The Taipan may have returned some while ago, but it is with interest that we note that he has updated a whole swathe of photographs from his recent travels in Thailand, many with a particularly nautical theme. It is not, for him however, all dry docks and dingy looking fishing ports – but magnificent blue stretches of ocean, skylines that could set alight even the least poetic of souls and lush green scenery that has to be seen to be believed.

All his photos can be seen over in his flickr collection over here, but I’ve picked out my favourite of his recent efforts – this tender tree silhouette arcing in front of a beautiful Thai sunset while the water ripples restlessly behind it. Take a look below, and I challenge you not to want to up-sticks and leave for Thailand in the next few days!

It has been a long time coming, but the Taipan’s latest post ‘New beginnings and the shores of the Andaman coast’ is not only a respective look to last years travelling

“Indonesia was a great experience and it made me realise just how much I love to see new places and experience new things. The truth of it actually is that I just love SE Asia.”

But quite the statement of intent too. A recent career break has paid dividends and so it is off back on the travel trail once again.

“Thailand next month for some much needed relaxation and sleep. God I need a break. Nothing much to really blog about except the beauty that will be surrounding me. Sun. Sand. Sea. Trees. Blue. Green. Yellow. All the colours that I long for.”

Keep us updated Taipan!

Hong Kong is a city of visuals, from the vivacious markets to the symphony of light. What better way then of sucking in its splendour than with a selection of photographs from our STA Explorer the Tai Pan Does Indonesia!

You can see all of Stu’s (Our Travelling Tai Pan) images here. They include temples, souvenirs, sky-scrapers and parks. Also there is a splendid picture of a Bruce Lee statue cutting a majestic figure (see above and left) in front of the Hong Kong skyline – “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup… Be water my friend.”

Well, when I say Explorers I’m referring to two in particular – Our Taipan Doing Asia and Gadget Boy Going Global. Both are refining their social media presences and activity…

Gadget Boy Goes Global has gone GPS so you can his progress up until the 26^th of December – it’s visually represented at Random Projects and also available in more detail at Every Trail. Maybe you fancy getting some location-based action into your own travels, if so drop Tim a comment.

Following up is the Taipan who is going to be taking full control of The Taipan’s Travel Blog From Around SE Asia by shifting domain names. He’s been away for the keyboard for a bit, but once the next step is complete and he’s bedded the blog into its new location he’ll be updating with posts on Indonesia…

After narrowly avoiding plunging himself into what was possibly an over-chlorined pool and causing unpleasant rashes and skin shedding, the potential unpleasantness of the day appeared to have been evaded.

Unfortunately for the Tai Pan does Indonesia, and more so for the poor woman who was hit by the van he was a passenger in, this was not the case. Despite the traumatic nature of the whole situation, the women was fine, well as he states:

“As fine as you could be when getting hit head on by a minibus.”

Then, out of nowhere, in the aftermath of the incident a funeral parade emerged…

To read his thoughts on the incident packed day and see a video of the visual flamboyance that was the funeral festivities be sure to visit his post.

A post to point you at what can argubly be considered the most cliched of holiday snaps, the foreign sunrise.

Although many may decree the image tired and over sold, to do so out-of-hand is short sighted. I feel that the rising sun that STA Explorer Tai Pan does Indonesia has snaffled into his lens is enough of a reason for people to stick with the concept. Admittedly, not everyone is going to be able to capture dawn from Gili Meno, but hey, that’s why you pack a bag and go travelling!

OK, there isn’t a statuette or anything – it’s just the opinion of our STA Explorer Stu Owens – but this guy is an Asian veteran, having taken a number of trips around the continent over the past few years, so he knows weird shit when he sees it. Currently travelling through Indonesia, Stu was prepared for some Vietnam-style strangeness. But despite staying in a grim guest house, his latest blog update shows him more simply blown away by the sheer beauty of Bali and the Islands of Menjangan. And you can’t argue with these photos. Head over and let Stu know if you have your own nomination in the motorbiking weird shit awards.