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Quito, with Pichincha Volcano in the background, Ecuador, South America
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Climbing Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Ecuador

Towering above Quito is active Pichincha Volcano, which last covered the capital city of Ecuador with a layer of ash as recently as 1999. While the slopes of an active volcano might seem like an odd location to build a capital city, there is very little alternative in Ecuador. Its mainland alone is home to over 30 volcanoes and it is second only to Iceland in the number of volcanoes compared to the size of the country.

Quito, with Pichincha Volcano in the background, Ecuador
Pichincha Volcano towering over Quito, which sprawls over its eastern slope

While Quito’s location at the base of Pichincha Volcano might have its dangers, its position in the heart of the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ makes it the perfect base for trekking Ecuador’s iconic volcanoes.

The Teleferiqo (gondola) station is a bizarre start to the ascent of Pichincha Volcano. At the same time as the gondola was built about 15 years ago, they built an amusement park, conference venues, cafes, restaurants and enough parking for the majority of the local people from Quito to visit every day. The trouble is that the local people only used it for the first year. It was too expensive, so having experienced the gondola and amusement park once, no one ever returned. The result is a horror movie-like film set of deserted buildings, rooms and theme park rides.

The only aspect of the development that remains open is the gondola, which transports tourists from its base at 3,117m to 3,945m, which is the starting point for the trek to the top of Rucu Pichincha. Even at this early point I felt pretty excited, having already surpassed my previous highest altitude, which was the 3,726m summit of Rinjani Volcano on Lombok Island in Indonesia.

Teleferiqo, the gondola up to Pichincha Volcano, Quito, EcuadorTeleferiqo climbing up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano above Quito, Ecuador

I was thrilled to finally be on a volcano in Ecuador. I booked my trip months ago. Having followed advice from various locations including my trekking company (Cumbre Tours), the summit of Pichincha Volcano at 4,687m was the first of three volcanoes that I would be climbing in order to acclimatize prior to my meeting with Cotopaxi at midnight on day five/six of my tour. The second and third would be Illiniza Norte (5,126m) and Ruminawi (4,721m) respectively.

I am happy to admit that I had no idea exactly what to expect from even the first day, let alone the following five. What would it be like to be over 4,000m, and later 5,000m? Even more importantly, what would it be like to climb…steeply…on ice at that altitude? And what did ‘climb’ and ‘steep’ even mean?

All I knew was that I had done an extremely effective job of unwinding a significant proportion of the benefits of my exercise regime that I had undertaken for the few months in the run up to leaving England. While spending two weeks photographing a number of stunning Haciendas and Jungle lodges in Ecuador, my fitness level had been under attack from enormous breakfasts, three course lunches…four course dinners…and very little exercise (unless walking from my room to the dining rooms counts?!). Thank you to Gentian trails for the incredibly luxurious anti-fitness programme!

At this point I shall introduce you to my guide for today; Darwin from Cumbre Tours. He explained that we would spend about 3.5 hours climbing up to the summit of Rucu Pichincha, the most popular, and second highest of Pichincha Volcano’s two peaks. It would then be a quick 2.5 hour descent.

Hiker trekking Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, Ecuador
My guide, Darwin, leading the way up the first section of Pichincha

I guess my time would be the first indicator of whether I had any chance of reaching Cotopaxi Volcano’s iconic summit later in the week.

After naively setting off at power-walking pace as if I was rushing to the local shops back home in England, Darwin told me to slow down. Too much excitement and adrenaline perhaps? Also, I think I was given a false sense of comfort by the expansive views over Quito and the surprisingly friendly path, steadily rising through the Paramo landscape.

Panorama of City of Quito seen from the Pichincha Volcano, EcuadorFantastic weather provided us with great views over the City of Quito

The opportunity for horseback assistance part of the way up the slopes of Pichincha was very tempting but quickly passed us by!

Horses offering rides up Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, EcuadorHorses offering rides up Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Ecuador

Having barely seen the sun for the first two weeks in Ecuador, I could not believe how lucky I was with the weather. From one end of Quito in the north, to the other extremity, 50km south, the entirety of Ecuador’s capital city was sprawled out before us.

Whole of Quito panorama. Extreme north on the left and extreme south on the right, from Pichincha Volcano, EcuadorThe whole of Quito, from the extreme north on the left of the photo to the extreme south on the right, as seen on the climb up Pichincha Volcano

After about an hour and a half of walking, we reached a cave for some shelter from the ever-strengthening wind. Eagerly delving into my bag, I pulled out the lunch that I had been provided. It was the most purpose-made lunch I have ever seen. Seeds, fruit, chocolate. Energy, energy, energy. Here started my education on eating at altitude.

View of Quito from Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, EcuadorView of Quito from the cave where we took a break on the climb up Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Ecuador

While the chocolate and sweets might be the tastiest sugars, apparently it is the natural sugars found in the fruit and seeds that are the most beneficial as they do not have to be broken down by the body. No amount of useful facts however was going to stop me eating the chocolate, and packs of Rainbow Mentos that I had brought specially with me all the way from England.

Up to this point, I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected much steeper, much rougher and much more uneven terrain. Crumbling rocks, slippery sand and sheer drops. Essentially I had pictured the next section of the trek.

We zigzagged up the ever-steepening sandy slope to around 4,500m. Darwin assured me that, while it was one of the slowest sections on the way up, it would be the quickest and most fun on the way down.

Rucu Pichincha Volcano. Climber at the bottom of the sandy section, Quito, Pichincha Province, Ecuador
Nearing the bottom of the sandy section on Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito

Half way up this section, I started to get a faint headache. Nothing that couldn’t be ignored, but it did made me ponder about how I might feel when 1,400m higher on the summit of Cotopaxi…if I made it.

Trekker climbing Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, EcuadorNearing the top of the steep sandy section while climbing Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Ecuador

The nuisance of a headache set it. It didn’t hurt. It was just there. Annoying! The terrain changed from slippery sand to rugged rocks. Nothing too challenging at first, but after another 100m, with mist rolling in and the summit getting closer, the scramble began.

A short time later, I arrived to the 4,696m summit of Rucu Pichincha; my first confidence–boosting peak of an Ecuadorian volcano. No views to speak of, but I honestly couldn’t have been less bothered. I had enjoyed fantastic sights on the way up (which I was later informed was very fortunate and uncommon) and had successfully dragged myself to the top in 2.5 hours. Result!

Me on top of Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Ecuador
At the 4,696m summit of Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Ecuador

We took a short break to re-fuel, before setting off on the 800m descent. Carefully navigating the steep rocky sections proved more difficult on the way down than the way up.

Climbing Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, EcuadorOne of the rocky sections on the descent of Rucu Pichincha Volcano

We reached the top of the sandy slope. Here the fun began. Practically skiing, we reached the bottom in the blink of an eye. Completely out of breath, we took another short rest to empty our shoes, which by this point were completely overflowing with volcanic sand.

From here on it was a steady downward path past the shelter of the cave and onwards through our old gentle friend, the Paramo. Looking down on Quito, which was now bathed in full sunlight, I was very contented about having completed my first 4,000m+ peak.

Quito panorama seen from Pichincha Volcano, Quito, EcuadorSunny Quito seen from Pichincha Volcano
Some advice for climbing Pichincha Volcano

Do I need a guide to climb Pichincha Volcano? This was the question I asked myself in the run up to booking my six day volcano adventure. I could save money by simply climbing Pichincha by myself. Having now completed the ascent, I can tell you that the short answer is no, you do not need a guide. The longer answer is no, but it will likely make the experience a lot more enjoyable and less stressful if you do. If you decide not to organise a guide, make sure you take precautions such as those listed below;

Never climb alone
There are stories of muggings and being in a group will go some way towards minimising the chances of this happening to you.

Pay attention to your route on the way up
It will be useful on the way down!! This is especially the case at the top, where you are essentially just scrambling over rocks.

If the weather turns nasty, turn around and head straight down
It is often said that Quito experiences four seasons in one day. The weather can change very fast and visibility can become suddenly shortened, so don’t tempt fate.

Don’t push yourself too hard
This is often a first hike after arriving in Quito, so you may not be used to the altitude. Take your time and drink obscenely over the top, excessive amounts of water.

Leave as early as possible
The sooner you can get yourself out of bed, the better. Clouds and mist often roll in in the early afternoon, so give yourself the best chance of great views by leaving early.

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Cheese maturing in the cheese factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, Ecuador, South America
Photography, Travel |

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Hacienda Zuleta Cheese Factory, a photo essay

As well as being a wonderfully immersive and unique place to stay, Hacienda Zuleta is also a traditional, colonial, Ecuadorian working farm. One of its many lines of production is fresh and aged cheeses. From the milking of the warm, creamy cows’ milk, to delicious mature hand-made truckles of cheese, the whole process takes place on the site of the 5,218 acre, 500 year old ranch.

Cheese maturing in the cheese factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorCheese maturing in the cheese factory on the Hacienda Zuleta Farm in Ecuador

Despite having access to milk from 300 privately owned, machine-milked cows, the Hacienda also purchases much of the milk that it requires from the surrounding local communities, such as Zuleta. Rosa, one of the local Cayambe ladies that I met, photographed, sprayed milk all over, and who showed me how to milk a cow, is one of these people. For the local community, having a supportive and immediate purchaser for their agricultural goods means that the Zuleta community is thriving.

Portrait of an indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows at Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorPortrait of Rose, an indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows. The milk is used by Zuleta Farm in their cheese production.

After separating the curds and whey under a high heat, the whey is channelled into a vast vat, which the local Zuletenans are allowed to use as animal feed. This ensures that there is no waste, and is one of the numerous ways in which Hacienda Zuleta endeavours to work with and support the Zuleta community.

Depending on space on the maturing racks, up to 1000 cheeses per week are then placed in moulds to begin the maturing process. Once out of the moulds, the cheeses are left to soak and absorb salt in a salt-water bath. This serves the purpose of both adding flavour and helping the cheese to start to develop a crusty layer to protect it from the mould.

Cheese soaking in salt water at the Cheese Factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, Ecuador
Cheese soaking in salt water at the Cheese Factory on Hacienda Zuleta Farm in Ecuador
Cheese soaking in salt water at the Cheese Factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, Ecuador
More cheese soaking in salt water at the Cheese Factory on Hacienda Zuleta Farm in Ecuador

Next for the stinkification of the cheese. Officially; the maturing process. Cheese truckles are placed on antique, wooden maturing shelves for anything from two weeks for the small 600g blocks to up to 14 months for some of the 4kg blocks. The length of time is also dependent on the desire of both the factory and client for a specific strength of cheese. The longer the cheese is left to ferment on the shelves, the more it matures, and the tastier (or just stinkier – it’s a matter of opinion) it gets!

Cheese maturing in the cheese factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorCheese maturing on old shelves in the Hacienda Zuleta cheese factory

What causes the cheese to change flavour as it matures is the escaping of CO2 from the cheese. The trouble is that as the CO2 escapes through the crusty, protective layer, it leaves minute holes for the rapidly growing mould to find its way in. As a result, the cheese cannot simply be forgotten about. It must be monitored and scrubbed regularly in order to prevent the mould from getting a hold of the cheese and ruining it. This is less of a problem with smaller cheeses, which are stored for significantly shorted lengths of time. There is no point in maturing a small 600g cheese for any longer than a couple of weeks, as it will never become as tasty as the larger cheeses, due to having a smaller surface area from which the CO2 can escape.

Portrait of a worker cleaning cheese while it matures at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorPortrait of a worker cleaning cheese to prevent mould destroying the block
Cleaning cheese while it matures at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorCleaning cheese to prevent mould entering the cheese at Hacienda Zuleta cheese factory

My helpful and enthusiastic guide Sebastian informed me that currently the cheese they produce is only semi-mature cheese for two reasons. Firstly, extremely mature cheese costs a lot more, and the majority of Ecuadorians aren’t in the market for spending vast amounts of money on a luxury items such as smelly cheese. Secondly, space. Other than at Christmas, when the shelves are completely empty, the shelves are chock-a-block with blocks of cheese.

So, how do you keep track of thousands of cheeses in the production process? How do you know how long they have been maturing, what flavours were added, where they will be sent, who produced them, how many are in the lot? Very simple; a small piece of paper in a plastic packet, on which is written the type of cheese, the date it was produced, the lot number, the number of cheeses in the lot and the name of the person who is responsible for looking after them. Hi-tech!

Cheese maturing in the cheese factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorTracking process while the cheese matures in the Hacienda Zuleta cheese factory

Once the cheese is matured to perfection, scrubbed clean, and has passed quality control, it is sealed with a layer of wax.

Waxing cheese at the Cheese Factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorWaxing cheese at the Cheese Factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta
Waxing cheese at the Cheese Factory on the farm at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorSealing cheeses with was at the Cheese Factory at Hacienda Zuleta
Portrait of a worker waxing cheese in the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorPortrait of a worker waxing cheese in the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta

The final step is to add the branding, and the cheese is ready for dispatch to its final destination.

Packaging cheese at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorPackaging cheese at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta
Packaging cheese at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorPackaging cheese at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta
Cheese ready for shipping at the cheese factory at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, EcuadorFinal cheeses, ready for shipping at the Hacienda Zuleta cheese factory

One of the joys of staying at Hacienda Zuleta is the food, which of course includes freshly produced Hacienda Zuleta cheeses. Distance and time from production to plate; 100 meters, 30 seconds! After a delicious evening meal, retiring to one of the cozy living rooms to eat cheese in front of the fire with a coffee is a great end to the day!

Hacienda Zuleta sitting room, luxury accommodation on a working farm, Imbabura, EcuadorHacienda Zuleta sitting room
Cheeses at Hacienda Zuleta, luxury accommodation near Imbabura, EcuadorCheeses at Hacienda Zuleta
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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Portrait of indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows at Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, Ecuador, South America
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Learning to milk a cow = a face full of milk at Hacienda Zuleta, Ecuador

In a secluded valley in the Andes Mountain Range, just two hours from Quito sits Hacienda Zuleta, an old, colonial working hacienda. Dating back to the 16th century, a lot of the activities taking place on the farm and in the surrounding community of Zuleta feel untouched.

One such activity is that of the local Cayambe ladies milking their cows twice daily; at 4am and 4pm. Needless to say, it was the 4pm milk run at which I met Rosa milking the three cows that belonged to her.

Portrait of an indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows at Hacienda Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorPortrait of Rosa, a Cayambe Lady, milking her cows at Hacienda Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, Ecuador

After taking a few photos, studying Rosa’s technique and seeing how easy it was, she offered me a turn. Confidently I stepped up and replicated what I had seen her doing. Nothing. Not a drip. Rosa gave me a few pointers, and I gave it another shot. Success. With a squeeze and a pull, I surprised myself by producing a long, large stream of warm milk. I surprised Rosa too, as not a single drop entered the large, vacant bucket below, but instead went all over her.

No matter what I did, I could not manage the desired combination of ‘lots of milk’ and ‘in the pail’. It was either a few drips, landing just inside the large, vacant rim of the bucket, or a small cupful depositing itself on my amused teacher!

At this point, I decided that for the sake of Rosa, myself and most of all, the poor cow, we should all resume our individual areas of expertise. Here are the results.

Cayambe lady from Ecuador feeding her cow at Hacienda Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorFirst, Rosa would lure the cow in with tasty food.
Indiginous Cayambe Lady tying together her cows legs ready for milking, Hacienda Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorThen quickly nip behind to tie the cows legs together to prevent it moving while she was milking it.
Indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows at Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorThen the milking of the cow begins.
Indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows at Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorStill milking!
Portrait of indiginous Cayambe Lady milking her cows at Hacienda Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorA happy Roda as she nears the end of the milking!
Cow being milked by an Indiginous Cayambe Lady, Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorAn unhappy cow after the milking is nearly over.
Portrait of Cayambe Lady in Ecuador, emptying freshly milked milk into a vat, Zuleta Farm, Imbabura, EcuadorMilking at Hacienda Zuleta complete for the afternoon!
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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Indonesia landscape photography, Lombok and Bali, Sunset Behind Mount Agung and Mount Batur on Bali, and the Three Gili Islands from Mount Rinjani, landscape photography by landscape photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis
Photography, Travel |

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Mount Rinjani Volcano – a breathtaking trek to the roof of Lombok

Mount Rinjani Volcano towers majestically 3726m above the island of Lombok. Trailing only Mount Kerinci, it is the second highest active volcano in Indonesia, and for a country with 129 ash billowing beasts making up part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, that’s no small feat.

With credentials such as those above, having never climbed a volcano before, and making the ill fated decision to read all the worst case scenarios on the internet (why do people always do that!), in my opinion I was justifiably apprehensive about the three day trek to the summit and back.

Having said that, it doesn’t look like too much of an ordeal from the safety of a tropical island such as Gili Meno in the photo below…

Mount Rinjani can be seen on the far right of the photo, towering above Gili Air in the foreground and Lombok in the background. Travel photography by travel photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis. Mount Rinjani can be seen on the far right of the photo, towering above Gili Air in the foreground and Lombok in the background.

Day 1

The three day trek starts at Senaru (600m) and ends at Sembalun Lawang (1150m). After finding out that the first day would consist of 8 hours walking ONLY uphill, I started to wonder whether I should be taking the organiser’s concerns about the size of my bag more seriously. However, on seeing this younger, shorter, teenage porter wearing just flip flops and carrying all of our camping gear, I decided I should probably man up a bit!!

The first few hours raced past. The thought of the Lombok-wide views from the top, the excitement of meeting similarly minded travelers and the promise of a hot cup of fresh local tea waiting for us at each resting stop. How our flip flop clad porters managed to race ahead so embarrassingly quickly I have no idea, but I definitely think its time I actually stuck to the ‘this year I’ll get super crazy fit’ new years resolution. Needless to say, the humbling speed of the kid didn’t stop me gulping down the copious amounts of sugary teas he made for us.

Eight hours later, as we rose from the forest and mist, I new (hoped) that our camp for the night must, please, surely, has to be not far ahead.

I was wrong. But, an hour later, with calves burning from a final adrenaline fueled effort, I had finally reached the 2600m edge of the Rinjani Volcano crater. Yes I felt lazy that the tents had already been erected by the porter, but no that did not detract from the child like excitement I felt from reaching the first night camping spot.

The 2000m climb might have been exhausting, but the views of the surrounding Lombok landscape made it worthhwhile a thousand times over. Sunset was a surreal site…the three Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air) situated just off Lombok’s coast looked like stepping stones to reach Bali’s two highest volcanoes, Mount Agung and Mount Batur, who’s summits stretched up above the clouds.

I slept well!

Day 2

If there is such a thing as an easy day trekking under the midday Indonesian sun, then this seemed to be it. The views of the Rinjani caldera made the 600m decent to Segara Anak Lake (meaning ‘Child of the Sea’) at the bottom of the volcanic crater seem a piece of cake.

That is, until the shrillest of screams came from up ahead. Rarely has my heart skipped a beat as much as it did then. Genuinely.

“Grab hold of something.”

We heard another piercing scream.

*Silence*

“Have you broken anything?”

Up until now, our guide had maintained an ear to ear, cheeky fun-loving smile.

“Please, please, please” he pleaded with us, “you must be so careful”. Sobering would be an understatement. Possibly in an attempt to bring home his case, he graphically described to us events from a year before when a member of his group had fallen to their death.

It emerged that a lady had been taking a photo and had not realised how close to the edge she was. She had reportedly managed to stop herself just feet from a sheer drop, and thankfully walked away unhurt. Needless to say, I made 100% certain a had an extremely firm footing before raising the camera to my eye for the rest of the trip.

It also highlights something about the nature of the way that photography can remove you from reality. It is all too easy to keep the camera firmly pressed against your face, experiencing everything through the viewfinder. There is a lot to be said for sometimes just sitting back, leaving the camera in the bag, and absorbing your surroundings.

Scrambling around Segara Anak Lake, 1700m below the summit of Rinjani was like a walk in the park….

…the majority of the time that is…

The impending mid-afternoon 600m struggle up the opposite side of the crater seemed a lot more achievable after chillaxing with a loooong soak in the natural hot pools followed by a quick dip under the freeeezing cold waterfall…

…it was still pretty tough though! Beautiful and rewarding, but tough!

Despite all the days physicality and the prospect of a 3am start to reach the 3726m summit of Mount Rinjani Volcano in time for sunrise the following morning, camping above the clouds again at 2600m, I felt relaxation and calmness like nothing I’ve ever experience before. Not even meal number four of plain noodles and fried egg was going to take that away!

Day 3

3am, bleary eyes and a temperamental torch are not the ideal recipe for an arduous 3 hour, 1100m scramble for the summit, but they certainly added to the excitement!

As the light grew and the summit drew nearer, the now familiar site of a distant Bali and Gili Islands appeared beyond where we had camped on the Rinjani crater rim on the first night…

Stopping to admire the views became a great way to pretend you weren’t just desperately in need of a break!

I have a new found hatred for scree!! Two steps forward, slide one step back. Two steps forward, slide one step back. It felt like climbing a gigantic pile of rice!

On reaching the 3726m summit of Mount Rinjani Volcano, the roof of Lombok, the views were incomparable to anything I have ever witnessed. Gunung Baru Jari sat silently in Segara Anak Lake below. To the West I could see Bali and the Gili Islands, and to the East, the silhouetted coast of Lombok, and Padjang, Saringi and Sumbawa Islands. Magical, breathtaking just completely out of this world AWESOME!

Although I would have happily stayed at the top for the remainder of my month in Indonesia, the cold and my guide dictated otherwise. All that lay ahead now was the small matter of a 2500m decent to Sembalun Lawang! The scree that had been the bain of my life on the way up, suddenly became brilliant fun, slip-sliding all the way down to camp…and of course, another very welcome cup of sugary tea made by the pocket-sized guide! What a hero.

The landscape on the walk from the campsite back to Sembalun Lawang was stunning and varied. Thick forest one minute and endless vegetable fields the next. The guides continued to amaze me. As our guide ran off, telling us he would see us further down the path, we caught up with him an hour later, not admiring a view, or stopping for refreshments as I expected, but having a quick nap! Genius!!

Sembalun Lawang finally came into sight in the distance, bringing to a close my exhausting, rewarding, arduous, awe-inspiring, draining and thoroughly unforgettable Mount Rinjani Volcano experience.

From there, it was a bumpy jeep ride to catch the final boat across to the Gili Trawangan…..and there are no prizes for guessing what I spent the next day doing! Heres a clue…

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Travel photography of Indonesia, Java, Kawah Ijen, Sulphur Worker Appearing out of the crater, travel photography by travel photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis
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Kawah Ijen Volcano: Sulfur Mining at the Bottom of an Active Volcano

Kawah Ijen Volcano (aka Ijen Crater) lies within the Ijen caldera at the East end of Java Island in Indonesia, which is home to some 127 active volcanoes.

Panoramic photo of Kawah Ijen Volcano and the turquoise acid crater lake, Java, Indonesia Panoramic photo of Kawah Ijen Volcano and the turquoise acid crater lake, Java, Indonesia

As you creep up to the edge of Kawah Ijen after a 3km uphill trek in the Pultuding Valley, you will be greeted by the most surreal and otherworldly site. 300 meters below the lip of the Ijen volcano is a bright turquoise, sulphuric acid lake. Toxic gases hug the slopes of the crater as they seep into the atmosphere and the sulphur miners appear worker-ant-like as they emerge one by one under the force of the midday Indonesian sun.

Sulphur miner emerging out of the toxic fumes at Kawah Ijen Volcano, Lombok, IndonesiaSulphur miner emerging out of the toxic fumes at Kawah Ijen Volcano, Lombok, Indonesia

After scrambling down 300m on 60 degree slopes to the floor of Kawah Ijen, what you will witness can only be described as… unearthly, film set-like and just a little bit crazy!

Panoramic photo of a sulphur miner working next to the acid lake at the bottom of Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater)Panoramic photo of a sulphur miner working next to the acid lake at the bottom of Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater)

Gases from the volcano are cooled by funnelling them along ceramic piping. As the molten sulphur drips from the end of the pipes into pools on the floor, it solidifies into bright yellow, brittle blocks of sulphur.

Solidifying pool of molten sulphur at the bottom of Kawah Ijen VolcanoSolidifying pool of molten sulphur at the bottom of Kawah Ijen Volcano

To prevent inhaling the deadly fumes, the miners have to stand back and watch, as the clouds of gas swirl around them, changing direction at the will of the wind.

Sulphur miner avoiding the toxic fumes at the bottom of Kawah Ijen VolcanoSulphur miner avoiding the toxic fumes at the bottom of Kawah Ijen Volcano

Sulphur miners breaking up molten sulphur ready to carry out of Kawah Ijen VolcanoSulphur miners breaking up molten sulphur ready to carry out of Kawah Ijen Volcano

Baskets lay empty in wait to be piled high with broken up bright yellow sulphur blocks.

Empty sulphur baskets waiting to be filled with sulphur at Kawah Ijen Volcano, Java, Indonesia Empty sulphur baskets waiting to be filled with sulphur at Kawah Ijen Volcano, Java, Indonesia

Climbing the crater edge to collect sulphur at Kawah Ijen Volcano, Java, Indonesia Climbing the crater edge to collect sulphur

Under the midday sun, and with up to 100kg on their shoulders, the miners face an ardous 300 meter vertical ascent up the crumbling walls of the crater.

Climbing out of Ijen Crater in the midday sun carrying 100kg of sulphur, Java, IndonesiaClimbing out of Ijen Crater in the midday sun carrying 100kg of sulphur

Miner finally emerging out of Ijen crater carrying 100kg of sulphur, Java, IndonesiaMiner finally emerging out of Ijen crater carrying 100kg of sulphur

As the miners finally emerge from Kawah Ijen, they still have to complete a 3km trek down the perilously steep, and often slippery Pultuding Valley.

View of the Pultuding Valley filled with sulphuric gases on the trek from the Ijen crater edge to the weighing station at Kawah Ijen Volcano, Java, IndonesiaView of the Pultuding Valley filled with sulphuric gases on the trek from the Ijen crater edge to the weighing station

Sunrise hitting the sulphuric gases in the Pultuding Valley at Kawah Ijen, Java, IndonesiaSunrise hitting the sulphuric gases in the Pultuding Valley at Kawah Ijen, Java, Indonesia

For risking their lives twice a day in making the journey from the weighing station to the bottom of Kawah Ijen, they receive about $10. It is a truly gargantuan effort.

Want to see more Kawah Ijen photography? Why not head over to my Kawah Ijen gallery in my travel photography archive…?

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Old fishing boat, Barmouth Harbour, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe
Photography |

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The Barmouth Harbour Viking

As far as destinations go for photography in North Wales, Barmouth harbour is one of my favourites. Sand dunes, Barmouth Bridge, and lots of old, rusty fishing boats in the harbour. Combine that with the Cadair Mountains as a backdrop and you’ve got a pretty stunning and varied studio for a morning’s photography.

On this occasion, ‘VIKING’ was stranded by the low tide. The old, rusty fishing boat looked as if it had been lying in Barmouth harbour since the coastal town’s shipbuilding industry started it’s life back in the 18th century.

The Viking Boat stranded in Barmouth Harbour in North Wales

The Viking Boat stranded in Barmouth Harbour in North Wales

Viking!Viking!
Colourful close up of the rusting old fishing boat in Barmouth fishing harbourColourful close up of the rusting old fishing boat in Barmouth fishing harbour
Old rusty anchor chainOld rusty anchor chain
Anchor of the Viking fishing boat in Barmouth Harbour, Gwynedd, North WalesAnchor of the Viking fishing boat in Barmouth Harbour, Gwynedd, North Wales
Rusty barnacle abstractRusty barnacle abstract
Rusty fishing boat abstractRusty fishing boat abstract
Barmouth Harbour Viking in North WalesBarmouth Harbour Viking in North Wales

For my full collection of photos from Barmouth Harbour, please click here.

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Vietnam, Chinese Lanterns, Full Moon Festival at Hoi An, Vietnam, Asia, by editorial travel photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis
Photography, Travel |

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Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival

A full on feast for the eyes! Hoi An full moon festival occurs on the 14th day of the Chinese lunar calendar.

As modernity is snuffed out, the town’s electricity is turned off in favouring of flickering candle light.

Every inch of Hoi An’s streets are lit by thousands and thousands….and thousands of brightly coloured Chinese lanterns. As if the yellow-painted streets of Hoi An weren’t colourful enough!

Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival - colourful Chinese lanterns

Chinese lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam

There is no better way to start the evening than by hiring one of the…putting it kindly…less-young, ladies at the port to take you out in a traditional sampan boat to watch the sunset.

Floating on the Thu Bon River is a relaxing and enjoyable way to get a different perspective of Hoi An’s quaint waterfront. Enjoyable…that is, if you can put aside the nagging ‘I’m being rowed by my grandmother?!’ feeling. It is often suggested that helping an old lady cross the road is a great way to complete your good deed for the day. By the same reckoning, I think it would be fair to say that some seriously good deeds are needed to make up for this boat trip!

Sunset at Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival

Rowing in Hoi An Harbour at sunset

All motorized transport is banned from the ancient town during the Chinese lantern festival to make way for the swarms of people who attend. And its not one of those events just put on for tourists. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of tourists, but Judging by the swarms of Vietnamese people there, I am fairly sure that everyone living within a 100 mile radius attends.

Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival - Hoi An streets at night

Hoi An streets at night

But it’s not just about the over-sized Chinese lanterns, there is also a whole array of traditional Vietnamese games being played. One such game is ‘Bai Choi’, pictured below. It is essentially Vietnamese Bingo…but with pictures of chess pieces rather than numbers, and played outside in Vietnamese courtyard rather than inside an English village hall. It’s great fun!

Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival - Bai Choi, traditional Bingo

Bai Choi – a traditional Vietnamese game – being played at Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival

As if brightly coloured paper lanterns, street games and a traditional sunset boat experience weren’t enough, it is also customary to buy a lotus-flower shaped floating candle and release it onto the Thu Bon River in order to bring good luck and happiness.

Hoi An Full Moon Chinese Lantern Festival - girl selling lotus flower candles

Girl selling Lotus Flower shaped candles

Unfortunately on this occasion, the full moon didn’t make an appearance at it’s own festival, but it was still a fantastic spectacle. The Hoi An Chinese lantern festival has a very unique atmosphere; lively, excitable and bustling, yet under the candlelight, there is also an air of romance and mystery.

If you are visiting Hoi An, or Vietnam in general, then do yourself a favour and coincide the dates with this festival. You won’t regret it! I’ve included a list of the dates for 2014 below…

2014
14 January
13 February
14 March
13 April
12 May
11 June
10 July
9 August
7 September
7 October
6 November
5 December

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Classic Car Boot Sale London South Bank portrait
Photography, Travel |

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Classic Car Boot Sale at London South Bank

From the boots of classic cars and vintage VW’s, chaps and chapesses flog vinyls from old-fashioned suitcases, and vintage fashion hangs from retro turntables.

In the shadow of the iconic London Eye, Pimm’s flowed, and music crackled from a bright red double decker London bus.

So jump in a Cadillac and speed back through the decades at The Classic Car Boot Sale on London’s South Bank!

I hope you enjoy the photos!

The Classic Car Boot Sale tours the country, so check out the website to find out where it is going to be next!

CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE PEOPLE

Portrait of a woman in vintage fashion at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Portrait of a woman wearing vintage clothes at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.
Candid portraitCandid portrait on a man smoking a pipe.
Portrait of a man in vintage fashionPortrait of a man in vintage fashion.
Portrait at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Portrait of a biker at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.

CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE STALLS

The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Vintage items for sale at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.
Vinyl player, turntableVinyl player, turntable for sale.
The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)People rummaging through vinyls at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.
Vintage picnic set at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Vintage picnic set.
Retro clothes for sale at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Vintage clothes for sale at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.

CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE CARS & MOTORBIKES

DAF 33 classic car at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)DAF 33 classic car.
Chevrolet vintage car in the classic car show at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Chevrolet vintage car in the car show at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.
Cadillac at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Cadillac.
Chevrolet vintage car in the classic car show at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Matthew Williams-Ellis)Chevrolet at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.
Harley DavidsonHarley Davidson at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.
Classic car (Florida police car)Classic car (Florida police car).
Castrol fuel close upCastrol fuel close up at The Classic Car Boot Sale, South Bank, London, England.

A big thank you to all the wonderful people who allowed me to take their photos! Especially the man on the motorbike with the London Eye in the background! All I could bring myself to say to him after I had taken the photo was ‘you look epic’!! I stand by that!

Does anyone have any suggestions about any other great events in and around London to visit?!


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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Panoramic photo of stilt fishermen at Midigama Beach, near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia
Photography, Travel |

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Photographing the Sri Lanka stilt fishermen

Exotic, iconic Sri Lanka. No image conjures more of a longing to experience the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ than photos of the stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka. A centuries old tradition where local fisherman perch calmly a-top a wooden pole for hours at a time, plucking sardine-sized fish from the rocks below.

Sri Lanka stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia, long exposure photography by documentary travel photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis Sri Lanka stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast of Sri Lanka

I have always loved photographing fishermen, so before I had even left London, stilt fishing was number one on my list of Sri Lankan traditions to witness. Wandering along Weligama’s white, sandy Beach at 5.30am, wearing only shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops put this in the category of awesome photography trip before I had even taken the camera out of my bag.

Palm trees under stars on a clear starry night at Midigama, near Weligama on the South Coast of Sria Lanka, Asia Palm trees under stars on a clear starry night at Midigama, near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia

As expected on arrival to the stilts, I found the first of the stilt fishermen stood on the shore, waiting for enough light to navigate the rocky sea floor to find his stick.

Unexpectedly, he was also waiting for me!

What I had failed to realise about this ‘traditional’ form of fishing, in which the best stick locations are passed down through the generations, was that it has become so well known, so famous, so iconic, that the fishermen now charge you to take photos of them. Whether this demand (and that is what it is) is immoral and degrades the tradition or is perfectly reasonable and understandably opportunistic of these business savvy men could be the basis of a dissertation and is not about to be debated now.

Initially, I was fascinated to watch the stilt fishermen bobbing their hand-made wooden rods up and down, periodically lifting out the tiny ‘Bollu’ reef fish from the surf below. I was loving the painting-like effect that using a longer shutter speed was giving.

Long exposure, motion blur photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia Long exposure, motion blur photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia

Having taken the ‘safe’ shots of individual stilt fishermen, I stood back and thought about why it felt like being transported back hundreds of years to Sri Lanka’s pre-tourist times, despite the frustrating requests for money. It was not just about the ancient tradition of stilt fishing, but the location in which it was taking place. It was the landscape of Midigama Beach; the combination of golden sand and rocky outcrops, backed by swaying palm trees that made this so special.

Panoramic photo of stilt fishermen at Midigama Beach, near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia Panoramic photo of stilt fishermen at Midigama Beach, near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia
Stilt fishermen seascape at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia Stilt fishermen seascape at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia

I continued with the theme of long exposures, but decided to include the fishermen as part of the landscape rather than make them the sole subject. A lot more atmospheric I think.

Whatever your opinion on the ‘asking for money’ situation, no trip to Sri Lanka is complete without witnessing the stilt fishermen.

Portrait photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia Portrait photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama, South Coast, Sri Lanka, Asia

Stilt fisherman catching fish at Midigama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka from Matthew on Vimeo.

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, Asia, by panoramic landscape and travel photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis
Photography |

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Sri Lanka Photography Highlights – The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Have you got a spare few minutes to explore Sri Lanka? Then why not join me and travel around this unique island known as ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’?

This blog includes my favourite photos of the island of Sri Lanka. As a destination for either a holiday or for travel photography, Sri Lanka may well be my number one country. There are just too many highlights: beautiful, misty tea plantations, the iconic Sri Lanka stilt fishermen, sacred temple complexes at Anuradhapura and Pollonaruwa, fascinating Sigiriya Rock Temple (the inside of an old volcano), Adams Peak (Sri Pada) which is a site of pilgrimage for three seperate religions…you get the picture! I hope the photos go some way to conveying the beauty of this vibrant, energetic and fascinating country.

I hope you enjoy my top 20 photos of Sri Lanka.

1. Midigama, stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
This is a photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia. This stilt fisherman is continuing a tradition that goes back centuries. The idea is that by standing on the stilts they are able to fish without disturbing the shoals of small fish that surround them.

2. Negombo, traditional Sri Lankan oruva fishing boats returning to Negombo fishing market at sunrise
This is a photo of traditional Sri Lankan oruva fishing boats returning at sunrise to Negombo fishing market, seen from Negombo Beach - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of traditional Sri Lankan oruva fishing boats returning at sunrise to Negombo fishing market, seen from Negombo Beach, Sri Lanka, Asia.

3. Mirissa Beach, surfer surfing at sunset on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, surfer surfing at sunset. This is a photo of a surfer surfing at sunset at Mirissa Beach - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of a surfer surfing at sunset at Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, Asia. Mirissa Beach is a popular surfing beach in the Southern Province on the South Coast of Sri Lanka.

4. Black and white photo of elephants playing at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near Kegalle in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka
This is a black and white photo of elephants playing at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near Kegalle in the Hill Country - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a black and white photo of elephants playing at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage near Kegalle in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka, Asia.

5. Panoramic photo of a palm tree on Mirissa Beach on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
Palm tree on Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, Asia. Mirissa Beach is a popular palm tree lined beach on the South Coast - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a panoramic photo of a palm tree on Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, Asia. Mirissa Beach is a popular palm tree lined beach on the South Coast of Sri Lanka.

6. Kiri Vihara in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
This is a photo of Kiri Vihara, a Dagoba in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa in the 'cultural triangle' - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of Kiri Vihara, a Dagoba in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa in the ‘cultural triangle’ of Sri Lanka, Asia. Kiri Vihara is one of the best preserved Dagobas in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.

7. Kandy Lake and the island which houses the Royal Summer House at sunrise, Kandy, Sri Lanka
This is a photo of Kandy Lake and the island that houses the Royal Summer House at sunrise in Kandy - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of Kandy Lake and the island that houses the Royal Summer House at sunrise in Kandy, Central Province of Sri Lanka, Asia.

8. Sunstar and Buddhist flags on the climb up Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
This is a photo of a misty mountain view and Buddhist flags on the climb up Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, Asia. Travel photography by travel photographer Matthew Williams-EllisThis is a photo of a misty mountain view and Buddhist flags on the climb up Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, Asia.

9. Haputale, sunrise over tea plantations and mountains in the Sri Lanka Hill Country
This is a photo of sunrise over tea plantations and mountains at Haputale - Sri Lanka photography Sri Lanka. Sunrise landscape photography of tea plantation at Haputale, Sri Lanka Hill Country, Asia, by landscape photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis

10. Sri Lanka landscape at sunrise, paddy fields near Dambulla, Sri Lanka
This is a panoramic photo of a paddy field Sri Lanka landscape near Dambulla, Central Province, Sri Lanka, Asia. There are endless opportunities for landscape photography in Sri Lanka, and the paddy fields around Dambulla are easily one of the highlights. Landscape photography by landscape photographer Matthew Williams-EllisThis is a panoramic photo of a paddy field Sri Lanka landscape near Dambulla, Central Province, Sri Lanka, Asia. There are endless opportunities for landscape photography in Sri Lanka, and the paddy fields around Dambulla are easily one of the highlights.

11. Tea picker in a tea plantation in the Sri Lanka Tea Country
This is a photo of a tea picker in a tea plantation in the Sri Lanka Central Highlands and Tea Country - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of a tea picker in a tea plantation in the Sri Lanka Central Highlands and Tea Country, Sri Lanka, Asia. Sri Lanka Central Highlands, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 is bursting with bright green tea plantations, each speckled with tea pickers picking tea from dawn until dusk.

12. A woman walking along Mirissa Beach at sunset on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
This is a photo of a woman walking underneath a palm tree at sunset on Mirissa Beach - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of a woman walking underneath a palm tree at sunset on Mirissa Beach, South Coast of Sri Lanka, Southern Province, Asia.

13. Panoramic photo of stilt fishermen at sunrise at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
This is a panoramic photo of a stilt fishermen at sunrise at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia. These stilt fishermen are continuing a tradition that goes back centuries. Photo by documentary travel photographer Matthew Williams-EllisThis is a panoramic photo of a stilt fishermen at sunrise at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia. These stilt fishermen are continuing a tradition that goes back centuries.

14. Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Jetvanarama Dagoba, aka Jetvanaramaya Stupa in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka
This is a photo of Jetvanarama Dagoba, aka Jetvanarama Stupa in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a complex of ancient Buddhist temple ruins - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a photo of Jetvanarama Dagoba, aka Jetvanarama Stupa in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a complex of ancient Buddhist temple ruins. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in an area known as the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.

15. Portrait of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka
This is a portrait photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a portrait photo of a stilt fisherman at Midigama near Weligama on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Asia. This stilt fisherman is continuing a traditional way of fishing in Sri Lanka.

16. Panoramic photo of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, seen from Pidurangala Rock in Sri Lanka
This is a panoramic photo of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, seen from Pidurangala Rock - Sri Lanka photographyThis is a panoramic photo of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, seen from Pidurangala Rock, Sri Lanka, Asia. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, located in the ‘cultural triangle’ is the most popular tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and Pidurangala Rock offers an extremely impressive, panoramic view. It is hard to believe that Sigiriya Rock Fortress used to be the inside of a volcano.

17. Outrigger fishing boat on Negombo Beach at sunrise on the West Coast of Sri Lanka
Outrigger fishing boat, Negombo Beach, Sri Lanka, long exposure photography by travel photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis Outrigger fishing boat, Negombo Beach, Sri Lanka

18. Portrait of a fisherman at Negombo Fish Market, Sri Lanka
Portrait of a fisherman at Negombo fish market - Sri Lanka photography Portrait of a fisherman at Negombo fish market, Sri Lanka

19. Star trails photo of Adams Peak (Sri Pada) in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Star trail photography, stars over Adams Peak (Sri Pada), Central Highlands, Sri Lanka, AsiaThis is a photo of star trails over Adams Peak (Sri Pada), Central Highlands, Sri Lanka, Asia. As climbing Adams Peak (Sri Pada) requires a 2am start in order to reach the summit by sunrise, a photo of star trails seemed very appropriate.

20. Farmer working in the Nuwara Eliya District of the Sri Lanka Highlands
Photo of a farmer working in the Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka Highlands, Sri Lanka, Asia. This is a photo of a farmer working in the Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka Highlands, Sri Lanka, Asia.

Thank you so much for look through all my photos. If you still have an appetite for exploring more of Sri Lanka, I’d love it if you checked out my full Sri Lanka photography highlights gallery or visited my full collection of photos of Sri Lanka in my archive.

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Matthew Williams-Ellis

Matthew Williams-Ellis is a freelance travel photographer and travel media creator. Producing photo stories, timelapse photography, videos and 360 virtual worlds, he works with a number of leading travel companies to create engaging online content.
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