20 Best Photos Of 2024

20 Best Photos Of 2024. I am back again with my annual wrap-up of my best travels from the year. It was another incredible year of travel, especially the first half of the year. The first half of the year was focused on finishing the continents of Africa and Oceania, the second half of the year it was all about the Extraordinary Travel Festival. Please take a gander and feel free to share any comments.

LIBYA

I could have selected many photos from the historic Roman Ruins in Libya but I opted for this guy who shared this sly smile with me in the Medina of Tripoli.

TUNISIA

Not maybe the image you think of when one mentions Tunisia. The US maintains a handful of war cemeteries overseas, including the magnificent and somber North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, honoring those who perished fighting the Axis forces.

AUSTRALIA

There are sometimes reasons why landmarks are the top tourist draw. One of the most recognizable monuments in the world is the Sydney Opera House. Here is a shot from the interior.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is a non-stop roller coaster of fantastical landscapes. You can find the small island of Mou Waho with a one-hour boat ride from the small-town Wanaka. It is difficult to tell, but this view is from the top of a hill which is about a 45-minute hike up, with the lake below in the background. Beautiful views.

SAMOA

TONGA

Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon is a historical landmark, comprised of 3 coral limestone slabs, said to have been built by the demigod Maui. I happened by just at the right time to catch this cultural performance.

TUVALU

Tuvalu is a Pacific island nation of give or take only 10,000 citizens. For those Chasing 193, it is known the place to be is the international runway at the appropriately named airport FUN. The largest open space on the island is the runway and there is no fencing or security meaning anyone can access the runway. So prior to sunset, islanders began to gather on the runway, everything from a volleyball game to a picnic to drinking to the morning.

USA (HAWAII)

I had been here years ago as a teenager and I returned back to Hawaii revisiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. These are the names of those lost on the USS Arizona during the surprise attack in 1941.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

The island might be best known as the test grounds for US nuclear blasts in the 1940s and 1950s. Today less than 50,000 people make their home here. This is a view of Eneko Island which is a private island which is only a 20-minute boat ride from the main island.

KIRIBATI

Another tiny Pacific Nation where I met this family, just a 5-minute boat ride from the main atoll. I peppered them with dozens of questions about their lives.

PORTUGAL

Is this even in the Top Ten or Twenty lists for things to see in Portugal? This is the amazing 18th century Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort. An incredible monument.

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

Pico Cão Grande is probably Sao Tome’s best-known landmark. This 663-meter volcanic needle jets out of the verdant jungle. Thanks to bird for photo bombing.

AZORES

The Portugese Azores are a series of islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. I was there for several days for a conference and only got a bit of time to explore Ponta Delgrada.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Solomon Islands played a pivotal role during WWII. The Japanese and the Allies fought over these pivotal waterways. Remnants of WWII vestiges dot the islands.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

I could have easily had top 20 photos of PNG or even 200. And in fact, you can check out a photo overview of some of my great photos from PNG. I spent time in the Highlands which is populated by so many unique tribes.

THAILAND

I returned back to the Phuket for the Vegetarian Festival. This event while named Vegetarian is not even in the top ten of things I think of when I come to visit this multi-day, electric event. You can read more here.

EXTRAORDINARY TRAVEL FESTIVAL