A Truth Be Told 

A Consolidated Body of Work Comprising Stories & Photo-Essays

 

"Barry your travels bring us wonderful vicarious pleasure"

                                                                                                                   – Shane.

 

Introduction

I physically penned and then posted my first blog in 2011 under the digital headline: Mutterings of a Mid-Aged Mutt. Since then, I’ve posted a further 59 musings, stories and lived experiences from global locales. Throughout this period, I’ve tried to remain true to my mission – the original intention listed in my Google Blogger profile:

Barry is a seasoned development practitioner having worked on donor-funded projects in Africa, Oceania, Central-Southern Asia and the Middle East. He is also an avid naturalist and enjoys sharing his experiences with friends and family using social media (SM) as an innovative instrument for communication.

                                   Personal Blogger Blogspot https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/                                                                          

Five years later, I ventured out into another, more dynamic form of storytelling through photo-essays. At that time, conventional blogging was narrative heavy and with exponential growth of the internet and increased social media (SM) engagement, the SM landscape was clearly in transition. With shortened attention spans and a general dumbing down of users, visual storytelling seemed to be the next, best logical step. Unlike Blogger and other blog sites, EXPOSURE (Personal Exposure site: https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/) is a subscription based platform that then and to this day, offers a thoroughly professional and unique product. 

My pivot to and preference for photo-essays in EXPOSURE was largely complete by 2016 and in the intervening decade I posted 72 distinct pieces of work. However, I remained loyal to blogging but my contributions slowed considerably. This post, a consolidated body of my work, lends itself to a blog rather than an essay. This hybrid is probably the closest I’ll ever get to a published form of a book (online) is timely as I reflect on the past, present and the next 15 years of writing and capturing stories from this wondrous world.    

I have categorized my writing consolidation according to some all time favorites; human interest - impact stories; posts with distinct environmental and development assistance orientations. On the theme of leisure and travel, I've grouped content around caminos - iconic hikes and conclude with general tour and travel at an individual country level. There is a measure of cross-referencing across these thematic areas but it's not exhaustive. 

 Key Drivers and Motivators 

Several influences or drivers have shaped my body of work over the years.

Living or Enduring Legacies?

Many put pen to paper, in their mature years, to bookend a life well-lived and to leave something behind for ensuing generations. In recent years, there has been a preoccupation by collectives: projects and programs, institutions, political parties and governments to leave in their wake a lasting, often touched up legacy. Where public and or taxpayer funding is involved, there are often pressing transparency and accountability requirements. I've written about this exact tension in: Legacies, Badlands and Rough Diamonds https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2017/02/legacies-badlands-and-rough-diamonds.html. I've certainly warmed to need for enduring legacies but argue that living - current ones are just as important. Whereas the past is littered is countless lessons, can we honestly say that we've actually learned from them and not merely repeated the same mistakes ad nauseam? Immediacy  - the present, suggests that we can proactively shape the future with greater certainty, commitment and hope through corrective actions - adaptive management! This dovetails with knowledge and information management (K&IM) – especially sharing and transfer. 

Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) Methodology 

At the pinnacle of USAID’s ascendancy, they pioneered K&IM work through their Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) Methodology and pragmatic implementation approach. It set out a series of place markers - pauses and a comprehensive toolkit to periodically reflect upon  project and program implementation in the development and humanitarian space.  They included after-action and 360-degree reviews. stock takes, learning and reflection  sessions – our learning hour(s). Essentially, monitoring and evaluation. Learning is central to  active research. Collaboration tends to be a tricky - trickier proposition since it is largely presumed on built and earned trust which is often a lengthy and complex process. Our competitive society tends to inhibit collaborative effort. An additional perspective on CLA, with a decidedly Australian spin, CLA through Walkabout is offered at: https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2018/08/collaborating-learning-and-adapting-cla.html

Personally, sharing freely and unconditionally, is a natural extension of being a good development practitioner and key resource person (including a lifelong volunteer). It's at the core of and the essence of my writing – storytelling. 

 

Storytelling

        As a passionate and prolific storyteller, I've discovered its the most effective SM  ‘medium’        for communication. In particular, communicating news, learning and knowledge, data, and      inspirational deeds in an information over-loaded and fast-paced, contemporary society.         This discovery was a largely through learning by doing - much trial and error. Central to            telling a great story is accurate distillation and articulation of wisdom (lessons learned).

As an EXPOSURE proponent, I've used photo-essays to creatively tell program and project stories throughout their lifecycle. I've initiated and followed through on actual content for many dedicated project EXPOSURE accounts. This has appealed widely to aid agencies and funders alike, satisfying the need for byte-sized economic development and action-oriented stories. This also addresses credibility (transparency and accountability) and legacy considerations directly, ensuring they are consolidated and cemented as part of a ‘package of communication products.’ Project related stories can be disseminated on different SM platforms and tailored for a variety of audiences.  

"Nice story Uncle - I enjoy your writing Uncle you need to add a few words about your trip. Fantastic pictures however.                                   

                                                                                                          –  Bill.                                                                                                                                                                  

         Process

My creative and writing process is a simple, tried and tested one and has not changed much over the years. Previously, pen on paper was my stock standard approach. Most recently, I try input ideas directly onto digital devices. Fit for purpose, across blogging VS photo-essays, remains a challenge with an uneasy tension. Generally, photo-essays have their own distinctive formula: compelling and eye-catching images; snappy, sharp and succinct captions. Hopefully, powerful stories narrated with minimal text. Let the images do the talking and tell the story. Arguably, less is more, 

I tend to binge on the production – posting of photo-essays. I collect extensive material including countless images and then post ASAP. My process is peppered with self-doubt and I often anguish over and delay posting pieces. Matching images with  telling captions is a craft - art on its own and a highly intuitive dance, but does become easier with time and practice.   

    

Personal Favorites – Several of the Very Best!

Randomly listed, but pieces that I’ve labored over with passion and love and that have given me immense satisfaction when I’ve eventually ‘hit publish’. Years later, they remain a sense of nostalgia, great pride and privilege. I often regarded it as the the rarest of pleasures being able to RELIVE a WOW encounter or experience, multiple times, through digital stories.  

 

"Time stopped and cricket became an after thought! The questions kept coming, the room narrowed and closed in. We all gathered near, hushed and bound by a common thread, a magical spell as old as the Hindu Kush itself!" 

                    Vignette #1. It's Just Not Cricket (Travels with the Taliban)

Afghanistan – Legacies, Badlands and Rough Diamonds

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2017/02/legacies-badlands-and-rough-diamonds.html

Afghanistan – Travels with the Taliban

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/travels-with-the-taliban

Afghanistan – Unspun Afghanistan

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspunspun-afghanistannbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspnbsp

Uzbekistan – Metro Deep Dive

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/deep-metro-dive

Also translated and published in Russian https://www.kultura.uz/view_2_r_19995.html acknowledging, with gratitude, Prof. Dinora Azimova.

Papua New Guinea – Magnificent Mt. Wilhelm!

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/magnificent-mt-wilhelm.html

 

Iraq – Saluting Iraq’s Gentle and Caring Infidels

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/saluting-iraqs-gentle-and-caring_04.html

"The staging point for daily missions (PSD escorted conveys), in and around Baghdad, still resonates in the pre-dawn with the idling of high performance engines; the dull chunky thud of heavily, armor-reinforced doors; the squelch and static of radios; background banter and sparring between team members, Iraqi nationals and expats alike, as they prepare to go about their daily business. Occasionally, this gentle and reassuring reverie is punctuated by the spontaneous and infectious guffawing of Marius - excitable, enigmatic and larger than life."

 

Sierra Leone – Stirring Portraits

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/stirring-portraits

Timor-Leste – Breaking Out of the Lethargy and Siege Mentality that Imprisons T-L

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/02/breaking-out-of-lethargy-and-siege.html

Nepal – Gargantuan Gurkhas – Nepal’s Unsung Heroes!

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/06/gargantuan-gurkhas-nepals-unsung-heroes.html

Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan – A Decade of Compound Interest

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/a-decade-of-compound-interest

Global - Shades of Voluntarism

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/shades-of-voluntarism

 

"We all lapsed into silence and a childlike trance as the creamy, cool sugar-hit washed over us. Prior to our departure, I was called over by the Taliban commander and his sheepishly smiling men. Our brief exchange was priceless - there was not really much to say - deeds speak volumes!" 

          Vignette #3. Ice cream for All! (Travels with the Taliban) 

    Environment: Biodiversity, Forestry, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Mountain Catchments & Watersheds

 

Liberia – Sneak Peak of a Liberia Upland Forest Landscape

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/sneak-peek-of-a-liberian-upland-forest-landscape

Ghana – Miro Pioneers Landscape Restoration and Sustainable Forestry https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/miro-pioneers-landscape-restoration-sustainable-forestry-in-ghana

Côte d’Ivoire – A Tropical Forest Interlude

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/a-tropical-forest-interlude

Côte d’Ivoire – Reckless Abandon!

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/reckless-abandon

Côte d’Ivoire – Playing with Fire!

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/playing-with-fire

 

Papua New Guinea – Magnificent Mt. Wilhelm!

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/magnificent-mt-wilhelm.html

"In keeping with the notion of community-based sustainable tourism, almost every kina spent circulates within and boosts the local Kundiawa Mt.Wilhelm economy." 

 

 

Sierra Leone – Inherent Community Resilience

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/inherent-community-resilience

Afghanistan – A Climatic Imperative: Kariz Rebuilding

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/a-climatic-imperativenbsp-nbsp-kariz-rebuilding

Sierra Leone – Joseph’s Technicolor Dream

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/josephs-technicolor-dream

Kenya – Kenyan Kaleidoscope

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/kenyan-kaleidoscope

Afghanistan – An Afghan Story

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-an-afghan-storynbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspnbsp

Afghanistan – Afghan-Styled Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/afghanstyled-sustainablenbsp-nbsp-rural-livelihoods 

Ethiopia – Ethiopian Coffee Takes

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/ethiopian-coffee-takes

Sudan – Agony and Ecstasy!

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/sudan-agony-ecstasy

Sudan – Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nca-wash

Sudan – 100 Year Flood Event

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/100year-nile-flood-eventnbsp

Tajikistan – Montane Freezeframe

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/montane-freezeframenbsp

Tajikistan – Lake Hopping!

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/lake-hopping

Spain – Andalusian Botanicals

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/andalusian-botanicals

Ghana & Senegal – The Good, Bad and Plain Ugly

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/the-good-bad-plain-ugly

Sierra Leone – Stirring Portraits

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/stirring-portraits

 

Featuring the behemoth gall, holm or Valencian oak (Quercus faginea subsp. alpestris) also referred to as the mountain - montane (Andalusian) oak. 

  

 

   Human Interest – Impact Stories (Personal)

"A calculated narrative that perpetuates the notion of negativity, boogeymen and evil incarnate."

                                                                                                                   - Afghanistan Unspun 

                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Sierra Leone – Joseph’s Technicolor Dream

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/josephs-technicolor-dream

Afghanistan – Legacies, Badlands and Rough Diamonds

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2017/02/legacies-badlands-and-rough-diamonds.html

Afghanistan – Travels with the Taliban

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/travels-with-the-taliban

Afghanistan – Unspun Afghanistan

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspunspun-afghanistannbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspnbsp

Afghanistan – Needy Afghan Communities Benefit from UNDP-ABADEI Resources

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/needy-afghan-communities-benefit-from-undp-abadei-resources

Global - Shades of Voluntarism

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/shades-of-voluntarism

Australia – EXPOSE: Migrant Saffirs Living in Australia

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/expose-migrant-saffirs-living-in.html

Iraq – Sojourn to South Iraq

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/autumn-2010-sojourn-to-southern-iraq.html

Papua New Guinea – A Marriage in Paradise

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/marriage-in-paradise.html

Timor-Leste – Centrepiece Tatamailau

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/08/centrepiece-tatamailau.html

Timor-Leste – Poignant and Live-Changing Markers in Time

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/10/poignant-and-life-changing-markers-in.html

Timor-Leste – Breaking out of the Lethargy and Siege Mentality that Imprisons T-L

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/02/breaking-out-of-lethargy-and-siege.html

Timor-Leste – Development’s Softer Side

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/05/developments-softer-side.html

Global – When I Was Once King

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2016/05/when-i-was-once-king.html

Global – A Bookcase of Memories

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-bookcase-of-memories.html

Global – Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA)

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2018/08/collaborating-learning-and-adapting-cla.html

Global – Write of Pale, Aged-Males 45 and Older at your Peril

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2021/10/write-off-pale-aged-males-45-and-older.html

Global – Waste Not, Want Not: Annual vs Multi-Year Funding

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2022/02/waste-not-waste-not-annual-vs-multi.html

Kenya – Malindi’s Artful Crafters in Dire Straits

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/05/malindis-artful-crafters-in-dire-straits.html

 

 

 

    From the field: Development and Humanitarian Assistance

 

Iraq – Saluting Iraq’s Gentle and Caring Infidels

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/saluting-iraqs-gentle-and-caring_04.html

Timor-Leste – Development’s Softer Side

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/05/developments-softer-side.html

Random – Mixta 100 Sea-Changed Days

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/04/100-sea-changed-days.html

Random – Mixta - More Mutterings and Musings

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-m-mutterings-and-musings-august.html

Iraq – Moving from Red to Green

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/04/moving-from-red-to-green.html

 

Iraq – Four Seasons in Iraq

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/04/four-seasons-in-iraq.html

"Pitched unprepared yet willingly into the fray,

Betwixt this world and the next I could not betray,

Mixed fears and emotions though I did pray,

Enlightenment and courage to help me on my way,"

"Senses awry, puny resolve not knowing what to expect,

Shia, Sunni, Kurd – Iraq’s best did I soon come to admire and respect,

For hardship and sacrifice that has become their eternal quest,

Often a beginning and end wrapped in a deadly vest,"

                                                                                            Extract

Iraq – Sojourn to Southern Iraq

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/autumn-2010-sojourn-to-southern-iraq.html

Afghanistan – Legacies, Badlands and Rough Diamonds

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2017/02/legacies-badlands-and-rough-diamonds.html

Afghanistan – Ongoing Odyssey

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/ongoing-odyssey

Global - Shades of Voluntarism

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/shades-of-voluntarism

Afghanistan – Travels with the Taliban

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/travels-with-the-taliban

Afghanistan – Unspun Afghanistan

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspunspun-afghanistannbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbspnbsp

Global – Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA)

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2018/08/collaborating-learning-and-adapting-cla.html

Global – Write of Pale, Aged-Males 45 and Older at your Peril

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2021/10/write-off-pale-aged-males-45-and-older.html

Global – Waste Not, Want Not: Annual vs Multi-Year Funding

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2022/02/waste-not-waste-not-annual-vs-multi.html

Timor-Leste - Poignant and Life-Changing Markers in Time

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/10/poignant-and-life-changing-markers-in.html

 

Sierra Leone – Stirring Portraits

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/stirring-portraits

Life at Work

 "Expressing gratitude and blessings! Sharing thoughts and prayers for my 'wherever' wondrous portrait friends. Time has passed and even though some too, we barely spoke but so much conveyed then and now - so fleeting and nuanced. My greatest regret is the inability to share this reflected joy and pleasure with you directly - instead I share it with other, equally wondrous friends. Hopefully, in this way we will endure together and our legacies linger and last!" 

 

Timor-Leste – Breaking Out of the Lethargy and Siege Mentality that Imprisons T-L

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/02/breaking-out-of-lethargy-and-siege.html

Sudan – Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nca-wash

Random – Mixta People Extraordinaire

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/people-extraordinaire

Random – Mixta 2013’s Parting Shots

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/01/2013s-parting-shots.html

Sudan – Sudanese Women in Full Voice

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/sudanese-women-in-full-voice

Sudan – Sudan: Agony and Ecstasy

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/sudan-agony-ecstasy

Random – Mixta Powerful Portraits

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/powerful-portraits

Sudan – Street Art Grabs

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/street-art-grabs  

Random – Mixta Laconic Landscapes

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/laconic-landscapes

Sudan & Australia - COVID Chronicles Near and Far

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/covid-chronicles-near-far

Global – An Idjits Guide to Surviving the World’s Hottest Dev-Zones

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-idjits-guide-to-surviving-worlds.html

Papua New Guinea – Doing More, Potentially, With Less

 https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/doing-more-potentially-with-less.html

Kenya – Malindi’s Artful Crafters in Dire Straits

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/05/malindis-artful-crafters-in-dire-straits.html

 

Random – Mixta - A Dozen or More Beds

          https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-dozen-or-more-beds.html

 

"Tell me the thoughts that surround you – marish nights never ending and barely controllable beasts. Arrhythmic capital cities, intercontinental travel, unfamiliar and conflict-affected environments, aloneness, restless soul(s) and age deprive one of the purest, simplest and most blissful escapes." 

Random – Mixta Just Cap-tion It!

          https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/12/just-cap-tion-it.html

 

 "You are bringing the world right to peoples computer with the photos being taken of the spectacular architecture.  I must say Time Magazine is really missing out on a opportunity to publish your work monthly" 

                                                                                                                                    – Walter

    Caminos, tramping and iconic hikes

Summiting Pico Torrecilla, including the entire day-long hike, is absolutely stunning! It's definitely one of the premier hikes in Málaga and even amongst the best in Andalusia.

Portugal and Spain – Saunter for the Soul

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/nbspsaunter-for-the-soul

Portugal – Passadicos do Mondego - Guarda

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/passadicos-do-mondego-guarda

Spain – El Camino del Salvador Part 1

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/el-camino-del-salvador

My 'go to' footwear or brand of choice for decades has been KEEN. Leisure footwear which also covers light to moderate terrain walking is KEEN Newport H2 hiking sandal whereas for longer, ALL terrain hikes, I prefer the KEEN Targhee IV walking shoe 

Spain – El Camino del Salvador Part 2

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/el-camino-de-salvador

Gibraltar – Gibraltar on the Rocks

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/gibraltar-on-the-rocks

Spain – Grandas de Salima

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/grandas-de-salima

Spain – Iconic Day Walks

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/iconic-day-walks

Spain – Trippin and tramping

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/trippin-trampling

Spain – Andalusian Botanicals

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/andalusian-botanicals

Papua New Guinea – Magnificent Mt. Wilhelm!

https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/magnificent-mt-wilhelm.html

Tajikistan – Montane Freezeframe

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/montane-freezeframenbsp

Tajikistan – Lake Hopping!

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/lake-hopping

Spain – Andalusian Botanicals

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/andalusian-botanicals

New Zealand – Tramping Along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/tramping-along-the-tongariro-alpine-crossing

São Tomé – Navetur Equatour Naturally!

https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/naveturequatour-naturally

 

   Tour and travel - captivating countries and societies 

 Metro Deep Dive (Tashkent - Uzbekistan) Also translated and published in Russian acknowledging, with gratitude, Prof. Dinora Azimova.

 Africa

Random - Mixta https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/test-driving-exposure

Random – Mixta https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/just-stuff

Random - Mixta https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/randomly-uncapped

South Africa https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/legends-of-the-lowveldnbsp

Sudan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/sesame-street

Sudan  https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/street-art-grabs  

Random – Mixta https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/laconic-landscapes

South Sudan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/discovering-south-sudan-1

South Sudan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/discovering-south-sudan-2

Kenya https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/kenyan-kaleidoscope

Market Places #1 https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/mad-about-market-places

Market Places #2 https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/mad-about-market-places-2

Ghana https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/not-your-ordinary-oxford-street

Ghana & Senegal https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/the-good-bad-plain-ugly

Sierre Leone https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/bonthes-grand-olde-town

Sierre Leone https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/town-2-village-ramble

Sierre Leone https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/bonthe-town-icons

São Tomé https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/naveturequatour-naturally

Côte d’Ivoire https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/reckless-abandon

São Tomé https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/snapshot-superb-sao-tome

Ethiopia https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/ethiopian-coffee-takes

Kenya https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/05/malindis-artful-crafters-in-dire-straits.html

Kenya https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/05/karibu-mombasa.html

Kenya https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/09/malindi-kenyan-coastline.html

 

Europe

Montenegro-Serbia https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/enthralled-by-the-black-mountain-rail-traverse

Montenegro https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/essentials

Montenegro https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/absolutely-unlimited

Italy https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2015/12/tickling-and-trampling-around-toe-of.html

Spain https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/playa-de-santa-marina

Spain https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/rondanbsp

Spain https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/the-story-of-ribadesella

Spain-Gibraltar https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/gibraltar-on-the-rocks

Spain https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/marvels-from-marvelous

Greece https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/11/greek-botanicals-and-bounty.html

Greece https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/11/enduring-epiphany.html

Random - Mixta https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/monochromed

Oceania

Australia https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/arboreal-artworknbsp

New Zealand https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/tramping-along-the-tongariro-alpine-crossing

Papua New Guinea https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/marriage-in-paradise.html

Papua New Guinea https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/magnificent-mt-wilhelm.html

Papua New Guinea https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/papua-new-guineas-beauty-and-bounty.html

Papua New Guinea https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/monthly-montage-of-defining-moments.html

Papua New Guinea https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/doing-more-potentially-with-less.html

New Zealand https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/1000-pure-new-zealand.html

New Zealand https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/130f1fc7515d212f29c7df0a04a26423

Random – Mixta https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/03/monthly-montage-march-2011.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/06/delectable-dili-timor-leste.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/06/city-of-peace-rocks.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/08/six-of-best-by-barry-greville-eyres.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/08/unearthing-timor-lestes-hidden-gems.html

Australia https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/10/shutterbugs-take-on-exploring.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/10/timor-lestes-revealing-road-show.html

Indonesia https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/11/becalmed-on-rote-island-indonesia.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/12/tais-kaleidoscope.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/12/timorese-blessings-received-and-counted.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/05/developments-softer-side.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/05/adeus-timor-leste.html

Indonesia https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/08/worlds-apart-indos-isles-of-bali-lombok.html

Middle East, Central-Southern-Eastern Asia

Tajikistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/terrific-tajikistan

Tajikistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/khujand-quicks

Tajikistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/lake-hopping

Tajikistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/la-tajik-familia

Tajikistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/montane-freezeframenbsp

Uzbekistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/deep-metro-dive

Uzbekistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/charmed-by-uz-tashkent

Afghanistan https://barrydavidgreville-eyres.exposure.co/ongoing-odyssey

Afghanistan https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2013/04/afghan-gems-bamiyan-band-e-amir.html

Iraq https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/02/autumn-2010-sojourn-to-southern-iraq.html

 Random – Mixta https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/03/monthly-montage-march-2011.html

Timor-Leste https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2011/08/centrepiece-tatamailau.html

Afghanistan https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2013/04/dili-2-kabul.html

India https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2013/06/incredible-india.html

Sri Lanka https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/01/sri-lankan-icons.html

Sri Lanka https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/01/sugared-and-spiced-in-sri-lanka.html

Nepal https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/06/gargantuan-gurkhas-nepals-unsung-heroes.html

Nepal https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/06/nepals-greatest-export-and-its-thriving.html

Nepal https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/06/trekking-in-nepal.html

Nepal https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/06/namaste-kathmandu-namaste-pokhara.html

India https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/09/up-close-and-personal-with-kumaragiri.html

Afghanistan https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/09/southern-afghanistan-snapshots.html

India https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2014/09/scoring-1010-kerala-southern-india.html

Asia https://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/2012/02/asias-mother-of-necessity-ubiquitous.html

 Word(s) to Key Enablers and Sponsors

Overtures, to sponsors, over my writing years have been met with muted response and little interest. In spite of this, I remain fiercely loyal to several, mentioned brands. I've had some success with 'writing in kind', where I've received discounted or free accommodation and travel in return for storytelling services rendered. I prefer this negotiated compromise as it gets me into the field where real opportunities exist to engage with local communities and gather writing material. EXPOSURE has kindly sponsored, on odd occasions, my annual subscription. 

 As a brand ambassador for Emirates (self appointed) for decades, I despair at my ever diminishing Skywards status that has declined from a healthy Gold to lowly Blu. My association with and affinity to key brands revolves primarily around brand loyalty and enduring trust. The essence of premier or iconic brands are also the attributes of quality, reliability, and style. The great hustle to fund, even if only partly, my writing passion and habit is ongoing especially when unemployed and in the face of the looming, unmentionable, big R. 

Having transited through the UAE and especially Dubai for decades on my travels, it's a home from home and Emirates has enabled my travel to so many destinations.   

   Other outdoor and adventure go-to brands include: Berghaus (luggage), Deuter (backpacks), Patagonia, Mountain Designs, Kathmandu (clothing - menswear). Other key brands of choice are Samsung (communication devices) and Panasonic Lumix (photography).

       

Fueling my creative process and final production: key coffee paraphernalia including favorite brands Lavazza, Vittoria, and Bialetti. Similarly, what is life without a dunkable Ouma or three! 

 

Rodd and Gunn has ensured that I've been stylishly and impeccably attired for successive career stints with illustrious - prestigious UN agencies including UNDP and UNV. My writing (personal and professional) is regularly featured, on LinkedIn, as a ongoing contribution to practice.   

  A Final Word

Over the years, I've developed my ‘creative space/place’ which includes taking conscious         decisions not to venture into vlogging – audiovisual material and monetization of my writing. Simply put, I prefer to ‘stay in my lane.’ Words, images and captions are my trade currency and are so much a part of my persona. The process of: finding one's mojo, getting into the groove or flow is a fascinating one and is all consuming verging on total escapism. There is also the rigor, grind and discipline of application and writing itself. However, sending - publishing a piece is a never-ending thrill of anticipation and trepidation. Equally the promise and thrill of another story, around the next corner, is an incredibly powerful and motivating force. 

             I've always been an eternal romatique - idéaliste (with the softer edges knocked off by lived life and experience) and optimist. However,  I've also been realistic about my reach and influence in both professional and personal life. I've touched the lives of the very few and that's always been more than enough. Change the world, NO I don't think so ..... but spotlight a person's or community struggle; transport someone to a distant and AWEsome land or raise awareness about a fascinating environmental issue - YES absolutely! 

 As to the next 15 writing years, I will continue to prey on the periphery as a voyeur "one who sees" and try to make/add meaning - creatively of it all! Daring to dream, I do have a few aspirations that include: 

1. To become a fully funded tour and travel writer focusing on a few specializations - niche areas. As a healthy, 'in kind' compromise, I'd happily provide my writing services in return for travel, accommodation and living expenses whilst on assignment.
2. Increase public speaking engagements headlining as a guest speaker in person or online. Podcasting could be fun but primarily as a guest speaker. 
3. Finally, I'm committed to furthering my voluntarism crusade drawing attention to the true value behind the deed, especially at a multi-generational level. 

What's to be said? This iconic menswear brand, out of New Zealand, is my business - leisurewear brand of choice. Stylish, unsurpassed quality yet somewhat understated. 

On the issue of artificial intelligence, especially in relation to creative writing, it's an application and tool I've yet to explore. As a matter of interest, by way of contrast, I have included a rather gushy and glowing AI Generated Profile.  

Barry Greville-Eyres is an international development practitioner, project manager, and UN Volunteer who specializes in public governance, stabilization, and capacity building within conflict and post-conflict states. With a career deeply rooted in nation-building, he is widely recognized for his extensive volunteering efforts across multiple continents later in his working life

Career and Nation-Building

Originally from South Africa, Greville-Eyres began his public service career during the historic post-apartheid transition era (1994–2005) under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. Serving as a senior civil servant, he played a core role in the country's Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to help restructure and democratize the new government.

He later moved into international development, leading major initiatives across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. His notable institutional work includes steering AusAID's Enabling ASEAN Project within the ASEAN Secretariat, as well as managing large-scale educational support programs in Kiribati (KESP) and Tonga (TESP).

United Nations Volunteering

Advocating that "age is no barrier to making a difference," Greville-Eyres gained prominence for serving as an International UN Volunteer at age 61. He completed an 24-month assignment in Afghanistan with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). There, he worked as the Area Manager for the Central Highlands Region under the Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI), helping to lead community-level stabilization and humanitarian recovery.

He regularly shares his experiences to mentor a new generation of peacebuilders and advocate for the systemic impacts of volunteering worldwide. He is an alumnus of Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and currently resides in the Greater Brisbane Area, Australia. 

 

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