Ten years ago the Rio carnival used to be just for the gringoes - the Tourists swamped the city, the parties were wild and the residents of Rio fled. They fled to their weekend houses, to families by the coast, to quieter cities or the sea. Then travel became so difficult during the carnival period that they became trapped in Rio too. Then came the resurgence of the Bloco. A bloco is a street samba party, fuelled by Caipirinha, powered by the samba band, and bedazzled by the costumes of some of the more flamboyant members of the local gay community. A meeting point is established, a time and a place - some of the most popular blocos no longer publish this information - it's now for those in the know. January the 19th and the ... read more

In the southern interior of South America, close to the three borders of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. a world wonder continuously crashes and pounds day and night as the Igauaçu river plunge into a canyon etched into the landscape over millions of years. The name Iguaçu/Iguazú comes from the native tribal language, meaning "Big Water" and it's not wrong - the falls are stretched along 2.7 km with over 270 discreet falls and something like 1.5 million litres of water crashing over the side every second - the impression is of a flood plain just meeting the side of a canyon. Shared ownership of the falls belongs to Argentina (Iguazú) and Brazil (Iguaçu) - Paraguay used to control the territory but lost a war 150 years ago, the spoils went to the winners and Paraguay became ... read more

Two hours drive from Manado, Sulawesi - is Lembeh. It's a port city, the Lembeh straits and island just 2kms of dark murky sea water away. Oil sheens the surface, trash floats and sinks around old boats. Tough looking Indonesian port works and seamen carry massive loads up precariously leaning plank gangways, loading the boats. Muscles and veins bulging, blurry tattoos clearly self made they stare with wild eyes at us - strange visitors from the west. The water looks uninviting. This is where we are to dive next. The Lembeh Straits are world famed for macro-life, Frogfish, Nudibranches, Scorpion and Lionfish and many other strange and wonderful creatures, most only ever seen by divers in books. A photographers paradise. I'm really looking forward to diving here. Back on the island (Perhentian Kecil) Eve of Coral ... read more

The magnetic powers of Perhentian Kecil draw me back once again, a brief holiday is extended into a two month stay. A life of sand, sea, sun and scuba. I confess - I do not know why I am here again - I do enjoy it here. I'm "working" part-time as a divemaster, part-time as web geek. But - I've been here, I've done here, I've worn the T-shirt till it's faded down to a vague suggestion of it's original colour. Time spent underwater is the best time, my passion for underwater photography grows. Ambitions fulfilled: Sea horses; a sandy drift dive over stubby sea grass and we find a few each dive. Hitting 300 logged dives any day soon, most as a divemaster. That's more or less it; really nice photos and many new friends, ... read more

I am sick to my stomach and beyond, everything I have eaten today is now feeding the fish, I have a thumping headache, and the boat won't stop moving. I am very seasick and it is worth it. I have never been seasick before, I've been queasy on boats before, but actually sick no. I've dived nearly 200 times and there is a first for nearly everything, the dives here were worth the pain though. First time seeing a school of Hammerhead Sharks, first time with an Octopus, my first Manta Ray. Watching the sea lions play with each other and us and even the Manta Ray - puppies of the sea - they are called "Lobo del Mar" in Spanish - Sea Wolves - I think it is a better name. The terrain underwater is ... read more