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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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#9

Walking Around Santorini Island, Greece

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paowmagazine Report

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

this one was my next vacation pick....back to research mode.

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

Hahaha. No, this is just what happens in one particular spot, where everyone goes to see the sunset. The rest of the island is not even half as crowded. Don't change your mind. Go to Santorini. Just make sure you pick a slightly off-season time to visit (ideally May or September).

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

That's when people watch the famous Santorini sunset. The island is known for that so of course you'll have people sitting around to see it especially in high season. The good thing with the island is that it has different levels so everyone can see the view.

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

Yeah I went there last year to take pics of sunset. It was totally like that! lol

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

That's only on a specific spot for 30' each day. The island is still glorious

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

The flipped picture is NOT from a "usual day" in Santorini. It's from the annoual "Red Bull Art of Motion" Parkour world championship! Get your facts straight. Cheers

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

stay over night. you will totally have the place to yourself.

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

It all depends on the season. I went in early June and it was AMAZING!

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

Been there, totally true :( For a peaceful sunset, climb onto remains of the old castle Skaros.

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

santorini is a great place to visit. this particular pic is at a small village, during sunset, because they say that the sunset there is magical. so its very crouded. its NOT like that while talking a walk or anything

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

This is Oia on sunset time .. But Caldera is about 11km and are different levels and spots that you can see the sunset with privacy.. A tip ....Imerovigli is better spot to see the sunset and all the beautiful colors.. I live here all my life ...Santorini has wild beauty .. Is a MUST place to visit at least once

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

This picture may be true only on July just 5min before sunset...that isn't that special anyway :)

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

This is incorrect. I just went to santorini a few months ago. The 2 viewing points are very different . The flipped image is a point from where crowds gather to view the Oia sunset.

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

This crowd was for sunset in Oia. You could casually walk in the rest of the island. Take the trail from Fira to Oia, its so worth hiking.

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

That is maybe true a few hours a year. Santorini is beautiful!

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

This is only in the evening, when everyone is rushing to one spot to see the sunset. And it's not that bad. Santorini is amazing, you should still go !!!

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

It's not true. This pic is from Oia where people go to see the most beautiful sunset ....

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

The second pic is people watching the sunset... It's not that crowded.

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

I worked in Santorini and its not like this all the time!! This photo is taken in Oia, during the sunset time, at the most popular place to see the sunset in Oia. Everybody goes there like sheeps but there are many other nice places to enjoy the same view...even better!! Just explore more and follow the guides less...

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

They are all waiting for the sunset... we went in May many years ago, pre-tourist-season.

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

It was nothing like the pictures of the crowds when I was there, it felt as if I were alone.

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

Ok this is inaccurate. It's people waiting for the sunset in the village of Oia, which is supposed to have the best sunset on the island. So one small part of the island for one time of the day. The whole island gets an amazing view of the sunset. You'd be crazy to pass up Santorini.

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

this is not realistic. I've been in santorini a lot of times, the most were as in the first pic. In the second something happens

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

This is only at sunset at certain spots in Oia. Easy to avoid. Beautiful island, I have been there twice.

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

This is hardly accurate. I was there in June 2015, not even close to that busy. It was beautiful!

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

This only happens during August. So pic another month. September for instance is the best!

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

It wasn't that bad. If you get a local tour guide they can take you to quieter places to see sunset.

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

I was just talking about this yesterday, I'd love to go but it would be hard to move with all the other tourists around.

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

I was there in September 2014 and it´s one of the most beautiful Islands, I´ve ever seen....

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

This is not true! I have been in Santorini in the summer and you can get the same pic, easy with no people

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

I was there in 2014... It's not all like this. There is one spot that during sunset is for about and hour.

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

i have been there, this is not true. its only like this during the sunset in Oia specifically

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

I've been to santorini, it was not that busy lol this was in February it's a wonderful place

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

Trick is... GO EARLY. Always go early. I went to Niagara Falls at 9am, it was dead. Went back at 2pm and it was so busy. So, just get out of bed and go early. Easy.

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#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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