[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10902] ’Roman triumphal arch in Orange.’ The Roman triumphal arch of Orange is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with the town's Roman theatre. In 2009 a black layer of soot and dust was removed from the arch and now its white limestone looks as good as new. Roman Orange was founded in 35 BC by veterans of the Second Augustan Legion and the reliefs on the arch celebrate two of their victories, one at sea and the other against the Gauls. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10876] ’Between cathedral and theatre.’ Orange is a small town with only 30.000 inhabitants. The old centre lies wedged between the enormous back wall of the Roman theatre and the cathedral, the roof of which provides the viewpoint for this picture. Between AD 1622 and 1673 the now wooded Hill of St.Eutrope, visible in the background, was crowned by one of the largest castles of Europe. It was built by the Dutch stadtholder Maurits, Prince of Orange, to defend the town and the freedom of religion it offered to French Protestants (Huguenots) who flocked to the town. Photo Paul Smit.

[BURMA 24.786] ’Tree at Pindaya.’ The gnarled roots of an ancient tree catch the first sunlight at Pindaya, in the highlands north of Kalaw. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[AUSTRALIA.NTERRITORY 9832] 'Uluru seen from close by.' Uluru (Ayers Rock) seen from close by, in early morning light. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11083] 'Latona and Neptune fountains and Grand Canal, Versailles.' The Latona and Neptune Fountains shining in the backlight of the sun setting behind the Grand Canal - it's the opening chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes). Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.

[USA.ARIZONA 28018a] ’Coyote Buttes nature reserve.’ The strange landscape of Coyote Buttes nature reserve (in the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness) is made up by a 200 million years old geological formation called Navajo Sandstone. It is composed primarily of wind-blown sand from a vast ancient desert. Minerals of iron oxide, deposited by groundwater after the accumulation of the sand, have created red, orange and yellow colours. The light dome-like structures on the right are locally called "Brains Rocks". Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[BRITAIN.HEBRIDES 27722] ‘Orange and black rocks at Tolsta.’ At Garry Beach near Tolsta, on the eastern shore of the Isle of Lewis, orange coloured rocks have received a striking "painting" by patches of black lichens. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[BRITAIN.HEBRIDES 27720] ‘Orange and black rocks at Tolsta.’ At Garry Beach near Tolsta, on the eastern shore of the Isle of Lewis, orange coloured rocks have received a striking "painting" by patches of black lichens. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[GERMANY.BAWU 00710] 'vineyards of Meersburg.' Most people don't leave Meersburg, one of the top attractions at the Bodensee, for a walk. That's a pity, because it is surrounded by vineyards. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27516] 'Covered in red powder.' On the second day of the Nepalese New Year people in Thimi throw clouds of brilliant orange-red powder over themselves, friends, neighbours and the gods that are carried through the town in palanquins. For to drown one's fellows in vermilion powder is a token of respect, just as it honours the gods and goddesses. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27514] 'Covered in red powder.' On the second day of the Nepalese New Year people in Thimi throw clouds of brilliant orange-red powder over themselves, friends, neighbours and the gods that are carried through the town in palanquins. For to drown one's fellows in vermilion powder is a token of respect, just as it honours the gods and goddessses. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27417] 'Hanuman on Bhaktapur's Hanuman Ghat.' Statue of Hanuman on Bhaktapur's Hanuman Ghat (along the Hanumante River). Owing to his ability to ward of evil spirits, the Hindu monkey god Hanuman is one of the most popular gods in Nepal. Corns of rice have been pushed in the mouth of this Hanuman during a puja offering. The puja is a personal ritual which may be done before any sacred spot and can consist of an offering of flowers, incense, butter lamps, abhir (coloured powder) and various kinds of food. This statue has received so much vermilion powder during offering that it just looks like an orange blob. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.PROVENCE 10901] ’Roman triumphal arch in Orange.’ The Roman triumphal arch of Orange is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with the town's Roman theatre. In 2009 a black layer of soot and dust was removed from the arch and now its white limestone looks as good as new. Roman Orange was founded in 35 BC by veterans of the Second Augustan Legion and the reliefs on the arch celebrate two of their victories, one at sea and the other against the Gauls. Photo Paul Smit.

[BURMA 24.789] ’Tree at Pindaya.’ The gnarled roots of an ancient tree catch the first sunlight at Pindaya, in the highlands north of Kalaw. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[AUSTRALIA.NTERRITORY 9828] 'Uluru seen from close by.' Uluru (Ayers Rock) seen from close by, in the light of sunrise. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11085] 'Fire ballet in front of the Palace of Versailles.' Impressive is the ballet of gas flames, perfectly choreographed with the baroque music, during the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) . Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11082] 'Latona and Neptune fountains in front of the Grand Canal, Versailles.' The Latona and Neptune Fountains shining in the backlight of the sun setting behind the Grand Canal during the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) . Photo Paul Smit.

[BRITAIN.IRELANDNORTH 21.845] ‘Golden bays.’ The Atlantic coast near Benbane Head, west of Ballintoy, consists of a succession of bays and inlets. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[BRITAIN.HEBRIDES 27721] ‘Orange and black rocks at Tolsta.’ At Garry Beach near Tolsta, on the eastern shore of the Isle of Lewis, orange coloured rocks have received a striking "painting" by patches of black lichens. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[GERMANY.BAWU 00778] 'Flower island Mainau.' Not only is Mainau extremely busy between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the light is the least flattering and the flowers are less fresh. Go before 10 (from 7 a.m. on) and the flowering fields are at their best ... and all yours. Photo Paul Smit.

[VIETNAM.NORTH 21.484] ’Vietnamese scarecrow.’ A scarecrow, seemingly striding through the fields, saves rice from hungry birds. Photo Mick Palarczyk

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27434 'Hanuman in Bhaktapur's Ram Temple.' Hanuman in the Ram Temple near Bhaktapur's Hanuman Ghat. Owing to his ability to ward of evil spirits, the Hindu monkey god Hanuman is one of the most popular gods in Nepal. His statues are often covered in vermilion paste and clad in a robe. This one has received so much paste during offering that it just looks like an orange blob. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27440] 'Temple near Bhaktapur's Chuping Ghat.' A small temple complex on the bank of the Hanumante River near Bhaktapur's Chuping Ghat is a favourite spot for the town's youth to spend their time. Photo Paul Smit.

[USA.ARIZONA 28019] ’Pavement of giants.’ Examining the surface of the Brain Rocks, which seems to be paved with enormous pentagonal stones, you feel like an archaeologist studying a long-lost world of giants. The Brain Rocks can be found in Coyote Buttes nature reserve (in the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness) and are made up by a 200 million years old geological formation called Navajo Sandstone. The polygonal jointing is the result from expansion and contraction of the rock near its surface where temperature fluctuations are most extreme. Photo Paul Smit