Introduction
Fukuoka to Naples is a collection of vignettes, stories, and photographs documenting a traveler’s journey through Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, and Italy. Each chapter offers an introspective look at lessons learned along the way—the people met and the places explored. The book reflects on purpose, different ways of living, embracing imperfection, and finding meaning in fleeting moments.
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About the Book
Fukuoka to Naples is a collection of short stories, photographs, and travel lessons. The book is divided into 20 short stories accompanied by 38 color photographs. The stories move between cafés and train rides in Japan, Lunar New Year celebrations in Indonesia, overland border crossings in Vietnam, motorcycle journeys through the countryside of Laos, and culinary explorations in Italy.
Each chapter centers on a travel lesson—fleeting insights discovered when we open ourselves to uncertainty and dare to explore. The book is an invitation to explore, to be more present, to observe carefully, and to search for what fulfills us. Through everyday events, it examines different ways of living with intention and finding meaning in what we call life.
The book is designed to be read at a contemplative pace, perhaps in a quiet café. It can be read linearly or by browsing through the photographs, pausing on the stories that draw your attention most.
Fukuoka to Naples touches on themes of finding life’s purpose; elevating the things we love and sharing them with the world; aloneness; opening up to new people; stepping off the beaten path; enjoying simple pleasures; vulnerability; and the unpredictability of any new journey.
Some of the places we explore in the book:
- Jazz cafés in Fukuoka, Japan
- UNESCO-recognized ancient trails in Kumano, Japan
- Abandoned villas in Ubud, Indonesia
- Days of mandatory silence in Uluwatu, Indonesia
- UNESCO-recognized rice terraces in Batad, Philippines
- Motorcycle-infested streets in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Challenging overland border crossings in Lao Bảo, Vietnam
- Hitchhiking in Dansavan, Laos
- Motorcycle trips through the countryside of Thalang, Laos
- Espressos and Margherita pizzas in Naples, Italy
In these places, you’ll meet café owners, jazz lovers, artists and artisans, teachers, students on trains, believers, world travelers, family members, old friends, farmers, mototaxi drivers, bus and truck drivers, and immigration officers.
Production
The first production of this book was made in very limited quantities. As a self-published work, I was responsible for editing the texts and photographs, finding a print shop, and pushing the process forward by any means possible in order to hold a few copies in hand—at the cost of many drops of sweat and a few minor crises.
This was my first experience printing a book, and I learned a great deal along the way. While there are things I would improve in a future edition, the final result is something I am proud of.
Every purchase of this book supports the creation of new projects like this one—projects that aim to further elevate the artisanal and local quality of production. Ultimately, you are supporting new explorations and new adventures.
| Printing and Binding | Taller Artes y Letras, Medellín, Colombia |
| Print Date | May 6, 2025 |
| ISBN | 978-628-01-7926-1 |
| Printing | Full-color digital |
| Paper | 90 gsm Oat Bond (ideal for digital photo printing) |
| Size | 17 × 24 cm |
| Construction | Sewn binding, soft cover |
| Pages | 104 |
| Short Stories | 20 |
| Photographs | 38 |
| Language | English |
Chapters
- Foreword
- Passion
- Mastery
- Manners
- Obstacles
- Explore
- Slow Motion
- Energies
- New Year
- Batad
- Ho Chi Minh
- Old Friends
- Hellos and Xin Chàos
- Buses
- The Crossing, Part 1
- The Crossing, Part 2
- Death Trees
- Naples
- Margheritas
- Dear Traveler
- Map
- Photo Index
- Thanks
- Copyright
Cover
The cover of the book features the contours of three mountains and volcanoes from places visited on the journey: Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount Batur in Indonesia, and Mount Vesuvius in Italy.
Visited Places
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Yamaguchi, Japan
- Onomichi, Japan
- Kumano, Japan
- Ubud, Indonesia
- Uluwatu, Indonesia
- Batad, Philippines
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Dalat, Vietnam
- Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam
- Da Nang, Vietnam
- Lao Bảo, Vietnam
- Dansavan, Laos
- Thalang, Laos
- Naples, Italy
About Camilo
Hi, I’m Camilo Mazo, traveler, blogger, cook enthusiast, and automation and ecommerce consultant.