This image is proof positive that you just can’t tell where your next photo opportunity will come from.

We were touring an archeological site and trying to get the best image of a stone statue, when we realized how close we had gotten to the edge of the park. At that point, we were actually standing along the edge of a row of houses that sat along one side of the site. One of them had a cute goldfish pond with these three stone elephants standing guard.

Not an ancient statue at all, these were simple concrete yard ornaments available for a song. The flowers and cascading water paired with the afternoon light however, to make this charming shot.  What’s your favorite unexpected travel photo?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

Taken in Thailand, this dragon is one I’ve seen in numerous other travel photos. Still, I couldn’t resist. He deserves to be photographed, don’t you think?

A friend of ours is completely enamored with dragons, so we were on the lookout for anything dragon related on our world tour. This particular dragon is so colorful and has such texture and depth, he just commanded our attention.

Got a favorite dragon pic? Share a link to it in the comment section below.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This statue of a warrior guarding a temple is made of a mosaic of broken porcelain dishes. We toured the complex on a day excursion during a brief stint in Bangkok.

We arrived by river bus and toured the pleasant compound, which provided numerous photo opportunities. It was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.

If you ever have a chance to visit Bangkok, I recommend including some of the more sedate temples and visiting them by river bus. It’s a much more relaxing way to spend the day then being stuck in city traffic, and you get the cool breezes from the water to boot.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This giant stone head from an ancient Buddha statue has been framed where it fell by the roots of a giant banyan tree.

Taken in Ayutthaya, Thailand, this Buddha image is one of the many reasons my husband and I love to tour archeological sites for photo opportunities.  There’s always something unexpected and poignant.

We found this root-encased Buddha image at the end of the day, just before sunset. He provided a  thoughtful end to that particular excursion, and something to contemplate and discuss over dinner that evening.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

To be honest, Buddha statues aren’t exactly hard to come by when touring Southeast Asia. For some reason, however, this one caught my eye.

The scale is elegant, and the side view provides a glimpse of the serenity provided by disciplined meditation. This particular image was shot in Thailand, although it could have easily been obtained elsewhere in the region.

Got a favorite Buddha image in your travel photo collection? Link to it in your comment below.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

As bustling as Bangkok is, there are still places you can go to get zen. Such is this little spot at a monastery we visited there. 

At the majority of the Buddhist monasteries I’ve been to in East Asia, the coordinators are almost always open to respectful visiting travelers.  In addition to a wonderful cultural experience, these make for a relaxing break in the middle of an otherwise hurried and possibly frustrating travel day.

I still love looking at this bell image for its serenity, drama and commanding presence. What’s your favorite way to get zen when traveling to a busy, intense country?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This photo was submitted to the March 5, 2010 edition of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.Com.