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

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOAFN33Auz-/?taken-by=bruno_mb
Destination: Bohol, Philippines
Context: The Man-Made mahogany forest is a 2-kilometer stretch of road right in the heart of the island of Bohol. When you're passing there by bike, we could immediately feel the drop in temperature and the sudden fresh cool air on our lungs.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOalIAIgccK/?taken-by=tokyoaaron&hl=en
Destination: Shizuoka, Japan
Context: So-called "haikyou" ruin tourism has been popular for a while now in Japan, but industrial landscape photography is a relatively new phenomenon. Lurking outside these facilities after dark gives you an eerie, sometimes unsettled feeling. Still, getting close up to the - brightly lit - pipes, chimneys, warehouses and storage silos creates a kind of Oz-like impression, while at the same time pulling back the curtain, so to speak, on the whole industrial revolution thing which we normally take so much for granted in a consumer society.

Catching sight of sublime Mount Fuji in the near distance really begs for a little cultural/symbolic analysis: the dichotomy of Japan’s love of nature and it’s industrial/technical drive being the most obvious insight which comes to mind...

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOQX7QfAFX7/?taken-by=triciaamitchell


Destination: Marjan Forest Park, Split, Croatia


Context: Back to Croatia’s Dalmatia region for our third winter, we’re thrilled to again have Split’s Marjan Forest Park within foot’s reach. Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, so it’s remarkable that the city’s urbanites have such a gorgeous green space nearby. The park is much beloved for its old stone chapels and hermit caves, plus its hiking, biking, and rock climbing opportunities.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNR5w6FgPoN/?taken-by=triciaamitchell&hl=en


Destination: Split, Croatia


Context: After nearly three years away, we’ve returned to Split, Croatia. My husband and I have taken up residence in the city’s quirky Varoš neighborhood, which is a former fisherman’s district characterized by stone homes with green shutters and flower boxes. This scene symbolizes all the adventures that you can easily embark upon from Split: either an island escape via ferry, a hike through the Dinaric Alps, or a road trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina or Montenegro.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOaWJOjg_ro/?taken-by=mypersiancorner

Destination: Tehran, Iran
Context: Missing the Christmas festivities that happen this time of year, I decided to go to the Armenian neighborhood in Tehran to check out their Christmas markets. In the midst of all the trees and ornaments, I came face-to-face with the modern Iranian paradox.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOF_wczgJM7/

Destination: Florida, USA
Context: Looking for some winter sun just before Christmas, I decided to visit Florida. With temperatures around 25 degrees and hardly any tourists, Florida is perfect at this time of the year and at times it feels like you've got the place to yourself. Also, the sunsets there are pretty spectacular!

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNsELQRALNP/

Destination: Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Context: Uluwatu is one of the most spiritual places in all of Bali and the views from the top of the temples are absolutely amazing. While I was there, I couldn't resist taking a peek over the edge. My advice? DON'T. LOOK. DOWN.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNzsyyhgFZO/

Destination: Stratford St. Mary, Essex, UK
Context: It's funny. As travel bloggers we travel the world searching for beauty when often it's on your doorstep staring you right in the face. I'm incredibly lucky to call this view home, a place I'm always grateful to return too.

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOH1Fg2h5xT/
Destination: Barley Barbour Swamp, Florida
Context: Shrek had the right idea living in a swamp! I visited this beautiful swamp while exploring a part of Central Florida in December. The swamp was home to an incredible ecosystem including plants with healing qualities… however there were a few dangerous beings lurking too!

URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOF7aq6hJMx/
Destination: Hutchinson Island, Florida
Context: We found this pontoon during daylight and couldn't resist but return for sunset. It turned out to be absolutely incredible. I particularly loved this moment with fisherman securing their final catches of the day as the sun went down. It was a beautiful image in silhouette.