The national geographic 2012 traveler photo contest winners are revealed ! 11 stunningly breathtaking pictures that ewill take you in a magnificent journey around the world’s wonders!
From Afghanistan Kyrgyz lands simplicity of life to Norway northern lights, the beautiful contrast between viet children dreams and a talk between some old moroccan men. Not forgetting New Zealand, Madagascar, Chile…If you are about to travel, you’ll certainly find your inspiration here.
So let’s discover the winning photos that has been choosen between 12,000 entries from 6,615 talented photographers in 152 countries around the globe. ENJOY THE RIDE!
1st place winner : Butterfly by Cedric Houin
This image was shot in the Kyrgyz lands of the Wakhan Corridor. The intimacy of this everyday life moment, shot inside of a family yurt, is in total contrast with the harsh environment these nomadic tribes live in. On the right we notice a television and a sound console. These tribes live weeks away from any village by foot. In spite of being located at an altitude of 4,300 meters in one of the most remote areas of Afghanistan they are equipped with solar panels, satellite dishes and cellphones. Ancestral ways of living, with touches of modernity.
2nd place winner : Baloons by Vo Anh Kiet
H’mong children play with their balloons on a foggy day in Moc Chau, Son La province, Vietnam
3rd place winner : Devotees by Andrea Guarneri
During the Easter holy celebration called “Misteri” in Trapani, the devotees carry the scenes of Christ’s passion on their shoulders all night long. When the day comes they take a break.
Merit winner : Underwater surf by Lucia Griggi 
Taken at Cloud Break at an outer reef in Fiji, a surfer duck dives his board to clear the rolling waves of the raw ocean.
Merit winner : The Village of Gésadalur by Keb Bower
The village of Gásadalur and the island of Mykines in the background.
Until a tunnel was built in 2004, the 16 residents living in Gásadalur had to take a strenuous hike or horseback over the steep 400 meter mountain in order to make it to the other villages.
Merit winner Swimming in the rain by Camille Massu
« My sister in the south of Chile. We are sitting at home next to the fireplace in our southern lake house when it suddenly began to pour uncontrollably. Had to rush into the lake to take this snapshot! »
Merit winner : Old men with DJellaba by SauKhiang Chau
The Last Supper Of Da Vinci? No, They are just some old men of Chefchaouen with djellaba, sitting and talking each other.
Merit winner : Lost in time, an ancient forest By Ken Thorne
Near the city of Morondava, on the West coast of Madagascar lies an ancient forest of Baobab trees. Unique to Madagascar, the endemic species is sacred to the Malagasy people, and rightly so. Walking amongst these giants is like nothing else on this planet. Some of the trees here are over a thousand years old. It is a spiritual place, almost magical.
Merit winner : Look into antoher world by Fred An
« This is the great Japanese maple tree in the Portland Japanese Gardens. I tried to bring a different perspective of this frequently photographed tree. »
Merit winner : Bagan Bliss by Peter deMarco
« More than 2,000 Buddhist temples and pagodas fill the plains of Bagan. Once the capital of the Pagan Empire, farmers now raise their livestock within the centuries old complex. The best way to see Bagan, apart from a ride on a hot air balloon, is by bicycle. It’s easy to get off the beaten path and live out your wildest Indiana Jones fantasy »
Viewer’s choice : Huset by Michelle schantz
A lonely cabin is illuminated under the Northern Lights in Finnmark, Norway
Mike's Chemistry 