Mount Semeru and Mount Bromo in East Java. Indonesia contains the most volcanoes in the world.[80] - By Riza Nugraha ? from Utrecht, The Netherlands - The Famous BromoUploaded by PDTillman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7001671
Araucaria columnaris, New Caledonia - By my LifeShow from Paris, France - NC21, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10256278
Jigme Dorji National Park - By Andrewgrandison - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20008266
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel - By Micknz at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6578958
Pulau Ubin is one of the few areas in Singapore that is largely free from urban development. - By BertholdD. - Own work., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=362492
Ko Tapu (Tapu Island) is a 20 m tall islet in front of the Khao Phing Kan islands, in the Phang Nga Bay, in Thailand. The island belongs to the Phang Nga National Park and since 1974 is also known as James Bond Island, because the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed there. - By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30037486
Nepal
Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) in the southern part of Aitutaki Atoll - By No machine-readable author provided. Emeseee assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6566135
Korea
Mount Cook Village in front of Aroarokaehe Range, in summer - By Pseudopanax@Wikimedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50429171
South Tarawa is a narrow strip of land between the lagoon and the ocean - By Photo taken by Government of Kiribati employee in the course of their work - Government of Kiribati, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25228971
Panorama of Milford Sound looking northwest from the township. Mitre Peak (centre) rises 1,692 m (5,551 ft) above the sound. - By Maros M r a z (Maros) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=996862
Hills around the tea plantations, Munnar - By yusuf - Own work (Original text: self-made), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10001373
Lake Saiful Muluk, Naran, District Manshera, Pakistan - By Ali Razaq - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51468140
Landscape, south of New Caledonia - By User:Bananaflo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=681200
Sofitel Motu with Mount Otemanu in the background (Bora Bora) - 26 October 2007 (Cropped) - By tensaibuta AKA User Tensaibuta on English Wikipedia - Bora Bora, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45732949
Monuriki in 2015 - By KhufuOsiris - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37836136
Bangladesh
Australia
Alona beach - By Qaalvin - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19416531
Mariana Islands (Northern Mariana Islands and Guam)
Northern Mariana Islands
Indonesia
Sunset at Chenang Beach (Pantai Cenang) - By Rohan Waghmare (Cropped) - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10716329
2010 after the collapse (The Twelve Apostles) - By Richard Mikalsen - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9891096
Panorama picture of The Flaming Cliffs, Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Composed from several images taken at sunset. - By Zoharby - Uploaded from English Wikipedia [1]., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1618027
Uluru (Ayers Rock) - By Vicki Kralapp
Veligandu Island resort - By Ashley Columbus - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30493901
Wildlife Preserve Near Kirinda, Sri Lanka - By Colby Otero from Brooklyn, USA - Wildlife Preserve Near KirindaUploaded by Ekabhishek, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6910979
Malaysia
Coral chasm in Niue - By fearlessRich - Coral Landscape at Togo Chasm, Niue, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5543939
Tokelau
East Timor
Coastal view towards Matagi Island, 2010 - By Barry Peters` - originally posted to Flickr as Taveuni, Fiji looking toward Matagi, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9988862
Hallasan is a massive shield volcano which forms the bulk of Jeju Island and is often taken as representing the island itself. - By Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Photographer name), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31716575
Laos
YasurExplosion - Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11095384
Kyrgyzstan
View of Band-e Amir in the Bamyan Province of Afghanistan - By USAID - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=604244406269962&set=a.116712911689783.15520.116702588357482&type=1&permPage=1, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26637966
Marakoopa Cave, Tasmania, Australia - By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12616202
Aerial photo from the south, with Mount Everest rising above the ridge connecting Nuptse and Lhotse - By Mount_Everest_as_seen_from_Drukair2.jpg: shrimpo1967 derivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2 (talk) - This file was derived from Mount Everest as seen from Drukair2.jpg:, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia. org/w/index.php?curid=18262217
Gitgit Waterfall, Campuhan area, Bali, Indonesia - By
Ken Eckert - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39794020
Blick auf Cheung Chau vom Inselnorden gen Süden - By Man77 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27792550
New Zealand
View across to Nepean Island (foreground) and Phillip Island By Steve Daggar - Originally uploaded to Flickr as part of the Norfolk Island set, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5727999
Dili with Atauro Island in background - By Nick Hobgood - Uploaded on Flickr as Dili and Atauro Island, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5729509
India
Cambodia
A view of Sun Moon Lake - By Justin Hwang (Justinhwang1996 (talk)) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7639332
Biyadhoo is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water.[1]- By Nicolai Edgar Andersen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40241052
A wharf and beach at Funafuti atoll - By mrlins - http://flickr.com/photos/mrlins/304273860/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4726881
Tian Tan Buddha with Lantau Peak in the background. - By Ngchikit - Uplaod from en.wikipedia en:Image:404 0450.JPG, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1670169
Ritidian Beach - Guam National Wildlife Refuge. - By Laura Beuregard, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Pacific Region's - Ritidian Beach - Guam NWRUploaded by PDTillman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14186085
South Island
Edith Falls (In Katherine Gorge)- By Tourism NT (with the link where possible), Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1885050
A panorama of the Izu city - By Batholith - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10374344
Taiwan
Pakistan
Mount Fuji, the highest peak, is considered as one of the most iconic landmarks of Japan. - By Alpsdake - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53442810
Diamonds Thudufushi Beach & Water Villas, a luxury resort on Thudufushi, Ari Atoll.
By Martin Falbisoner - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59560920
A view of Falefa Valley from Le Mafa Pass, east Upolu. - CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=616571
Sri Lanka
Nohkalikai Falls Cherrapunji - By Kunal Dalui - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28839826
Norfolk Island
China
Hong Kong
The Daintree Rainforest straddles Cape Tribulation.(Cropped) Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=211331
South-East Asia
Xuon Son National Park, Vietnam - By Viethavvh - Vietnamese wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9541134
Neiafu (left) and Fungamisi (centre) at the Port of RefugeBy Tauʻolunga - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=876228
Lake Charvak, Tashkent province, Uzbekistan - By The original uploader was Atilin at French Wikipedia - Transferred from fr.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1964846
Alofi Island (Cropped) - By Troisoc - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6573864
Niue
Karakul lake - By Caroline Gutman -http://unsplash.com/post/
59630943411 /download-caroline-gutmanhttp://unsplash.s3.
amazonaws .com/batch%2010/Gutman_Karakul_lake.jpg, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31265200
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol - By P199 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25403038
The panorama of Bandar Seri Begawan, showing Kampong Ayer in the Brunei River during the 2013 Brunei Regatta. - By kulimpapat - http://www.flickr.com/photos /kulimpapat147/8453818309/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27131974
Bhutan
Coconut garden Saint Martins Island - By Ismailim - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52200284
Wallis and Futura
Palm trees at Wake Island's lagoon - By Matthew Piatkowski (Prog1 at en.wikipedia) - http://picasaweb.google.com/matthew. piatkowski /WakeIsland2004, Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4459256
Nuku Island, Vavaʻu - By Msdstefan at the German language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6256073
Cook's Bay, left to right, Mou'a Puta (830 m), Mou'a Tohi-ea (1207 m), Mou'a Tamaru To'ofa (916 m), Mou'a Roa (880 m), aka Mt Bali Hai, Mou'a Rotui (899 m). October 2008 - By 100zax - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5513234
Ang Thong National Park - By Vincent - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10284127
Coconut palms line the beaches of Fiji - By Jon-Eric Melsæter from Oslo, norway - The Point, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3509922
Karang Bolong Beach, Cilacap (Cropped)- By Crisco 1492 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39273475
Fiji
Ala Archa National Park - By Vitaliknyc - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7463366
Micronesia
Caroline Islands - (Federated States of Micronesia and Palau)
Te Manga, Rarotonga's highest peak as seen from the south coast.
By Photo by Marcus Gleinig (Suwarrow) - Transfered from English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org
/w/index.php?curid=9980935
Asia
Eastern Asia
Kuang Si Falls - By Justin Vidamo - Flickr: Kuang Si Falls, Laos, CC BY 2.0, https://commons .wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24954504
Gilbert Islands (Republic of Kiribati)
This month's blog is all about the beauty of the Asian countries and Oceania, and there are many. I have been fortunate to visit two countries in this area; Australia and Tahiti, but this is only a fraction of what this part of the world has to offer. My stay in Australia was so profound that it affected every area of my life and I cannot help singing its praises. Everything about it was beautiful, including the land and it's people. There were so many places that took my breath away, but those that still remain fresh in my memory 30 years later besides the times with my friends are Kakadu and Daintree.
Both of these special places are national parks and are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Kakadu is in the Northern Territory and lies east/southeast of Darwin. It is roughly the size of Slovenia and is incredibly diverse. I was priviledged to take a three day safari to visit its Yellow Waters, (where part of Crocodile Dundee was filmed) the aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, the giant sand homes of the outback termites, the gorgeous water lilies that dot much of the flood plain and camp out under the Southern Cross. Where else can you find a Jesus bird walking on lily pads across the water, see a Kite with wings and a Salty all within the frame of one picture? If you like Arizona and the beauty of the American desert, you will love this park. I was mesmerized by the spinafax plants, the thorny devils that darted from one cover to another, Jim-Jim Falls and the bright red-orange of the earth.
Daintree is north of Cairns and lies on the coast by Cape Tribulation. It is as green as the Red center is red-orange. I had seen an ad somewhere in an Australian magazine in which Prince Charles and David Attenborough had sung its praises. That was enough for me! So I decided to check it out. It was very basic and we all slept in bunk beds, (three deep) but that just added to the fun. One of my favorite memories there was being led through the bush by a local and shown the secrets of the jungle. We saw tar trees that had sap like acid, huge unfurling palm fronds that looked like they had come off the set of Jurassic Park and green ants that had abdomens you could eat. My other memory was waking up at the crack of dawn and joining a new friend for sunrise on the beach at Cape Tribulation. We walked across a long pathway of raised wooden planks across the swamps to avoid being eaten by crocodiles and brought back a coconut from the beach for breakfast.
My adventure in Tahiti was, well an adventure to say the least. If you haven't read about it, click the link About Me, So You Want To Travel. As I look back, it was a great educational experience and I was allowed to rest and relax on one of the most beautiful beaches of the world for three whole days. I played in the surf, got a great tan and met some very unique people. And the Gauguin exhibit I didn't get to see... well I finally got to see it last week in Chicago! What is great about foiled vacation plans, is that you always have great stories to tell and there is usually something better that comes out of it.
Searching for our world's most beautiful spots has left me both delighted and amazed. Now that I have completed my bucket list by going through our world's many countries, I will be starting to plan out the future stamps in my passport. If you find something that catches your attention from this and the last two blogs, I encourage you to explore these and begin or continue your adventures. My biggest regret is that I didn't throw caution to the wind more often and travel our beautiful world more.
Remember that you cannot take things with you as you grow older, but adventures and memories can never be taken from you! Enjoy and once again ciao! 😎
Tibet
Rock Islands in Palau. - By Peter R. Binter (=Binter); The original uploader was Binter at German Wikipedia(Original text: Peter Binter) - own photography by Binter; Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons.(Original text: Privatreise Peter R. Binter Dezember 2007), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3451746
Abstract pattern of terraced rice fields in Yuanyang County - By Jialiang Gao, www.peace-on-earth.org - Original Photograph, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2926830
Mongolia
Myanmar (Burma)
A view of Fields and fields of...... Tea in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. - By Will Ellis from Reading, England - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1872781
Champagne Beach, North Santo - By Jae Lee - Own work (Original text: self-made), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7103685
View of Hakahau from the sea - By Makemake at the German language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1343211
Japan
Place called Nghe along the Barun Valley. Nghe in local Sherpa language means a 'Sacred Place'. - By Dhilung - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/ w/index.php?curid=7774084
Pitcalm Islands
Brunei
Philippians
Thailand
Rainforest on Fatu-Hiva - By Makemake at the German language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63465
Tonga
Samoan Islands
Pitcairn Landing - By Makemake at the German language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1965034
Wulingyuan features thousands of quartzite sandstone peaks.By chensiyuan - chensiyuan, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22046362
Singapore
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays - By Vicki Kralapp
Russell i Bay of Islands.CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=292896
Oceania
New Caladonia
Aerial view of Nauru - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1884842
The Pasir Panjang Beach, with a magnificent view of the sea and tropical vegetation.- By Mukherjeesaikat - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8689930
Nukunonu Lagoon in Tokelau. - By CloudSurfer at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3834105
Temples at Mrauk U.By Jmhullot - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6801828
Yehliu Cape - By peellden - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1658925
Sunrise at East Coast Park, Singapore - By Adhirk at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31319711
Maldives
Beach scenery at Laura, Majuro. - By Stefan Lins from Tokyo, Japan - Laura beach n' tree, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3277467
South-Central Asia
The Inle Lake. - By Marc Veraart from Haarlem, Netherlands - Myanmar Inle Lake, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia .org/w/index.php?curid=19431365
Lake Phoksundo located in Dolpo, Nepal - By Heema Rai - http://www.flickr.com/photos/heema/7180116543/in/photostream, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25932712
Beach no.3 at Haveleck in the Andaman Islands. - By Ritiks - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24773753
Kabira Bay of Ishigaki Island in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the Japan's Places of Scenic Beauty. - By 663highland - 663highland, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15118059
El Nido in Palawan - By Tuderna, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54598360
Sand in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan - By David Stanley - http: //www.flickr.com/photos/davidstanleytravel/5731112068/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23162359
View from within the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park.- By YubYub41 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46928109
Anatahan.- By U.S. Geological Survey - http://www.volcano.si.edu/world /volcano.cfm?vnum=0804-20=&volpage=photos&photo=108082, Public
Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3626711
Tuvalu
Afghanistan
Turkmenistan
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall in Jeju Island - By Douglas Knisely from USA - Waterfall on Jeju Island, Korea, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2891428
French Polynesia
Tahiti
Palau
Guam
The Prince of Wales Feathers thermal spring erupting - By Valley2city - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8290336
Macau
Son Doong-47 (Cave) - By Doug Knuth from Woodstock, IL - Son Doong-47, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39118217
Ha long Bay, Vietnam - By Thierry Boriecolour adjusted by Lycaon - Image:Halong ensemble.JPG, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1186516
Penha Hill (Cropped) - By WiNG - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4310701
Wake Island
Nauru
Sunset at Colonia on Yap - CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=434277
Cook Islands
Hahoe Folk Village - By Own work - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22637189
Marshall Islands
Boga Lake, Bandarban - By Talash.shahnewaz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27368616
Kampong Ayer - By Kurun (talk) - I (Kurun (talk)) created this work entirely by myself., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24811012
The lake of Ratchaprapha (Chiao Lan) Dam, Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province - By BerryJ - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49339981
Tajikistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Hobbit holes overlooking the lake on the set - By Jackie.lck (photos · sets) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jackielck/8651308193, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37656037
Uzbekistan
Sok San Beach Bay, Koh Rong - By Wikirictor at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61674757
Lake Manasarovar, July 2006 - By Frederic Vanwalleghem at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3493269
Devon Falls, Central Province, Sri Lanka.- By Rehman Abubakr, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:// commons .wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40769089