Written by: STARLIGHT WILLIAMS
Selection: WHITNEY MATEWE
Travel has become difficult this year because of covid-19, but our passion for exploring the world hasn't diminished.
Given everyone's eagerness to get back on the road, we've invited several of our most popular photographers to share places to visit again after the pandemic is over. We hope these photos will inspire you on your future travels and leave the beauty of the world in your mind.
Bayan Uleghe Province, Mongolia (BAYAN-ÖLGII, MONGOLIA)
Young falconers prepare to compete at the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan Urigay, Mongolia. "Although I'll always be an outsider, revisiting is my favorite way to travel than to set foot in a new country every time," says photographer Hannah Reyes Morales. ”
Photo by HANNAH REYES MORALES
Al Ula, Saudi Arabia (AL 'ULA, SAUDI ARABIA)
"The first time I went into the desert was with a group of Saudis I had never met before. Although I come from a country that has the second largest desert in the world, I have never spent the night in the desert before," said photographer Tasneem Alsultan, "A friend suggested that I hang out with his friends, sit by the campfire, look up at the stars and feel the nature." I loved every minute and every second of that night. ”
Photograph by TASNEEM ALSULTAN
Fiordland, New Zealand (FIORDLAND, NEW ZEALAND)
On the surface, the Fioderland landscape is as dark as The Lord of the Rings, with undulating mountains and tranquil fjords. "Freshwater rivers flow into the sea here because of tannin acid, which forms a permanent dark layer that blocks most of the sunlight, is underwater," says photographer Brian Skerry. Exploring here is like taking a dip in a storybook, with incredible creatures and fantastic ocean views on every dive. ”
Photograph by Brian Skerry
Uttchavik, Alaska, USA (UTQIAGVIK, ALASKA)
In Utchavik, Alaska, an Inuit hunter patiently waits for the whale to appear at the edge of the ice — a custom that has been practiced for at least 1,000 years. Photographer Kiliii Yüyan is the descendant of Hunters and Fishermen who live in northern China and southeastern Siberia. For more than five years, Yüyan and the crew spent a total of 10 months camping on sea ice and waiting for whales. "When I left, my sense of belonging disappeared, and I started this project to find a sense of belonging," says Yüyan, "And when I left, I felt an invisible Inuit feeling deep within me, and I felt a new community, which was my home." ”
Photo by KILIII YUYAN
Beijing, China (BEIJING, CHINA)
Photographer Camilla Ferrari photographed her sister on the trendy Sanlitun Main Street in Beijing. "I remember the moment I meditated on the quiet surface of the back sea, and I remember myself confused by the people on the street and the subway," Ferrari said, "and I remember the sounds and gestures in a language I didn't understand." I long to go to Beijing again and deepen this feeling. ”
Photo by CAMILLA FERRARI
Delpa, Nepal (DOLPO, NEPAL)
In the Chutang Valley in Nepal's Delpa, yaks climb onto a ridge. "The villages and monasteries in this remote area seem to be eternal," says photographer Beth Wald, "and the entrances to most villages are Buddhist shrines and piles of mani stones, often with prayer flags floating on them, giving the landscape an extra layer of sacred significance." ”
Photograph by BETH WALD
Pulta, Oaxaca, Mexico (PULTA, OAXACA, MEXICO)
People dressed in traditional costumes tilehe (men in tattered clothes) escort the Carnival Queen through the streets of Puerta to welcome the arrival of the festival. "In Mexico, there's always a reason for people to get together and celebrate," Luján Agusti said.
Photo by LUJÁN AGUSTI
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (HONOLULU, HAWAII)
A double rainbow appeared on Mount Tantalos near Honolulu, Hawaii. "My brother was an Air Force pilot and had been stationed in Hawaii for many years. There he met his wife, and on the first anniversary of their acquaintance, he orchestrated a marriage proposal in which he first took her parents from New York. After my sister-in-law said yes, the second elder came out and gave her a surprise, and the two families celebrated happily," recalls photographer Maddie McGarvey: "Earlier this year, my father died, and for me, the simple happy memory of the family is so precious. ”
Photo by MADDIE McGarvey
Salzburg, Austria (SALZBURG, AUSTRIA)
Hohensalzburg is the best-preserved castle in Central Europe, with a 360° view of Salzburg. "After the outbreak, my partner and I did not see each other for more than 6 months. We didn't see each other until Germany allowed couples to visit, and during this time we drove to Austria," said photographer Ruth Mbabazi, "because of the COVID-19 restrictions, [we] stopped in Salzburg and we hope to one day go to Vienna." ”
Photograph by ESTHER Ruth MBABAZI
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France (SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE, FRANCE)
"It's a place full of artistic soul, and it lingers in time," says photographer Lynn Johnson, "and the light moves through the landscape, radiating from the walls to the vaults, making these spaces seem vibrant." "Today, the Monastery of São Paulo of Mossol (the inspiration for Van Gogh's Sanatorium and Church Landscape) remains a sanctuary that provides a creative space for women struggling with psychological problems." Their paintings contain meanings that only they understand, as fascinating as the light of southern France. ”
Photo by LYNN JOHNSON
Banda Islands, Indonesia (BANDA ISLANDS, INDONESIA)
Indonesia's Banda Archipelago is made up of 11 small islands, of which Koh Ai is one. Lahaji Lasiddiq is a nutmeg grower on the island of Ai. The Banda Islands are part of the historical Spice Islands and the birthplace of nutmeg. "It's not easy to go there, but it's always a pleasure," says photographer Muhammad Fadli, "and a friend of mine once said, 'It's a quiet place with a bustling history.'" ’”
Photo by MUHAMMAD FADLI
Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA (BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA)
Built in 1978, South Dakota's Badlands National Park is spectacular to see red and orange rock formations rising from the ground. "After a 2,730-kilometer drive from New York City, I came to Badlands National Park," says photographer Ismail Ferdous, "camping here was the most memorable moment of my life." America is so beautiful! ”
Photograph by ISMAIL FERDOUS
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Delray Beach, Florida, USA (DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA)
In Delray Beach, Florida, where the water conditions are harsh and people can't enjoy a swim in the sea, Amalia Suarez, from Fort Lauderdale, is comforting her 18-month-old daughter Aliah in her arms. "When it's crowded, the magic of the sea seems to be gone," says photographer Maggie Steber, "and we can't hear the rushing waves or interact intimately with Mother Earth." But in the process of exploring, I was on the Atlantic coast and rediscovered places that had not been fully explored in Miami for the past 20 years. ”
Photo by MAGGIE STEBER
Sierra Madre West, Mexico (SIERRA MADRE OCCIDENTAL, MEXICO)
Ceferino González and son Licho rested for a while on their way through the Sierra Madre Cis. The Sierra Madre West is a vast system of mountains that stretch along the west coast of Mexico. "I really miss the time of traveling to the remote parts of my home country, meeting the people there, listening to their stories, learning about their traditions and way of life," says photographer César Rodríguez.
Photo by CÉSAR RODRÍGUEZ
Caracas, Venezuela (CARACAS, VENEZUELA)
At a carnival in Venezuela, a teenage girl sits by a fountain in Plaza Altamira. "I often think of that afternoon, missing my community, missing the afternoon sun in Caracas, missing those last days: rubbing shoulders with the crowds, breathing freely, not worrying about getting infected," said photographer Natalie Keyssar. ”
Photo by NATALIE KEYSSAR
Bandamir National Park, Afghanistan (BAND-E-AMIR NATIONAL PARK, AFGHANISTAN)
Bandamil National Park is Afghanistan's first national park, located in the Hindu Kush Mountains. Here, the blue waters of the lake, separated by natural dams of limestone sediment, are a rare geological phenomenon; every year, thousands of Afghans pour in from all over the world. "The Afghans think this (park) water is sacred," the photographer said, "and I saw a soldier in pain who was taken to the lake by his family; they wrapped a rope around him and pushed it into the lake." They said the lake would cure him. I asked a woman to push me in, and it was the coldest water I've ever touched. ”
Photo by NEWSHA TAVAKOLIAN
Mumbai, India (MUMBAI, INDIA)
In Mumbai, India, a woman commuting to a women's train is blowing the wind. "The streets (of Mumbai) are vibrant and colourful – the population of a city is almost as large as in my home country (Canada), and the vibrancy of Mumbai is infectious," says photographer Amber Bracken.
Photo by AMBER BRACKEN
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM)
In Ho Chi Minh City, photographer Daniela Zalcman photographed her cousin trimming bonsai on his roof. "I can't wait to live after the pandemic," Says Zalcman, "I'd love to go back to Ho Chi Minh City and explore a lot of places I don't recognize anymore, and I have more time with my little cousins who have grown up before they know it." ”
Photo by DANIELLA ZALCMAN
A good travel photo can not only tell the story, but also remind us that no matter when and where, we can always find intoxicating beauty and meaningful moments from our daily lives. Is your next trip to a faraway place or exploring your own backyard? We hope these photos will give you more options for your travel plans for the new year.
(Translator: Sky4)