Victoria Vidal was living in Barcelona with a stable job when she and her boyfriend decided to leave it all to travel the world. Victoria, 28, spent a year saving money and last October finally left her work in advertising to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
Seven months later, Victoria still has no return ticket. She has been posting one photo per day from her global adventures on her blog, and the results will give you the biggest case of wanderlust this side of Instagram.
We asked Victoria to share some of her photos and thoughts from her trip. Prepare to be enchanted (and have lots of FOMO).
Victoria’s passion for photography just keeps growing as she travels and tries to see the world from everyone’s perspective. She began in Europe and made her way through the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and she is now in South America.
Luang Prabang, Laos
The Kuang Si waterfalls. There are hundreds of waterfalls and water jumps in Laos.
On what has been her favorite place has been so far, Victoria says: “I’m completely incapable of choosing just one country. What I know is my favorite part of each place: the hospitality of the people of Iran and Bali; the children’s smiles in Laos; the beaches of southern Thailand and Lombok (Indonesia); the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia, North Vietnam, and Laos and New Zealand; the city life of Istanbul, Kathmandu, and Bangkok; scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef; (Australia); flying over Mount Everest in Nepal; spending time with elephants in Thailand and with orangutans in Borneo; the architecture of Angkor Wat; the mosques of Isfahan and Shiraz (Iran); and the one-of-a-kind flora and fauna of Australia. And to think we still have all of America waiting for us!”
Chiang Mai, Thailand
A young girl from the hmong tribe in front of one of the dragons that guards the entrance to the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Every morning, Buddhist monks come out to the street to accept donations (food and necessary objects) from the faithful, who in return receive good luck in this life or the next.
Kathmandu, Nepal
The sadhus are Hindus that have cut all ties to their past life and all material goods. They follow a path of austerity, penitence, and meditation to achieve Nirvana and break the cycle of reincarnation.
On the most valuable lesson she has learned on this trip: “In reality, you don’t need much to be happy. We found the biggest smiles and the most genuine generosity amongst those families that had the least when it came to monetary or material possessions. The most important things are good health and family. And if those things are accompanied by some good food, they’ll tell you that is all they need.”
Shiraz, Iran
Shiraz is the city for poets, women, wine, flowers, fireflies, and splendid gardens. The exquisite Vakil Mosque is the only surviving structure of the Zand dynasty.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Morning in Cappadocia. Every day, hundreds of hot air balloons take flight to view the moon-like rugged landscape, created by millions of years of erosion.
Istanbul, Turkey
Prayer time at the Eyüp Sultan Mosque in the conservative Muslim neighborhood that falls outside of the Constantinople walls. Seen from the area reserved strictly for women.
Victoria’s future plans: “I haven’t had much time to think about my return home. I divide my time between writing about yesterday, living in today, and planning tomorrow. I have less free time than ever before, and I love it. I think part of me hopes that the answer to that question will present itself organically.”
Istanbul, Turkey
The sun sets over the Sultan Ahmed and Hagia Sophia mosques. Seen from Üsküdar, the Asian side of Istanbul, which is divided from its European side by the narrow Bosphorus strait.
Sydney, Australia
The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are the symbols of the largest and most populated city in Oceania.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
A green turtle in the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world. Unfortunately, climate change, population, and over-fishing are putting the Great Barrier Reef and its millions of inhabitants in danger.
All images provided by Victoria Vidal.
You can follow Victoria on her travels and keep up with her beautiful photos on her blog and on her Instagram.
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