Jennifer’s travelogue

They might be giants

They might be giants

Spectators thrill to stilt-walkers at a Carnaval parade in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

Colorful crowd

Colorful crowd

The attire was just as vivid on the sidelines at this Carnaval parade in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

Wee watcher

Wee watcher

The Carnaval parade in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela, probably just looked like a sea of legs to this stroller-bound spectator.

Above it all

Above it all

A young girl watches a Carnaval parade in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

Flower power

Flower power

San Francisco celebrates Carnaval in its own inimitable style, with the usual feathered beauties and traditionally costumed dancers joined by pirates, low-riders, roller-skating disco divas, and the city's always crowd-pleasing garbage men, whirling their trash cans down the street and up in the air in perfect sync.

Lunch break

Lunch break

Enjoying the sun and scenery during a kayaking trip in Abel Tasman National Park.

The other side of the mountain

The other side of the mountain

At last, the (long, slow) descent begins.

In hot water

In hot water

Watch your step while crossing this stream fed by thermal springs.

Unearthly delight

Unearthly delight

Mt. Ngauruhoe looms over the moonscape of the South Crater.

Tiny figures

Tiny figures

The first ascent is one of the steepest, but don't feel too self-satisfied as you look back at the next wave of hikers approaching from the valley floor. There's plenty more climbing to come.

Jennifer Hattam

Jennifer Hattam has been a member since 6 December 2007 and goes by mission75.

Currently in Istanbul at last.

I am a journalist by profession and a photographer by obsession. In both my worlds I am a gleaner, listening and looking for the telling detail to capture, the moment of revelation that slips away too quickly.

You can also find Jennifer at www.flickr.com/photos/jhattam.