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2016 and 2017 treated us with quite a few breathtaking travel photography shots, and 2018 is no exception. The jury of the Travel Photographer of the Year photo contest (TPOTY) have just announced their winners, and they perfectly portray the beautiful diversity of our colorful world and exotic places. The best photographers from 142 countries submitted more than 20,000 beautiful pictures to the competition, but only one took home the grand prize. Stefano Pensotti was named the Travel Photographer of the Year in this photography contest for his stunning portfolio of eight photographs, depicting how ordinary citizens engaged with their surroundings across several different continents. Scroll down to check out the best photos of the rest of the winners.

More info: tpoty.com

#1

Travel - Special Mention, Sylvia Michel, Switzerland

Travel - Special Mention, Sylvia Michel, Switzerland

"When I created this picture - a lot of people asking me if this is a wolf. And of course a swiss white shepherd has a lot of wolf in it. It was the reason for me to buy me a dog like this. He's not a typical pet, he has the majesty of a wolf and of course he has a lot of it's character!"

Sylvia Michel Report

#2

Beauty Of Light, Commended, Edward Graham, United States

Beauty Of Light, Commended, Edward Graham, United States

"To capture this image, I laid prone on the surface, aligning my camera with the ice block and setting sun in the distance. The ice block lit up with golden hues, emitting a visual warmth that belied the cold of this wonderful place"

Edward Graham Report

#3

Faces, People, Cultures, Winner, Marinka Masséus, Netherlands

Faces, People, Cultures, Winner, Marinka Masséus, Netherlands

“Albinism is more common in sub- Saharan Africa than in other parts of the world. Education about the disorder is needed to break through centuries of superstitions, especially in rural areas.”

Marinka Masséus Report

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yvonne_bernal avatar
Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so glad this photo brings light to those in Africa who are Albino. In Tanzania alone, witch doctors hunt those suffering from the condition for their body parts, which are used in potions to bring good luck and wealth. Victims can be kidnapped and then dismembered by hired killers, or even sold by unscrupulous family members, with body parts fetching up to $75,000 (£60,000). the greatest threat to people with albinism in Africa. They face a slower death from a disease known as the “silent killer”. Without melanin to protect them, they have a much higher risk of getting skin cancer.

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#4

Faces, People, Cultures - Winner, Best Single Image, Danny Yen Sin Wong, Malaysia

Faces, People, Cultures - Winner, Best Single Image, Danny Yen Sin Wong, Malaysia

A boy stands among the copper bracelets worn by the Suri women.

Danny Yen Sin Wong Report

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Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Danny Yen Sin Wong NEVER ceases to amaze me. I remember a few years back he photographed the "Fishing Nets" of Viet Nam. My favorite was the Rice Terrace. What an exceptional eye this man has for photography, he's won hundreds of awards - and rightly so!

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#5

Natural World,special Mention, Roie Galitz, Israel

Natural World,special Mention, Roie Galitz, Israel

"A mother Polar bear and her two young cubs are migrating north, as the sea ice melts quicker than previous years"

Roie Galitz Report

#6

Travel Photographer Of The Year, Overall Winner, Stefano Pensotti, Italy

Travel Photographer Of The Year, Overall Winner, Stefano Pensotti, Italy

Prayer time in one of little temples in the plain of Bagan—a young girl stops on her way to school.

Stefano Pensotti Report

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Dani
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how photos, that capture a single moment in time, can tell a story of many more years if done right

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#7

Natural World - Commended, Ignacio Palacios, Spain

Natural World - Commended, Ignacio Palacios, Spain

"A detail of a colorful chameleon"

Ignacio Palacios Report

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therealpixie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That leg is messing with my head. It looks like a front leg, and his tail is where his head should be.

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#8

Beauty Of Light,commended, Zhenzheng Hu, China

Beauty Of Light,commended, Zhenzheng Hu, China

Zhenzheng Hu Report

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#9

Faces, People, Cultures - Special Mention, Vladimir Alekseev, Russian Federation

Faces, People, Cultures - Special Mention, Vladimir Alekseev, Russian Federation

"The ‘chum’-the Nenets’ dwelling -is as mobile as they are. It consists of long sticks, and stitched reindeer skins stretched over it"

Vladimir Alekseev Report

#10

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

"When we met, the boy was carrying his shoes in his hands as he couldn't use them anymore. Traveling prepared makes a difference, and with my sewing needle and dental floss, we patched them up, so that he could follow his herd."

Matjaz Krivic Report

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B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And in the western world, people pay thousands for one pair of shoes they wear once in their lifetime... *rolls eyes*

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#11

Travel - Special Mention, Marsel Van Oosten, Netherlands

Travel - Special Mention, Marsel Van Oosten, Netherlands

“The Grand Tsingys are a rare geological phenomena. The rocks are razor sharp. I climbed up during the night to be able to photograph this climber in the early morning.”

Marsel van Oosten Report

#12

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Magdaléna Straková Report

#13

Hot/Cold, Commended, Stephen King, Hong Kong

Hot/Cold, Commended, Stephen King, Hong Kong

“Lava from the Kilauea Volcano flows into the ocean.”

Stephen King Report

#14

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

"Verges, a small town in Catalunya, is famous all over the world for the celebrations of the "Dansa de la Mort" that is celebrated on every holy Thursday. It is probably the last dance of its kind in Europe, performed continuously since the Middle Ages"

Mauro di Bettio Report

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Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The composition here with the full moon, the three "skeletons" etc. is great. And the front "skeleton" looks like he's floating in the air. Perfect timing

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#15

Natural World, Special Mention, Petar Sabol, Croatia

Natural World, Special Mention, Petar Sabol, Croatia

"The master river predator was seen by the Petar Sabol in his home village of Gorican, Croatia, fishing by a local canal. Professional photographer Petar, 36, said he was searching the area for several hours before he saw the lone kingfisher"

Petar Sabol Report

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#16

Natural World - Winner, Best Single Image, Florent Mamelle, France

Natural World - Winner, Best Single Image, Florent Mamelle, France

"This picture of the Fuego volcano
was taken from the summit of the Acatenango volcano. At 4000m, the sky was extremely clear and the Milky Way was in the upper left corner.”

Florent Mamelle Report

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#17

Natural World - Runner-Up, Fuyang Zhou, China

Natural World - Runner-Up, Fuyang Zhou, China

Fuyang Zhou Report

#18

Natural World - Highly Commended, Marsel Van Oosten, Netherlands

Natural World - Highly Commended, Marsel Van Oosten, Netherlands

"The Qinling golden snub-nosed monkey is listed as Endangered by the IUCN as only some 3,800 individuals still exist. Most people have never seen these creatures"

Marsel van Oosten Report

#19

Young Tpoty 15-18, Winner, Fardin Oyan, Bangladesh

Young Tpoty 15-18, Winner, Fardin Oyan, Bangladesh

16 year-old Fardin Oyan lives in Bangladesh and is currently studying in 11th grade at college. He had a keen interest in technical gadgets since his early childhood, and was particularly interested in cameras because photography never grew old as computer games did. When he was in 7th grade, he convinced his father to buy him a compact camera which was worth a little above a hundred USD. He can clearly remember the first snap he took - two sparrows just outside his window: "I was so happy that I can't describe that moment in words. The camera felt like a magical box to me. After that moment, I decided to take the path of photography seriously and now photography has become the part and parcel of my life."

Fardin Oyan Report

#20

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

"The morning mist rises mystically from the valley towards the small town in the Haraz mountains"

Matjaz Krivic Report

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#21

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

“Onno, a teenage girl from the Arbore tribe.”

Matjaz Krivic Report

#22

Travel - Winner, Best Single Image, Philip Lee Harvey, United Kingdom

Travel - Winner, Best Single Image, Philip Lee Harvey, United Kingdom

"Sand divers freedive down to the bottom of the Niger river to collect sand for the building industry. It’s an extremely dangerous job from which many don’t return.”

Philip Lee Harvey Report

#23

Hot/Cold, Runner-Up, Andrew James, United Kingdom

Hot/Cold, Runner-Up, Andrew James, United Kingdom

"Snowy meet-cute between an elephant seal and a Gentoo penguin"

Andrew James Report

#24

Hot/Cold, Winner, He Jian, China

Hot/Cold, Winner, He Jian, China

“The local people who walked on the pilgrimage road were pious and pure.”

He Jian Report

#25

Hot/Cold, Runner-Up, Philip Lee Harvey, United Kingdom

Hot/Cold, Runner-Up, Philip Lee Harvey, United Kingdom

"Snow seldom lays for long in London, but when it does, people make snowmen all around the city"

Philip Lee Harvey Report

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Luis Milian
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"excuse me ma'am, do you have time to talk about our lord and savior Olaf?"

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#26

Travel, Special Mention, Yingting Shih, Taiwan

Travel, Special Mention, Yingting Shih, Taiwan

"A red crane cleaning its own feathers looks like a taijitu. A taijitu is a symbol or diagram representing Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) which contains one circle with an inner pattern of symmetry representing yin and yang. The concept of Taiji can be traced back to the Daoism in the Dao De Jing. The oneness of the Dao implies the ideal way of existing and the perfect path of balance in our world."

Yingting Shih Report

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#27

Tranquillity, Commended, Scott Portelli, Australia

Tranquillity, Commended, Scott Portelli, Australia

“Dusky Dolphins travel together in great numbers in the deep canyons of the Kaikoura in search of food.”

Scott Portelli Report

#28

Faces, People, Culture - Special Mention, Ben Mcrae, Australia

Faces, People, Culture - Special Mention, Ben Mcrae, Australia

Ben McRae Report

#29

Young Travel Photographer Of The Year, Winner, Isabella Smith, United States

Young Travel Photographer Of The Year, Winner, Isabella Smith, United States

“This really grabbed my attention! I thought this local boy using oranges as balls, was the opposite of kids in my country playing with expensive toys.”

Isabella Smith Report

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kathryn stretton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw similar in a small village on the Turkey/Syria border about 12 years ago, before the wars. The children shook walnuts out of the trees and chased them, bouncing down the hill. Was wondeful to see.

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#30

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

“Taj and Akash travel every day from station to station with their mother, begging to make a living.”

Mauro di Bettio Report

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so sad that children - or anyone - has to travel in such an unsafe way

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#31

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

"Kids playing on the main minaret of the Grand Masjid in Bani, Burkina Faso, during Eid al-Fitr"

Matjaz Krivic Report

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LOttawa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me to my daughter when on a 4feet step ladder: get down from there, you'll get hurt....Me to these kids: I've passed out from fear.

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#32

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

"A young mahout rests in the shade underneath his elephant Shanti"

Magdaléna Straková Report

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What elephant? - thought it was a hut doorway - new meaning to "the elephant in the room" - The elephant IS the room

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#33

Travel Photographer Of The Year, Overall Winner, Stefano Pensotti, Italy

Travel Photographer Of The Year, Overall Winner, Stefano Pensotti, Italy

"Széchenyi Baths, built in 1913, is the most popular the inhabitants of Budapest who come here to relax with friends"

Stefano Pensotti Report

#34

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Magdaléna Straková Report

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Diana Hockley
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great! I have had pet rats for nearly 30 years and I just love them. I could allow these ones to nibble on my toes with no worries whatsoever! :)

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#35

Hot/Cold, Highly Commended, Joshua Holko, Australia

Hot/Cold, Highly Commended, Joshua Holko, Australia

"Joshua photographing polar bears during winter storm in Svalbard"

Joshua Holko Report

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Aileen
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another example of how photographers sometimes have to stand in the most awkward or painful positions/places to get the best shot.

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#36

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Matjaz Krivic Report

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#37

Faces, People, Cultures, Highly Commended, Tariq Zaidi, United Kingdom

Faces, People, Cultures, Highly Commended, Tariq Zaidi, United Kingdom

“Elie, 45, struts his stuff in the streets of Brazzaville. He has been a Sapeur for 35 years and his elaborate outfits bring joy to himself and his community.”

Tariq Zaidi Report

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Mads Sly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to Google, Sapeurs(or, La Sape) was a passive-aggressive anti-colonial movement which involved 'out-fashion-ing' the French colonials. Later synonymous with Congolese rumba. Awesome that Elie here is still full of swag and making people smile with it!

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#38

Travel - Special Mention, Paul Sansome, United Kingdom

Travel - Special Mention, Paul Sansome, United Kingdom

"Iceland is simply extraordinary - a unique wilderness of volcanic landscapes, stunning waterfalls, vast, empty beaches and great bird life.The Icelandic people are defined by their relationship with this land and the human impact of remote farms, isolated churches and fishing villages contribute to the photographers subject matter"

Paul Sansome Report

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#39

Beauty Of Light,commended, Oscar Tarneberg, United Kingdom

Beauty Of Light,commended, Oscar Tarneberg, United Kingdom

This is a famous highway intersection in Shanghai where two of the city’s core arteries meet.

Oscar Tarneberg Report

#40

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Trave, Highly Commended, Magdaléna Straková, Czech Republic

Magdaléna Straková Report

#41

Natural World, Special Mention, Antwan Janssen, Netherlands

Natural World, Special Mention, Antwan Janssen, Netherlands

Antwan Janssen Report

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madeleinesly avatar
Mads Sly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so glad these goose barnacles aren't open or have their stalks exposed, or I would be OUT OF HERE. >_<

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#42

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

Char Kaliganj in Dhaka, slum and home to one of the largest shipyards of Asia. A city made by giant skeletons of old ships which employ around 15 thousands souls that work to both break down massive shipping vessels as well as create new ships from the parts. The age of laborers ranges from 8 to 80 and they all work together. The work is hard, crude, dirty and dangerous but it gives thousands of them employment and wages to feed their families.

Mauro di Bettio Report

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madeleinesly avatar
Mads Sly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look down, look down, don't look 'em in the eye... it's fine, I know where the door is, I'll show myself out.

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#43

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Matjaz Krivic is a documentary photographer capturing stories of people and places. For 25 years he has covered the face of the earth in his intense, personal and aesthetically moving style that has won him several prestigious awards, including World Press Photo in 2016.

He has portrayed poor parts of the world characterised by traditions, social unrest and religious devotion. His photographs sensitively reflect the images of the marginal word – the voices of the neglected. Because of the artist’s directness and respect for individuals, the people photographed are spontaneous, natural and open.Their 'soul' is captured and the viewer is encouraged to observe and think.

Matjaz Krivic Report

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Troux
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone is interested, this is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, a gurdwara or church of the Sikh religion. Every year they host a massive feast open to people from all beliefs and walks of life.

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#44

Faces, People, Cultures, Commended, Sue O'connell, United Kingdom

Faces, People, Cultures, Commended, Sue O'connell, United Kingdom

Sue O'Connell Report

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Marnee DeRider
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's with the titles giving the location of the photographer instead of the location of the photo? Where is this? What's the point of travel photography that doesn't tell you the location?

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#45

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Travel Portfolio, Winner, Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia

Matjaz Krivic Report

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Lola
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m never going to complain about the condition of a gym.

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#46

Smart Shot, Commended, Josien Van Geffen, Netherlands

Smart Shot, Commended, Josien Van Geffen, Netherlands

"This photo was taken on a stormy day when a father threw a towel toward his son to see how hard the wind was blowing.”

Josien van Geffen Report

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#47

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

Travel,commended, Mauro Di Bettio, Italy

Mauro di Bettio Report

#48

Smart Shot, Winner, Nicola Young, United Kingdom

Smart Shot, Winner, Nicola Young, United Kingdom

Our trip to Mauritius in was accompanied by Cyclone Berguitta, causing stress and drama to everyone on the island. We escaped from the stormy beaches to explore the markets of Port Louis, including the Fish Market.
Read more at http://www.australianphotography.com/news/2018-international-travel-photographer-of-the-year-award-winners-announced#j1GXiq5QGPqLdS01.99

Nicola Young Report

#49

New Talent, Festivals & Events - Winner, Jose Antonio Rosas, Peru

New Talent, Festivals & Events - Winner, Jose Antonio Rosas, Peru

Jose Antonio Rosas was born and raised in Lima, Peru. Photography became a serious pursuit for him in 2007, when he first traveled to Antarctica and fell in love with its wildlife and landscapes. During the next eight years, he combined his love of photography and the outdoors with a career in finance. In 2015, he made the decision to take a year off from his career and enrolled in the Online Low Residency Program at the International Center of Photography. During this program, he was encouraged to expand the range of his interests, and started photographing people. After the program, he decided to dedicate more of his time to photography and is currently enrolled in the One-Year, Full Time Creative Practices program at ICP.

Antonio Rosas Report

#50

New Talent, Festivals & Events, Runner-Up, Diana Buzioanu, Romania

New Talent, Festivals & Events, Runner-Up, Diana Buzioanu, Romania

Diana Buzioanu Report

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Kevin Donegan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad ... look at all the "BEAR SUITS" to the left being worn by the people in line ... sad.

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