The Camargue, France

The Rhone River spills out of southern France in a patchwork of varying grades of wet. Western Europe's largest river delta, the Camargue, is most famous for flamingoes, the Camargue bull and the lovely white Camargue horse, but my personal favourite was the underrated fish soup.

The town of Saintes Maries de la Mer is believed to be the landing site of the three Mary´s (Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe) who set sail some time after witnessing the resurrection of Christ (Happy Easter). The normally quiet town is quite the opposite when gypsies from all over Europe arrive for the annual pilgrimage to worship Saint Sarah, the servant of the many Mary´s.

Lindos, Greece

On the eastern side of the Greek island of Rhodes, lies a stunning white town called Lindos. Like her sister town, Rhodes, Lindos has also had a complicated history decorated by the moods and modes of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Knights of St. John and the Ottomans. The result is a brilliant white maze of a town with the odd inspiring spire and an impressive acropolis imbedded in the rocky hill, keeping watch over future generations. 

Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes is one of those places that I suspect of jealously guarding some dangerously glorious secret. And some secret it must be to have been desired, conquered, adored, burnt, bombed and sieged so many times in its complicated history. It has changed hands between the ancient Greek civilisation (it was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Rhodes Colossus), the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights Hospitallers, the Ottomans and even the Italians had a go at making it a colony. Her glory days recorded in history books, the town now rests in retirement as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The sun-washed town has a door for every aspect of her personality.

Aigues-Mortes, France

There is something incredibly captivating about the way that autumn light filters through French villages, filling the crisp air with long shadows and speckled sunshine. Despite its name, Aigues-Mortes (dead waters) is no exception. This fortified town in the Petite Camargue in the south of France was once the port from where the seventh and eighth crusades were launched. I had the privilege of savouring oysters, bull steak (a speciality of the Camargue) and crème brulee at a little bistro just off the main square.

The face of India

I was fortunate enough to have spent a decent chunk of time in southern India once upon a time. These are a few of the faces I encountered during my time there. One advantage of being a foreigner (and partly due to my ignorance) was that I was able to interact with all castes, including the lowest of the low. Many of the people featured here had never had a photograph taken and were shocked and honoured that I would want to take their photo at all. Their generosity and kindness is etched in my heart.

Sitges, Spain

Sitges is a lovely (albeit touristy) beach town south of Barcelona. I spent the day perched on sunny rocks while being entertained by the characters parading along the beachfront. The sea spray and sunshine coloured church of Sant Bartolomé and Santa Tecla is the exclamation point at the end of the longest palm encrusted promenade I've ever seen. Sitges is pretty famous for its film festival and the legendary zombie walk in which the whole town participates.

Barcelona street art

If you look closely, the streets of Barcelona are full of art. It is like catching a glimpse of the city's soul. Magic.

Madrid, Spain

Madrid is not the capital city I was expecting. Instead of the hustle and bustle of industry, Madrid is sophisticated, charmingly relaxed and full of music. Not to mention, the home of some of the world's most famous pieces of art. 

I thoroughly enjoyed a stroll through the Buen Retiro Park. Watching a pair of Japanese tourists row their little boat in increasingly hysterical circles, listening to buskers and watching kids chase giant bubbles is my idea of relaxing. Just be wary of the gypsies who throw curses at you if you refuse to pay them for a sprig of magical rosemary.

I loved the botanical garden. It was exploding with autumn colours at the time (November) and well worth the entry fee.