world reviewer
Jenny Fowler
I am a freelance writer and photographer, publishing illustrated articles in a range of UK and international magazines. My main interest is in people and the environment, particularly as it relates to travel. I also sell my photographs through the agency Photoshot - World Pictures, and directly as framed prints.
One of the earliest experiences I can remember is looking down a microscope and seeing the life in a drop of water. Ever since I've been compelled to explore the natural environment. I published my first magazine article, on keeping red-eared terrapins, while still at school.
Following a zoology degree I raised a family while working in science and ICT education. I always loved to travel and a simple experience set my life on a new pathway. The beach at Portbou on Spain's Mediterranean coast took on a new dimension when I borrowed a mask and snorkel to look below the water. An octopus slid along the sea bed, a shoal of delicate glinting fish sheltered between two rocks. However many TV documentaries you have watched, there is nothing like real first hand close up experience to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural environment. I had to explore this world.
I set out on a mission through freezing quarries and flooded drysuits to qualify as a scuba diver. Since then I have dived around the world. Seeing the wonderful but fragile marine ecosystem, I started writing travel articles to promote tourism with an environmental dimension.
In the harsh world of economic survival maybe we can help threatened species with our travel spending. A shark, a turtle, a dugong is more valuable alive than dead if enough travellers visit to swim with it. A marine reserve benefits the local economy if visiting divers use the local hotels and boats.
As well as diving, I like to explore mountains, deserts and wetlands, all unique environments. I enjoy meeting the people who live where I am travelling, experiencing the local food and culture, and using photography and writing to share my experiences.
Jenny Fowler's activity
- 19 Aug 2009
- 18 Aug 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Learning to Dive at Naama Bay in Egypt
Naama Bay is in Sharm el Sheik on Egypt's Red Sea coast. The water is warm and shallow with a gently sloping sandy beach, good for learning scuba diving. It is so sheltered that the initial lessons can be done here rather than in a swimming pool, which…"
- 02 Mar 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Faial Island, Azores in Portugal
Breezes blow, clouds shift and change, sunlight sweeps over the sea lighting up the view of islands. From the marina at Horta, capital of Faial Island in the Azores, groups take off to go scuba-diving or whale watching. Faial's mid-Atlantic position…"
- 26 Feb 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Diving Thomas Reef in Egypt
Thomas Reef rises steeply from the seabed, making a good habitat for corals and a hazard for shipping. I dived it in December on a dayboat from Sharm el Sheik. Water temperature was 25 C. I had a 7mm semi-dry suit and was warm enough. Some of our gro…"
- 10 Feb 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Historic Cochin in Kochi, India
Cochin, or Kochi is a centre for touring Kerala. Today, international flights land here. Historically, the city, based around a huge natural harbour, has looked both inwards and outward. It has linked the foreign influences that arrived over the centur…"
- 06 Feb 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Galicia in Galicia, Spain
Pontevedra grew up at the bridging point on the River Lerez during Roman times. The centre of the old city has a feel of history and civilisation with elegant old stone buildings, squares, archways, colonnades and small old fashioned shops. It's mostly…"
- 02 Feb 2009
- 30 Jan 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Furnas, Sao Miguel in Portugal
A peaceful lake lies among green slopes, but on its shore springs boil and bubble. Yellow crusts of sulphur coat the ground and steam issues from small holes. Nearby, cooking pots are buried in the ground, simmering until lunchtime when cooks from the …"
- 29 Jan 2009
Jenny Fowler reviewed Whale watching in the Azores in Portugal
Distant blue vistas over the sea, tranquil lakes in high volcanic craters, strange rugged cliff formations of black basalt, green uplands and small stone houses, the tiny island of Pico in the Azores packs a big scenic punch for its size. The island wa…"
- 25 Sep 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Mumbai in Mumbai, India
Mumbai is an assault on the senses, crowded, busy and diverse, with ancient traditions and religions, Victorian buildings from the colonial era, modern high-rise high-cost real estate and great low-cost food. The drive from the airport sees seven lin…"
- 28 Jul 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed The Wahiba Sands in Oman
Sun was setting over the Wahiba Sands in Oman. A light wind blew up the face of the great red dune, carving a knife-edge between the golden sunlit side and the ribbed shadows of the leeward side. The wind blew little flurries of sand over the edge and dr…"
- 06 Jul 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Birding Lake Vembanad in Kerala, India
In the early morning the soft grey of the sky blends imperceptibly with the silvery surface of Lake Vembanad. People start work early, poling their dugout canoes to collect clay or catch fish whilst the local birds, colourful and varied, begin their day…"
- 27 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Wadi al Gamal Nature Reserve in Egypt
High waterless mountains, a wadi alternately dry and flash-flooded, an area of mangroves, a salt marsh, sand dunes, a beach with crabs scuttling in the waves, a coral reef, a sea-grass bed, an offshore island; Wadi al Gamal National Park contains a diver…"
- 21 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman
Polished marble pavements and flower beds surround Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in central Muscat. Opened in 2003, it is easy to find as it is just off Route 1, the main road through Muscat. It is a very impressive building, built to hold a total of 20,0…"
- 19 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Zadar in Zadar, Croatia
Narrow lanes of white limestone smoothed passage of feet over the years, sunset views over islands in the Adriatic, strings of garlic and of figs in the market, ancient churches lit up against the night sky...the city of Zadar packs in plenty of images f…"
- 12 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Morne Rouge Beach, Grenada in Grenada
Grenada is famous for white-sand beaches and warm tropical seas. Grand Anse is the best known beach and many of the hotels are set right behind this two-mile crescent of sand. To the south of the beach a rocky ridge called Quarantine Point projects int…"
Jenny Fowler reviewed Diving at Bangaram Island in India
Approaching Bangaram Island by boat, the first thing you see of is a tuft of coconut palms appearing on the blue horizon of the Arabian sea. As the boat approaches closer, you can make out a thatched restaurant, dive centre and beachside cottages in the…"
- 09 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Illa do Faro, Cies Islands in Vigo, Spain
Waves roll in from the Atlantic and break against the rugged cliffs of the Illa do Faro, part of the Cies Islands off the coast of Galicia. Climb the zig-zag path to the lighthouse perched on the top of this rocky island, and you are rewarded with drama…"
- 06 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Gold Rock Beach, Lucayan National Park in Bahamas
At low tide, wave-ribbed sand stretches as far as you can see. The world's bluest water turns a deeper shade of indigo where it meets the sky. A few people stroll in the distance, or wade in the pools left by the retreating tide. A visitor from Alaska s…"
- 03 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Diving the Daymaniat Islands, Oman in Muscat, Oman
The Daymaniats are a group of nine small islands in the Gulf of Oman. I wanted to dive there because they are a marine nature reserve so I expected to see plenty of wildlife and indeed on my first dive I met up with a turtle which was browsing among th…"
- 02 Jun 2008
Jenny Fowler reviewed Kerala Backwaters in Kerala, India
Wide peaceful lakes, slow-moving rivers and canals lined with green coconut palms and rice fields connect to form the Backwaters of Kerala. Take a boat trip and there is something new to see around every corner. Villagers walk along the banks to work …"
- 07 Dec 2007
Jenny Fowler reviewed Pico Island in Portugal
Distant blue vistas over the sea, tranquil lakes in high volcanic craters, strange rugged cliff formations of black basalt, green uplands and small stone houses, the tiny island of Pico in the Azores packs a big scenic punch for its size. The island wa…"
- 12 May 2007
Jenny Fowler reviewed Periyar Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri, India
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is high up in the Western Ghats of Kerala. 777 sq km of semi-evergreen rain forest shelters tigers, elephants, sambur, bison, langurs and a host of smaller wildlife. At its heart is a lake, created in 1895 as a reservoir. The…"
