Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government

"The Palazzo Pubblico overlooks the Piazza del Campo, where the Siennese Palio, or horse-race is run twice a year. Between times it is the place to eat or take a drink watching the passing locals and tourists enjoy the air". Taken by Elliott

The Middle Way

"Tian Tan Buddha Statue, on the way to Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The view is absolutely breathtaking as you suddenly see the statue appear when you take the scenic cable car journey in the Skyrail. This is the beginning of the 'Journey of Enlightenment'. Took this pic in May 2007". Taken by Deeba/Passionate Baker

The Giant Swing

"The Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha in Thai) is a religious structure in Bangkok, Thailand, Phra Nakhon district, located in front of Wat Suthat temple. It was formerly used an old Brahmin ceremony, and is one of Bangkok's tourist attractions". Taken by Bloggerthai

Emergence

New beauty among the rubble of the past. Crane Lake Hakka Village, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Taken by Steve

Calm Before the Storm

"This was Maiyegun in Lekki area, a quiet Lagos (Nigeria) market, where you could buy local artcraft and antics. But this was before this spot was bulldozed without warning by forces of the Lagos State Government on last September. Properties and artwork valued approximately at 30/40 million Naira was destroyed letting about 120 artists from the African Pride of Art & Crafts and many more people without hope and income". Taken by GattoGiallo

Living Statue

"This animated Terracotta Warrior look-a-like was outside the gate of the Wenwu Temple at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Taiwan. The Confucian temple was built in 1938 and is frequented by people praying for luck in things from tests to family health. This warrior leaned over for a thumbs-up to the curious young woman staring at him". Taken by Dale Albanese

Consulting the Elders

This friendly (she doesn't look very friendly, but she sure was) old lady lives in the village Tzermiado on Crete. Taken by Ben Swillens

New York, New York

"Brooklyn, 7 a.m. I had just arrived from Montreal the night before, and as I was getting up to make my morning cup of tea, I saw this and couldn't resist taking the shot. Apparently New Yorkers really do read the New Yorker magazine". Taken by Smiler

Shady Lanes

If Italy becomes one's compulsion, one could be compelled to travel at the pace set by the locals, (gli abitanti locali). They know how to set the pace of life. Here in Cortona once more, an early morning stroll will reveal a little of the culture we have all forgotten. Everything one sees has a smell. Smells rest in the brain and remind us of past pleasures. Cypress, horses, morning air, Italian pretty girls, endless memories.......Italia...". Taken and smelled by M. Benaut

Deep Deep Reds

This is a picture I made from the ferry from Lombok to Bali. It was an unbelievable sunset with Gunung Ggung, the highest volcano on Bali right smack in the middle of the action...". Taken by Rick Wezenaar

For Whom the Bell Tolls...

"Big Ben in London when we visited in the summer of 2005. No matter how many times you click pictures of the Big Ben... it looks better each time. The day was overcast, the weather very British, typically sunny and showery... and the Big Ben... Majestic!". Taken by Deeba/Passionate Baker

Like a Snowstorm

"Sanibel in February is lush with flowering blossoms, my favourite being the splendid Bougainvillea which has always inspired real passion in me. It was amazing to be able to get up close and be able to see the delicate white flower inside. In Riyadh in the Harmattan Winds used to send the Bougainvillea flying through the streets like a snowstorm. Pure magic". Taken by Alexandra

Lord Shiva

"Lingaïte School. Sri Sailam. Andhra Pradesh. Some students in a Lingaïte school. This is shot inside the temple where they were studying. they will eventually become priests". Taken by Claude

Hewn from the Rocks

"Shaded stone spikey-thing half-way up the Sagrada Familia". Taken by Oliver Adams

Roll Your Own

"That's a big cigarette! June 2004, Luang Prabang, Laos. The face of this man shows he's had a life but the most striking thing about him is the hand rolled cigarette...". Taken by Hannuna

White Island Days

"White Island, Dumaguete, Philippines. The sandbar was underwater when we stopped there for lunch after dolphin watching because of the high tide. It was BEAUTIFUL nonetheless!". Taken by Seth

Swan Aum Swan

"A swan by the boat, watching. Late night last summer". Taken by Rich

Down by the River

Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada. Taken by JD Beaudoin

Glory

"Sunrises over water can add a special twist. It's not so obvious but atmosphere bends the rays of light so that you see the sun before it really comes up over the horizon. It gives a special chance of the sun to use the reds and ocres in its paint set. This is a shot out over the Gulf of Mexico (or is it the Caribbean Sea at the point) on a cruise coming back from the Yucatan Peninsula. This shot is in the direction of Cuba, although that island nation is too far away from the ship to see". Taken by Steve Buser

Volcanic Bus Stop

"The Bus from the Ecuadorian capital Quito to Otovalo, paused at a small pass for a 'refreshment' stop, where these two women in local costume were standing with their Llama. Posed just in front of this naif mural of the volcanic hills around them they were truly at home. The Llama is a cousin of the camel and is widely found in the South American countryside where it serves as a beast of burden as well as providing fibre and meat". Taken by Benn

Science and Omniscience

"An Indian Sanyasi (someone who has attained inner peace and has given up worldly pleasures and sort of dedicated his life to the omniscience / god / almighty) teaching a school girl in uniform about a subject in science / anatomy. Under a temple tower in Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu, India". Taken by Vaithy's friend.

Resting Place of a Matriarch

"Inside Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, Israel". Taken by Ruthie

Venice-The Art of Dreaming

"There is no city on earth quite like it. To wander the streets and round every corner find a breathtaking view is an everyday occurrence here. Early one evening just as the sun was setting I walked across the Rialto Bridge and looking down the Grand Canal was bustling with water traffic. Truly this is the 'Serenissima' - the most serene city in the world". Taken by Mike

Foraging in the River

"June 2004, Don Det, Laos. Crossing the river we met this beautiful woman foraging in the river for vegetables". Taken by Hannuna

Clear, Clear Waters...

"Some say the water in the Bahamas is the clearest in the world and has some of the best dive spots. This photo is from Club Med on Columbus Isle, Bahamas". Taken by Jack Kennard

Out to Sea...

"In this cemetery overlooking the ocean, it's not unusual to see joggers running along the paths between the monuments as they make their way to and from beautiful Bronte Beach. But the dearly departed must not mind - in this kind of setting, they can truly rest in peace. Waverley Cemetery, Bronte, Sydney, Australia". Taken by Smiler

Thailand's Blue Ocean

"I snapped this one when I was on the ferry to Koh Samui". Taken by Bloggerthai

What a Line-up

"Peering through into the drive of a property near Penryn, Cornwall (Kernow)". Taken by Rich

Gunung Nona

"In the north of South-Sulawesi, on the road to Tana Toraja, there is a mountain called Gunung Nona. I found it rather photogenic, so I made this picture". Taken by Rick Wezenaar

Look Who We Found

"The kids were out with their little two-year-old cousin trying to catch butterflies a few days ago. This lovely looking grass-hopper or locust came hopping by. Neat little guy, who happily came into our butterfly net, and then happily wandered off... without a care in the world!". Taken by Deeba/Passionate Baker