My 10 Best Travel Photos

Your 10 best travel photos – that’s the challenge I have accepted from a friend and fellow wanderer.

In this time of coronavirus (aka COVID-19), people have created and answered to various challenges to entertain themselves and others on Facebook. I’ve been challenged to many of these, but I ignored them all. I know that if I’ll succumb to one of these daily postings, more will be coming. And I was right. So right!

But of all the challenges, I answered only two of them – yet. One was for posting 7 of your favourite books for 7 days, and the other one is, of course, this. Instead of posting it on Facebook, I decided to answer the challenge here on this blog post.

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. It is challenging, especially when you’ve visited 41 countries, and lived in 6 of those. I’m currently stranded in Bali (Indonesia) because of the virus and I’ve been here for two months already. So I guess, this is the 7th country I’ve lived in. And seriously, 10? Only 10? Goodness, making a decision like this is like choosing where to live between Santorini and in one of the pristine islands in the Philippines, or in the cottage in the Canadian wilderness with a view of the glaciers! Why not make this 20?

Unfortunately, I don’t have my 1T GB external USB with me here now. So, I won’t be able to show you my truly, madly, deeply top 10 travel pics. I’ll provide whatever I can find on my laptop. Remember, this is just my top 10 favorite photos, not my favorite countries, cities, or attractions.

I don’t want to be bias so I excluded Canada and the Philippines. 😀

In no particular order, here they go.

Sunrise at Mt. Sinai

This is definitely the best climb I’ve ever had in my life! As someone raised Catholic, I was told that this is the mountain where Moses received the 10 commandments. So, it’s fitting to start this challenge with this pic, right? 10 Commandments, 10 Travel Photos, got it? 😀

Petra

This is definitely, absolutely, and incredibly photogenic place to be – in all angles. It’s one of the places you MUST visit to believe it exists! So, don’t believe this photo unless you are REALLY standing before this gorgeous, timeless architectural marvel of pink sandstone. And here in this Rock (Petra means rock), I celebrated my Christmas in 2013.

Horseshoe Bend

I remember when I took this death-defying photo. I only had 10 seconds to make this perfect! From an elevated platform, I had to run down and carefully thread on this narrow ledge and sat down quickly with extra care. Boy, I stayed there for a while until my nerves and knees calmed down! According to a friend who visited this same spot last year, this area has been barricaded. Unfortunately, people have died here.

Varlaam Monastery

Looking at this photo, your first question would be: How in the world this monastery built on top of a towering rock? Well, the ascetic monks climbed it! In Meteora, there are many monasteries like this. Varlaam Monastery, to me, is the most mind-blowing.

Verona

Only when you are standing/sitting on top Piazzale Castel San Pietro you will understand why Shakespeare chose Verona as the setting of his classic, Romeo and Juliet. It is, perhaps, the only small city in Italy where I can imagine living there.

Prague

You might disagree with me but Prague is like a mini-Europe. Once you’re there, you feel like you’ve seen the whole of Europe. Castles, old towers, medieval buildings, synagogues, Gothic cathedrals, incredible museums, red-tiled roof houses, stone bridges, statues of men on horses, and many more.

Morocco’s Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a Blue City in Morocco. Though it doesn’t really have the size of a city, the place maintains its small-village vibe. Wherever you go, every street corner or alley is a photo opportunity. The people are warm and hospitable. This is one of the very few places I’ve been to where vendors don’t aggressively hawk what they are selling. You can peacefully walk anywhere with our being offered something to sell.

Mya Thein Dan Pagoda

Also known as the White Pagoda, Mya Thein Dan is, perhaps, the most photogenic I’ve been to in Myanmar. It’s not a huge one or the most sacred of all pagodas, but its all-white color is enough to declare it as the most instagrammable pagoda of all. Why? Try to walk on one of those terraces and you look like you’re walking on clouds – on your way to heaven!

Pidurangala Rock

My love for heights is probably obvious in this post. What can I say, I live for the adventure (and maybe, danger, too!). Sri Lanka might not be on your list to visit, but it should be. My 8-day stay in this small country was an incredible experience that I encourage you to visit one day.

Santorini

Looking at the photo above, there’s no doubt Santorini consistently ranks as the most favorite island for wedding/honeymoon destinations. Though it’s quite expensive, the experience of visiting here can’t be quoted with a price tag. Just go!