A glimpse of the glamorous side of travel writing Best bits of being a travel writer

Articles about Kawah Ijen
My very first travel article came after I pitched the Jakarta Post a piece about the sulphur miners of Kawah Ijen, In Java.
James Durston travel writer CNN Hanoi
On assignment for CNN in Hanoi, hosting a travel TV show from the back of a scooter.
James Durston travel writer The Independent
One of my first ever freelance assignments was documenting a month in an off-grid survivalist camp in Scotland, for The Independent.
Phuket travel writing job
Job? What job? On assignment in Phuket, Thailand.
Travel articles for Goa
On assignment in Goa.
japan tokyo ramen vending machine
Discovering Japan's vending machine culture on assignment in Tokyo
crossing the Brooklyn Bridge
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on assignment in New York City
travel writing gig samui thailand
Some down time during an assignment in Samui, Thailand
Burma house travel writing
Tasting local life while on assignment in Myanmar
gecko travel writing
One of my (many) roommates while on assignment in Thailand
Travel writer in Blue Mountains, Australia
On assignment in the Blue Mountains, Australia
travel writing jobs in Singapore
On assignment at Sentosa Island, Singapore
travel writing inle lake
On assignment in Myanmar again
water skiing travel writing
On assignment in Komodo, Indonesia. This was a press junket, one of the perks of a travel writing career.
Traveling in Myanmar with tribeswomen
Photobombing what would have been a very nice picture of some Burmese tribeswomen while on assignment for the Jakarta Post.
Traveling to Jiujiang China
A trip during Chinese New Year to meet my extended family for the first time resulted in a piece for CNN about the drinking games that take place during the festive period.
Mumbai dabbahwalah CEO
Meeting Pawan Girdharilal Agrawal, CEO of the Mumbai dabbawalas, for a piece for Hotelier India.
Taj lake Palace hotel
The amazing Taj Lake Palace Hotel, which I visited on assignment for a book contribution.
Tokyo robot restaurant
One of my more colourful assignments in Tokyo
New York travel writing
Enjoying the scenery on assignment in upstate New York.
travel writing in Doha
On assignment in Doha, Qatar
travel writing trek
Cooling down halfway through an eight-hour trek in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia, on assignment for Travelmag.co.uk
travel writing gigs
Tasting sugar cane in Indonesia
travel writing jobs Singapore
On assignment in Singapore
travel writing perks
Enjoying one of the perks of being on assignment in Macau, for a hotel review
travel food writing
Suits me! On a foodie assignment in SE Asia
Travel writing in Laos
On Assignment in Laos, running a 100km 'ultra-marathon'. It took three days, and a dozen blisters, but it was one of the most satisfying gigs I've done.
Travel writing in Kobe Japan
Returning to Kobe, Japan, 25 years after having lived there as a child, on assignment for Momentum.
whale shark in samui Thailand
A chance meeting while diving in Samui, Thailand, inspired my first opinion column for CNN, which led to many more assignments.
Mumbai travel writer
A freelance travel writing corner, Mumbai.
Xian walled city travel articles
On assignment in Xi'an, northern China.
A walking guide assignment in New York City
A walking guide assignment in New York City
CNNGo team
The early days of CNNGo, during which I discovered how to buy and edit travel stories
Sydney bridge climb travel writing job
On assignment climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
travel writing jobs about Malaysia
Feeling rather frazzled after an eight-hour trek in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia, on assignment for Travelmag.co.uk
travel writing assignment in Thailand
On assignment in Bangkok, Thailand
travel writing in Myanmar
A tranquil assignment at Inle Lake in Myanmar (or Burma)
Burma monastery travel writing job
A chance encounter on my first night in Myanmar led to giving an impromptu English lesson at this monastery.
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