Seven Super Travel Photos

It’s Game Time!

Hostel Bookers is running a game of photo tag and were kind enough to include us in their inaugural post. I love going back through photographs that I haven’t looked at recently. Each one tells a story and reminds me of a precious moment in time. Along with my fellow photographer friends, Bears and Beans, The Travel Tart, Traveling Canucks, Landlopers, Canvas of Light, and Virtual Wayfarer, we are kicking off the game and sharing our favourite Seven Super Travel Photos.

Play with us in 5 easy steps

1. Choose 7 of your own photos, one for each of the following categories:

  • A photo that…takes my breath away
  • A photo that…makes me laugh or smile
  • A photo that…makes me dream
  • A photo that…makes me think
  • A photo that…makes my mouth water
  • A photo that…tells a story
  • A photo that…I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)

2. Write a short description for each image.
3. Write somewhere in your blog post: I am taking part in HostelBookers 7 Super Shots.
4. Tell us you have participated and tweet the hashtag #7SuperShots
5. Nominate 5 other bloggers by including a link to their blog in your post.

Hostelbookers will be retweeting and sharing the best posts from participating bloggers. Make sure to tag us on twitter with your 7 Photos so that we can tweet it as well!

Take a look at HostelBookers own list of 7 photos that… and see what photo we contributed along with our 6 other partners in crime.

1.       Photo that takes my breath away

Tongoriro-crossing-new-zealand

Mount Doom and the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand

It’s known as one of the best one day treks in the world. The Tongariro Crossing on New Zealand’s North Island certainly lives up to the hype. We started our hike early in the morning and the crisp air may have chilled our bones, but the brisk morning made for clear skies and gave the partially frozen dew a glimmering beauty. With Mount Doom looming in the background, I envisioned the Hobbits fighting their way up this epic mountain to return the ring. The colours and the beauty of the Tongariro Crossing took my breath away at every turn.

2.       Photo that makes me laugh/smile

Water-buffalo-myanmar

Playing on a Water Buffalo in Myanmar

We were riding bicycles around Inle Lake, Myanmar when we came across these two little cuties. They were keeping watch on their water buffalo and when they saw us motioned us to come over and say hi. They didn’t speak a word of English, we didn’t speak a word of Burmese but they loved posing for Dave’s camera. The boy in the front was the real ham and kept shoving his little brother out of the way. Dave would snap  some photos, he would show them their shot on the screen and they laughed and giggled while motioning him to take another. It makes us smile because that was a very good day and these boys will always remain on our memory for the rest of our lives.

3.       Photo that makes me dream

Chobe-national-park-botswana

Sunset in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa.What is unique about a safari here is that you cruise the Chobe river to spot game. Elephants are a plenty in Chobe and we saw many as we rode our bikes along the famed Elephant Highway. But it was during our river cruise that we were truly at peace. As the evening came to an end, this bird spread it’s wings as if saluting sun while saying goodbye to another beautiful day on the continent of Africa.

4.       Photo that makes me think 

Malawi-Africa-portrait

Malawi Portrait

We were visiting a project for Plan Canada, the charity we raised money and awareness for as we cycled Africa. The entire village came out to say hello to us and show off their schools, fields, well and medical centre all built with the help of Plan Canada. Today it is a sustainable operation that is independently run by the village itself. As swarms of children followed our every move, this young girl carrying a baby on her back caught my eye. Her calm manner stood out among the energetic group and I wondered what she was thinking about? I wonder what her future will be and where she is today?

5.       Photo that makes my mouth water 

Fiji-Lobster

The amazing lobster in Fiji

I don’t take a lot of food photographs, but while we were in Fiji, it seemed that food constantly caught my attention. We were staying at the Pearl Fiji and each night we were treated to a spectacular feast. When we entered the restaurant we enjoyed our welcome drink of Kava, sat down to a meal complete with local entertainment and enjoyed heavenly dished like this lobster. Mmm Mmm Good.

6.       Photo that tells a story

Three-Gorges-china

The Three Gorges Dam Project in China

China was a fascinating place to explore. The old is being erased to make for the new and modern 21st century. As we sailed through the Three Gorges, our guides explained how the massive feat of engineering, The Three Gorges Damn project flooded the entire area burying thousand year old villages under the later never to be heard from again. Ancient temples were destroyed and cultural monuments were lost only to be rebuilt and replicated for tourist to view. But there are pockets of China where people still cling to the past and a simple fisherman can be found working on the water. While cruise liners and luxury ships pass, rural families cling to their past and follow the traditions of their ancient ancestors.

7. Photo that I am most proud of (aka my National Geographic photo)

Wadi-Rum-Jordan

Sunset in Wadi Rum, Jordan

It seemed that every turn in Jordan offered an opportunity to take that “National Geographic Shot” but many have already seen my pictures of Petra. And I am more drawn to my time in Wadi Rum. Taking a camel ride in the middle of the Arabian Desert at sunset is something that I dreamed of doing as a child scouring through my parents National Geographic collection. When I think of the National Geographic of my childhood, I think of photos like this. Photos that give you a glimpse of the way of life in an exotic land.

 

I nominate:

25 Responses to Seven Super Travel Photos

  1. Excellent photography! The way you two are exploring the world is great, and bringing back all these delightful scenes.
    Jane Whitener recently posted..Bogner Ski WearMy Profile

    Jane Whitener February 5, 2012 at 9:58 am Reply
  2. These photos are all insanely amazing, but my fave is your photo that tells a story!
    Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Chicago: Day 2 (Part 2)My Profile

    Andi of My Beautiful Adventures February 5, 2012 at 10:01 am Reply
  3. Photo 6 is amazing – can you give us some more details on that one? It feels like moonlight, and yet it looks like the sun in the sky. Fog? I just can’t work it out!
    Nate.
    Yomadic Nate recently posted..Cameron Highlands Malaysia – Mossy Forest, Tea Plantations, and Valley ViewsMy Profile

    Yomadic Nate February 6, 2012 at 3:25 am Reply
  4. Superb photos as always Dave :) And that camel shot is just incredible!
    Laurence recently posted..My travel ABCsMy Profile

    Laurence February 6, 2012 at 4:36 am Reply
  5. It’s funny that I am just arriving here after posting about my Tongariro Crossing under the rain and look at that luck, your first photo showing me what I missed! We couldn’t see more than 10 meters in Tongariro last Sunday… but I feel confirmed now that I have to go back on a sunny day :-) (Also like all other photos in that post).
    Anja recently posted..Learning to Like Travel Photography under the RainMy Profile

    Anja February 7, 2012 at 11:37 pm Reply
  6. Great photos guys! (As usual).
    I think my fav is the last one with the camels, love the angle and sunlight
    Cam recently posted..Photo of the Week: Congested Kathmandu Valley in NepalMy Profile

    Cam February 8, 2012 at 7:45 pm Reply
    • Thanks Cam, I do love that one too and tend to use it a lot. We had great light that evening.

      debndave February 13, 2012 at 4:38 pm Reply
  7. Lovely. Photographers who understand light are rare…and treasured.
    Tom Bartel recently posted..Seven of My Favorite PhotosMy Profile

    Tom Bartel February 8, 2012 at 11:59 pm Reply
    • Thanks Tom. I started in Lighting. I worked as a Rigging Gaffer lighting feature films before going into photography, so my background is light. I really appreciate the compliment. Lighting is what I understood before the mechanics of the camera. Cheers.

      debndave February 13, 2012 at 4:37 pm Reply
  8. Every photo is spectacular… well done! You’re a very good photographer.
    Jeremy (The Travel Apprentice) recently posted..HostelBookers 7 Super ShotsMy Profile

    Jeremy (The Travel Apprentice) February 9, 2012 at 12:07 pm Reply
    • Thanks Jeremy, much appreciated. I’ll be heading over to yours too!

      debndave February 13, 2012 at 4:31 pm Reply
  9. Dave – what can I say about these photos – just FABULOUS – loved them all – you are such a great photographer

    Lois February 10, 2012 at 2:20 pm Reply
  10. I don’t how I missed this when it was published but thank you so much for tagging me and goodness, some GREAT images here :)
    Kirsten recently posted..Seduced by Sun and SandMy Profile

    Kirsten February 12, 2012 at 3:59 pm Reply
    • No problem Kirsten, looking forward to seeing your 7 Super Shots!

      debndave February 13, 2012 at 4:01 pm Reply
  11. I love your photo that makes you laugh/smile! It’s amazing how we can communicate and interact with people who don’t share a common language. I bet you made their day by letting them pose for your camera!

    Single Travel Trips February 14, 2012 at 10:49 am Reply
    • thanks! I think we made each others day. I wonder if they still talk about us like we still talk about them. No matter what, we were all smiling at the end of that encounter.

      debndave February 18, 2012 at 4:45 pm Reply
  12. Great collection of photographs, each one telling a story. I love the camel shot, definately a National Geographic photo.

    South Africa Tours February 15, 2012 at 7:13 am Reply
    • Thanks so much, I had some amazing light in that Arabian Desert

      debndave February 18, 2012 at 4:44 pm Reply
  13. Terific photography by you
    The sunsets remind me of Sunsets here in Finland
    Of course we have a lot of wingter snow landscapes but it is fantastic to be in
    Greg
    Greg recently posted..Cheap Holidays to Spain and to Other Nations Staying Clear of Budgetary WoesMy Profile

    Greg February 16, 2012 at 9:02 am Reply
    • We’d love to go to Finland, I can imagine that you get amazing sunsets. Looking forward to seeing one myself in the future.

      debndave February 18, 2012 at 4:35 pm Reply
  14. Pingback: My 7 Super Shots - A Pair of Boots and a Backpack | A Pair of Boots and a Backpack

  15. I’d love to hear the full story about china
    Rich recently posted..5 Free Things to Do in BerlinMy Profile

    Rich March 25, 2012 at 9:35 am Reply
  16. Beautiful photos. The photos of camel are amazing.

    Adrian April 3, 2012 at 9:22 am Reply
  17. Great shots as always D&D! The Camel photo is my favourite…but your Mount Doom from Tongariro is special too….can’t believe it took me this long to take the time to check everyone’s 7 Super Shots!
    Red Hunt recently posted..Top 6 Wild Cats of the WorldMy Profile

    Red Hunt April 17, 2012 at 5:20 pm Reply

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