The year 2018 has come to an end, and with it comes Michael's photo parade ‘The most beautiful pictures of the second half of 2018’ from the blog Erkunde die Welt This is already my second time participating in this cool photo parade. Perhaps you remember my most beautiful pictures of the first half of 2018.

A lot has happened for me in the second half of this year with all the preparations and my move to Thailand. Nevertheless, I have been on some great trips, most of which you know about from my blog. And so here I am, sitting at my laptop in Patong Beach in temperatures of over 30 degrees, searching for pictures for the categories Abstract, View, Crazy Stuff, Landscape, Red and Animals.

The Photo Parade 02/2018

Category Abstract

I always find categories that deal with patterns or abstract concepts a bit difficult. They're never really part of my photographic focus. I need to make a conscious effort to pay more attention to these things. Nevertheless, I found something in my photo archive from my trip to the beautiful Tanner Moor in the far corner of Upper Austria. There, I became a fan of lichens, which never cease to fascinate me with their interesting appearance.

Click here for the article: Visit to Tanner Moor

Category View

I could definitely assign this photo, taken from the Patong Sunset View Restaurant in Patong Beach on Phuket, to this category. I had already eaten here twice, but the first time we were unlucky: it was Christmas Eve 2018, and unfortunately the weather was bad. So we were all the more thrilled by the fantastic sunset in mid-January on the viewing terrace. From up there, even Patong looks like a pretty town...

Category Crazy Stuff

The most remarkable thing that happened to me in 2018 is definitely that I am now living here in beautiful Thailand to train as a diving instructor. I still can't quite believe it myself. As a result, I'm spending a lot of time travelling to beautiful dive sites on the dive boat, which is where this photo was taken. It feels somewhat surreal to be sitting on the dive boat in bright sunshine and warmth in December, when the first snow has already fallen at home!

Category Landscape

This is the beautiful Maya Bay on the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. This bay is famous for two reasons: firstly, it is THE beach from ‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo di Caprio, and secondly, it is regularly closed to tourists for media coverage in order to protect the natural environment there, which I fully support. Of course, I would also love to swim there – I mean, just look at this bay! But even from the dive boat, the view is simply fantastic.

Category Red

Anyone who knows my blog and me knows that I'm not really a culture vulture. But after many years, I finally got around to visiting the famous Linzer Höhenrausch exhibition in Austria. What makes it special is that it also takes you over the rooftops of Linz city centre, which was quite a challenge for me at times due to my fear of heights.

For me, the most beautiful work of art was the fragile, spiderweb-like ‘Uncertain Journey’ by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota.

Incidentally, the Linz Höhenrausch was unfortunately held for the last time in 2024, although a comeback is reportedly being discussed.

Category Animals

As a pet owner, you have a big advantage in this category: the object of your desire is always available and usually with you. Like here on the Krippenstein, a mountain in the Dachstein massif in Upper Austria, which we visited as part of a special sunrise tour.

To the article: on the mountain Krippenstein

And, of course, the confident seagull from the fish market in Venice should definitely not be missing from this category!

Category Best Picture

Mein Lieblingsfoto im letzten halben Jahr habe ich aufgenommen, als ich bei meinem Wochenendtrip nach Venedig eine meiner Early-Morning-Tours gemacht habe, immer auf der Jagd nach dem schönsten Sonnenaufgang. Mit Sonnenaufgang war leider wenig, weil es so bewölkt war, aber auf der Ponte dell’Accademia auf dem Rückweg habe ich dann doch noch diese tolle Stimmung und vor allem den pittoresquen Künstler erwischt.

Click here for my blog post about my favourite city: Top tips in Venice

Additional category At Night

Hier stelle ich euch gleich zwei Fotos vor. Eines ist während eines spontanen und wunderbaren Fotospaziergangs durch Wien entstanden, das andere während meines Venedig-Trips von der Ponte di Rialto aus. An dieser Stelle möchte ich erwähnen, dass ich mein Foto-Smartphone Huawei P20 Pro wirklich über alles liebe! 😉

Additional category Colour Dot

Before disappearing to Thailand for the next few months, my dear friend Steph took me on a wonderful girls' day out. With breakfast, a hike and coffee and cake afterwards, it was simply wonderful. We hiked up the Grünberg in Gmunden, a fairly leisurely excursion, as we wanted to chat rather than experience any sporting highlights. The day was grey and foggy, but at the top of the summit, these pretty poppy flowers defied the cool November weather.

Additional category Mountains

A weekend yoga retreat in the beautiful Austrian mountains on a small, charming alpine pasture? Yes, of course! On the first evening, we held our first yoga session on an alpine meadow, and during the meditation at the end, the sun set in all its glory. It was an almost magical moment.

You are welcome to read my report about the retreat here: Yoga in the Alps

Many other bloggers are taking part in the photo parade and presenting their most beautiful photos from the first half of the year. So if you need a little break from everyday life, why not click through and take a look!

Chien Normandie

Esther’s Travel Guide

SilverTravellers

Smiles from Abroad

Audrey im Wanderland