Lens-Artists Challenge #153 – Wonderful World

Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

“Viewed sensitively and with love; the world blossoms in beauty.”

Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann

This week I’m taking a different approach with my post. I’m responding to Amy’s “Wonderful World” challenge with images from our travels throughout this wonderful world, primarily taken by others. My husband and I have been truly fortunate to have traveled widely, visiting many places we’d previously only dreamed of. Amy’s challenge has given me an opportunity to share some of them with you.

Glacier Climbing, Alaska

“The most beautiful thing about the world is how much is unknown to us… So much awaiting discovery.”

Chelsea Sedoti

There are so many different ways to see the world, including active vacations that feature things like skiing, hiking, golf etc. In hindsight glacier hiking as shown above is probably not the best option ecologically as it means helicoptering on and off. Sadly there was very little discussion of the impact on these declining surfaces as we climbed glaciers in Alaska, Canada and New Zealand back in our earlier travels. That said, I am so glad we were able to experience these massive wonders first-hand.

Golf in Ireland’s Weather

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Anne Frank

Soon after moving south we bid on an Ireland golf vacation in support of a local charity. As a result we were able to visit some of the famous courses that until then we’d only heard about. Our weather wouldn’t have felt like Ireland if we hadn’t had some wind and rain along the way! We’ve since golfed in Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada and of course across much of the US. Oftentimes golf courses present us with some of the most beautiful areas in the visited country, however we learned early to be sure to visit many of the other highlights in each country.

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Rumi

Our safaris in Africa, which I’ve often shared here on Travels and Trifles, were truly life-changing. While in South Africa, we also visited their beautiful wine country in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, took the aerial tram to the top of Table Mountain, visited Robben Island and spent time at the Cape of Good Hope, pictured above.

Lake Pehoe, Torres del Paine, Patagonia

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

Mother Teresa

In Patagonia, the mountains and glaciers are spectacular, but as shown above, their lakes are equally beautiful. It’s one of those places that has so much natural beauty it’s sometimes hard to know which way to look.

Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor, Cambodia

“This curious world we inhabit is more wonderful than convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used.”

Henry David Thoreau

Beyond the world’s natural beauty, there is history, art, architecture, culture, religion, food, and oh so much more to explore. Travel allows us not only to see the world, but also to experience and better understand its many people. It helps us to realize that at heart we really are all the same.

Capturing the Terra Cotta Warriors, Xian, China

“The whole world is a family.”

Virchand Raghavji Gandhi

Whatever our primary interests in the world, for most of us it truly is wonderful. We are fortunate to live in a time when world travel is possible, (except of course for the past year – which taught us a great lesson in appreciation). For those who cannot travel, we are fortunate that so much of the world can be seen through the lenses of photographers across the web. Someday I suppose those who come after us may find us primitive as they explore OTHER worlds. For me though, I’m perfectly happy with this one 😊.

My thanks to the photographers who captured these images and shared them with me. My thanks to you, my followers and visitors, for spending time with me, and of course my thanks to Amy for her interesting challenge which allowed me to share some of my favorite places in this wonderful world. We look forward to seeing your perspectives as well – please remember to use the Lens-Artists Tag and to link to Amy’s original here. Finally, we thank you for your participation in Ann-Christine’s Shades and Shadows challenge. As always your responses were creative, interesting and thought-provoking. Until next week when I will be leading the challenge here on Travels and Trifles, please stay safe, be kind, and enjoy this wonderful world.

Lens-Artists Challenge #153 – Wonderful World

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Tags: LENS-ARTISTS, Photo essay, travel, Wonderful World

• June 20, 2021
• Photography
• 115 Comments