Going through old photos…such a nice way to remember the past and be thankful for all that we have experienced. For this post, I was looking through photos for a specific purpose, to choose 7 favorite travel photos that fit 7 categories. It was so difficult to choose, especially because my better photos just didn’t fit these categories, that it took me months to finally do it! Thank you to Jessica at Suitcases and Sippycups and Jeremy at Budget Travel Adventures for tagging me to participate in the this project.
A photo that takes my breath away:
Taken at sunset at the ancient temple site Ulu-watu, on the south coast of Bali, a place that is so beautiful and sacred (yet in reality, also filled with tourists and aggressive monkeys).
A photo that makes me laugh or smile:
This was such a fun moment, full of wonder! I love birds and was overwhelmed by having these beautiful birds so close (at the Bali Bird Park).
A photo that makes me dream:
This photo makes me dream about future travels. It’s no secret that I love Europe for its rich history, arts, and natural beauty, but the last time I was there was 6 years ago. I constantly dream about the places I will go next, like the beautiful and historical center of Bruges which I loved despite the cold, rainy weather of early summer in Europe!
A photo that makes me think:
Behind every destination are the local people who make the place what it is. This photo was taken on a beach during my first trip to Indonesia, but the meaning of it exists everywhere–it’s the hard work, so often without thanks, and ordinary lives of the local people that is the real place, and getting closer to that should be an important goal of travel.
A photo that makes my mouth water:
Not everyone may be a fan of beets, but this beet salad with citrus and fresh greens reminds me of all the delicious food I ate during my recent time in Napa.
A photo that tells a story:
This is an old (scanned) photo but such a special one from the beginning of my time living in the Czech Republic. The yellow is mustard plants in bloom in the spring, a common sight in rural Moravia. My friend and I spent the day biking to Buchlovice palace. It is a day that is etched in my memory, both for the wonderful feeling of exploring this foreign land that was now my new home, but also for the laughs over how I almost died biking so far with an old borrowed 3-speed!
A photo that I am most proud of (a.k.a. a photo that is National Geographic worthy):
This photo doesn’t exactly show off any photography skills, and it was taken while driving on the highway, but I love it because the colors and the shape of the oak tree is such a typical and beautiful California scene. I never get bored seeing this from the car window while on my way to a new place.
Tell me what you think! Which one is your favorite? Have you been to these places?
Now it’s time for me to tag some bloggers for this project. Please let me know if you would be interested!
This post is part of this week’s photo series at Budget Traveler’s Sandbox.
I remember a few of these photos. I am jealous of the one of Bruges because I would love to visit there. I also need to explore more of the Czech Republic. I had no idea there was so much yellow in Moravia from mustard! I think my favorite one is the one from Bruges.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Airline complaints: an open letter to US airlines
I think you would like Bruges. Some people find it too touristy, but it’s so historic and beautiful that I loved it.
Great shots Jenna! I totally love the oak tree picture, beautiful. Really taken while driving on the highway, wow. Sometimes you just need a split second to capture a great moment.
I also like the story behind the picture that makes you think, very strong message.
Emiel
Emiel recently posted..Berlin – Poor but Sexy
Yeah, I took a lot of photos from the car that day and glad a few of them turned out well.
Great shots Jenna! I have a tapestry in my dining room that is exactly the same as the picture of Brugge. I love that shot most!
Jessica recently posted..Pimp My Oil Pump
Such a famous view of Bruges, isn’t it?
I love the composition in the last photo. It’s so simple and clean. This 7 super shot thing is such fun!
I’d also like to let you know that I’m hosting a 100 dollar accommodation voucher giveaway if you’re interested. Here’s the link: http://goo.gl/uUVqA
Denise recently posted..My favourite bits of London plus a Wimdu accommodation voucher giveaway
Thanks! And yes, it is so fun even though it was so hard to choose ones that fit these categories.
gosh, I keep being tagged to this 7Shots blog posts and I still haven’t come around writing it! thanks for reminding me
by the way, gorgeous shots!
Nomadic Translator recently posted..Travel bucket list ideas: Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, New Zealand
I know, it took me a long time, too!
I especially love the yellow mustard plants – and it reminds me that I must go east in a few weeks to photograph the canola – all yellow too.
The beet salad photo is also superb as is your Nat’l Geographic shot. It’s kind of fun – though terribly time consuming to go through and find the best in the categories. It was a good eccuse for me to pitch photos.
Leigh recently posted..Photos from Hiking the Kerry Way in Ireland
Yes, it is time-consuming, especially when you don’t find photos that really fit those categories (which was my problem for a while). The yellow is beautiful and supposedly we have it here in the Napa area but I haven’t seen it. Next year!
Beautiful photos, Jenna! I love the one of Bruges – it’s a city that I very much want to visit and the photo of the oak tree is stunning in its simplicity. But my favourite photo is the one with the birds in Bali – I love the look on your son’s face – he is so amused by the bird perched on his dad’s head!
Lisa recently posted..National Arts Centre – Oscar Peterson Sculpture
That time with the birds was SO fun for all of us. I got emotional from having them so close and being so gentle. Amazing creatures.
Great selection! Your first photo of the sunset is wonderful as is your picture of Bruges. I was really drawn to the dramatic yellow of the mustard so I think that is my favorite but I do want that beet salad!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..The World of Violins in Mittenwald
Hard to pick a favorite, Jenna. Your shots of Bali bring back fond memories. I loved the Bali Bird Park. I am leaving for Prague in under 3 weeks (dancing with excitement here), so that shot really made me sit up!
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — June 7th, 2012 — Traveling Taste Buds
How exciting that you are going to Prague soon. If you need any tips, let me know!
These are super shots! Really. I wan in Bruges the same time of year. I would love it at any time, in any weather. I’m always dreaming of Europe.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Capital Ideas for a Washington D.C. Visit
Me, too. I have a love affair with Europe that will never go away. I plan to finally get back there again next spring.
All beautiful shots. Each equally charming so it’s hard to pick just one. Wonder if that mustard plant is similar to rapeseed.
InsideJourneys recently posted..#TPThursday: Falling for YS Falls
Thanks! I have no idea about rapeseed. All I know is that the color is so striking and I saw fields like this all the time from the trains.
The bird park shot is my favorite.
Dick Jordan recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: “Peopling”Your Trip Photos
I agree that tree is a great shot. I love the starkness of it against the grass and sky. I really love Bali. I have been there three times and I still haven’t been to that temple. Beautiful.
Lisa recently posted..Family Travel: Travel with a Senior
3 times? I will go back there for the third time in the next couple of years. There is so much to see and do on that island!
Beautiful & evocative photos. I love them all, and really enjoyed reading your connection to each one.
The part about dying during that bike ride made me laugh! That was quite an accomplishment:)
If you saw the bike I rode, you would see why I almost died! I think we rode about 20 miles that day, maybe more, and the bike was an old 3 speed that I borrowed from Hanka down the street from our apartment.
Great photo selection! The mustard seed one is just beautiful and must be more spectacular in person. I love your last shot too. It’s not a very typical California shot many tourists expect but as a resident, I’m familiar with these sceneries that make me love living here. Nice job on the drive-by shot.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Touring Torcello Island, Italy
Thank you! I love those oak trees and agree that it’s not a view that most people would expect but is actually quite typical of California.
They are all great but there’s something about the bird park that makes me smile, it just seems that you are having so much fun.
Yeah, we had a blast that day, especially when the birds were on us.
The Moravia shot is really cool. Also, the Bruges shot really makes me want to go to Europe – it is such a picturesque village.
John recently posted..Exploring The Ruins of The Old Los Angeles Zoo
Thanks! I’m sure you would love Europe!
I love all of your shots and it’s really hard to pick a favorite. I think all of them are my favorites. They all hold a big value to you in different ways, and I think that’s how the pictures are unique from each other. And you seemed like a pro in taking pictures huh. The picture with the oak tree is great, and you only took it while driving on the highway.