Thursday Thoughts – Jardin Exotique

/ Leya / 41 kommentarer

In Menton we knew there should be an exotic botanical garden hidden down a stone path. After some wrong turns and false directions – we finally found it. The path had a glorious ceiling of big palm trees and bamboo. Follow me down to the garden! You will not regret it.

Indeed it was lush and exotic, and the number of plants and paths were overwhelming. Citrus everywhere, Spanish moss, Tillandsia – and plants I had never heard of – among them Buddhas Hand and a funny plant called Napoleon’s Hat. I hope the pictures will speak exoticly to you!

Leaving was a bit sad. This was a very special place with much positive energy. Recommended!

Lens-Artists Challenge #292 – People Here, There, Everywhere

/ Leya / 60 kommentarer

Tina leads this week, with the theme People Here There and Everywhere. At first, I too was a bit lost…I don’t do portraits or people. But, if I can picture people at work or on festivities, I am OK with it. Sometimes I ask them, but that is only when I meet people of foreign cultures. Very foreign. They don’t get offended and sometimes they even like it.

Since I don’t have many people portraits, I am afraid I have posted all of these before. I hope you will enjoy them anyway.


This lovely man in Thimpu, Bhutan, let me take a couple of photos of him – but when I showed him the results, he did not want to keep the close-ups… Some children where playing by the road, so I asked them what the old man was saying. They told me he thought his nose was too big!


In Ecuador, the people were so lovely and smiling. Maybe because it was festival times? These beautiful ladies were singing and dancing in the street in Quito, Ecuador.


We also met Miss Quito and her partner, who didn’t mind having their photo taken – we were many tourists with our cameras up in the air. My husband of course photographed the lovely lady…and as you can see, the young man gave me a nice smile.

Our main goals in Ecuador was Galapagos, the Napo River and the Amazon basin – and Fausto was our favourite guide. He was born and raised in the jungle, and knew everything about living here. Hunting, tracking, making fire, cooking food. On instagram I found him with a big anaconda around his neck…

From South America to Morocco and the market in Marrakesh – Djeema el Fna. It is one of the oldest markets in the world. Many people, many faces. An overwhelming and unforgettable experience.

Back in Europe and Lodz, Poland. She came walking down the street, and I immediately loved everything about her. The clothes, the colours, the ring on her left hand – you could see that she once was a beauty. I think she still was. When I looked at the photo afterwards, I saw the shadow in the street on her right side – is it her left, fallen off, piece of the sunglasses?

Knitting ladies in a market in Lhasa, and debating monks at the Sera Monastery. Tibetans doing their daily chores. The ladies were happy to show me their knitting technique and I showed them mine. The monks, I think, debated heavily just to show off for the tourists…

The best thing is when the pictures tell a story – so above I have presented a mixed gallery from some of my China travels. Chinese people seen on an ordinary walk – dancing, posing, playing, eating and getting married. And red is the festive colour. I was greatly impressed by the many outdoor activities, and so many elderly people playing and dancing! Very active and agile. I wish we could be like that in Sweden too. Dancing in the park every day – wouldn’t that be great?

This last gallery tells a multitude of stories – the big story of the pilgrimage and the end of a long, strenous walk to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Happy and exhausted they rest, alone, but together – each one with his or her own story as a piece of the big puzzle. I loved listening to those stories, and most people willingly shared them with us. I still dream of doing that walk…for peace in mind, body and soul.

Back in Sweden again, a silhouette of one of my best friends, a late summer evening by the lake.

So this week, our challenge is to share images of people we’ve captured along the way. Remember to link your responses to Tina’s original post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag.

Sincere thanks to all of our followers for joining us, and to Patti for last week’s wonderful Cityscape challenge. We all got an amazing world tour through your responses! Next week Sofia leads us once again on her beautiful Photographias site. Until then please stay safe, be kind and enjoy the journey.

Thursday Thoughts – Colourful Menton

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

Menton was a sweet surprise – despite les citrons! There was the beautiful festival of course, but I fell in love with the town itself, so colourful and lovely architecture.

Menton has about 30 000 inhabitants, and a pleasant micro climate, which makes it an ideal place for growing their fruits. I could stay here for a while…Just let these harbour pictures charm you!

Of course I must finish with another couple of pictures from this year’s olympic theme. And the last picture goes to my son, who still is an avid skateboarder.

Lens-Artists Challenge#291 – Cityscapes

/ Leya / 61 kommentarer

This week, it is Patti’s turn to lead us – and she has chosen Cityscapes.

Being a country girl, I always fear these themes. Even if I have visited many cities, I mostly photograph their gardens and parks, art and architecture – details. As my latest visit was to Nice – I will try with something more from that visit. It was a city in change.

Nice is not just a place, it’s a feeling.

– Unknown

In 2022 Nice was voted the greenest city in France, with 50% of its surface covered by wooded areas. The reclaiming of greenery from concrete has its goal set to one tree for every inhabitant by 2026, and then the green area will be 20 ha. The carnival was held at the beginning of the green ”river” of reclaimed land, and we saw some really big buildings being teared down for this ambitious ecological plan.

The city overviews were taken from Castle Hill. And the two smiling girls were carnival guides – who handed out some welcoming acacia twigs to every guest. I found Nice to be a very smiling and friendly city.

If you have been to Nice, I am sure you have walked Promenade des Anglais along Baie des Anges. Everybody does. Maybe not all 7 kilometers, but a fair bit.

At the end of the 18th century, many Englishmen started spending their winters in Nice, and 1820 was an especially cold winter. Many beggars tried their luck in Nice, and some of the rich Englishmen suggested they could earn their living by building a promenade along the sea. The idea of ”Promenade des Anglais” was born.

When the French celebrated their National Day here on July 14, 2016, there was a terrorist attack where hundreds of people were injured and 86 people lost their lives. This week we learned that Navalnyj had just died in a Siberian Gulag, and people showed their grief, sympathy and protest in flowers, candles, texts and photos on the monument of the attack.

The beautiful olive tree, by Laurent Bioso, in Old town Nice – an image of strength and resilience.

The glass construction of the railway station involved cranes and workers all over the place, and was contrasting their green ecological plan with trees, parks and wooden playgrounds.

Finally – we had some delicious food! Excellent restaurants and lovely personnel – here are two of the best!

Nice is proving that heaven is a place on earth. But with better cuisine.

– Unknown

At the outskirts of the city, in St Jean-Cap-Ferrat, we had the most delicious ice-cream I have ever tasted…but sooo expensive. We could have bought a whole dinner for that money. But…….

In Nice, every day is a new adventure waiting to happen. – Unknown

Surprisingly, we found Sir Winston Churchill standing at his easel in the harbour, carefully painting the beautiful scenery. The artist, Paul Rafferty, wanted the statue to be placed where Churchill often painted his beloved French coast.

A big thank you for posting so many circular wonders last week! Amazing creativity – and some of you pointed out that suddenly you saw circles everywhere! I hope you have stopped spinning by now…I am trying to…

This week we’re showcasing cities, large and small – what are the features of your chosen city? Show us images that are part of your overall impression of the city. If you want, focus on two cities, and compare their features. Thank you for broadening the theme, Patti! Please be sure to link to Patti’s original post and include the “lens-artist” tag.

Next week, it’s Tina’s turn to lead LAPC #292, so be sure to visit Travels and Trifles next Saturday at noon EST for her inspiring post.

Until then, be kind and have a great week!