As a Local Guide Level 8, I’m very inspired by the idea of being part of a global community like the Local Guides. I consider myself a globetrotter; I’ve spent three years of my life in Beijing, China, and I always strive to find time to go out and discover the world.
Wherever I go, I use my phone to take photos and navigate with the help of Google Maps. When I check a place, I trust other Local Guides’ contributions and look at the photos they’ve shared. This is also the most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide — add photos that could help others in their journey of discovering the world.
Here are three of my most viewed photos on Google Maps. From the charismatic Tibet, to the ancient temples of Cambodia, to Greece’s renowned beaches, these photos might inspire you to put on your travel wish list, too.
1. Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, Greece
Have you ever dreamt of visiting a beach that’s far off the big resorts and untouched by the modern world? With a combination of about 300 annual days of sunshine, great quality of water and sand, and breathtaking surroundings, the Shipwreck Beach, also known as Navagio Beach, is a postcard-perfect destination. That was my reason to visit it, too. The first thing I did there was to share my photos on Google Maps.2. Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet
I’m quite interested in the culture of Asia. While living there, I used my holidays to explore places that I’d never before dreamt possible to reach. One such destination was Tibet, a land close to the top of the world. A must-stop on my adventure was the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the Potala Palace. As this is a sacred place, taking photos inside wasn’t allowed. However, I could freely capture the stunning view of the facade when standing in front of it.
3. Ta Prohm Temple in Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Immersing myself into the wondrous ancient temples of Angkor was one of the things I craved doing. Once a myth, a lost city, an unattainable relic, today Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s Cambodia’s national pride and a symbol of the once great Khmer Empire. Having the chance to be there and feel the imposing spirit of the centuries-old ruins is something that words can’t express. That’s why I took many photos to visually convey the feeling of how amazing our world is.
Sharing these moments with other Local Guides is what I enjoy the most. By adding photos to Google Maps, I can put a place on someone’s bucket list or even make them go out of their comfort zone to explore the magic of our world themselves.