We were recently asked by our friends at HostelBookers.com to participate in a fun travel photo meme that showcases 7 of our photos that fall within the categories below.
We had fun putting together our Best of Travel in 2011 and Travels & Adventures from A to Z a few weeks ago, so we jumped on the opportunity to share some of our travel photos (all we need is an excuse!).
To follow along on twitter, check out the hashtag #7SuperShots
1. A photo that…takes our breath away
It’s difficult to accurately describe the feelings and emotion that we felt when we crossed over the Sun Gate and witnessed the magic of Machu Picchu for the very first time. We had just finished 3 days of hiking the Inca Trail, we were exhausted and damp from the morning rain. Months of planning, preparation and anticipation came to fruition as the clouds began to part over this treasured lost city. Our dream had finally become a reality.
This moment did much more than take our breath away – it taught us that dreams are meant to be chased, fulfilled and celebrated!
2. A photo that…makes us laugh or smile
If you’ve been following our blog for a while you know Japan is one of our favourite countries. We love the quirky and bizarre oddities that can be found throughout the country.
Case in point – this statue in front of a restaurant in Kyoto. Now, is it really necessary to show the boy’s penis? And why are there two completely different baby dogs positioned under this attacking dog? What does any of this have to do with dining at a restaurant?
Nevertheless, we had a good laugh and felt it was photo worthy.
3. A photo that…makes us dream
We had always dreamed of one day sitting in the presence of the mysterious Moai statues of Easter Island. We captured this fiery sunset and collection of Moai statues just outside the town of Hanga Roa.
To this day, we still get a slight chill down our spines when we look back at our photos. We know that we were once there, walking amongst these peculiar works of art. Although the images will forever be burned in our minds, at times we still feel like it was all just a dream.
4. A photo that…makes us think
This photo paints a chilling picture of life at the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The high school was converted into a horrifying prison shortly after the Khmer Rouge communist regime came into power in 1975. An estimated 17,000 people were unjustly imprisoned at Tuol Sleng, most victims were tortured and killed.
This photo makes us think and it makes us very sad. But it’s also a reminder to the world that we must do everything in our power to prevent such terrible atrocities from repeating.
5. A photo that…makes our mouth water
Turkey is a foodies dream destination. Virtually every mega-city in the world has restaurants that serve Turkish cuisine, but few can compete with the food that is served in Turkey – often imitated, never duplicated!
This tasty doner kebab and cold Efes beer was enjoyed in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey and final resting place of Father Turkey. Mmmm…is it lunch time yet?!
6. A photo that…tells a story
This photo is supposed to do the storytelling, but here is some background info to help – Peru, Lake Titicaca, floating reed islands, tourism, cute children selling local crafts, money, boredom.
7. A photo that…we are most proud of (aka my National Geographic shot)
Wow – there’s a lot of pressure that comes with this category!
We bounced around dozens of photos that were all worthy of such a title (like this one or this one), but this photo stood out because it’s the kind of photo we would expect to see in National Geographic.
We felt that a “National Geographic photo” needed to include nature and it needed to be a landscape that was “out of this world beautiful”. We think this photo satisfies both prerequisites.
~~~~~~~~
Because we are taking part in HostelBookers 7 Super Shots, we now we get to nominate 5 travel bloggers to complete their 7 Super Shots.
We nominate:
Norbert from GloboTreks
Mark from Migrationology
Matt from Expert Vagabond
Craig and Caz from yTravel Blog
Michael from StruxTravel
Tag! You’re it!
[ad name=”Google Adsense – Belize”]
Fun meme! And a very nice collection of shots.
Thanks Amanda!
Wow–these are super shots! Thanks so much for nominating me to participate too. 🙂
Thanks Michael – we look forward to seeing your Super Shots!
Beautiful photos! Especially love the ones from Peru. We loved being at Machu Picchu early in the morning with all the clouds still shrouding Huayna Picchu. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ellen – glad you like the photos!
Machu Picchu is certainly something special – one of most treasured travel experiences to date
Great collection! Can’t wait to get my own Machu Picchu shot.
Thanks Stephanie – can’t wait to see your MP shots! 😉
Great selection of photos. The photo of Security Prison 21 really does have me thinking. Such a sad and tragic place, but the story needs to be told.
Indeed – I struggled with choosing that one. I didn’t want to bring a dark cloud to the post, but it does make us think and we feel that people should be aware of these tragic events in history
this is what you call a super perfect stunningly shot! All of theme are great especially the Machu Picchu pics. Its super beautiful 😡
Thanks for the kind words Beky – glad you like the photos! 🙂
OMG those photos are abosultely stunning. I love the Machu Picchu photo – properly moreso because I am looking forward to my Inca Trail hike this summer and can’t wait to take a photo that’s breath-taking like yours.
Thanks for the kind words Karen! You are going to love MP, it truly is breath-taking.
Make sure you come back and tell us how the trip went! 🙂
Great photos! I was surprised there weren’t minis in here! Love the Banff one!
Thanks Jeremy – we’re pretty happy with the way the Banff photo turned out. It’s such a beautiful lake, quite surreal when you see how blue that water is.
Great shots you guys – wow the blue in that lake is UNREAL!
real beauty in your every shot, really very nice………
They are all excellent. I hope I can find 7 photos worthy of contributing to this meme. (and again with you photographers being cruel to people on diets! 😉 )
The photo of Phnom Penh, Cambodia is very good… the colours are so warm but the content is so chilling.
Beautiful photos!
Really beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the responses to your challenge.
Great collection of photos and they are all great. I love the photo that makes you proud, what a beautiful place.
Some very nice shots. Really liked the Phnom Penh prison shot.
Wow — what amazing shots! Your National Geographic photo is out of this world!
These photos are pretty awesome. The one from japan is quite ridiculous though.
I love the photo of the mountain with rice terraces, and of course the boy bitten by a dog. Thank you for sharing this wonderful photos.
Such fantastic shots. They really put mine to shame, especially the last one.
Great shots !
Great images…it only took me a few months to check them out, but I’m glad I did! You know I haven’t been to Banff & Jasper yet…so your Nat Geo image blows me away. The Japan one cracks me up though…so odd, haha!
Wow! Superb photography! You’re a natural and should be considered for the National Geographic cover!
Nice shots, I just posted mine too.
Great shots and thank you so much for taking part 🙂 I went to Turkey a few years ago and I’m sure I came back a few pounds heavier than what I went…
Wow gorgeous photography…number 4 certainly made me sit and ponder
Beautiful photos! Great collection! Thanks for sharing!