BBC’s Malaysian travel host Henry Golding waxes lyrical about his love for photography and the technology he can’t live without
Henry Golding is currently filming “The Travel Show” for the BBC. (Photos: Clarence Aw)
Scrolling through Henry Golding’s Insta-gram account left me feeling slightly envious.
From chasing sunsets at the far-flung and picturesque Kumarakom Lake to exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat, the Malaysian travel host on the BBC has covered it all.
We catch this jet-setter in between his busy schedule and get him to share about his favourite tech toys as well as memorable travel experiences — including clearing car crash scenes.
Hi, Henry. I’ve seen you in various destinations. What’s new with you?
At the moment, I’m filming for the BBC on a show called “The Travel Show”. You can catch it globally on BBC World News and BBC 1 in the UK.
What was the first gadget you purchased with your own money? What’s your memory of it?
It must have been the very first Xbox when it was released. I remember my dad picking it up on the launch day and, straight after school, all my friends came to my house to play and ogle at the ground-breaking graphics.
Henry is an avid photographer and his favourite tech gear is mostly related to photography. (Photo: henrygolding)
What smartphone or mobile gadgets do you now own?
I own a Sony Xperia Z5 Premium; probably the best phone I’ve owned thus far. I switched over to Android a couple of years back and would never consider going back.
I’m a big photography and video buff so I own both a Sony A7s and Rx100iv to shoot while I travel.
What are some gadgets or apps that you absolutely cannot live without?
Right now, Uber and Grab. Getting around on a whim has seriously gotten a hell of a lot easier with travel apps.
I’m terribly addicted to Instagram. I love that you can search through hash tags or whatever [topic] it is that you’re
passionate about.
Which aspect of tech are you most savvy in?
I’ll say camera operation for stills and video would be my strongest points. I love creating stories or taking portraits of people I meet on my travels.
On which social media platforms do you post regularly, and what do you usually upload?
Mainly travel posts on my Instagram account @henrygolding.
I love that my Sony A7s uses NFC technology to transfer photos to my Z5 Premium. It makes taking a snap on the road so easy to post in an instant.
Henry uses social media regularly and loves to post the photos he’s taken, on Instagram. (Photo: henrygolding)
What’s one unforgettable experience you’ve had as a travel host?
Clearing up [car] crash scenes with the volunteers of Bangkok’s first responders unit… was a serious wake-up call of how fragile life can be.
Since you travel so much for your shows, what are some travel-related gadgets that you consider essential?
Google Maps, the Internet in general, my cameras and my Kindle to read while on planes and in vans.
If you have maps and the Internet, you have no excuse of not finding anything to do in whichever country you’re in!
What’s one social media faux pas you can’t stand?
An Instagram wall of just selfies… At least break it up with a few cat photos or something?
By Samantha Francis
Look out for Henry Golding on Saturdays, through the day, on “The Travel Show” on BBC World News. Follow him on Instagram at @henrygolding and on YouTube at youtube/henrygoldingtravels.
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