When you think of holiday Instagram posts, it’s all about scenic views and #foodporn photos but one British traveller decided to buck the trend by embracing the dark side (well, sort of).
Star Wars fan Richard Sorensen, who lives in Hong Kong with his wife photographer Denice Hough, went on a two-week tour of Tibet dressed as Boba Fett, a bounty hunter in the franchise.
Forty-two-year-old Sorensen, who is originally from Sheffield, said he was wearing the costume most of the time throughout his holiday. It even extended to when he was out dining which, he added, his wife wasn’t happy about.
“I didn’t leave it on for too long near Everest, as it was bloody freezing up there.”
But travelling in an unfamiliar country dressed as a film character came with its awkward moments.
“The Chinese army were a little aggressive with me at one of the checkpoints but most of the time, the locals were more than happy to see me and pose for pictures.
“I asked our tour guide to translate what one of the local guys in a bar was saying about me.
Sorensen, who works for advertising agency Ogilvy, bought the Boba Fett costume, complete with plastic helmet, from eBay.
As to why he chose to take on the guise of the fictional bounty hunter, Sorensen said: “You never see his face, he’s hardly in any of the films, and he’s a man of very few words – but he has this mysterious presence.
Photos taken by Hough, which are posted on their joint Instagram account @yorkandyank, include Sorensen gatecrashing a Chinese couple’s pre-wedding photos, looking majestic among a herd of goats and hanging out with the locals.
So what’s next for Boba Fett adventures? Sorensen said he wants his journeys to lands far, far away to be a “rhyming travel project”.
“If anyone else knows anywhere else that rhymes that could make for some interesting Boba Fett pics, let us know!”
He is also keen to use the opportunity to raise money for charity.
Sorensen said: “We’re thinking of ways we can raise money for good causes while I act out my childhood fantasy as a 42-year-old grown adult bounty hunting all over the world.”
