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You know the feeling when you anticipate something so much that you tend to idolize the picture and when it actually happens, it turns that your expectations surpassed the real thing by miles? Yes, it's called a disappointment, and it happens way more often than it should when traveling to the most famous vacation destinations and places to visit. These days most people don't wear rose-colored glasses, they opt for an Instagram filter instead. Which is why traveling has become so disheartening—where are those idyllic beaches that you saw online? It was better when we could only read about those exotic places to travel and imagine them; now, ruined by Instagram, your travel ideas will never match up to reality.

So come, join us—pull back the veil and see the Truth of travel impressions for yourself. Bored Panda has collected this list of travel expectation VS reality. Which false advertising photo has the best let-down photo? You can also check out these famous places to go zoomed out to show their surroundings.

More info: (h/t: traveltriangle)

#1

Visiting The Great Wall Of China

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Zhu Difeng Report

#2

Taking Photos With Leaning Tower Of Pisa In Italy

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Martin Parr Report

#3

Admiring Mona Lisa In Louvre Museum, Paris, France

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sergeymk Report

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ElnetoCibrian
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there, totally true There was people waiting only for the selfie, nobody was even looking Lisa :(

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#4

Having A Picnic Near The Eiffel Tower In Paris, France

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LRD Report

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#5

Learning A New Hobby On A Ski Trip

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More Kids Than Suitcases Report

#6

Sunbathing In The Famous Beach Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

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miguelangelpulidoj Report

#7

Taking A Peaceful Gondola Ride In Venice, Italy

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Lumi Toma Report

#8

Relaxing On The Gorgeous Beaches Of Maldives

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Alexander Brown Report

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NataliaBerowska
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually the difference between this images is simple. One was taking in expensive hotel where probably someone cleans the beach and other was taking on the public beach where inhabitants don't give a sh*t about it.

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El
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree, I've been there two times and both it was like paradise

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WayneBeesley
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is the world over - you get sold a b******t vision but what you find is humans are a*s holes and s**t up their own environent - i have campaigned and fought against litter all my life but its a battle we are losing - land on mars? solve world poverty? find peace in the middle east? yeah right we cant even keep our own streets clean because of lazy vermin throwing their fast food c**p everywhere......

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dinoz71
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not forget the smokers! The world is their ashtray! Disgusting.....

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AlimMohamed
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live here and this is only true in a very few local islands, not the resorts you guys will vacation in

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MuhammadFazeen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can see scenes like this on some islands but not in tourist resorts.

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GeraGuinandSchulz
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not quite true... I've been to the Maldives and it was real paradise! Not a bit of trash anywhere and white soft sand for miles!...

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FatmaPındıkoglu
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not true, Furanafushi island is exactly like the first picture :)

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Sarah-JaneHeath
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't true - I've been to the Maldives a few times and it's always like Picture No 1 - absolutely ideallic and breathtaking.

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CarissaChua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's because you went to the ones where hotels have taken good care of. Try going to public ones that are more frequented by locals instead of tourists.

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SarahHarvey
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The original photo was of a resort. The second photo was on a local island or an uninhabited island. Of course a resort won't have trash!!! Source: I lived in Maldives

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DendenSolis
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not true. I worked there for 2 years and it is really a paradise.

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NaaiIbrahim
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the maldives. The first picture shows a resort beach and i have no idea where the 2nd picture is from. A resort beack would never look like that. Its cleaned twice a day. This entire article is a bit misleading

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SiddharthChury
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so not true. I have myself visited 3 islands in the Maldives with really clean, pristine beaches.

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MarinellaMarinova
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this a joke? I've never seen any trash on island in Maldives. I could upload some pictures.

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JoyceTurgo
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been to some islands in Maldives, you will be able to see trashes on those islands without high-end resorts. JUst like Maafushi, the island is beautiful but I hope that the local will do something to keep the cleanliness in their island. Only islands with expensive resorts maintain cleanliness all over the place.

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JimmyDamsgaard
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Near Male (the capital) is trash island. It's just a garbage dump really. The resorts are clean, because clearly they wouldn't make money otherwise. Now what I found most sad about living there - most people there, don't actually know how to swim...

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GinoArduini
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

never been, shame... shame people are so stupid to get paradise like a dumpsite

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SusanStuart
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the Maldives and there was no rubbish on the beaches.

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sebaschan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no, no-one should be punished by death. I can be quite vocal about such topics involving death. for example, lets say execution. isn't that just legalised murder? killing someone with intention is murder, and that is what executions are. and don't get me started on abortion, that's also murder. killing an unborn child is wrong. I've got a lot of friends who agree with me. anyway I need to shut up or I'll rant on for days.... even Sebastian Michaelis will agree, and he's a manga demon, known for stealing tamashii...

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TammyChapman
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad to know that the first picture is one of the places I've always wanted to go. It's sad though that there is so much garbage that's washed ashore all over the world.

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IlhamFuadi
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its not fair comparing two different photos, better one is view at maldives resort, than comparing with maldives island (maybe male island). During my visited at the resort, there is very clean beach n cozy.

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TaraTrainor
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow....way to ruin paradise you stupid POS people...all of this makes me realize I am better off at home

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ReshmaArora
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exaggeration. Come on. I've been there. It's so close to the first pic

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StuartMorgan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one isn't true, certainly not on the resort islands. One the local islands you do get some rubbish but tourists will never see that. It's only rubbish that is washed up its not the locals dumping it, you won't find people more aware of the environment than they are in the Maldives.

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SallyVogel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is waste from ships, from rivers where people dump their trash into them and they flow to the sea. It is a huge problem worldwide. Horrible. Humans are nature's worst mistake.

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DonaDiani
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is total bullocks, the Maldives are so sanitised, they have people working around the clock to clear rubbish from tourist islands

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JoMcRae
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This rubbish has not been dropped there by people on the beach - it has been washed up from rubbish that has come from anywhere. There is a revolving pile of rubbish somewhere in the Atlantic, birds are starving because they eat our plastic.

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RozEdelberg
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are pigs and have no regard for these places. UGH !!!

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TaniaDrobchenko
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True, the inhabited islands are like this, but the resort island are very clean, the problem is - they are a nation of tiny islands, they burn all the waste that can be burned, and ship to their capital tiny island all the other waste, then ship it to sri lanka. I wish there was some kind of cameras monitoring the shores for this waste, and the island citizens get fines for trashing

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RicardoVaz
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been there this year, it is true and a shame the trash everywhere. The locals throw everything overboard...

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Murpy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One's a resort, one's not. That simple in showing how much people actually care in preserving our world.

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CristinaMartin
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also not everywhere on the planet do countries have a proper waste system. What a snob way of thinking and not to say immature bea.

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BettiBakos
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry but the resort islands do look gorgeous....the second picture was taken on a local resindents' beach.

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ManuelaPrandi
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is this real all that garbage???? I mean you go to Maldives and you find that????

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RachaelKing
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me feel so sad that people can thoughtlessly leave rubbish behind,,doesn't take much to take your junk away with you.

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TenchyJefferson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which island is this? Because i went to COCO ISLAND last year and it was spotless , they have people rake the sand and pick up anything in the morning and at sunset. It was just like the picture.

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RuminMann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not true.. i was in maldives and its the first pic that is the true representation

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ElginaThomsen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so true! I have been to very remote gorgeous island with white sand beaches full of human debris! So sad and disappointing!

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AdeelAzhar
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not fair...wherever this pic was taken the fault lies on the hotel owning the island... I stayed at Iru Fushi and it was serene at the first picture

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#9

Walking Around Santorini Island, Greece

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paowmagazine Report

#10

Checking Out The Breathtaking Glory Of The Taj Mahal, India

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Marvin Bartels Report

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#11

Enjoying Your Private Moments On The Beaches Of Thailand

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Gunter Flegar Report

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NotchimineMette
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This place was way more crowded when I was there. And the petrol fumes were stifling... I was sooo upset.

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#13

Watching The Stonehenge During Sunset, United Kingdom

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Crisher Entertainment Report

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AmyFaith
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS IS SUMMER SOLSTICE. Normally you aren't allowed this close to the stones, so this picture is misleading.

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#14

Visiting Pyramids Of Giza In Cairo, Egypt

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Edward Ewert Report

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Ada-LeeQuirk
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best to arrive either very, very early n the day, or later in the afternoon or evening. And bring a lot of bottled water, it's hot as blazes and waiting in one can be very overwhelming. Plus I wouldn't advise going up in the pyramid if you have any claustrophbia. It's hot, dark, and has no air flow.

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#15

Climbing Mount Everest, Nepal

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Barry Bishop Report

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ArekCzuchraj
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hillary Steps always crowded , beside there is 4-6 weeks weather window and from it only 2 weeks for summit attack , as well sinc 90's commercial tour operators took over this rock , from first climb in 53 numbers of 'climbers' went ballistic , you have money , you go everest ... Fukcud up a bit

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#16

Hanging Out At The Spanish Steps In Italy With Your Sweetheart

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PeterJot Report

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YanayTsabary
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who is this model?? I swear to god I see her everywhere it's starting to get creepy

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#17

Admiring Little Mermaid In Copenhagen, Denmark

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wallpaperswiki.com Report

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JesperBové
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No matter what, the first one is photoshopped, she is not sitting with open water in the background but in the harbour of CPH. And yes she is tiny, hence the name, Little Mermaid.

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#18

Enjoying St. Peter's Square Before Entering The Beautiful Basilica In Vatican City

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Erik Gamache Report

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Kostas
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this line moves very fast. it's just for the metal detector and dress code control

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#19

Walking In Sheep Meadow, In New York's Central Park, United States

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Ekabhishek Report

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DanielGagliano
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

its not even the same day wtf lol one is winter and one is summer what a joke how many of these are lies like this

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#20

Visiting The Acropolis Of Athens, Greece

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imgur.com Report

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VaggelisKaradimas
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, the photo "after" shows Propylaia of Acropolis and not Parthenon. The temple is at the back of the photographer.

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#21

Visiting Hall Of Mirrors In The Palace Of Versailles, France

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Wikimedia Commons Report

#22

Admiring The Glorious Niagara Falls, Which Marks The Border Between Canada And USA

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KP Tripathi Report

#23

Exploring Arashiyama Bamboo Forest In Japan

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Daniel Peckham Report

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ClaudiaLandry
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It really isn't that bad actually. Quite a pleasant walk and not that much people, especially in the morning.

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#25

Walking By The Howrah Bridge In Kolkata, India

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soumikdatta09 Report

#26

Exploring Antelope Canyon Arizona, USA

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Cebb Photographies Report

#27

Having Family Fun Time At The Water Park

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AP Report

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DavidGallagher
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The family appears to be in a hotel, and swimming pools in hotels are often empty enough. As for public pools in China...I'm sorry but no amount of heat would ever make me want to dive in there. How is that remotely enjoyable? I'd have a panic attack.

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#28

Admiring Wat Rong Khun Temple In Thailand

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Ying Tong Low Report

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ClarPanganiban
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've been here on a touristy season and there's not this much people. Maybe it just depends on the time and season? These two photos are not even the same angles! lol. So one-sided.

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#29

Enjoying James Bond Island In Thailand

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Joan Gamell Report

#30

Getting Goosebums In Front Of The Ancient Temple Of Abu Simbel In Egypt

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Walter Weinberg Report

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LauraGary-Domingue
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know if I'd want to get the "goosebums." Is that like the chicken pox?

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#31

Walking Across The Capilano Suspension Bridge In Vancouver, Canada

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Michelle Lee Report

#32

Visiting The Forbidden City In Beijing, China

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panoramio.com Report

#33

Swimming With Dolphins

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cubawanderer.com Report

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Arty
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you don't swim with dolphins! You touch some poor animal prisoner in a few square meters. Please don't do that!

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#34

Visiting The Sydney Opera House, Australia

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Neal Mcfarlane Report

#35

Tasting Thailand’s Exotic Food In Bangkok, Thailand

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HellonEarth2006 Report

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DanielBonadiman
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These two photos are from different places, one photo is from a floating market outside of Bangkok way less crowded than the one close to the city.

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#36

Anytime You're Admiring The Blooming Sakura Trees

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Satoko Kawasaki Report

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DanielBonadiman
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These two photos are from different places, one in in Kyoto and the other probably Ueno park in Tokyo. This comparison makes no sense.

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#37

Exploring The Amazing Architectural Details Of Gaudi's Casa Mila In Barcelona, Spain

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Mike Report

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JuliaKalcheva
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Casa Mila was covered for restoration in 2014, that's old news! Last October was amasing and fully uncovered!

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#38

Admiring The Breathtaking Machu Picchu Scenery, Peru

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Ricardo Shuck Report

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WendyMargarita
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

GO EARLY! I was there before the influx of tour buses came in! And it was sooooo worth it!

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#39

Exploring The Pristine Temples Of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Trey Ratcliff Report

#40

Enjoying A Hike In Yosemite National Park, United States

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Mike Oria Report

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LillianBlackburn
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having spent considerable time at Yosemite I can say the second photo is of a very touristy 'scenic view', but there are plenty of places to be all alone, if you are willing to get out into the woods.

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