Category: Travel Photo Essays

  • Travel Photo Roulette #67 – Travel Fails!

    Travel Photo Roulette #67 – Travel Fails!

    Woo hoo! We’ve finally won Travel Photo Roulette!

    Our entry to Travel Photo Roulette # 66 - "Markets"
    Our entry to Travel Photo Roulette # 66 – “Markets”

    Noel over at Travel Photo Discovery choose our entry to the last round of Travel Photo Roulette – themed around “Markets” as the winner! So big thanks Noel!

    We’re super excited to host Travel Photo Roulette #67 – and we know that this week is going to be hilarious!

    This week the theme is:


    ✈ TRAVEL FAILS! ✈


    A ‘Travel Fail’ could be some sort of misfortune that’s happened to you, someone else or something inanimate – or something you’ve seen or read on your travels!

    The scope for ‘Travel Fails’ is pretty big! Submissions could be along the lines of:

    Safety Fails

    Bridge/Safety fail
    Bridge/Safety fail

    Crazy Signage Fails

    Fart humour fail
    Fart humour fail

    Booze Related Fails

    Full moon party
    Full moon party fails

    Hilarious English Fails

    Menu Fail
    Menu Fail

    Travel Photo Roulette – Contest Overview

    The Travel Photo Roulette rotates through travel and/or photography blogs. The winner of the previous round of Travel Photo Roulette hosts the subsequent round on their own blog. The new host then chooses the next theme, a generic keyword or phrase, and players submit their interpretations of the theme over the course of the week of the contest.

    At the end of the week, the hosting blogger chooses their favorite photo from the submissions and displays it as the week’s winning entry. They then include direction to the new host for the next round. Readers can attempt to lobby the author toward a certain photo via comments or the #PhotoRoulette hashtag on Twitter – the author can accept or ignore any lobby as they see fit. The game is repeated with the winner hosting the following week’s game and choosing a phrase for new photo submissions.

    Entry Guidelines

    • One submission per blog (so sites that have 2+ authors only get one entry).
    • Post processing is permitted, but photo altering (ie. Photoshopping) is not.
    • Abstract submissions are welcomed as long as it fits within the interpretation of the chosen phrase. (Remember, the hosting blogger chooses the winner, so if they cannot understand the submission, you might not win!)
    • Please try and keep your images medium-sized and web-optimized (600-800px).
    • If you win, keep the following in mind when choosing a new theme:
      • Keep phrases general so that all bloggers can participate. Specific items like “Eiffel Tower” should be avoided but rather made open-ended like “monuments.” For variety, it is okay to say focused things such as “monuments at night” which most of us have pictures of. Phrases can be generic ‘signs,’ or abstract ‘religion.’
      • Abstract thoughts are appreciated, but keep it within the realm that all readers will understand. No “Kafka-esque”, or “Overlooking Creation”. Use something that is able to be interpreted by all.
      • After 1 year, phrases can be reused, however new photos must be submitted.
    • No obscene pictures or phrases allowed. Suggestive phrases and photography can be accepted, but please keep it within reason.
    • Keep the ideas and photos fresh!
    • Pictures from your entire portfolio are fair to submit. You do not have to take the photo within the week of the contest period to submit it.
    • Most importantly – All photographs must be your own!
    • One last rule, since this is a competition for travel and photography bloggers, you must have a travel/photography blog to enter. Sorry!

    How to Submit Your Photos

    To enter in the Photo Roulette competition just leave a comment below with a link to the image (whether Flickr, Picasa or your own site) so it can be uploaded to this post. Don’t forget to provide a brief description or caption for the photo so we can all get some background on what’s happening.

    Check back here throughout the week to see all the entries as they come in and please feel free to comment on them! The contest runs for 7 days from today, with the submission dates being October 6th to Oct 13th. (No more entries will be accepted after 3pm GMT.)

    The winner will be announced a few days after the deadline, and they will host Travel Photo Roulette #68!

    Easy right?!

    Spread the Word!

    Tweet using the hashtag #PhotoRoulette and share this page with your friends on Facebook, StumbleUpon, Google +, or your favourite Social Media channel. The more the merrier!

    Comments on photo entries are strongly encouraged! We need all the help we can get when it comes time to making the winning decision.

    Please remember: –

    Submit your entries by October 13th, 2013!

    We can’t wait to see your hilarious Travel Fail photos and hear the stories behind them! 🙂

    Past Photo Roulette Winners and Hosts

    The following is a list of the previously played rounds and the hosting blogger for each round. As the game has been running for a few years now, a few of the winners are no longer blogging and the posts have since been removed from the list below. Click the host’s link to go directly to that entry to see some stunning photographs from the chosen term or phrase!

    1. Nov 4–10, 2010 – Living the Dream – “Animals” 2. Nov 17–24, 2010 – Skinny Backpacker – “Road Signs” 3. Nov 29–Dec 6, 2010 – Dream a Little Dream– “Street Art” 4. Dec 8–15, 2010 – Flashpacker HQ – “Festival” 5. Dec 17–24, 2010 – Over Yonderlust – “Landmarks” 6. Dec 26–Jan 2, 2011 – Don’t Ever Look Back – “Beaches” 7. Jan 5–12, 2011 – ThePlanetD – “Portraits” 8. Jan 15–22, 2011 – Travel with a Mate – “Motion” 9. Jan 26–Feb 3, 2011 – Johnny Vagabond – “Water” 10. Feb 8–15, 2011 – Ken Kaminesky – “Urban” 11. Feb 21–27, 2011 – Travels of Adam– “Friday Night” 12. Mar 7–13, 2011 – Itchy Feet Chronicles – “The Journey” 13. Mar 19– 25, 2011 – Brendan’s Adventures – “Changing Seasons” 14. Apr 4–10, 2011 – Shutterfeet – “Storytelling” 15. Apr 13–21, 2011 – 10 Times One – “Piousness” 16. Apr 26–May 4, 2011 – Beached Eskimo – “Learning” 17. May 21–27, 2011 – Travel Junkies – “Architecture” 18. Jun 1–7, 2011 – Destination World – “Transportation” 19. Jun 8–15, 2011 – Living the Dream – “Paradise” 20. Jun 21-28, 2011 – Vagabond Quest – “Clothes” 21. Jul 4-11, 2011 – The Unframed World – “Symmetry” 22. Jul 16-25, 2011 – Beached Eskimo – “Home” 23. Jul 31 – Aug 7, 2011 – BackPackerBanter – “Inspiration” 24. Aug 14 – 21, 2011 – WanderingTrader – “Darkness” 25. Aug 28 – Sep 4, 2011 – Finding the Universe – “Tranquillity” 26. Sep 12 – 19, 2011 – Fearful Adventurer – “Food” 27. Sep 23 – 30, 2011 – Adventures of a GoodMan – “City” 28. Oct 06 – 13, 2011 – Globe-Trekking.com – “Reflections” 29. Oct 17 – 24, 2011 – Scene With A Hart – “Framing” 30. Nov 9 – 16, 2011 – Vagabond Quest – “Silhouettes” 31. Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2011 – Hecktic Travels – “Music” 32. Dec 11 – Dec 18, 2011 – Globetrotter Girls – “Love” 33. Dec 25 – Jan 1, 2012– Man on the lam – “Humor” 34. Jan 8 – Jan 15, 2012 – My Walkabout – “Winter” 35. Jan 15 – Jan 22, 2012 – The Art of Slow Travel – “Blue” 36. Feb 6 – Feb 13, 2012 – Ten times One – “Depth of the Field” 38. March 7 – March 14, 2012 – Nomadbiba – “Sunshine” 39. March 24 – 31, 2012 – Travel With Kat – “Local Character” 40. April 10 – 16, 2012 – The Travel Bunny – “Street Scene” 41. April 23 – April 30, 2012 – Adventure Crow – “Spirit of the Country” 42. May 7 – 14, 2012 – Food Travel Bliss – “Evening” 43. May 17 – May 24, 2012 – Matt Gibson – “Adventure” 44. May 30th – June 6, 2012 – Flashpacker HQ – “Once In A Lifetime” 45. July 23rd – July 30, 2012 – Skinny Backpacker – “Surreal” 46. August 10 – August 17, 2012 – 2away – “Smile” 47. Aug 27 – Sept 2, 2012 – Bridges and Balloons – “Excellent Splendour of the Universe” 48. Sept 8 – Sept 15, 2012 – The GypsyNester – “What the ?!” 49. Oct 22 – Oct 29, 2012 – Runaway Juno – “Sweet” 50. Nov 12 – Nov 19, 2012 – GQ Trippin – “Play” 51. Nov 25 – Dec 2, 2012 – Life’s Little Victories – “Friendship” 52. Dec 15-22, 2012 – Breakaway Backpacker – “Face” 53. Jan 14-21, 2013 – Fly, Icarus, Fly – “Serendipity” 54. Feb 1-8, 2013 – Travel Transmissions – “Lost in Thought” 55. Feb 15-22, 2013 – Wanderlusters – “The Natural World” 56. Mar 17-24, 2013 – Travel Junkies – “Patterns” 57. April 25-May 3rd, 2013 – Living the Dream – “Your First Time” 58. May12-19th, 2013 – Getting Stamped – “As The Sun Goes Down” 59. June 6-13th, 2013 – The GypsyNester – “Cheesy Tourist Diversions” 60. June 27-July 4, 2013 – Boomeresque – “Revolution” 61. July 18-July 25,2013 – Breakaway Backpacker – “Colorful” 62. August 14-August 21, 2013 – Around This World – “Mountains” 63. August 25th – September 1st 2013: Passports and Pamplemousse – “Hands at Work” 64. September 4th – 11th, 2013: TurtlesTravel – “Dance” 65.September 12th-19th, 2013: Keep calm and travel – “The sea”, 66 Sept 26th – Oct 3rd Travel Photo Discovery – “The Market”

    Am I Nearly There Yet? “Travel Fails” 67. October 6th -13th, 2013

    So then, get submitting your Travel Fail images!


    This Weeks Entries

    Photo captions have been provided by the contestants, and provide a bit of background on the setting and some insight on the capture!

    1. The GypsyNester

    We were worried about the altitude in Peru and were willing to try ANYTHING to help with the side effects – but this was NOT a ringing endorsement:

    Inside the Cusco airport we spotted a cure for the light-headed feeling and sleepiness that the low oxygen at high altitude can bring on, a booth with something called OxiShot. But wait, the clerk is out cold, must be the thin air.

    2. Jeremy at Living The Dream RTW

    You’re at one of the most famous landmarks in the entire world, and all you bring is a tablet with a crappy camera on it. A travel fail and one of my biggest annoyances of all. Although, I’ve now taken to like this photo a lot because of the photo-in-a-photo display.

    3. Suzanne Fluhr @ Boomeresque

    I took this photo on the Big Island of Hawaii. I think there is a serious messaging problem with this sign. It seems to suggest that if there’s a tsunami warning, you should run downhill towards the ocean. Huh?

    4. Jacomijn @ Jacomijn’s Travel Blog

    In Laos I booked a VIP bus from Phonsavan to Paksan. The fact was that I booked this old bus, there was no other way because at some point in the journey the road ended and we went through the river!!!

    5. Dan and Alissa @ This World Rocks

    While traveling by banka boat in the Philippines, the 1980′s motor on our boat broke and the propeller fell into the ocean. We drifted out to sea for over four hours until a fishing boat finally saw our make-shift help sign (an orange lifejacket on top of a long stick waving back and forth). No radio or lifeboat on board… FAIL.
    The photo shows our sad, broken down banka boat getting towed back to shore after hours of screaming and yelling for help.

    The real fail came after we finally arrived at our destination 18 hours later (was supposed to be a 8 hour trip). We were asked by the driver for twice the agreed fare to cover the extra cost of gas. After a short debate, I placed the original agreed-on amount by his feet and got out of there.

    6. Cindy @ the exploration vacation

    When the driver of our support trunk on safari in Botswana cracked the truck’s frame, the decision was to take a stick they cut from a dead bush and a strap to tie it to the broken frame — like you’d splint a broken leg to keep it stable while you walked to the nearest town! Amazingly, it did get them there – luckily it wasn’t far.

    7. Anwar @ Beyond My Front Door

    It was taken in Miyajima in Japan. While I didn’t see anyone actually have this issue, I imagine they made the signs due to past travel fails. It is hilarious in my opinion. I have a post about the travel fails here.


    We’ve picked a winner!

    This weeks winner is entry no.1 from The GypsyNester!

    We were worried about the altitude in Peru and were willing to try ANYTHING to help with the side effects – but this was NOT a ringing endorsement:

    Inside the Cusco airport we spotted a cure for the light-headed feeling and sleepiness that the low oxygen at high altitude can bring on, a booth with something called OxiShot. But wait, the clerk is out cold, must be the thin air.

    We cracked up when we first saw it, it’s such a good capture! She’s definitely not the best saleswoman out there!

    So congratulations guys!!! We’re looking forward to next weeks Travel Photo Roulette!


    Which is your favourite Travel Fail shot?!

  • Travel Photo Round-up: Shanghai!

    Travel Photo Round-up: Shanghai!

    A few of my favourite shots from our visit to the mega city of Shanghai a couple of months back during our travels around China!


    View from the Pearl Tower of the twin Shanghai International Finance Centre (IFC) buildings.


    Epic plates of meat? Oh no. Soya meat, totally vegan, totally weird. Stomach? Kidney? It’s all on the menu.


    This dude has no chance. Surely the award for the worst load ever?


    A nice man vs nature contrast! A good effort to reduce the carbon dioxide in the city.


    The lads heading home after work on the nearby building site.


    These. Buildings. Are. Big. The Shanghai World Financial Centre (The highest building in China, with the highest observation deck in the world) on the right, the Jin Mao Tower at the bottom and the under construction Shanghai Tower on the top left, which will pip the one on the right!


    “WHA?!”


    A sculpture from one of the galleries in the ‘Red Town’ art district.


    Hiding under a garbage collector, we think this little kitten had lost his mum, and ran out to see us when we called him out!


    The Pearl Tower! 12th largest building in the world. Brash, ridiculous, busy. But it looks like a rocket!


    Cool twisty metal sculptures near the IFC mall on the Pudong side of Shanghai.


    The famous and iconic Peace Hotel on the Bund! Now sponsored by Swatch.


    Scared of heights? We’re not. Not much.


    Taken from out the window of our hostel.

    Not really, it’s a scale model of a section of old Shanghai from the Pearl Tower museum.


    Road rules? Nah. Motorbikes and scooters simply don’t adhere to any rules in Shanghai, so watch out!


    Yes, I know. Yet another ridiculous Chinese lion dog picture.


    Heading up the 400 or so metres in the Pearl Tower lift!


    This had to be done.


    Some cool graffiti in the M50 district. No surface was safe from the spray can!


    Another funny language faux pas shop sign!


    The security guard off to the left didn’t quite know what to make of this pose. Blow the whistle at us, or laugh?


    Holding up the walking traffic on the Pearl Tower view point, much to the amusement of the Chinese of tour groups!


    Photographer in the making!


    A quick espresso booster and some complimentry, erm air dried sugar bread?


    Another epic colonial building on the Bund. Fit any more China flags up there?


    The Shanghai Pirate Boat rides! I just made that up, this is what the actual normal boats look like.


    A hearty lunch of beef noodle soup! Hand-made noodles rolled and stretched right in front of you.


    The Peninsula hotel Rolls Royce fleet. They’ll drive you to Pizza Hut if you ask nicely.


    Hoping and praying for some of that chicken above to magically drop on the floor!

    What’s your favourite image?!

  • Travel Photo Round-up: Guangzhou!

    Travel Photo Round-up: Guangzhou!

    We’re starting a new Travel Photo Round-up series under our main Travel Photography section, with either weekly photos or of cities and destinations we’ve visited, past and present!

    Guangzhou is first up! Cats and dogs theme heavily in this collection, as well as a few other sights and landmarks around China‘s 3rd biggest city!

    Chasing bubbles near the Canton tower!

    Somehow his owner had trained him to collect multiple balls from the water. 2 in his mouth, and guiding another 2 with his nose! There was no way he was giving up the ball!

    I knew it was going to happen at some point, but the other on lookers just watched as poochie dried himself all over them!

    Any idea what sort of fruit this is? Me neither…

    This little chap was very excited to see us!

    …but more excited when he saw Eloise’s leg. Most men can’t contain themselves.

    Public wedding shoots are very popular in China. They get fully dressed up, head to a glamorous location (in this instance Shamian Island) with full crew and equipment. We found out the majority aren’t actually getting married, or necessarily know each other – It’s just a nice thing to do!

    We headed to an epic veggie restaurant for a pre-birthday meal. Chinese chefs are excellent at creating fake-meats, even down to the goose intestines in the middle! It’s all soya based though, and it’s really good!

    This poor guy sat right in the centre of the path to ensure everyone had to walk around him!

    The Frog Prince didn’t make it 🙁

    Statues line the garden paths on Shamian Island. The colonial building are unbelieveable!

    Much needed R+R in Shamian Island’s Starbucks. Mocha frappuccino = Win!

    This handsome chap wasn’t allowed to jump in and play ball with the bigger dogs…

    Feel like someones watching you? Well they definitely are in China. I estimate a thousand people have secretly snapped us in the month we’ve spent in China! 😉

    Don’t want your cat running off? Tie it up! It’s quite common to see cats tied up in China. This guy didn’t look too please with the arrangement.

    Yes that is a confused poodle. And yes, it is wearing a nappy. Diaper for our stateside readers.

    This reminds me of my friend Joe Evans for some reason.

    Ahh… hard at work keeping Starbucks safe from, erm, what exactly?

    More statue fun in the Shamian Island gardens!

    No not torture, but cupping. We popped in for a cheeky foot massage, and after some incomprehensible babble from my masseur and a half hearted agreement from me, he whipped out these bamboo tubes, sprayed the inside with alcohol, lit it flaming sambuca style and pushed them hard onto my feet! Brings out the toxins in the blood supposedly. What do you think?

    Not camera shy at all!

    The Canton Tower was once the tallest tower in the world, now ranking 4th, but still the tallest structure in China. It’s pretty big!

    Tired of walking. Guangzhou is pretty massive!

    A much required sugar top-up in the form of the worlds biggest candy floss ball.

    Heading back to our hostel on the ferry from Shamian island with the locals!

    The youth hostel security guard keeping an eye on her new born kitten, and everyone else for that matter!

    Special edition Birthday Cake flavour Oreos! Not the greatest way to spend ones birthday on a 26 hour train to Shanghai.. but we made the most of it!


    There we have it! I’m excited to post more Travel Photo Round-up’s in the future, next up is Shanghai!

    Which image is your favourite? Do I have a dog and cat obsession? What would you like to see more photos of?!

  • 30 Faces of Songkran: Portraits of Wet People

    30 Faces of Songkran: Portraits of Wet People

    We were lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai during Thailand‘s new year festivites, known as Songkran, but also known as the biggest water fight in the whole world!

    Everyone takes to the streets with water guns and buckets filled with icy water to throw over each other – Trust me, if you step outside during Songkran, you’re going to get wet!

    Armed with a bin bag covering my camera (actually an Op Tech Rain-Sleeve) we hit the streets for a thorough dousing!

    More Songkran footage coming soon! 🙂

    I’d love to know which is your favourite Songkran snap! Mine is probably the little boy hiding under his bucket!

    Eloise taking one for the team!
    Eloise taking one for the team!
    Young and old getting fully involved with Songkran!
    Young and old getting fully involved with Songkran!
    Both scary in their own way
    Both scary in their own way
    Culture clash! Young Chiang Mai'ers and a tribal women selling bracelets to drunk falangs
    Culture clash! Young Chiang Mai’ers and a tribal women selling bracelets to drunk falangs
    Keeping dry!
    Keeping dry!
    Party action at the Bangkok Airlines stage
    Party action at the Bangkok Airlines stage

    Had enough soaking? Tough!
    Had enough soaking? Tough!
    Heads up!
    Heads up!