2nd May 1986, Everest trek
Taken looking north from Lobuche, heading to Gorak Shep. The black rock is Kalar Patar – the highest point on the Everest trek. The classic shaped mountain behind it is Pumori – the summit is the border between Nepal & Tibet. To the right (east) is Everest, Nuptse & Lhotse.
Akha village near Tha Ton, northern Thailand. 8 March 1986.
With an American and German couple, Evi and I took a songthaew 16kms [from Tha Ton] to a Karen village. Left our packs behind to be put on the boat that we would meet at 1.30 in a village by the Maekok river.
Walked 1.5km to a Lisu village. The people dressed very colourfully. However, we weren’t the first visitors as “Hello, one baht” testified. Took a few nice shots anyway. A few kilometres back along the road was an Akha village. Went up their main street and we were surrounded by women all selling bracelets, necklaces with turquoise beetles and hand-woven colourful pipes with ganja.
10 September 1986. Seilebost, Isle of Harris, Scotland
I love the weather-beaten exterior, ‘official’ chalk board name, and the security door measure. Next to a remote and lovely beach.
Met a girl from Melbourne, Robyn, [at the Stockinish Youth Hostel] and walked with her across the valley to the other side of the island. A faint sheep’s trail to follow over boggy ground. The beach and sand-dunes [at Seilebost] were remarkably similar to Norman Beach at Wilson’s Promontory [Victoria, Australia]. Brilliant turquoise ocean, gulf-stream.
A baker’s truck stopped and we bought lunch. Walked across the estuary flats. Very soft sand, made some sculptures. Carried Robyn across a stream so as to avoid walking a long way round. Managed to hitch back to Stockinish.
19 July 1985. Grampians National Park, western Victoria, Australia
Left Halls Gap and headed up the Stoney Creek Track. That took me to the Wonderland Turntable in an hour. Then up the familiar Pinnacle Track. On top I took photos and ate lunch. Was alerted to an eagle soaring close overhead by the call of a Currawong. By the time I’d put the telephoto on it was gone.
Came down via the Ridge Track. Climbed Mackeys Peak and enjoyed the last of the sun (4.15) before it went down behind the higher ridge. Saw one koala. Back to the Youth Hostel around five.
Alot more people turned up tonight. Including two girls from L.A. Have hitched from Cairns around the coast. Played scrabble with one, Lydia, also Gunther and Jill. Then Lydia and I went out spotting koalas with her flashlight. Saw two.
Mandalay, Burma. 6 April 1986
The quiet streets of Mandalay, dominated by foot traffic and bicycle rickshaws.