: A Guide to Hiking Interlaken

Folgefonna National Park, Norway

Folgefonna National Park is one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been to. We drove the windy roads from Rosendal until we reached the bottom of the glacier, one afternoon. It really felt otherworldly. Exploring the park for a couple of hours, we only saw two other cars and there were just a few cabins we passed sitting peacefully among the vast landscape. When we reached the glacier, we stood in awe of it for some time, shaking from the cool air. It was extraordinary.

It wasn’t until a couple of days later that we returned to traverse the top of the Folgefonna Glacier. Waking up with the flu, I almost cancelled the trip but I knew I might miss the opportunity altogether and I just couldn’t risk it. So I rugged up, we jumped in the car and making our way through Jondal we drove the steep, icy roads past farm land to the fog and snow covered peaks. A tiny hut waited at the very top; the starting point for our glacier walk. That day on the ice turned out to be one of the best of my life and these are some of my favourite Norway photography to look back at now.

Related: Mykonos Greece Gallery

Bjørnefjorden, Os, Norway

It’s hard to believe the Solstrand Hotel and Bad was only 30 kilometres from busy Bergen. The hotel is true retreat from the city, sitting on the Bjørnefjorden. With a full wellness spa onsite, we spent our afternoon there, recovering from a morning in the mountains. At dusk, we dined on fresh, local fare with a view of the fjord watching as the sky became flushed with a brilliant fuscia before the fog rolled in to reach the waters edge.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson

The stretch of water between Tanjung Pinang and Senggarang Village, Bintan Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Bintan was the second stop on our four-destination tour of Indonesia with the Indonesian Ministry for Tourism. We also visited Jakarta, Flores (and Komodo National Park) and Bali on this trip.

Plan your trip to Wonderful Indonesia with more information and inspiration here.

Tanjung Pinang

We walked down the narrow covered wharf at Tanjung Pinang past the locals to make our way to the boats that would carry us the short distance over to Senggarang Village. It took us about 10 minutes from wharf-to-wharf.

A local flashes a shy smile at Pengujan Ferry Wharf, Tanjung Pinang. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Nap time at Pengujan Ferry Wharf, Tanjung Pinang. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Senggarang Village

Senggarang Village was built and is still home to the Teochew Chines who emigrated to Bintan Island in the 18th Century. Fisherman who lived very simple lives, they mounted their houses on stilts above the water to protect them from the elements. Even today, they speak a number of dialects and they are practicing Taoists. We found them to be extremely friendly as we wandered through the village.

Many of the stilted houses in Senggarang Village were built by the original settlers and have weathered the many years since. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A man hides from the heat under a corrugated awning. Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Elderly man sits alone on a small stool in a quiet part of Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A young girl showing off her basketball skills in the back streets of Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A local woman relaxes with a cup of tea on her front patio in Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A store in Senggarang Village tightly packed with food and everyday supplies. Bintan Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A man sits in the window of a former temple now enveloped by a banyan tree, Senggarang Village Bintan Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Village children play on stilts in Senggarang Village Bintan Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Beautiful trio sitting on the water’s edge flashing me a shy smile and a peace sign in Senggarang Village Bintan Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

A Chinese style temple. The people here are Taoists. Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

One of the many gorgeous kids who came to meet us during our visit to Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Young boys ride their bikes around the narrow pathways of Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

It took me a lot of coaxing to get this guy to lift his head from his knees. It was worth the wait. Look at that stunning face! Senggarang Village, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The Sebung River

We spent a morning cruising the Sebung River, pushing deep into the mangroves in search of wildlife living among the trees. We barely saw another soul, with the exception of a fisherman bailing out his boat and a handful of others preparing lines from the riverbanks. In the evening, we returned to the river again. This time we travelled in the other direction at dusk to a local restaurant where we ate dinner at a local restaurant and watched as the sky blushed and the sun went down over the water.

Simple structures are dotted along the banks of the Sebung River. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Cruising the wide stretches of the Sebung River was calm, peaceful and very beautiful. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Retired boats sit among the mangroves on the rusty banks of the Sebung River. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Brilliant greens bounce off the glassy surface deep among the mangroves on Sebung River. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Pink painted sky as the sun goes down on the Sebung River, Bintan Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Visiting Bintan Island

• We took the short flight from Jakarta to Bintan Island with Garuda Airlines. There is also the option of a fast ferry running between Singapore and Bintan Island.

• Be aware that most of the big resorts are located to the north of the island. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to get across the island. If you are interested in visiting Senggarang Village, I would advise you to fly into Bintan in the morning, go directly to Pengujan Ferry Wharf in Tanjung Pinang and out to the village, before heading for some afternoon relaxation at your hotel.

• A car, petrol and driver costs about Rp500,000 per day (about $AUD50) on Bintan Island. You can book one through your hotel prior to your arrival, but expect to pay a little more

• There are a few high-end Bintan Island resort options. We stayed at the Bintan Lagoon Resort which has a private beach, large pool area, ample activities on site of close to the resort and a great gym.

The Fit Traveller was a guest of the Indonesian Ministry for Tourism for this trip to Bintan Island. As always, the opinions, imagery and words are authentically our own

 I used a Canon EOS 7D MarkII to capture these images. Thank you to Canon Australia

Watch the Trip Highlights on The Fit Traveller TV

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/