Warm days in Paris can bring out the crowds, especially in the parks near the foot of the Eiffel Tower. While lines can be long year round, they get the worst around Bastille Day (July 14) when the picture on the right was taken. And once you get to the top, well, expect more congestion.
Shopping in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul will overload your senses. Colors, shapes, smells and sounds approach you from every direction in what can only be described as immersion in consumption. The bad news, however, is that the touts are waiting for you. Cast a wayward glance at any nice rug and someone will chase you down the hall trying to strike a deal. The result is an experience that’s slightly colored by trying to manage respectful bartering and curious shopping at the same time.
[flickr images via governmentality and blackpower2010]
Wouldn’t you know it, someone else happens to be taking that cheesy staged photo in the same spot that you’re trying to take it. In fact, it’s happening all over.
[flickr images via harshlight and roberto_venturini]
Angkor Wat in northwest Cambodia is best viewed at sunrise or sunset when the golden tones sweep lavishly over the complex. Problem is, everyone else also wants to be there for sunrise so competition for that best shot is pretty high.
Rock hopper African penguin colonies famously criss-cross the Cape of Good Hope south of Cape Town, South Africa, and one of the most popular spots to see the creatures is at Boulder Beach. There’s a bit of wood decking and infrastructure built around this colony, which makes it easier for tourists to access. As such, though you can get a bit closer to the animals you can expect a bit of a crowd. Don’t get to close either, the animals are still quite wild.