Author on the road
James Whitfield

The Writer

James Whitfield

Currently: Tbilisi, Georgia

I started JeyLux in 2016 with a single post written on a battered Chromebook in a Chiang Mai guesthouse. I had just quit my job in finance and was about to do something I had been putting off for a decade: travel slowly, without a plan, and write about it honestly.

Eight years and 60+ countries later, I still believe the best travel writing refuses to romanticize everything. Some places are hard. Some experiences are uncomfortable. Some days you just want to go home. I write about all of it.

JeyLux now reaches over 200,000 readers a month. I have never taken a sponsored post. Every recommendation is something I paid for myself and actually use.

The Journey So Far

2016

Southeast Asia

Quit my desk job and bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok. Meant to stay 3 months. Stayed 2 years.

2018

Central Asia

Crossed the Karakoram Highway into Pakistan, then overland through Iran, the Caucasus, and into Europe.

2020

Americas

Drove the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Patagonia in a 1994 Land Cruiser named Doris.

2022

Africa

Crossed the Sahara from Morocco to Mali, then east through Ethiopia and down to Cape Town.

2024

Somewhere new

Still moving. Still writing. You can follow along in real time — I try to keep the blog honest.

As Seen In

"One of the most authentic voices in travel writing today."

Condé Nast Traveler

"Essential reading before any serious trip."

Lonely Planet

"Photography that captures the soul of a place."

National Geographic

"Refreshingly honest. No filter, no fluff."

Travel + Leisure

Want to work together?

I am open to select collaborations, speaking engagements, and photography commissions. No sponsored posts, ever.

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