I began thinking that words and pictures, married, might possibly produce a progeny more interesting than either parent.
Theodor Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss
And ‘marrying’ words and pictures is exactly what I try to do in my blog. I like to caption my photos; I like to illustrate my words.
But when it comes to Paula’s monthly Pick a Word, my task is to illustrate her words. She assures me that I ‘don’t have to do all of them, one is enough’. But I always like a challenge so feel compelled to try!
My selection this month will take you from Cambridge in England, to Norway and on to Oman, Nepal and Vietnam. As always I haven’t stuck only to Paula’s five words, as I like to tell you a little bit about each photo. However I do try to be more succinct for this challenge than for most of my posts!
ARDENT
Sadhu at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
Sadhus are holy men who have left behind all material attachments. They are solitary men, often using intoxicants as a path to spiritual insight. Their lives are dedicated to achieving enlightenment through meditation and contemplation of Brahman. However they need to eat! So at temples like Pashupatinath they often pose for photos for a small donation towards their support. I have a photo of some more of the sadhus here.
EXPANSIVE
View of Tromsø Island from Fjellstua
We took the Fjellheisen aerial tramway in Tromsdalen, near the Arctic Cathedral, to the top of Storsteinen, 421 meters above sea level. There we had dinner in the Fjellstua restaurant. This panorama is stitched together from three shots taken at a viewpoint a few metres away from the restaurant. But this is pretty much the view we had as we ate (until clouds descended over the mountain!)
FRAMED
The view from Thien Canh Son Cave, Bai Tu Long Bay, Vietnam
Thien Canh Son Cave is just one of 59 known caves in the Halong Bay area. It is situated on Cong Do Island, one of the many islets that populate Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay’s less visited neighbour.
LEISURELY
Punting under the Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge, England
This is Cambridge’s best-known bridge. It was built in 1831 and is named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, presumably because both are covered. University legend however has it that the bridge is named for the sighs of students as they walk from their rooms to their tutors’ offices.
STEEP
Terraced farming near the town of Sayq in the Jebel Akhdar mountains, Oman
These terraces are irrigated by a network of channels known as falaj (singular), aflaj (plural). These ancient water channels date from 500 AD. The system divides the water among all the farmers, giving everyone fair access.
46 Comments
Annie Berger
Excellent pairing in every instance, Sarah. Two favorites for me – the bay in Halong Bay you discovered and Oman, one of my all time favorite places that you captured beautifully.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Annie 😊 Although I can hardly claim to have discovered that bay, it’s still well-visited and we simply opted for a cruise that would take us there rather than stick only to Halong Bay!
Alison
I like these Sarah, must have taken a while to match the images with the words.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Alison – it’s a fun challenge, a bit different from others 😀
equinoxio21
Very nice. As usual. The bay of Along (I think that’s the French spelling) is sort of calling me.
Daughter #2 went, she was delighted.
My great-grandfather, who was an officer in the French Navy fought the Chinese pirates (Black flags) there in the 19th century… Strange… 😉
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you (and again, as usual 🙂 ) Halong Bay is beautiful but if you do go it’s worth choosing a cruise that goes to Bai Tu Long Bay as that’s less visited so not rammed with boats as Halong can be!
equinoxio21
A good point. Also try to travel off-season?
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, although it was probably not the height of the season when we went – it was a better time for the south than the north. Plus Covid was already present in Vietnam and affecting the numbers travelling, not to mention the fact that the Chinese were in lockdown so not travelling at all. From what I’ve heard it can get pretty busy – you would never have the place to yourself!
equinoxio21
I guess not. Oh, well…
wetanddustyroads
Wow, that view of Tromsø Island is stunning! And I giggled at the university legend of where the Bridge of Sighs got its name 😁. Great photos.
Sarah Wilkie
You’re right about that view, it was amazing! Pretty chilly up there as you can imagine, but warm in the restaurant and good food to go along with the views 🙂
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Perfect illustrations, Sarah! Gorgeous photos, and I loved your explanations.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Kellye, I’m pleased you liked them 😀
grandmisadventures
I think your pictures perfectly suit the words, especially the picture for ardent-that is powerful
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you liked that one in particular, it’s a favourite of mine 😀
Paula
Dr Seuss is so clever, and you my dear so talented, and well travelled 🙂 Thank you
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thank you Paula 😊
Rose
Wonderful examples for the chosen words! I especially liked the ‘expansive’ view.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rose, it was a real treat dining up there!
philosophy through photography
Love these perfect examples for those lovely ‘words’.
Love the expansive click!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed them 😀
sheetalbravon
It’s a pleasure to read your posts, Sarah. I know you will surprise me, one way or the other. Let’s begin with the quote by Dr Seuss. I read it for the first time here and it hit the bullseye. As for matching words to the photos, I’m speechless. Reading the details tells me the story behind every picture. Another challenge nailed.
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thanks so much for this lovely comment Sheetal 😊 I only just came across that quote myself and it really resonated with me. He was talking about picture books of course, but it seemed to fit my approach to my blog equally well!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Great collection – that stepped farming scene is amazing
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Phil 🙂 Have you been to Oman? The scenery is amazing and I was fascinated by its recent history.
thehungrytravellers.blog
No we haven’t, not yet – it fell at the last hurdle when we went to Jordan a few years ago
Monkey's Tale
You’re right it is a great marriage! Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie, glad you agree 😀
Christie
An interesting concept, and a great selection🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😀
Anne Sandler
Excellent images for each of the words Sarah. Well done!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne, so glad you liked them 🙂
bushboy
Waiting and thinking makes for a wonderful post Sarah, unlike my “have to do this now”.
I would not like to hear that I have to tend the bottom terrace in the Jebel Akhdar mountains. I would definitely take my lunch with me. All great photos for Paulas words 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Brian – I do wonder if sometimes I over-think my posts, tweaking photos and texts that are already perfectly OK!! And no, I wouldn’t fancy working those terraced fields in the slightest 😀
lisaonthebeach
Beautiful! I can’t decide which is my favorite. It would be one of the bottom three! “Steep” is quite fascinating from that viewpoint.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Lisa 😊 The landscapes in Oman are really amazing, we saw some spectacular views there!
restlessjo
Could Framed and Leisurely be more different, Sarah? I have a very similar shot to the Cambridge one, somewhere deep in my archives, but I’d rather be in Vietnam, for a little while, anyway.
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, that’s true! And yes, I too would rather be in Vietnam 😀 I’d love to go back there as we saw relatively little of what is a quite large and very varied country.
restlessjo
Have a lovely Sunday! I gather it’s rather warm there. Heading up to 35C today, which is much too hot for pleasure 🤗🏖🌊💙
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, getting pretty hot here but due to break this evening apparently. Stay cool!
margaret21
Thoughtful choices. I particularly like ‘ardent’. I have no idea what I’d have chosen for that! I must have a look at Paula’s challenge. It looks interesting.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 😊 Funnily enough, that ardent image was one of the first I thought of! Do check out this challenge – I love how different it is from most others, how it makes me think and sets me combing through my archives 😀
margaret21
I’ve just subscribed! Thanks.
Sue
Great selection,Sarah! I thought your answer f orArdent was good, and the amazing Steep. And great narrati ves
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sue 😊 The landscapes in Oman were stunning, I had quite a few appropriate ‘steep’ images to choose from!
Sue
Sounds good!