Naked Odyssey 2019
Inspired by participation in nude outdoor photo shoots for Spencer Tunick, Matt Granger and Natansky – some pre-organised, others guerilla-style – I resolved that, from 2016, impromptu naked photography would be a part of all my world travels…
Fuerteventura in February and March
Jandía was my base for naked hikes around the southern end of Fuerteventura: 4.5 hours along beaches from Costa Calma to Jandía; a 4.5-hour round trip to the summit of Pico de la Zarza; 6.5 hours around La Pared then down to Jandía; and finally 4 hours from Punta Jandía to Morro Jable.
On the long walk south from Costa Calma – location map.
Pico de la Zarza (807m), the roof of Fuerteventura – location map.
Facing the winds on the west coast of La Pared – location map.
The middle of nowhere, west of Morro Jable – location map.
An early pause on the trek east from Punta Jandía – location map.
At the southwestern tip of Fuerteventura – location map.
Highlands in April
Esther and I stayed at the coastal town of Wick for a week in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. From there, we went hiking north to Castle Sinclair Girnigoe and south to the Castle of Old Wick. Local buses took us further afield to Scrabster, Thurso and John o’ Groats. Our love of the Highlands continues.
On North Head, with Wick harbour and town behind me – location map.
At Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, north of Wick – location map.
Before the mighty ruined Castle of Old Wick – location map.
Laying with the Duncansby Stacks – location map.
Naked at John o’ Groats – location map.
Warrior at Scrabster Head – location map.
Vienna in May
A late-May trip to Vienna started in warm sunshine, but ended awash with rain. While the weather was fair, we visited the Danube island of Gänsehäufel for an afternoon sunbathing in its FKK area. When the rains came, I took shelter fleetingly beneath the iconic Hundertwasserhaus.
FKK at Gänsehäufel – location map.
Under the trees of Gänsehäufel – location map.
Under the arches of Hundertwasserhaus – location map.
Paris in August
In Paris, Esther and I checked out the secluded Espace Naturiste in Bois de Vincennes. There we found about fifty naked men and one heavily-pierced bald woman. When one chap began fellating another(!), she flew into a fury, yelling at them, at us, at everyone. She even kicked a guy off his bike. We didn’t stay long.
In Champ de Mars with the Eiffel Tower – location map.
Fleeing exhibitionism and insanity at Espace Naturiste – location map.
French interior at Arcueil – location map.
Lviv in September
In 2011, a tour of Ukraine – Odessa, Yalta and Kiev – without visiting Lviv had felt like unfinished business. Eight years later, I put that right with a 3-night stay in this attractive youthful city. I enjoyed art, wine, endless pretty churches, cocktails at Masoch Café, and even stumbled upon a life drawing session at PM Gallery.
At an abandoned Maximilian Tower – location map.
Amongst the dead at Lychakiv Cemetery – location map.
South Africa in November and December
For our last trip of the year, Esther and I went to South Africa. After a few days in Johannesburg, we took the Shosholoza Meyl sleeper train to Prince Albert, where we stayed a few more days before re-boarding and continuing to Cape Town. The settings for poses were innumerable and magical.
On Melville Koppies, Johannesburg – location map.
‘Grand Bagnante No 7’ by Emilio Greco, Johannesburg Art Gallery – location map.
Overlooking Prince Albert – location map.
Swartberg Mountains backdrop – location map.
Art circles west of Prince Albert – location map.
On Signal Hill, Cape Town – location map.
Twelve Apostles Mountain Range behind Camps Bay – location map.
On Table Mountain, looking out to Robben Island – location map.
steve ritter 