Explore 7 Stunning Countries Captured in 7 Beautiful Images

By means of introduction, I have been fortunate enough to spend the past few months living outside of the UK. Interestingly, despite my passion for travelling, I had never ventured to Asia prior to this summer, making this an extraordinary period of discovery.

As soon as the opportunity arose, I committed to maximizing my travel experiences during any available free time.

Within the span of just one month, I visited a myriad of locations including Singapore (which served as my ‘home-base’), Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, and Australia. Below, I have documented some of my most cherished experiences from each country.

Cultivating this list proved challenging, as I encountered an abundance of memorable moments in each destination. Nonetheless, here it is!

1.) The Sydney Opera House: Sydney, Australia

This structure is a truly iconic representation of Australia. The first time I encountered it, which took place the night prior to capturing this image, I had the opportunity to engage with its beauty by attending an opera performance.

The sensation of witnessing it for the first time was nothing short of enchanting.

During my taxi ride from the hotel, I found myself in a bit of a predicament due to heavy traffic. Upon arrival, we struggled to identify the entrance, resulting in a frantic sprint around the Opera House lasting approximately seven minutes.

We managed to enter the venue with less than a minute to spare before the show commenced. What a relief!

As an aside, the opera I attended was Rigoletto… yes, the one featuring that song. I had the option of either attending a performance of Rigoletto or another play, and I must confess that the selection of Rigoletto was influenced by that video.

TIP: Observing the Opera House when illuminated at night offers a unique experience, yet the daylight view is equally impressive. Aim to experience both.

2.) Views of Hong Kong at Victoria’s Peak: Hong Kong

We had already spent a night in Hong Kong before our ascent to Victoria Peak, and I was taken aback by the lengthy queue for the tram.

While taking the tram is undeniably the most scenic route to the peak, the waiting time exceeded 2.5 hours.

Consequently, we opted for a taxi service to the Peak, and we were then rewarded with a breathtaking view of Hong Kong. The wait time for the return trip was equally discouraging, prompting another taxi ride to our next destination.

TIP: There is no need to purchase access to the viewing platform at the summit. The vista from the complimentary viewing area is just as magnificent.

3.) Ruins of St Paul’s: Macau

Again, this was another famed landmark that I had seen in images for many years, and I eagerly anticipated experiencing it firsthand.

It presents an intriguing juxtaposition between the well-preserved sections and the areas that are no longer intact.

Experiencing this site in person is remarkable, particularly given the historical context of Hong Kong as a British settlement and Macau as a Portuguese one. While Hong Kong does not retain a distinctly British ambiance, Macau is rich in its Portuguese cultural heritage.

TIP: Dress appropriately for the hot and humid weather, and expect to encounter significant crowds of tourists.

4.) Engaging with the locals in Ho Chi Minh City

While it is true that Lloyd is not one of the locals, technically this statement holds merit since one of the vendors paused for a conversation and eventually entrusted his ‘stand’ to Lloyd for a brief period.

Though I cannot assert that Lloyd was the most skilled vendor in all of Ho Chi Minh, the moment did lend itself to an appealing photograph.

TIP: Be prepared for the significant weight of those items before you attempt to carry them.

5.) Island Exploring in Phuket, Thailand

This day epitomized a series of firsts for me. Throughout the day, I found myself in awe of the breathtaking beauty that Thailand has to offer.

I cannot even articulate my expectations; I was distinctly unprepared for the astounding visuals we encountered.

In this photograph, we had just returned to our boat/ferry, which was ferrying us across various islands. From that point, we would disembark and kayak to explore the islands in greater detail.

Moreover, this excursion preceded our trip to Phi Phi Island.

TIP: Ensure you acquire a waterproof covering for your camera; the area can become quite wet (we experienced heavy rain during our visit), yet the desire to capture photographs remains strong. Various affordably priced covers can be sourced here, here, and here.

6.) Stopping for lunch with an exceptional view in Bali, Indonesia

The culinary experience we encountered was somewhat disappointing (this is not indicative of the typical Balinese cuisine; rather it was specific to this establishment). However, the scenery distracted us from our dissatisfaction.

From our vantage point, we could gaze upon two expansive volcanoes, set against a backdrop of vibrant natural colors. This was truly a remarkable sight in person and certainly left a lasting impression of Bali.

TIP: It may be beneficial to conduct some research on the restaurant prior to your visit. While the views are magnificent, Balinese cuisine is delicious and there is no reason to compromise on either a great meal or stunning vistas.

7.) Thunderstorms and Cityscapes – Singapore

This was my inaugural visit to the Marina, where we leisurely strolled as the sun began to dip below the horizon. Once twilight arrived and the lights illuminated the surroundings, the Marina radiated an incredible vibrancy.

As if that weren’t enough, a thunderstorm erupted, creating dramatic visuals that were ideal for photography.

This was also my first encounter with the ‘Water and Light Spectacular’, which served as a delightful surprise before we headed out for dinner.

TIP: While the City appears close to the Marina Bay Sands (which offers the premier views of the city and the ‘Water and Light show’), it is a reasonable distance away, therefore, if you find yourself pressed for time or feeling fatigued, consider taking a taxi. Taxis are surprisingly economical in Singapore, especially when considering the overall expense of Singapore.

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AustraliaBaliHo Chi Minh CityHong KongIndonesiaMacauPhuketSingaporeSydneyThailandVietnam