Growth Through Destruction

On January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Iceland, Photo Challenge, South America3 Comments

It is a harsh reality that our world is shaped by violent and disruptive events. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and violent storms change the earth’s landscape on a regular basis. Although each of these events can be quite dramatic, ultimately they can create stunning beauty. Many islands, such as Hawaii would not exist if it weren’t for the eruptions of volcanoes. Even though we see evidence of events that have occurred hundreds or thousands of years ago, seeing our world change before eyes is a constant reminder that we are but a small part of the natural world. As much as we try to control the world around us, nature continuously reminds us that we are not in control. This week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is words that start with the letter V, so we have chosen photos of volcanoes from both Iceland and Ecuador, some of which were active.

Volcano in Iceland. Is it Steam or a Cloud?

Dramatic Volcano Crater on the Golden Circle in Iceland

Quito with the Active Cotopaxi Volcano in the Distance

Surviving the Passages of Time

On January 11, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge2 Comments

Traveling, especially throughout Europe, allows you to see how difficult it is to keep time from eroding everything that is man made. Rain, wind, hail, sleet, and snow take their toll on everything from buildings, bridges, monuments, and statues. Of all of those, seeing the statues that have had pigeons perched upon their shoulders, bronze faces turned green, and stone limbs turning black, feels especially sad at times. If you look into their eyes, you can almost see their sadness, the desire that someone would restore them to their original beauty. You can almost imagine them watching as hundreds of years worth of visitors pass by them, feeling trapped in their frozen bodies, unable to communicate to us. This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is Weathered and we have chosen photos of statues from throughout Europe that have survived the ravages of time, but not without it having taken its toll.

Statue Outside of a Castle in Koblenz, Germany

Snow Covered Statue in Bucharest, Romania

Soldier Riding Horse in Cologne, Germany

Statue on the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

Statue in the Streets of Florence, Italy

Statue on the Grounds of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland

Statue in a Fountain in Heidelberg, Germany

Another Statue in Snowy Bucharest, Romania

Taking Random Photos

On January 9, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge, South America11 Comments

Just like everyone else, when we travel we take photos of all of the major sites to see as well as a selfie here and there. We love taking photos of the various architecture, cityscapes, landscapes, and major landmarks. With that said, we often take random photos that don’t necessarily represent the place that we are visiting. If we happen upon some beautiful flowers, perhaps a courtyard with a fountain, or perhaps just an interesting scene or group of people. Although the photos don’t necessarily represent the place that we are visiting, we find the pictures interesting never the less. This week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge are photos that contain the words that contain a U and an O, so we have decided to share some random photos that we took while we were in Quito. Do you ever take photos of random things while you are traveling?