The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive
Bruce Springsteen
None of us knows what is around the corner. And as time passes, the pressure to do all that we want to before old age (or worse!) prevents us from doing so grows. For those of us who love travelling that can mean a sense of urgency, trying to fit in all the countries we most want to see.
I’ve come to realise that I will probably never see ALL the countries I would like to. And more importantly, I’ve realised that I don’t have to. What matter is not ticking off a list but gathering experiences and creating memories. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to do as much travelling as is practical and affordable for us!
2023 has been a good year for travelling, the best since before the pandemic. I’ve been to four different continents: South America (Colombia), North America (Chicago), Africa (Madagascar) and Europe (Tirana, Trondheim and Tromsø in Norway, and Paris twice!). I’ve shared photos of all of these trips extensively, both in my Lens Artists posts and others. But I take so many photos when I travel that there are inevitably some that don’t initially see the light of day, even among those I like.
So when Tina invited us to share favourites from 2023 that haven’t appeared in any previous LAC posts I decided it was a great opportunity to dig some of them out. To make things harder for myself (but hopefully more interesting for you) I’ve tried to choose shots that haven’t appeared in any of my previous posts. That isn’t an easy task, when my absolute favourites from each month are almost always included in my Changing Seasons posts, but I think I’ve managed it, But it doesn’t mean of course that they will never appear in the future!
Colombia (February)
The view from the Mirador Colina Iluminada near Filandia
A rainy view of the Reservoir El Peñol-Guatapé
This is where the infamous Pablo Escobar had his lakeside retreat, La Manuela
A basket-seller in the Plaza de San Diego, Cartagena
Tirana (April)
Lamppost and modern architecture in Tirana
In a Tirana restaurant garden
In Tirana
Norway (May/June)
Evening by the Nidelva river in Trondheim
I shared plenty of similar shots previously but taken from further along the river bank
Tromsø harbour, taken just before midnight
My feature photo was taken as we arrived in Tromsø on the Hurtigruten ship
Paris (September)
At Pont de Saint-Cloud Métro station
Breakfast at the Bar du Marché
Chicago (September)
The best thing to do with a deep dish pizza imho!
Quincy station on the L
Typical mix of architectural styles in Chicago
At the Indiana Dunes State Park
(visited during my Chicago trip)
Madagascar (October/November)
Hardware store in the outskirts of Antananarivo
It’s common in Madagascar to paint shops with a colourful representation of the goods sold there
Poinsettia at one of our hotels, Mantadia Lodge
On the road to Joffreville
Quite a good road by Madagascan standards!
And one of England to finish!
Coming in to land at Heathrow, over Windsor Castle and the River Thames
(taken on my return from Norway)
51 Comments
Wind Kisses
Happy New Year, Sarah. We talk often of that window. The “travel window” . As we currently enjoy remote places, we know we have maybe 5 years of left for that. So the where to go and what to do list is important. We sat down with our calendar last night and tentatively planned the year, with notes on…maybe next year. How lucky we are to have the chance to travel. So many photos to love on this last chance post. The basket sellers, the Nidelva River, the metro with the street are a few favorites this week.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Donna – I think many of us become increasingly aware that travel may not always be possible, or that the ways in which we travel may have to change. Certainly we prioritise those places we think may become impractical sooner rather than later, leaving the ‘easier’ destinations for a later date (which may or may not happen). We have some plans for this year (some definite, some tentative) and a few vague thoughts about the next, but it’s too soon to plan for that.
Wind Kisses
I love the places you go. Me too, but it is always nice to get ideas from well-traveled folks.
Monkey's Tale
What a collection for the year! I think my favs are Joffreville and Peñol-Guatapé! But they’re all fantastic. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie 😊 I only got that rainy shot because I didn’t feel up to climbing the steep rock there with Chris and our guide, so I went for a coffee at the foot where I had that view!
JohnRH
Always great photos from ALL over the globe. Superb. Agreed on the deep dish. I’m a thin crusted myself.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John 😀 I reckon many of us who aren’t from Chicago would agree on the pizza thing – it just isn’t a pizza!
Anonymous
hello sarah
a wonderful selection of photos that you show for the challenge theme.
greetings robert
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Robert – and thanks too for signing your name, it always helps with these ‘anonymous’ comments 😀
equinoxio21
You have been busy indeed Sarah, much to our delight. (And in my case reflection about photography)
Merry Christmas et Bonne Année.
🤗
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – et Joyeux Noël 🎄✨
SoyBend
Your first picture is stunning, Sarah. I liked how the dusting of snow emphasizes the lines curving down to the shore. I also liked your photo of the hardware store. The artwork is much more interesting than a commercially made sign.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Siobhan 😊 The Norwegian coastal landscapes are truly stunning, and in late May there was still plenty of snow as you can see!
Leya
It’s always fun to travel with you, Sarah! The variety, the interest in people, the social structures, the architecture, the landscapes – well, the variety is amazing. Thank you sor another great gallery – I can’t imagine where you will end up next!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Ann-Christine 😊 I do like to mix things up a bit, both in my travels and in my photography! As to where next – Mexico in February 😀
jazzibee
Enjoyed all your photographs! All so well captured as I’ve come to expect, and you’ve certainly got around. All the best for 2024 and hope your new year is as successful as the old one.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much 😊 Yes, we have got around and hope to do so again next year! Have a lovely Christmas and best wishes for 2024 🎄
restlessjo
Terrible year, Sarah! No chance that I’ll have one as bad next year. You came back with a limp! Seriously, I hope it’s another good ‘un. Favourites- that opener in Columbia looks so inviting, and I like the basket seller too. That poinsettia is exactly like the one I have on my patio. Wishing you a joyful Christmas!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, thank you Jo 😘 If a limp is the worst thing I get next year I won’t be too upset, but if I can avoid even that I’ll be happier still! I’m lining up a festive walk for you this morning 🎄✨
Sofia Alves
What an interesting year you had, Sarah! Whenever I see your photos I think you’re a proper travel photographer. It’s not all about the landscapes with you, its the people. Great post!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sofia 😊 Yes, certainly I like to capture a rounded picture of a place and that has to include its people as well as its major sights and landscapes.
grandmisadventures
What a marvelous year in pictures! Looking forward to seeing where you take us next year. I love your thought on traveling and wanting to see all you can while you can. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, that desire to see everything but realizing there is always more to see. But the memories we make along the way are what really make places mean so much. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😊 Yes, I think that’s something that all of us who love to travel a lot gradually come to understand and accept, and once you’ve done so you can focus on and treasure what really matters about travelling – the experiences, the memories, the people you meet …
Amy
What a great year you have had, Sarah! Always enjoy traveling with you and through lens. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy, and all the best for your own travel next year 🙂
rosalieann37
I have a similar photo coming in to Heathrow, and also ones of London and the Thames when the plane was low enough to have interesting photos. I am now 86, and have spinal stenosis which has resulted in my left foot being paralyzed and my right foot not far behind. Right now it is a problem getting into my own house, so I am not certain whether I will ever do any more traveling. I have not completely given up hope, but the way forward is not clear
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, I’ve often flown in over London and if you’re on the right side of the plane you can get some great views! I’m sorry to hear about your mobility problems Rosalie, but I reckon if anyone can find a way to continue to travel it will be you! I’ve always admired how much you’ve managed to do up to now 🤗
Kelly MacKay
I agree I’m going to be 56 December 24th, and I want to see so many places yet my budget is keeping up with my desires. I have not given up but the writing is on the wall, I’ll have pick places are most important and so them. I’m glad you had a good travel year thanks for sharing your favorites
Sarah Wilkie
I’m more than ten years ahead of you 😆 But yes, as time advances we do have to focus on the most important places on our wish lists. That would be OK if only those lists didn’t grow as fast as we tick things off!
Kelly MacKay
No, kidding. I ticked off Bermuda this year. But my list Bergeroned.
Easymalc
What a year – and what photographs. I liked them all, but the Windsor Castle one particularly caught my eye
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Malcolm – that view of the castle has to be one of my best sights from a plane to date!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Sarah, the fact that these didn’t make the cut for previous posts serves as testament to just how good you are behind the lens. Wow! I appreciate that you don’t need to tick boxes, or go places just for the sake of going. To me, it’s about being there, in the moment, even if it is my third time visiting the same destination. There is always something new to experience. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Suzanne 😊 I’m sure these would have appeared in a post eventually (and they still may, as I said!) I know just what you mean about being in the moment although, apart from Paris, we tend not to go back to the same places. But we hope to visit San Francisco again next year and some other parts of California perhaps – we were last there in 1991!
janet
I’d say you had a wonderful travel year, Sarah, and a plethora of marvelous shots. I loved them all. The breakfast shot made me happy and the birds with the pizza box turned litter into a delightful photo. Wonderful all around.
janet
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Janet 😀 That breakfast shot makes me happy too and I’m already looking forward to including Paris again in next year’s travels!
the eternal traveller
So many amazing experiences – you’ve had a great year. We have a lot of places we’d like to see too and there’s only so much travel we can fit in each year. I’m grateful for all that we have done.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it’s been a great travel year, and we too are grateful to have been able to do all we did this year and in all our travels to date!
Tina Schell
You know what they say Sarah ““If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” You have taken that advice very much to heart! Your images capture the personality of the places you visit, which to me is so much more than scenic photos of beautiful or otherwise interesting places. (altho I did love the castle from the sky!) Terrific post, so happy we offered you an opportunity to share them !
Sarah Wilkie
That’s a thought-provoking saying Tina and I’m not sure I 100% agree as I’ve seen plenty of great photos of things that we might not initially think are interesting. I reckon a really good photographer can make the everyday look interesting by helping us to see it differently! But travelling certainly offers plenty of opportunities to stand in front of ‘interesting stuff’, even if that stuff might be an everyday sight to the locals in that destination. So glad you’ve enjoyed these photos!
Anne Sandler
My what great images that didn’t make it into any of your blog posts. I really enjoyed your images of Madagascar. Thanks for doing all the walking/hiking for us. Love your photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne 🙂 I reckon there’s a good chance some of these will make it into future posts! Glad you’ve especially enjoyed Madagascar as there is at least one more post to come about that trip!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Not a bad year’s travelling huh…!
Sarah Wilkie
Pretty good I’d say. I’m sure you could beat it in terms of nights away but I’m satisfied with this and hoping for similar in 2024!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Fabulous selection. I like the Norwegian reflections best – so peaceful. I thought the birds were eating something gory till you said it was pizza! You’re right about deep dish. Give me thin and crispy every time.
Marie
What a wonderful year you’ve had Sarah –
They are all fab but I’m so taken with the last one! What a lovely clear image of the castle from the plane… ( and thanks for the Bruce quote!! I’ll be singing it all evening!!)
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marie 😀 I was really pleased to be able to capture that shot of Windsor (and I’ve just now thought of the book title, ‘I capture the castle’, by Dodie Smith!!)
margaret21
I never doubted that you would rise to this challenge Sarah. But to have such goodies at your disposal! Those sparrows, and the two young women chatting at the Metro station MAY be my favourites. Try me tomorrow, I’ll have different thoughts.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Margaret 😊 Glad you especially liked those two shots, but as it’s now ‘tomorrow’ I’m tempted to take you up on your suggestion and ask if your opinion has changed?!
margaret21
Tomorrow never comes Sarah. OK. Basket seller. Trondheim 😉
Sarah Wilkie
😀