To me , everything is unique but also not unique in a different context.
All of us are unique. The tree outside my window is unique as having its own leaves, roots and life, but also not so unique as there are millions of similar trees in the world.
I was wondering what to show for this week’s photo challenge. Nevertheless. I have come up with a collection which I think is quite rare but you may still consider them not unique.
While travelling to Latvia, we came across this mound full of holy crosses. I have never seen the same before and my experience with so many crosses is unique.
‘Shoes on the Danube Bank’ gives remembrance to the people shot into the Danube during the time of the Arrow Cross terror 1944-1945. Again, I have not seem something similar in my travels.
I have to resort to my old pictures as uniqueness is not discovered every day. Here are some puppets which I came across in Prague, they have a unique space in my memory.
Scanned from an old slide, the picture shows the Thames Barrier when the sun was setting. This barrier is almost one of its kind, with movable barriers which protect London from unusual tides and surges.
The ‘Bird Nest’ in Beijing, built as a stadium for the Olympics is quite a unique structure which is yet to be copied or duplicated.
The ‘Hanging Temple’ in DaTung, China is unique in that when first built, the whole structure was supported by cantilever beams which were socketed into rock. Some vertical supports are now introduced underneath so as to safeguard against any sudden increase in crowd loading from visitors. The view is just spectacular.
White tigers are close to extinction; understand there maybe 200 of them. The images of the white tigers I have seen have stripes on the body. The one in the picture below, taken in Chimelong, China is almost completely white.
Understand there are quite a few places with free-standing limestone columns. However, those at Cappadocia seem to be the most impressive and picturesque.
The Terracotta Army in Xian, China must be unique. Few people realize that, when first produced, the army figures have colors. The colors only disappeared after burying underground for more than 2000 years. The picture below shows a head of the figure with some colors still intact (after more than 2000 years!).
Uniqueness brings excitement. Hopefully, you will find them unique.
You have a great collection of unique photos.
Many thanks Northern Narratives!
Wow, amazing photos, loved the mountain of crosses in Latvia. Spent time there also. Please keep posting your photos!
Glad that you like the pictures. Will keep posting. Regards, Michael
Stunning photos and great info!
Thank you for your kind comment!
You have a marvelous way of looking at life! Always joyful and profoundly moving.
Hi Clanmother, thank you for your always kind and encouraging comment!
You found so many unique and intriguing images! Thanks for sharing.
Glad to share. Thank you for your kind comment!
Each picture is so interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Glad that you enjoy the pictures. Thank you for your kind comment!
Beautiful photography as always sir!
Many thanks John!
Amazing! I love the one from Latvia with all the crosses. My mouth just hung open. What an incredible sight.
Thank you Becky for your kind comment!
Love this series…very nice!
Thank you for your kind comment!
I thought each of these was quite unique – for most of them I had never seen anything like it. I have seen a white tiger and have heard they are very rare. Our son sent us a postcard from Cappadocia and he too found it very remarkable. Thanks for sharing these interesting photos!
Hi Julie, many thanks for your kind comment!
I just want to say, “Wow!”
Thank you sonofmountmalang!
I love the Shoes on the Danube – that must have been powerful to see in person; thanks for posting. All are unique places & things – love the temple too. You’re lucky to be able to see so many sights!
Yes, it was powerful and sentimental to see those shoes. Thank you for your kind comment!
I would love to pick an individual picture, but as my son was saying, “They are all fantastic!”
Thank you for liking all the pictures and your kind comment!
Another winner!!! I typically post only 1 photo for the Daily Photo Challenge. I love your approach and my do likewise some of the time 🙂
Many thanks for your encouraging comment. I am flattered!
Now all of these photos are unique… what a share of distinction… wonderful post of things few of us will ever see… thank you… marvelous photos too…
Thank you for your always kind and encouraging comment! I am very happy to share.
These are beautiful, but there’s one correction. The shoes on the Danube bank are of the Jews who were murdered.
Thank you for your kind comment and the information!
I like your definition of “unique”, and I agree that your photos are of places and things truly unique. Super!
Glad that you like the pictures. Thank you for your kind comment Marilyn!
Very unique and great pictures… Bravo 🙂
Many thanks for your kind comment!
Wonderful array of images. The mound of crosses and the shoe installation were my favourite. D 34
Those are my favourites too. Thank you for your kind comment!
That’s O.K D 34
very unique items!
Thank you for your kind comment!
Stunning photographs
Thank you travtrails for your kind comment!
Beautiful pix! I have been most of these sites, but did not have photos like these. Thanks for sharing their uniqueness!
Thank you for your kind comment!
As usual Michael, you’ve allowed me a glimpse of destinations I may never get to travel to. Thank you for sharing your awesome photo’s. I remember your original post about the instalment of shoes on the bank of the Danube, I still find it so moving and haunting. I’ve seen a number of photo’s of the buried Terracotta Army in Xian China, but never one with colour. Amazing that has survived on this statue.
Thank you for the kind comment!
The most interesting “unique” post I have come across for this challenge 🙂
Hi Paula, I am flattered. Thank you for the kind comment!
Beautiful shots, I believe that considering thing around us unique is very refreshing :-).
Thank you for the kind comment!
Wow, the hill of crosses in Latvia was amazing. And the shoes by the Danube. How sad. Thank you so much for sharing. You make me want to travel again—right now.
The first two photos are also my favourites. Thank you for the kind comment!
Really astonishing! Thank you for sharing 😀
Glad that you like the photos. Thank you for the kind comment!
The shoes on the Danube…unique and poignant. Thank you for sharing your photos, they are all stunning.
Thank you for the kind comment!
Oh Michael!!!! This post is great! You are right: everything that is near , that is dear , is unique to us, because it is filled with our memories, our feelings, our good and bad days…
But, still, you have chosen wonderful and uniques landscapes…Thanks a lot! (I also love the shoes on the Danube bank…)
I am glad that you like the pictures. I’m sure there are things that are unique to you and you cherish hem. Thank you for the kind comment!
I find it very funny…We were visiting each other´s blog at the same time!!! 🙂
I was trying to read your blog. I have started learning Spanish but have attained elementary level only. Regards, Michael
I love how your photos in this post remind me that there is art everywhere. You just need to know where to look. 🙂 Great photos as usual!
Yes, there’s art almost everywhere; although these photos are taken more for their “uniqueness” value. Thanks for your kind comment!
Great images! Especially the “hanging temple”. That image really made me want to grab my backpack and go travel again. Great work!
Out of more than 150 people who “like” the post, you are the first one to express that you like the “hanging temple” image. Hope this really gets you into travelling again! Cheers, Michael
I enjoyed your take on this week’s challenge.
Many thanks Photography Journal Blog!
Your photos are beautiful!
Thank you for your kind comment!
nicely done
Thank you!
Wow, very amazing and so beautiful, and yes they are truly unique !
Thank you mistymidnite!
Those first two pics are amazing. I deff need to go and travel to see them
Glad you like the pics. Thank you!
Reblogged this on Avial Blog and commented:
The ‘Hanging Temple’ in DaTung, China is unique in that when first built, the whole structure was supported by cantilever beams which were socketed into rock. Some vertical supports are now introduced underneath so as to safeguard against any sudden increase in crowd loading from visitors. The view is just spectacular.
Thank you for the reblogging!
Great gallery! 🙂
Thank you!
Great composition and outstanding photographs. You have a lot of talent.
I am flattered. Thank you!
Each of those photos stirred my emotions with their unique expressions of the beauty of living. I believe my favorite was the Hanging Temple.in Da Tung, China. It is an incredible testament to the ascendant vision, and high calling of collaborative effort. I wonder if the view would scare me.
The view in Da Tung was spectacular. You just wonder how the temple was built in the first place. Thank you!
Michael, I just love enlarging and inspecting all the details of your photos. The limestone columns–do you suppose once upon a time, the water level was up to the point where they look trimmed? You have done a great deal of traveling. As part of your work? Can you tell us what country you now call home?
Hi, the columns have been shaped by wind, water and other erosional forces. I don’t know whether it has been flooded. I am based in Hong Kong.Thank you for your perusal and kind comment!
Thank you for sharing. Your photos always offer a new perspective, but with a “unique” qualifier, they are especially fun!
Glad that the pictures offer a new perspective. Thank you!
These photos are truly unique. I was there at the Holocaust memorial near the bank of river Danube. It was autumn for me when I visited, gloomy and sad. I haven’t seen that Thames Barrier before. I will look out for it one day. Amazingly unique photos!
I hope those shoes would remind people don’t go into wars and don’t kill people. Thank you for your kind comment!
You have a remarkable collection of photos. — I have been to Xi’an twice. The last time I was there I shook the hand of the farmer who discovered the terracotta army while digging a well.
Yes, it was first discovered by farmers trying to dig a well. I trust you find Xian and the terracotta army interesting. Thank you for your kind comment!
Thank you for showing me the beautiful places on earth. Awesome pictures! 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment!
Awesome photos and really “unique”… Nice post, Michael… 🙂
Thank you Bams!
Brilliant gallery – the shoes will get most of my vote. Very unique photo.
Tha picture has the deepest meaning. I love that too. Many thanks!
It’s a very special photo.
Thank you Viveka!
Hi Michael,
You definitely captured Unique, great job. Doesn’t matter when you took the photographs, you captured them at some point with your very own eye and that is also Unique in itself!
I find most intriguing the shoes lining the Danube and love the puppets!
Thanks for visiting “For the Love of…Rabbits” a while,
JW
Hi Jennifer, you are the first one to say that you love the puppets. I love them too. It is the only time I have seen so many of them displayed at the shop front! Thanks for the kind comment!
Amazing pictures! I love the images of the shoes on the Danube and the crosses in Latvia.
Hi, these two pictures seem to be most favored by readers. Thanks for the kind comment!
This is an unusually good collection of travel photos that makes me wonder what I would pick if I went through my archives.
Hi Ron, given that you have widely travelled, I am sure you have a lot in your archive which shows “Unique”. Would be interested to see yours! Regards, Michael
You’ve been to some truly stunning, unique places, Michael, and you’ve captured them brilliantly! I love seeing the world through your eyes and your lens.
You are welcome to travel with me and see through my lens. Thanks for the kind comment!
You have seen some of the most unique things and taken great photos to remember them by.
These are photos which keep me occupied during my retirement. Thanks for the kind comment!
I agree with you going through the photos and using WordPress is a great hobby for our “golden years” 🙂
Hope that we don’t become addicted!
Oh dear too late I am addicted…. 😦
A delightful addiction? Regards, Michael
It certainly is… 🙂
These photos tell such a story. Very moving. I’d say you hit your goal of curating a small collection of unique photographs! Well done.
I have missed out some of the things which are obviously unique, like the Great Wall and Egypt’s pyramids etc. I’m glad that you like my pick. Thanks for the kind comment!
I must say, the Shoes on the Danube Bank is indeed unique. Are the shoes glued or they’re just laying on the pavement? Loved your photos by the way.
Hi, the shoes are fixed to the seawall coping by the side of the Danube in Budapest. Thanks for liking my photos and the kind comment!
That is a fabulous collection of ‘unique’ photos. The one of the shoes by the Danube is very poignant.
Thank you for the perusal and comment!
I loved all of the images you chose for this challenge and your explanations of each. They are all truly unique. I loved being able to travel around the globe with you, thanks for the journey!
Hi Darla, glad you like this post. I am pleased to travel with you around the globe! Michael
Thank you, my wandering friend! 🙂
I love the picture of the crosses at Latvia. I saw a documentary about it – it has an amazing story behind it. Ever since then I wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures 🙂 Natalie
I must dig out more background of these crosses in Latvia; honestly, I don’t know much about it. Thank you Natalie!
Hi Michael – I pulled some info from Wikipedia for you.( I have rewritten it a bit) “The first crosses were placed there in 1831. Between 1944 – 1990, while Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union the site took on a special significance. Continuing to travel to the Hill and leave their tributes, Lithuanians used it to demonstrate their allegiance to their original identity, religion and heritage. It was a venue of peaceful resistance, although the Soviets worked hard to remove new crosses, and bulldozed the site at least three times (including attempts in 1963 and 1973) The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 55,000 in 1990 and 100,000 in 2006.”
Whatever your political or religious beliefs are one can admire the symbolism and determination of people to hang onto their culture despite the opposition.
🙂
Natalie
Hi Michael.
I pulled some info from Wikipedia for you about the hill. (I rewrote a bit) The first crosses were placed there in 1831. Between 1944 – 1990 , while Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union the site took on a special significance. Continuing to travel to the Hill and leave their tributes, Lithuanians used it to demonstrate their allegiance to their original identity, religion and heritage. It was a venue of peaceful resistance, although the Soviets worked hard to remove new crosses, and bulldozed the site at least three times (including attempts in 1963 and 1973) The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 55,000 in 1990 and 100,000 in 2006.
Regardless of political or religious beliefs one can admire the spirit of a nation that has the courage not to let go of its beliefs and heritage despite adversity.
: )
Natalie
That’s very informative and interesting. If I knew it, I would have added it to my narrative. I would be moved if I knew it when I was there. Thanks so much for the effort in digging this out and taking the effort to respond. Regards, Michael
It is a pleasure it is too good not to share. : ) Natalie
Sorry I thought my reply disappeared so I rewrote it please ignore the second message. 🙂
Thank you and have a nice day!
I am speechless. You terrific photos required me to study them again and again.
I am flattered. I’m glad that you like the pictures so much. Thank you!
These photos are definitely unique. Love them all.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you Francine for your always kind blessing!
Your photograph’s are always so interesting and well taken. The information you add is helpful for those of us who haven’t traveled to those parts. The ‘Shoes on the Danube Bank” is very telling. It’s unusual to see a custom like that. The ‘Mound of Crosses’ in Latvia must have been very spiritual. I’m sure it was shocking to see so many. The ‘Hanging Temples in Da Tung” … wow … what can I say? It would be a little frightenting for me due to my fear of heights. I love the way they were woven into the natural rocks. A photo of extreme uniqueness. The ‘Loutry Puppet Shop” … mmmm …. I want one. Yes, I do. They look like they’re ready to go home with someone. ~~~~ : – )
Thanks for posting these wonderful images. It’s always a pleasure to visit and see them.
Isadora
I understand you will know more about the crosses from Wikipedia. Many thanks for your detailed comments. Regards, Michael
Amazing, and very unique! I especially love the pictures showing the holy crosses, the Thames Barrier, the shoes, and the Birds Nest. Wonderful pictures!
I’m glad that you like so many of my pictures. Thank you!
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Thanks for referring back!
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for following Figment on his travels. It’s not easy for a dragon to get around!
Thank you K.B.!
Reblogged this on James' World 2.
Thank you for reblogging this on, Mohenjo!
Congratulations on such a stunning collection! You are a gifted, and unique :), photographer, curator and soul. Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi, I am flattered. Thank for the kind and encouraging comment!
I pinned the photo of Chimelong on my Places and Spaces board on Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/gaylealstrom/places-spaces/ .
Hi Gayle, thank you for the pinning. I just want to make one correction; the place is in DaTung and not Chimelong. Thanks for the kind comment!
It’s a pleasure to drop by your blog every few days to see what you have put up.
I’ve heard some people say, “I don’t want to take a camera with me when I travel, it makes me think about the equipment and I lose sight of the places I am visiting.” It appears to me that having a camera with you actually heightens your experience. You see things — through the lens of your camera — that many of us might miss.
Thanks for these beautiful images. I’ll be back soon!
The fact that you want to take some pictures while travelling helps you to look at things more inqusitively. The fact that you bring your camera along also doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to shoot all the time; my advice would be to leave sufficient time to appreciate the place, take some quick shots at the right moment whenever you feel you want to capture it for the future. I don’t have a DSLR camera nor any zoom lenses with me in my travels. Thank you for the comment:-)
These are certainly unique, they are also amazing
I like your photos too; hope one day you wil have your own photographic business:-)
Very inspiring and I’ve actually been to a couple of places in this post. Nice pictures!
Many thanks for the encouraging comment:-)
I am sure you enjoyed those places. Have a great weekend!
Truly amazing! 🙂
Thank you for the kind comment:-)
Wow loved your post…thanks for liking my post..amazing pics of some very amazing places
Hi Kavita, many thanks for the perusal, the “likes” and the kind comments 🙂
Thanks for visiting and liking my blog @ http://blueribbonfair.wordpress.com/. The photos are fo amazing stuff you just do not see everyday.
These are exceptional photos. I especially love the Latvian crosses & the white tiger. Thank you. Thank you too for viewing my blog.
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for stopping by too. Regards, Michael
Hi Michael. The Hanging Temple photo is beautiful! Also, I’d never heard of the cast iron shoes by the Danube. I have a history blog on Blogger and I think I might do some research on it for a post on that blog. If I do I’ll give a link to your blog in it and also send you the link for the post 🙂
It is my intention to write a post on the Hanging Temple; when I got round to it. The shoes along the Danube bank is in the Wikipedia. Maybe, I should have added a link. Many thanks for the perusal and the kind comment:-)
You have a fascinating blog and some remarkable photos! You are making excellent use of retirement, which I hope to enjoy as well in about 2 years time. Some of our travels overlap (Turkey, Lithuania, etc.), but you have seen so much more than me! I am glad you like “In search of unusual destinations”, by the way. Phil.
P.S. All good wishes for Year of the Snake.
Will stop by again. Thank you for your kind comment:-)
Wonderful photos! I love the terra cotta warrior photo; I’m relentlessly fascinated by those figures.
A journey to Xian would be most interesting; maybe you have already done that. Thank you for the perusal and the like 🙂
Thank you for sharing your photos. I saw the terra cotta warrior when they were in Barcelona. I can’t believe they have more than 2000 years.
Yes, it is unbelievable that they have a full terracotta army equipped with real weapons made around 200 BC for burial. Thank you for your comment 🙂
I like your written perspective on uniqueness: that everything and everyone are unique in their own way, but being REALLY unique means there is nothing else similar. (I think I interpreted you correctly). I thought about that a lot as I observed my surroundings and the places I see every day. My favorite photo is the columns at Cappadocia.
I’m impressed that you manage to reply to so many comments.
Hi Marilyn, yes, your interpretation is correct. I like getting feedback and reply to readers and think it is polite to do so. Thank you for your kind comment 🙂