James of Plus Ultra nominated me for the Hostel Bookers 7 Super Shots, more than two months ago, and I know now what he meant by “choosing your best photos is like choosing your favourite children“! It was hard selecting 7 images from the hundreds in my archives, but fun as well, trying to remember exactly how I felt and what I was thinking when I clicked those shots
And here they are……my final seven:
Shot from the Brazilian national park across the river, this panoramic view of the Iguassu falls was nothing short of breathtaking! We had never seen such an awesome array of cascades – over 275 in all – any where else.
On our way down from the Pisac ruins, this little Quechua girl befriended us and I doubt I will ever forget that gorgeous face or that enchanting smile 🙂
What can be more dreamy and romantic than floating down the Nile in your private felucca? This image is evocative of the burnished hues of the Nubian landscape and the glorious Aswan sunsets.
This is the ancient theatre of Pergamom in Turkey and I find it very disappointing that my experience of a great archaeological site like this is left wanting, because most of the important artifacts excavated before 1936, lie elsewhere. The best…..in the Pergamom museum in Berlin. Makes me think how much nicer it would be, from a traveller’s perspective, to have all related antiquities housed in museums built alongside these sites. Wishful thinking perhaps.
We have had some great meals during our travels, some fancy, and most in small local eateries. But the best by far was our al fresco lunch on a boat anchored in a waterway of the river Tigre, near Buenos Aires. A delectable spread consisting of crudites with delicious dips, meat and cheese empanadas, curried butternut squash tarts and freshly grilled (on the boat!) veal and chicken! And a refreshing fruit mousse for dessert! Bliss!
Most early civilizations used their art to record their mythology and history and no one did it better than the ancient Egyptians. This wall relief in Abydos depicts the Pharoah Seti I making an offering to the holy trinity of Osiris, Isis and their son, the falcon headed Horus.
A classic postcard shot of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. We had despaired of the sun stopping its hide and seek, when suddenly, without warning, the whole place lit up like someone had turned on a light above! Gives me goosebumps thinking about it!
Until next time…happy travels, no matter where life takes you!
The Urge To Wander 
Wow! great photos.. I love the falls.. Is that niagara falls?
Love the shot of the little girl and the sailboat! Great post!
They are all beautiful photos, Madhu. The falls are fantastic, the boat picture is introspective, the Lost City is magnificent. But the little girl connects and for that reason, hers is my favorite photo. 🙂
thanks for inspiring!
I’ve set a link to you:
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/7-super-shots/
my favorite: no. 3 – floating down the Nile in a private felucca
I already know most of these pictures. I haven’t seen the dream photo. It does look so unbelievably dream-like. What a way to recall your travel moments. Now, who wants to nominate me for this? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You have seen only three out of the seven, and the dream photo IS one of them!
I hereby nominate you…Sir Rommel! Look forward to seeing your super 7 🙂
???
Who’s to stop me from nominating one more person 😀
Your photography and your thoughts on them are nothing short of brilliant!
Flattered 😀 Thank you so much.
Gorgeous! You’re giving me itchy feet! Must travel!
Thanks Anne. Happy to pass on the travel bug 🙂
A visual treat… All the photographs and its vivid description are really catchy!
I loved your blog, and it makes me feel so light and gives me this instinct to just pack my bags and catch a flight to explore the world!
Ah, thank you, Daffodil! I couldn’t hope for a better compliment 🙂
great collection with broad variety …
Appreciate that coming from you Frizztext. Long way to go before I can come close to your standards 🙂
Fantastic photos & commentary, Madhu!
Thank you Zoe 🙂
Beautiful Madhu
DJ-
Thanks DJ 🙂
I’ve seen so many beautiful shots on your blog I know why you had trouble deciding.
That is sweet of you Lynne 🙂 Thank you so much
Those shots are beautiful eachin their own right
Thank you so much Jim 🙂 Appreciate that.
I can’t imagine how you chose just seven, but you did an all-inclusive portfolio of thoughtful photographs. The little girl and the barren ruins of Pergamon stick in my head. I felt precisely as you did looking at these photographs. Such haunting beauty there is in the world. It must be a bittersweet experience to visit and re-visit these places knowing what has been before and understanding what humans took away. But, the little girl makes us happy again! 🙂
She does doesn’t she? Never fails to make me smile 🙂 Thanks George
Excellent photos and the accompanying write it was excellent too. The story of the last shot is what makes those captured moments special. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it Elizabeth. Thank you
WOW to all 7 of them…. if I close my eyes, trying to remember them in my mind’s eye are the one of the little girl and the Nile 🙂
Isn’t that little girl gorgeous? Thanks for stopping by Paula 🙂
It is my pleasure Madhu… I did not mean to tell you, but on the right of my blog you can see your name among blogs that inspire me ;), and you know that I am not a suck-up or asking for attention 😉
Of course I do. Truly honoured Paula. Makes all this worthwhile 🙂
Hugs 🙂
Sorry to be so late responding, i’ve been away. Well,what an awesome collection, I’ll try to get some together but they won’t be of your standard. Thanks for choosing me, it’s a brilliant challenge! 🙂
Have no doubt you will do fine Gilly 🙂 It really is a brilliant challenge.
Reblogged this on Exploration Art.
Appreciate the reblog Ledia. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome, Madhu. Glad to share.
I like the one with the boat most… and the one with the lovely food, you can always get me with that.
Thank you! The boat seems to be everyone’s favourite 🙂
What gorgeous choices Madhu, I love every single one! I can just imagine the food shot being featured in a cookbook… the vibrant colours and play of light almost seem to jump out of the screen!
Thank you James 🙂 That is one of the few food shots I have. I usually forget to click photos of food!
That first shot IS breathtaking! Wow. :O
Thanks Zully 🙂
Amazing super shots! You selected well. And great descriptions also.
Thank you Fergiemoto 🙂
Great photos!
Thank you Debra
Madhu, I agree with your national geographic shot.. it is stunning!
So glad you do! Thank you 🙂
beautiful pictures which fit the descriptions perfectly 🙂
Thank you Khaula 🙂
Quite a display!
Thanks Bumba 🙂
Fabulous shots, Madhu. Congrats on being nominated. The Iguassu Falls photo is truly amazing. 😉
Thank you AD 🙂
Beautiful!!! 🙂
Thank you Juraj 🙂
Beautiful photos, think my favourite is the Nile felucca but it’s a tough one!
The felucca seems to be the most popular 🙂 Thanks Lucy
Lovely photographs, as always! 🙂
Thank you Kasturika 🙂
Absolutely Brilliant Madhu! Loved all of your picture. What a great collection of pictures! Let me tell you that photo made me dream too. 🙂 One of my fav post in your blog.
Thanks Arindam
Madhu, as always, beautiful pictures of your travels.
Thank you Shaantz
My, you’re a talented photograher Madhu – truly Nat Geo quality. Even the wine looks good 🙂
The wine was the best part of the meal Eric, even in mismatched glasses 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
What a wonderful collection! That little girl made me smile too, she’s gorgeous and the lunch on the boat sounds and looks wonderful. The feluca shot is lovely and the lost city…. wow!
Thank you Kat. Wanted to nominate you, but saw that you had already taken part.
Yes, I really enjoyed doing it. Good to see it’s still going.
I shall return to check it out at leisure.
Madhu no one who has even for once seen the smiling Quechua gir will be able to forget that beautiful face ever…
And i was hoping you will include that last shot….
beautiful selection…
Thank you Soma. I would have brought that little girl home with me if I could 🙂
Beautiful choices, Madhu!
Thank you so much 🙂
All wonderful images, Madhu, but my favorites are definitely the Nile River cruise, the colorful feast, and the adorable Quechua girl. Such adventures you’ve had!
Thank you Tricia. The Nile river cruise was as dreamy as it looks!
as you take me places I have never been
I have to smile at the beauty you capture through your lens
rainbows smile across waterfalls
beautiful little girls with smiles making one feel ten feet tall
solitude in floating down the magickal and enchanting Nile
ancient voices must whisper throughout the ruins where pieces of their history is away many miles ( sad..I agree….they need to be to enjoy the energy of where they came from not enclosed in a faraway land )
delectable delights of aromas from food that make one hungry
to carved pictures of ancient ways of life that surround me in mystery
to be in awe of the magickal and spiritual realms of Peru
I love the magick, the smiles in the wandering you do!
This is incredible…Thank you for the trip!
Take Care….
)0(
maryrose
Oh my God Maryrose, that is the sweetest (and longest :-)) comment anyone has ever left on my blog! Thank you ever so much 🙂
Excellent photos and descriptions. The one of the sailboat floating down the Nile looks almost surreal. Madhu, of the 7, I’d be hard-pressed to select a favorite.
Thank you Judy, I am overwhelmed by all the sweet comments 🙂
Wow, it wasn’t an understatement! I invite you to visit my blog
Thank you Barbara. I will, I promise, when i am done with my backlog of comments to attend to 🙂
that is cool
Congratulations on the award, and what a super selection of photos…that must have been difficult, your photos are all so beautiful.
Thank you Angeline 🙂
Excellent post!
Thank you Tutankhamon.
I love all these shots!!! Wonderful and congrats!
Thanks Cee. Appreciate your visit and comment 🙂
Beautiful choices.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you Francine
Dear Madhu, your photos are absolutely breathtaking! I thank you for nominating me for this–it is an honor. I don’t know how you could choose! I have to say that the trip down the Nile is my favorite–so magnificent it’s otherworldly!
Thank you Naomi. I took my time choosing! Look forward to seeing your Top 7 🙂
I can come up with my favorite hundred or so, but it is really going to be tough to choose seven. I’ll do my best though, probably in the coming week or two. Thanks again for thinking of me.
Know what you mean 🙂 Take your time.
Thanks, Madhu. I will have it in mind as I go through my photos. Won’t be long.
Congratulations, Madhu! Great post, best of the best for the”7 Best Shots”!
I’m flattered and honored. Thank you!
Thank you Amy. look forward to seeing what you come up with 🙂
Your first and last are my favourite. Absolutely stunning!
Thank you Colline 🙂
Very great photos, from great experiences. My favorite is the felucca on the Nile. Hope to do the same sometime…
Thank you so much Bente.
7 super shots, indeed… ‘big smile’
Thank you Ledrake 😀
Pics are amazing and as always your words a pleasure to read!
Thank you! And you are sweet as always Mehmudah 🙂
Yep super amazing…love them all.
Thanks Boomie 🙂
Hi,
Fantastic photos, you did a good job of choosing these. Of course I like the photos of the ancient sites the best, but I also love the photo of the felucca on the Nile very nice. 🙂
Delighted you like them Mags. Thank you.
Beautiful pictures! And thank you for the nomination, too 🙂
Thanks Meg. Thought you might be interested in playing this game 🙂
I not only like the photos you selected, but I find your descriptions with how they affected you…dream, think, smile, etc.added authenticity to your final seven. Thank you for sharing and congratulations.
Thank you so much Lynne. Appreciate your taking the time to comment