A compilation of some of my favorite photographs taken in 2019, in no particular order.
1. Porto, Portugal
I shot this photograph after a very long day that did not go according to plan. I thought I had booked my boyfriend and I two tickets on an early morning train from Lisbon to Porto, but when we arrived at the station we discovered I had simply reserved the tickets…but not on any particular train. So after four hours of wandering around and sitting in a train station, we finally made it to Porto. We had to reschedule our port wine tasting at Graham’s, but were still able to make our dinner reservations that evening. This was taken from the restaurant. That day was just another reminder that life doesn’t always go according to plan. And sometimes that is okay. We still made it to Porto, and we still had a great trip even with the small setback. This photo is a reminder to pause and take in the view, even if it’s not how you expected to.
2. Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain
I took so many photos of the Gothic Quarter while in Barcelona, and I just had to include one in my Top Favorites list. One of my favorite ways to travel and to see a new city is to simply set out and wander, and that is what we did one morning while in Barcelona. Our hotel was not far from the Gothic Quarter, and all we wanted to do was get lost in it. While we didn’t actually get lost, we did spend a few hours wandering between ancient structures and narrow streets. We stopped for a snack and some wine, meandered through an old church and some shops, and took in the sights and smells of the old Gothic Quarter. It was one of my favorite experiences on our trip to Spain, and I could easily have spent the entire day in this neighborhood. Sometimes the best way to explore a city is just to wander.
3. Maui, Hawaii
How do I describe sunsets on Maui? I don’t think I can, which is why I try to document them in photographs. This was taken after dinner at the famous Mama’s Fish House on the North Shore back in March. I captured this beauty just before seeing a giant sea turtle relaxing on the beach. It is quintessential Hawaii in my mind.
4. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Sagrada Familia might be one of the most beautiful churches I have ever set foot in. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but we knew we could not go all the way to Barcelona without visiting Gaudi’s most famous work. The ornate details and the colors overwhelm the senses and ignite wonder. It was all I could do to stand in the middle with my mouth agape, wondering how someone had the creativity to come up with such a wonder. Gaudi’s attention to detail was astounding, and his masterpiece isn’t even complete yet! The Sagrada Familia is truly one of the greatest wonders of this world.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
This is a last-minute final edit add to the collection. When we first arrived in Lisbon, we took a leisurely walk through the narrow streets, making our way up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge. Along the way I took this photograph. Originally trying to capture the beautiful trees with purple buds that I’d seen all over, I didn’t notice until edits the person sitting on the bench. To me this became a symbol of a quintessential Lisboa moment, and I wanted to share it with the world.
6. Se do Porto, Porto, Portugal
One thing Portugal is known for is the beautiful azulejos, or Portuguese blue tile, that can be found almost everywhere. On the side of buildings, on the streets, and in cathedrals, like in this photo. We saw it everywhere on our trip, but the one place that struck me was the Porto Cathedral, or Se do Porto. Our one full day in Porto was rainy. Like, torrential downpours. Like, I may or may not have cried because this picture perfect day I had planned in my head for months was going incredibly not according to plan because of the weather. But this was the final place we ventured to in an attempt to escape the rain. It was as if the entire city of Porto had totally shut down that day, but this cathedral was open and waiting. With very few other people there with us, it felt truly sacred. The organist was playing beautiful music, and we wandered around the grounds in awe. This was one of the many, many photos I took inside the walls of the Porto Cathedral, and I am so happy I did. Amidst the storm, find calm and serenity.
5. Pipiwai Trail, Maui, Hawaii
As you may have noticed with more than one photo, Maui holds a very special, dear place in my heart. And I think that makes it fitting that another photo I posted of this banyan tree is my most-liked photo on my Instagram account (@arrowsandwanderlust). While I am not completely sure why, I am pretty sure it is partly due to the fact that this tree looks like something taken straight out of a fairytale story. When I came upon it on the Pipiwai Trail on Maui, I couldn’t seem to stop staring at it and taking photographs of it. It is majestic, a true natural wonder. Maui is paradise, and this picture signifies that for me, as perhaps it does for others as well.
Happy 2020, my friends! I hope you enjoyed my collection of some of my favorite shots from 2019. Here’s hoping for many more beautiful places to photograph this year.