Introduction
Fukuoka to Naples is a collection of vignettes, stories, and photographs capturing a traveler’s journey through Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, and Italy. Each chapter offers an introspective look at the lessons learned along the way, the people met, and the places explored—reflecting 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 stories, photographs, and travel lessons. The book is divided into 20 short stories with 38 color photographs. From cafés and train rides in Japan, lunar new year celebrations in Indonesia, overland border crossings in Vietnam, to motorcycle rides in the countryside of Laos and culinary explorations in Italy.
Each chapter reflects a travel lesson—fleeting insights we discover when the heart is open and we dare to explore. It is an invitation to explore, to pay more attention to what surrounds us, to search for what fulfills us, and to be inspired by the people we meet along the way. Through everyday stories and events, it explores different ways of living life with purpose, and finding meaning in what we call life.
The book is designed to be read in a contemplative state, perhaps in a quiet café, while reflecting on what it means to live well and how to enjoy life. It can be read linearly or browsed through the photos, pausing on the stories that draw your attention most.
Fukuoka to Naples touches themes of finding life’s purpose, elevating the things we love and sharing them with the world, love for mastery and attention, loneliness, meeting people, stepping off the beaten path and enjoying simple pleasures, greeting and being greeted, opening up to people and being vulnerable, and embracing the unexpected of any new journey.
In each chapter, Fukuoka to Naples takes us to explore places like:
- Jazz cafés in Fukuoka, Japan
- UNESCO-recognized ancient trails in Kumano, Japan
- Abandoned villas in Ubud, Indonesia
- Mandatory silence days in Uluwatu, Indonesia
- UNESCO-recognized rice terraces in Batad, Philippines
- Motorcycle-filled streets in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Overland border crossings and its challenges in Lao Bảo, Vietnam
- Hitchhiking in Dansavan, Laos
- Motorcycle expeditions through the countryside of Thalang, Laos
- Espressos and margherita pizzas in Naples, Italy
In these places, we meet café owners, jazz lovers, artists and artisans, teachers, students on trains, believers, world travelers, family, old friends, farmers, motorcycle-taxi drivers, bus and truck drivers, and immigration officers.
Production
The first production of the physical book was made in extremely limited quantities. As a self-published work, I was in charge of editing the texts and photographs, finding a print shop that would give attention to a mere mortal, and pushing the process forward however possible to hold a few copies in hand—at the cost of many drops of sweat and a few minor crises.
Being my first time going through the printing process, I learned a lot, and while there are things I could improve for a future edition, I must say the final result is something I’m proud of.
Every purchase of this book supports the creation of new projects like this one, which aim to increasingly elevate the artisanal and local quality of production. In the end, you’re supporting new explorations, new adventures.
| Printing and Binding | Taller Artes y Letras, Medellin, Colombia |
| Print Date | May 6, 2025 |
| ISBN | 978-628-01-7926-1 |
| Printing | Full-color digital |
| Paper | 90gsm 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 countours of three mountain and volcano tops of 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, 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.