H2O. It’s the magic formula, in which, two atoms of Hydrogen and one atom of Oxygen, bind together, to form a molecule of water. This week’s challenge takes me back to our college Chemistry lab, when we conducted experiments with acids, alkalies, and water. Honestly, I never really liked chemistry. Veering strongly towards Physics, I thought of Chemistry, as nothing more than applied Physics. However, it’s been more than 10 years since I’ve left academia, and once those blinders (abstract to real) have been lifted, I see the world very differently now. Even H2O, or water, as we commonly call it, has changed in meaning.
Water. I’m not sure we’d do much without it. Or would life ever exist — as we know of it? As we probe our universe and neighbouring planets, in desperate hopes of finding water, or perhaps, alternate forms of life; earth seems to be facing it’s own little crisis of sorts. With climatic patterns changing over the years and heat waves affecting crop cycles; cyclonic downpours, cold winters, and hurricanes becoming a regular occurrence across the globe; I wonder how life (on earth) would shape up in the next 50 years? Until then, while I still can, I’d like to to escape to those fascinating places on earth, each celebrating a different state/phase of water, which gives me hope, that soon enough we’d wake up, and realise how important it is to appreciate and nurture what we have — while we can.
You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.
Rabindranath Tagore
Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything – even mountains, rivers, plants and trees – should be your teacher.
Morihei Ueshiba
To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.
Alan Watts
The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.
Sigmund Freud
twobrownfeet 
Lovely set of pictures from across the World! Love this write-up
Thanks so much, Arvind. I did intend to make it an around the world collection, but couldn’t see beyond Iceland. 🙂 All pics are from our 2013 Icelandic trip.
Ha ha! Sometimes it happens like this. For example I can’t think of anything for this week’s WPC prompt. I did Post one on my other blog though 🙂
I know what you mean. I’m stuck in a phase lag of posts. Sigh! 😦
I feel few of bloggers are quite like artists. Sometimes we are in a mood to write posts -one after another and then there are times when you don’t want to! 😉
Haha! That’s quite an analogy! 🙂
Just wanted to know have you found GPSmycity useful? Any feedback after being on it for few months?
I haven’t used it (the app) in real time, as you might have guessed, we haven’t traveled around Korea or anywhere else. Have occasionally checked to see articles by contributing authors. Sadly, our phones work on android and not IOS. We don’t carry our IPAD on these short travels. These days, we’re restricting our travels to areas around Seoul. 🙂 Hope that answers your question.
Thanks for the details. I was referring to your articles uploaded on to GPSmycity app 🙂
I downloaded this app on my android phone ( don’t like ios) but never found it great. I just signed on to upload my post on this app. So wanted to know your feedback
Honestly, things have been a blur since I’ve been back. I’ve not had the time to blog effectively, Instagram, or even check posts on the reader. I think what works for me, their content team picks up posts that fit the criteria and markets it. Haven’t cared much for metrics, as I’ve always maintained. It’s good to have numbers, but seriously I enjoy my freedom to write. And if it helps travellers — that’s perfect!
That being said, I think it’s great that you’re signed up for it! All the best! 🙂 Hope it works for you or what you’re looking for!
I took your suggestion and thought let me see. If what we create can help someone -that’s great! Were you traveling?
Not really. I’d be lucky if we go on a trip — this year. Exploring our surroundings, meeting new people, and immersing myself in the local culture is high on the list. 🙂
Water is life and the next wars will probably be fought over water rather than oil.
Couldn’t agree more! 😦
Great water (and Iceland) shots!
Thanks Lex! Basil’s pretty good with the lens. These days, he seems to have lost his interest in photography. 😦
Cuz he’s too busy taking 10 hour bike rides along the Han, and dragging his unfortunate wife along with him. Hahahahaaaa 😉
Hahahaha! Shelleeeeeeee! Yeah, he seems to have lost all interest in photography. And he bought himself a new camera. I don’t even know when am I going to write about our 2 day trip along the Han, including the pitstop at your place! I’ve been struggling today with old trips and sleep. 😦 Is it the weather or just me?
Water. Good compilation of its useful facts.
I liked Rabindranath Tagore’s Quote.
Thanks! 🙂
I could have sworn the geyser picture was Yellowstone but I was so wrong. Iceland is such a nice looking country
That’s what I love about travel! There are so many fascinating places that look surprisingly similar. Iceland is a stunning country. Yellowstone is on our bucket list. That’s if we start travelling like we used to. 🙂
There is something spellbinding about water, I find. Have to say that photo Gullfoss is just jaw dropping – hope I get to see it for myself one day.
Couldn’t agree more. I could stare at flowing rivers or the sea for hours. 🙂 Make that trip to Iceland. There are so many places to fall in love with. 🙂
Wonderful post Cheryl and as usual beautifully written. Spectacular photos of life sustaining water, Basil’s photography of Iceland is amazing.
Thanks a bunch, Miriam. I don’t think I/we can get enough of Iceland. 🙂
That’s understandable. 🙂
Do you have many places that you’d find hard to forget? 🙂
Oh yeah, I do. Some are right here in Australia, like Mungo National Park in the outback. Very magical, spiritual almost … 🙂
I wish I could be everywhere! Haha! 🙂
Yeah, me too! 🙂
We share another thing in common! 🙂
I love seeing all these pictures from Iceland 🙂 h2O is truly an amazing thing 🙂
Iceland pictures are for sighing! Remembering the good time when the bad times strike. Haha!
Yes ! This last month, I have printed a few photobook of my past travels and it’s always nice to have a hard copy of basically my blog to go through during hard times 🙂
Wow! That’s an amazing idea. I’ve thought of it. In our old apartment almost every wall had a fantastic picture. lol!
We also have a lot of pictures on the wall 🙂
We too…and then when there was no space I started blogging…lol!