I have a new happy place. It is called Cherating. A small, sleepy village about half way down the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia. The area is know for its surfing, but it’s off season now. I gather the waves are more impressive during the monsoon, November through February time. But I’m not really one for surfing anyway. I struggle to stay upright on solid ground so asking me to balance on a floating plank is just, well, daft. I like the little waves just the way they are now. They look and sound just perfect to me. But not everyone agrees. Right now there’s a slightly unloved, forgotten feeling to the place. Something that appeals to me very much.

Aside from surfing, what is there to love about Cherating? Well… The beach stretches on for miles with its wide swathe of golden sand. The water is clear and crisp and refreshing. The jungle is lush, with the scent of frangipani heavy in the air and the roadsides rich with mangoes and coconuts. The people are so warm and friendly, it feels like you’ve come home. And there are cute kitties everywhere you look. And a little monkey I feed bananas to. And a baby musang (they’re adorable – I’d never seen one before). And a baby red squirrel. And cute kids. It is Hannah heaven! Of course there are some down sides, too, but in my world every cloud really does have a silver lining. (1) It rains quite a lot, but I love how the thunderstorms sound as I curl up in a comfy chair out on the verandah of my wooden chalet. (2) There are snakes, frogs, monitor lizards and some huge tropical bugs, but they add an element of excitement to an otherwise quiet life. Besides, I get so excited when I see them that it drowns out any real sense of fear. (3) There’s really not a lot to do, but that gives me the perfect excuse to take long relaxed walks, spending quality time with my camera. This lovely laid back little place has won my heart. In the same way that rundown seaside towns do back in the UK. It feels isolated and a bit unloved, but at the same time remarkably romantic.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the romance of beaches, actually. There’s something so perfect about taking a stroll along a beach with the one you love. Following the shore line, listening to the waves, finding pretty pebbles or shells, leaving pairs of complimentary footprints in the sand everywhere you go. I just love it. I get all dreamy on the beach. I can never resist writing messages for the waves to wash away. Or doing handstands. Not sure why. And beaches make such a great location for portrait sessions, be it engagements or fearless brides or family shoots, what kid doesn’t love the beach after all?

I’m going to be happy here…