So, in the last issue I was telling you about a round the world trip that lasted nearly two years which began with an MA in China and continued in Canada and Latin America… cheap flights dictated a start in the Yucatan and a journey south to the jungle at Palenque. Then it was up to the highlands of San Cristobal before crossing into Guatemala and heading deeper into the Mayan world. We spent a month in the country which saw us journey out to the jungle to watch the sun rise over the temples of Tikal, hike up the lava flows of an active volcano, and bask on black sand beaches of the Pacific coast. Then it was back into Mexico and up to the capital via the markets of Oaxaca, the cliff divers of Acapulco and the prawns of Puerto Vallarta. I stayed in Mexico for the Independence Day celebrations on Sept 16th before heading back to Montréal. 
Figure 1 Picture courtesy Gavin Fernandes : ‘backpage’ was one I included in my talk at the Globetrotter club members’ slides afternoon, of me being featured in the local press while shooting for China Foto Press in 2007
What particular moment will you remember most about your travels & why?
It’s impossible to pick one moment from nearly two years away; there were many memorable moments from a year spent living and studying in China and travelling in Vietnam as well as some unforgettable times spent in Canada. More than three months in Latin America yielded its fair share of travellers’ tales too.
Re your photography – is there one shot you’ve taken that makes you think yep that’s the one…that’s why I went travelling?
Well, actually there could be a few… I’ve entered a few in various travel photography competitions – so let’s see if any make the shortlists…
What single piece of advice would you give to anyone with a similar trip in mind? Something that could make all the difference to enjoying or not what they may experience…
I could reel off a few clichés here – keep an open mind, take it as it comes, play it by ear, expect the unexpected – but it’s the way I’ve always travelled – not planning too hard or thinking too far ahead but being ready to make the best of an unwelcome situation should one arise. That’s when the adventures happen!
Do you still have an appetite for travel and where might you possibly head to next?
I haven’t yet lost that desire to see what’s round the next corner and discover something new. But I’ve slowed down a lot since the days of dashing around Europe or across 18 countries in 4 months. I prefer to settle in a place nowadays and absorb more of the culture than was possible when just passing through. I’d quite like to live and work in a new country earning money as a photographer and planning future travel projects.
You’re back in London after nearly two years away – how come and what next?
Well the funds diminished somewhat after a year as a student and a summer in central America. The lack of any foreign work permit meant they couldn’t be easily replenished and a return to Blighty became imminent. I’m currently looking for contract work, preferably related to photography while continuing to search out markets (exhibition/publication) for my latest travel imagery. I’d be happy to be based anywhere in the world – I could go back to China and build on my experiences of 2007; or try Australia and see what’s happening there; or visit the folks in India and seek out viable projects; or get a job in Africa as a photographic tour leader on the overland safari trucks. Or do I return to Montréal and the girl I left behind…?
Thank you very much Gavin – even across two articles I’m sure you’ve only managed to share a very small amount of your fantastic experiences. Welcome back to the club but happy travelling & photography in the future…The Ant
STOP PRESS 24/01/2009!! Gavin has just heard that his entry, ‘Iguanas’, in Wanderlust’s photo of the year competition has made it through to the final stage of judging and will be exhibited at Destinations 2009. The judging takes place on the Friday of the show at around 3.30pm – let’s see if Gavin wins the trip to Mexico