Nilwella, Sri Lanka

The southern province of Nilwella, Sri Lanka. This coastal community has long been the livelihood of over 2,000 fishing families, home to Nilwella harbour. Once abundant in swordfish, yellowfin tuna, and sailfish, that equilibrium is changing. Rising sea temperatures push fish into deeper waters, and unpredictable weather patterns disrupt fishing seasons. Marine ecosystems such as coral reefs across Sri Lanka have also been bleached and decreased due to climate change. With nearly half of the country's protein coming from fish, a sea that promised security now mirrors uncertainty.

Ella, Sri Lanka

On Vesak Day, the National Birthday of Buddha, the northern town of Ella, Sri Lanka, is filled with lanterns, music, and celebration. Amid the festivities, Rohan reveals to me the scar across his bicep - a bullet wound from his time as a soldier during the Civil War. A quiet testament to a lingering legacy - a tension between the appearance of peace and unresolved legacies of conflict, where celebration meets memory. For Rohan, this is a transition from soldier to civilian, now working as a driver, standing in front of his tuk-tuk. The end of the civil war 15 years ago was an international turning point, but ending violence is only the first milestone. Achieving justice, reconciliation, and answers for families still seeking answers continues, and for many, the war overshadows an ongoing reality, etched into bodies, memories, and communities.

San Kamphaeng, Thailand

Once a largely regional tradition, Muay Thai has transformed into a global industry. Drawing a growing number of Westerners seeking meaning beyond the disillusionments of their own societies, Thailand has seen the rise of the 'Farang Fighter". For some, it’s chasing this UFC-level glory; for others, it’s testing limits, seeking transformation or maybe living out a real-life version of Mortal Kombat. Once the niche of combat sports, Muay Thai is now marketed as a lifestyle with influencers selling content or courses of the ‘Thai Dream’. Wrapped up in cheap living costs, physical hardship and community, a way of life for many Thai people is now a consumable reality, appealing to a growing number of young people disillusioned with Western lifestyles, work culture and rising costs. Whatever the motivation, there’s a gym that caters to it, and I was one of those partaking.

Tonsai, South Thailand

Until my early twenties, I’d only witnessed the world through my TV screen. I remember vividly watching Leonardo DiCaprio starring in “The Beach”, a young traveller who finds this secret paradise. Never did I think I’d find something so close to this in real life. Tonsai Beach is tucked beside better-known Railay Beach. A time capsule to Thailand before over-tourism took over. Tonsai is smaller, quieter without daytime electricity, its seclusion and limestone walls have made it an alluring destination for climbers over the past 30 years, seeking simplicity and connection to the co-exist within nature.

Sigyria, Sri Lanka

Gini Sisila, meaning "cooling of the fire", is an ancient Sri Lankan tradition rooted in the island’s Low Country regions. This stunning art form combines precise fire manipulation with fluid, rhythmic dance, showcasing the dancers' mystical mastery over fire. Often seen at grand cultural celebrations like the iconic Kandy Esala Perahera, Gini Sisila draws the audience into a trance-like state. Performers wield blazing torches, swirl them gracefully through the air, and even defy the natural world by swallowing fire, all while moving to the hypnotic beats of traditional drums, such as the Devol Beraya.

Taghazout, Morocco

A three-hour drive from Marrakesh, this once sleepy Berber fishing village is becoming an international attraction for surfers and sun-seekers. A laid-back surf town that began to gain traction in the 1960s, with figures like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones fleeing the cold winter and finding inspiration along Taghazout’s caramel-colored sand and sun-drenched shores, today Taghazout sits on this intersection.

Hi Giang, Vietnam

A motorcycle route marketed to travellers as an “authentic” journey through rural villages now carries more than two million tourists each year. It has become a rite of passage for many backpackers, with the promise of cultural immersion, untouched landscapes, and freedom on the open road. Along the route, curated “cultural stops” invite visitors to observe village life - stopping at homes where elderly women continue to weave, little girls stand selling flowers, and little boys play traditional instruments on the roadside. While tourism has brought visibility to this rural region Hà Giang sits at the uneasy intersection of economic opportunity and cultural exploitation, raising difficult questions about authenticity, consent, and who is truly benefiting.

Cat Ba, Vietnam

In Northern Vietnam, far from land, the limestone monoliths of Ha Long Bay rise straight from the South China sea - an otherworldly landscape that became the filming location ofKing Kong. Among the hidden coves and lagoons that have become popular tourist attractions, countless sheer limestone formations remain largely unexplored. Accessible only by small boat, Deep Water Solo - climbing these rock faces with no harness and no ropes, just height and water as a crashpad has become a new form of adventure that people have come around the world to experience.