perfect oasis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

is there any more perfect an oasis than this..
( ubud hanging gardens )

 

sea gems

 

 

 

via flickr: fedesk8

 

venice of china

 

 

 

 

 

zhou zhuang
known as the venice of china
looks thoroughly beautiful especially in winter

 

one year on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Royal” is much different in Bhutan than it is in more westernized countries. Elsewhere it might mean ice sculptures, ornate appetizers, and bloated bureaucratic guest lists. In Bhutan, however, it means local weavers coming together to elegantly outfit the soon-to-be-queen, an opportunity for all local residents to view the newlyweds at the local sports arena, a bit of special attention paid to historic gardens, a focus on heritage and traditional dress and a display of one of the proudest cultures in the Himalayan world, flushed with love and celebration, and open for all to share (though no foreign royals or heads of state were even considered in the invitations).

 

hanoi's jewel

 

the opulence of Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi
still rather bummed that i missed the chance to stay there during my trip to hanoi! :(

*
photography by aaron joel santos