Travel Writing Competition 2014 Entries Page 2

As I unrolled the map of Ladakh, my eyes were certainly intrigued by the quaint little village of Dah-Hanu, nestled on the rugged cliffs of Batalik region.

A sea turtle washed up on the beach, a small cut on its underbelly and a dent in its shell. Two of the neighbours carried it between them, placing it carefully next to the hose in the yard.

I met a shoeblack the other day in Istanbul, right next to Hagia Sophia. On my way from one sight to yet another, he was sitting at the street corner offering to polish my shoes while I passed by

Batanes is an island province comprising ten islands that are located in the Luzon Strait between the islands of Luzon and Taiwan. It is the northernmost part of the Philippines

Theres a rumour that Manatees have been spotted in the area today said Levi, our Rastafarian tour guide in a thick Caribbean accent.

Our waitress, Kimberley, is in overdrive. Its awesome that Ive ordered the pulled pork and equally awesome that Im from Wales.

Whilst on holiday for the first time on the Greek island of Kefalonia, my friend and I decided to take day trip that had been recommended to us, to the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos.

I believe that more often than not, peoples lives turn out differently than they could ever expect. It is up to each person to decide how to handle the unexpected curve balls which life occasionally throws our way.

Ive always been fascinated by the stars; luminous flecks dotting an ink-black canvas with borrowed light. My breath-taking travel moment is a sky darker than most, a horizon that seemed planets away and the biggest stars I have ever seen.

Surfing the sparkling waters off the far North Coast of Australia, or getting lost amongst the colourful wares of vendor boats floating on the murky waters of the Mekong in Thailand.