LP Pathfinders: what have you Instagrammed this month? [December]

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNk3yJ-gsYx/?taken-by=castawaywithcrystal

Destination: Spirits Bay, New Zealand

Context: After a wet morning on the Northernmost tip of New Zealand we had a small break in the rain to explore the beach. Spirits Bay is breathtaking on all angles with rocky cliffs jutting from the horse-filled meadows. But the most spectacular part of the bay was the tiny pink shells scattered all over the sand, giving the beach a vibrant peachy sheen. Perfect against the turquoise blue of the water.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOG3IWGgryw/?taken-by=castawaywithcrystal

Destination: Rainbow Falls, New Zealand

Context: As the sun slowly slips behind the forest trees, I captured this shot of the sun shimmering through the ferns during our afternoon walk on the trail near Rainbow Falls. It was incredibly peaceful here and we were lucky to be the only people on the walk at this time of the day.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNjNHcNhuod/?taken-by=aladyinlondon

Destination: London, UK

Context: While walking from the tube to meet a friend for lunch, I stumbled upon this pub in London's Bermondsey. I loved its historic feel and unique shape, and I couldn't help stopping to explore around it before moving on.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOG8Rt8Air9/?taken-by=castawaywithcrystal

Destination: Rainbow Falls, New Zealand

Context: Eyes open wide, I drag my friend over some mossy rocks to attempt to get behind the waterfall. But the rocks ran out and we were only partially behind, so we stopped to soak up the splashing droplets on our face and appreciate the roaring sound around us. Rainbow Falls is aptly named as the mist from the waterfall creates several rainbows around it, splashing colour over the surrounding forest.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNpXe2SgyEe/
Destination: Catania to Munich; literally, mid-air over Mt. Etna
Context: The pilot announced it was possible to see smoke coming from the Etna, so I climbed over a passenger on the left side of the airplane to take a photo. I am not especially pleased with the colours or composition, but my instagram followers loved it!

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNlrcGTgykf/
Destination: Doha, Qatar
Context: I was invited to stay at the Intercontinental Doha the City to write about a staycation. The room was mostly windows on one side offering fantastic views of the city. I happened to wake up as the sun was coming up and got this shot. The city was so quiet and beautiful at this hour. I was a guest of the hotel.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNyiuK-gU6C/
Destination: Doha, Qatar
Context: The morning before I was to head home to the US for the holidays, the sun was shining in Doha. I decided to get up and head to the park to get some pictures of downtown Doha with my relatively new camera. Unusually, the traditional dhow boats were docked there and gave me a shot of the old and new in Doha.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOTMhR6D7cO/?taken-by=globalgirltravels

Destination: Dominican Republic

Context: With a population of only 300 people, Saona Island is exactly what I hoped to experience in the Dominican Republic. Sleepy fishing villages line the picture-perfect coast with faded pastel shacks selling snacks and bric-a-brac while kids play dominoes on the beach. This is real life.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNfvVWKj8ZI/?taken-by=globalgirltravels

Destination: Washington, D.C.

Context: Touring the Library of Congress for the first time left me awe-struck.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNYJxiXDR2D/?taken-by=globalgirltravels

Destination: Savannah, GA

Context: Savannah is an 18th century oil painting. Shot outside my window on a dreamy foggy morning.