This picture was taken in southern Thailand. I thought this boy, resting on bags of rice, typified the laid-back atmosphere of the country.

First Place- “Taking a Break” by Sean Sylvia, Thailand

This is the ootori, or front gate, of the Itsukushima shrine on the Miyajima Island in western Japan. Itsukushima shrine is a national treasure, listed as one of the Nihon Sankei, or three most beautiful places in Japan. The shrine itself, which is built on stilts in the sea, is said to have been first constructed in 593. The ootori, whose purpose is to welcome departed spirits arriving from across the inland sea, is set 143 meters out in the ocean in front of the shrine. This is the eighth built since the original construction of the shrine and finished in 1875. It also serves as a main symbol of Japan’s cultural heritage.

Second Place- “Itsukushima Shrine Ootori” by Sean Sylvia , Miyajima, Japan

This picture was taken when my mother and I went to Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney. I considered sending just a plain old picture of the opera house which I have many of from every angle imaginable, but I thought this view was unique and cool! The views from the zoo were surreal. This giraffe probably has the best view in Sydney. I don’t know of any other place in the world where you can find a view of an Opera house with a giraffe.

Third Place- “Zoo with a View” by Lindsey Harris, Sydney, Australia

On the first night a trek in northern Thailand we stopped in small village of the Kaaren tribe, traditionally refugees from the Cambodian civil war. The Kaaren are one of the three major tribes residing in Northern Thailand. Even we spoke no Kaaren and only knew a few words in Thai we were able to interact surprisingly well with the locals, especially the children who seemed to be fascinated with us. In the photo I am trying (unsuccessfully) to get the youngest to laugh, while the boy shows us a toy his father made for him out of bamboo. Reaching this village was a definite relief since we had just walked 15 kilometers through the mountains to get here.

Third place- “Kaaren Tribal Children” by Sean Sylvia, Thailand