The Gulf of Oman is a region of diverse landscapes and rich history. Stretching between the coasts of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, this gulf is lined with stunning shorelines, port cities, and hidden natural gems.
Sapporo, (säp-pô´rô), capital of Hokkaido prefecture, SW Hokkaido, Japan. One of Japan's most rapidly growing urban centers, Sapporo is famous for its annual snow festival. It was the site of the 1972 winter Olympics.
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument stretches across southern Utah as a vast landscape of layered cliffs, winding canyons, and open desert plateaus. The land shifts in color from pale cream to deep red, depending on the angle of the sun, revealing rock layers that look like pages stacked over time. Much of the area feels remote, with long dirt roads like Hole-in-the-Rock Road leading travelers deep into quiet terrain where rock formations rise suddenly from flat ground.
Shanghai is a city where contrasting timelines meet at every corner. Once a small fishing village along the Huangpu River, it grew rapidly during the 19th century into a major trading port. Today, its skyline tells a story of that transformation. On one side, the Bund’s colonial-era buildings stand tall in limestone and granite; on the other, the futuristic towers of Pudong, like the Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao, stretch into the clouds.
Macao, a Special Administrative Region of China, is known for its distinctive blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage. Once a Portuguese colony, the city retains historic squares, colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets that contrast with its modern skyline of resorts and entertainment complexes.
Soft morning colors reflect across the peaceful wetlands of Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park.
Lotus lilies and lush grasses cover the seasonal wetlands of Yellow Water Billabong.
Photo Credit: Bonez71
A colorful sunset is reflected in the still waters of Yellow Water Billabong.
Photo Credit: Reesa sc
A crocodile moves quietly through the open waters of Yellow Water Billabong.
Photo Credit: Reesa sc
Discover Yellow Water Billabong, known traditionally as Ngurrungurrudjba, a celebrated wetland near Cooinda in Kakadu National Park. Connected to Jim Jim Creek and the South Alligator River floodplain, its scenery transforms with Kakadu’s seasons, expanding across the surrounding plains after summer rains and concentrating wildlife around its waterways during the dry months. Cruises and seasonal walking areas offer views of waterlilies, paperbarks and pandanus, along with saltwater crocodiles and abundant birdlife such as magpie geese, egrets and sea eagles. At sunrise and sunset, glowing skies and reflections reveal one of Kakadu’s most memorable natural and cultural landscapes.