Naked Odyssey 2024

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…

Travel in 2024, like 2023, began with a flight to Cape Town, albeit this time transferring at Nairobi, Kenya. After two weeks at Kalk Bay, south of the main city, Esther and I moved up to Livingstone, Zambia – our base for visiting Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe sides) and a (non-naked) safari in Botswana.

On Clovelly Beach, South Africa – location map.

Along the Muizenberg-St.James Walk – location map.

Spes Bona trail from Kalk Bay to Clovelly – location map.

Silver Mine nature reserve overlooking Muizenberg – location map.

Lion’s Head southern slope, above Camps Bay – location map.

‘Weary Willy’, Silver Mine nature reserve – location map.

Viewpoint 8, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – location map.

At ‘Photographic trail’, Victoria Falls, Zambia – location map.

In May 2024 I fulfilled my long-time wish to visit Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We stayed for a week, immersed in character, history, sun, rain, and the lush forests of surrounding hills. Trips beyond the city included Jajce, Lukomir and Travnik within the Federation, and Brus in Republika Srpska.

Dark skies at The White Fortress – location map.

Near Vrelo Bosne, source of the Bosna – location map.

On the abandoned bob sleigh track – location map.

Under the Goat’s Bridge – location map.

After flying in to Riga, Latvia and staying 2 nights, I took a bus northwards up the coast to Pärnu, Estonia. Here I stayed 3 nights, then continued to Kuressaare on Saaremaa island (3 nights), Haapsalu (4 nights), and Tallinn (2 nights), with trips to the islands of Kihnu, Vormsi and Hiiumaa, and Narva in the east.

Zaķusala island, Riga, Latvia – location map.

Kihnu lighthouse on Kihnu island, Estonia – location map.

Windswept at Pärnu, Estonia – location map.

Kuressaare Castle (northern bastion), Saaremaa island, Estonia – location map.

The northernmost tip of Haapsalu, Estonia – location map.

Orthodox Church at Hullo, Vormsi island, Estonia – location map.

‘A Woman in the Wind’ sculpture, Heltermaa, Hiiumaa island, Estonia – location map.

Köismäe Tower, Tallinn, Estonia – location map.

Pavilion in Dark Garden, Narva, Estonia – location map.

An edgy week in Budapest, Hungary, staying on the Pest side just 150m from the River Danube whilst its water level rose 1m each day due to the 2024 Central European floods. We made an exit plan but the city avoided inundation. Elsewhere, we visited Lake Balaton, Esztergom and crossed to Štúrovo in Slovakia.

Last Balaton, south side – location map.

Magnificent Esztergom – location map.

Under Erzsébet Bridge, Budapest – location map.

Last Balaton, east side – location map.

Qatar and Oman are fine places for escaping the chill of winter but absolutely not for public nakedness. In Doha, it was a big gamble to grab a shot on the Corniche – less so on the deserted public beach way out west at Dukhan. Similarly in Muscat: less risky on a beach, more so in an urban heritage site.

On the Corniche in Doha – location map.

On the public beach at Dukhan – location map.

On the public beach at Muscat – location map.

In ‘Bousher old house’ heritage site – location map.