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A window, at first glance, might seem like a solely practical physical object that lets in light and air into our buildings and allows us to see what is happening outside. However, due to its ability to connect inside to the outside, it has acquired a deeper meaning, especially in art and literature where an opening in the wall symbolizes communication, liberation, hope, opportunity, and even escapism.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was confined between four walls, a view from a window could suddenly provide people with all of this and more. Seeing an opportunity to connect people during trying times, Barbara Duriau created the Facebook group ‘View From My Window,' encouraging its members to capture scenes from the comfort of their homes and share them with others so they could vicariously travel through them and break out of their isolation. Now there are more than 3.8 million people who continue to share the most incredible views through their windows, which you can find in the list below!

While you’re taking in their beauty, make sure to check out a conversation with founders of WindowSwap, Sonali Ranjit and Vaishnav Balasubramaniam, who kindly agreed to tell us about the inspiration behind their project, where people are also invited to share their views from their windows.

#1

Ravensdale - Ireland. Sunset, Our First Neighbours, Literally Our Window View!

Ravensdale - Ireland. Sunset, Our First Neighbours, Literally Our Window View!

Lily Walker Report

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    #2

    West Cork - Ireland

    West Cork - Ireland

    Alexandra Keane Report

    WindowSwap, similar to the Facebook group ‘View From My Window,” is a project created by two founders, Sonali Ranjit and Vaishnav Balasubramaniam, that allows people from around the world to share the views from their windows and help someone else relax, focus, meditate and travel without moving.

    The co-founders told Bored Panda that it started in May 2020, during the strictest period of the Singapore lockdown.

    #4

    Today’s Sunset @ Xlendi Gozo Malta

    Today’s Sunset @ Xlendi Gozo Malta

    Monica Farrugia Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Xlendi was one of my favourite places (the memory of Xlendi anyway - I don't know if it's the same nowadays).

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    “We were feeling a little cooped up and antsy in our little one-bedroom apartment in Singapore. It had a nice but bland view overlooking a reflective glass building—not the most interesting of views. And like us, our friends in lockdown around the world, were tired of their views. 

    One of them in Barcelona posted an IG story of his gorgeous view, talking about how tired he was of it. We were joking about how we wished we could just swap places with him. And that’s when we came up with the idea—if we couldn't swap places, perhaps we could swap window views and pretend we were somewhere else for a while. The website launched on June 5th, 2020,” recalls Sonali and Vaishnav.

    #7

    First Thing I See When I Open My Eyes In The Morning. New Jersey

    First Thing I See When I Open My Eyes In The Morning. New Jersey

    Laura DeCroce Report

    #8

    Sunset, From The Balcony Of My House. Gandosso, Italia

    Sunset, From The Balcony Of My House. Gandosso, Italia

    Cinzia Manenti Report

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    #9

    View From My Livingroom Window This Morning. I'm Not So Good At Taking Pictures, So I Didn't Manage To Capture The Total Beauty Of The Colours. Sunnmøre, Norway!

    View From My Livingroom Window This Morning. I'm Not So Good At Taking Pictures, So I Didn't Manage To Capture The Total Beauty Of The Colours. Sunnmøre, Norway!

    Hilde Solibakke Report

    Now, 4 years and one pandemic later, they keep the WindowSwap alive so it could continue to be a tranquil oasis of calm on the internet. “There are those who visit WindowSwap to get rid of anxiety, teachers who use it to help students focus and learn, and those who come just to relax,” they tell us. 

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    #10

    Look At My Fantastic View Outside The Kitchen Window. This Is My Cat Akira

    Look At My Fantastic View Outside The Kitchen Window. This Is My Cat Akira

    Ellen Sørensen Report

    #12

    Good Afternoon. This Is My Backyard Scenery Today. +3c And 60cm Snow. Believe It Or Not, Summer Is Soon. Selkie, Finland

    Good Afternoon. This Is My Backyard Scenery Today. +3c And 60cm Snow. Believe It Or Not, Summer Is Soon. Selkie, Finland

    Ari Savolainen Report

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    sbj
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm very envious of this view, I could imagine myself spending a great lazy afternoon here

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    “It’s the opposite of TikTok and the rest of the manic internet, which is just one constant stream of dopamine hits. We have created a place on the internet that’s making people around the world calmer, stiller, inspired, and relaxed. What started out as a way to travel without moving has changed. Our users come to WindowSwap for various reasons—to fight anxiety, unwind, travel virtually, get inspired to travel, focus, and learn about different places and cultures,” share the creators.

    #13

    Beautiful Morning From Wicklow, Ireland

    Beautiful Morning From Wicklow, Ireland

    Anita Gibney Ryan Report

    #14

    Taken On A Visit To Caernarfon, Wales

    Taken On A Visit To Caernarfon, Wales

    Barbara Truman Report

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    #15

    View From My Hotel Room In Wengen, Switzerland

    View From My Hotel Room In Wengen, Switzerland

    Reema Patel Report

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    Robin DJW
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no words. Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen.

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    WindowSwap differs from Facebook groups like "View from My Window" by showing 5 to 10 minute videos of window views of people from around the world, along with ambient sounds of their lives. “We don't just showcase views. We showcase slices of people's lives,” say Sonali and Vaishnav.

    #16

    View From My Kitchen Window, When The Wisteria Is About To Bloom. April, Novato, California USA

    View From My Kitchen Window, When The Wisteria Is About To Bloom. April, Novato, California USA

    Sally Carlile Report

    #17

    A View From My Window Last Night. Northern Norway

    A View From My Window Last Night. Northern Norway

    Grunnfoss Report

    #18

    My Window View Rituvík Faroe Islands

    My Window View Rituvík Faroe Islands

    Elna Johannesen Report

    Anyone who wants to submit their own window view can do so by recording a 5- to 10-minute, clear, high-quality video of their window view, preferably with a bit of their window frame visible. Then, find the 'submit’ button on the WindowSwap page on the bottom left, fill in the details, choose the file, hit upload and it’s done.

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    #19

    View Of Perth Australia From My Bedroom Window

    View Of Perth Australia From My Bedroom Window

    Yasmin Zara Report

    #20

    The Day Will Be What You Make It, So Rise, Like The Sun, And Burn. Phuket, Thailand

    The Day Will Be What You Make It, So Rise, Like The Sun, And Burn. Phuket, Thailand

    Mirasol Mosura Ranario Report

    #21

    This Was The View From My Room At Ponte Winery Inn In Temecula, California

    This Was The View From My Room At Ponte Winery Inn In Temecula, California

    Kim Gonzales Report

    “We hope WindowSwap gives our visitors a sense of connection and a fresh perspective on the world,” say Sonali and Vaishnav. “Our goal is to provide a moment of calm and escape while fostering empathy and understanding across cultures. We want people to experience the beauty and diversity of global views, reminding them that despite our differences, we share a common human experience. Ultimately, we aim to inspire joy, curiosity, and appreciation for both the familiar and the unknown.”

    #22

    This Is My View Of My Back Garden In Tiverton, Devon U.k

    This Is My View Of My Back Garden In Tiverton, Devon U.k

    Gwynnie Horwood Report

    #23

    Autumn Dawn In The Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada

    Autumn Dawn In The Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada

    Marilyn Buyar Report

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    TheReader19
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who wants to join me just running up and down pointlessly in this field? 🏃🏾‍♀️

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    #24

    "Chapel Of Christ By The Lake" In St. Arnaud/New Zealand

    "Chapel Of Christ By The Lake" In St. Arnaud/New Zealand

    Heiko Meserle Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely gorgeous! I wouldn't get anything done if I lived here. Even curling up with a good book, I'd be putting it down every few sentences to marvel at the beauty of nature...

    In the last four years, they’ve built a vibrant community of people from all over the world who return regularly to their site, and they couldn’t be more proud of it. “We've created a simple yet powerful platform that allows people to connect and share their window views, fostering a sense of global community. Our goal has always been to provide a moment of calm and escape, while also nurturing empathy and understanding across cultures. It's heartening to see how WindowSwap has evolved from a 'quarantine project' into a meaningful space for people worldwide to experience the beauty and diversity of humanity,” say Sonali and Vaishnav, signing off. 

    #25

    View From My B&b Window In Bluff, Durban, South Africa

    View From My B&b Window In Bluff, Durban, South Africa

    Heyns van der Merwe Report

    #26

    Mount Shasta, California This Afternoon. Such Cool Friend-Ships Here

    Mount Shasta, California This Afternoon. Such Cool Friend-Ships Here

    Kathy Maloney Mathieu Report

    #27

    Sitting On The Verandah Enjoying The Sunset - Murrurundi, Australia

    Sitting On The Verandah Enjoying The Sunset - Murrurundi, Australia

    Holly Clark Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else thinking about all the beasts that can kill you in that long grass? No? Just me?

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    #29

    View From The Windows At The Back Of My House In The Villages, Florida, USA

    View From The Windows At The Back Of My House In The Villages, Florida, USA

    Lori Heithoff Report

    #30

    View Of The Old Town Of Trogir, Croatia From My Hotel Room Balcony

    View Of The Old Town Of Trogir, Croatia From My Hotel Room Balcony

    Samana Agha Report

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    #31

    Coucher De Soleil . Chambord, Lac-St-Jean, Québec, Canada

    Coucher De Soleil . Chambord, Lac-St-Jean, Québec, Canada

    Patrice Villanueva Report

    #32

    View Last Night From Front Window Weston Super Mare

    View Last Night From Front Window Weston Super Mare

    Dean Gough Report

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    Peppy
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, if you’d asked me to guess where this was, I wouldn’t have thought WSM in a million years. Beautiful

    #33

    From My Front Window. March 30, Reno, Nevada, U.s.a., Where We Can Have 4 Seasons..in 1 Day! I Guess No Yard Work Today

    From My Front Window. March 30, Reno, Nevada, U.s.a., Where We Can Have 4 Seasons..in 1 Day! I Guess No Yard Work Today

    Karen Short-Steinacker Report

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    #34

    View From My Stateroom On The Douro River In Portugal

    View From My Stateroom On The Douro River In Portugal

    Antoinette Acone Report

    #35

    I’ve Lived In My Narrowboat For 11 Years. Each Summer I Take It Out Of Town To Hertfordshire Where We Can Swim In The Lakes And Pick Apples. It’s Great To Take Your Whole Home On Holiday With You, No Packing! Also I Love That The View From The Hatch Changes As You Move From Place To Place

    I’ve Lived In My Narrowboat For 11 Years. Each Summer I Take It Out Of Town To Hertfordshire Where We Can Swim In The Lakes And Pick Apples. It’s Great To Take Your Whole Home On Holiday With You, No Packing! Also I Love That The View From The Hatch Changes As You Move From Place To Place

    Jo Hunter Report

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    #36

    View To Central Park From My Living Room Window In Helsinki, Finland, A Few Minutes Ago. It Is Getting Dark Fast, But The Colors Of The Sky And Trees Were So Beautiful For A While Before That

    View To Central Park From My Living Room Window In Helsinki, Finland, A Few Minutes Ago. It Is Getting Dark Fast, But The Colors Of The Sky And Trees Were So Beautiful For A While Before That

    Tuovi Tolonen Report

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    #37

    Sunset At The Loire River In Blois, France. View From Our Appartment (Airbnb)

    Sunset At The Loire River In Blois, France. View From Our Appartment (Airbnb)

    Mira Bleeker Report

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I spent a lot of time in there (studied in Tours) - the whole region is so pretty.

    #38

    From Our Teracce, Hungary, Balaton Highlands

    From Our Teracce, Hungary, Balaton Highlands

    Ágnes Horváth Report

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    #39

    This Is The View From Our Front Door At Our Last House. I Miss It! (Mount Vernon Il USA)

    This Is The View From Our Front Door At Our Last House. I Miss It! (Mount Vernon Il USA)

    Dontrell Black Report

    #41

    View From My Window Rituvík Faroe Islands

    View From My Window Rituvík Faroe Islands

    Elna Johannesen Report

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    #42

    Fall In New England, USA

    Fall In New England, USA

    Caroline O'Brien Report

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    #43

    Beautiful Hunter's Full Moon From My Window

    Beautiful Hunter's Full Moon From My Window

    Steve Platthy Report

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    #44

    Bodø, Norway

    Bodø, Norway

    Martina Lintervo Report

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    #45

    Hi All! I Just Wanted To Introduce Myself And Share A Photo. Brighton, Tasmania, Australia

    Hi All! I Just Wanted To Introduce Myself And Share A Photo. Brighton, Tasmania, Australia

    John Lampkin Report

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    #46

    View From My Tent…. Home For The Night On June 26, 2024 Emerald Lake Near Schofield Pass, Colorado. 10,340ft. Above Sea Level

    View From My Tent…. Home For The Night On June 26, 2024 Emerald Lake Near Schofield Pass, Colorado. 10,340ft. Above Sea Level

    Troy M. Romero Report

    #47

    My Saturday Coffee Morning View From Home

    My Saturday Coffee Morning View From Home

    Kelly Scott Report

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    #48

    Hunza, Pakistan ( In View Rakaposhi Mountain Karakurum Range, 27th World Highest Peak)

    Hunza, Pakistan ( In View Rakaposhi Mountain Karakurum Range, 27th World Highest Peak)

    Safder Karim Report

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    BrunoVI
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the mountain is 25,000 ft high.... how high is this village?

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    #49

    Sunset In Southern California. I Could Never Get Tired Of This

    Sunset In Southern California. I Could Never Get Tired Of This

    Kathy McCown Gierucki Report

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    #50

    Ofriniou,greece We Are Building A House For Sale With The Same View 100km From Airport Macedonia, Thessaloniki

    Ofriniou,greece We Are Building A House For Sale With The Same View 100km From Airport Macedonia, Thessaloniki

    Svetlina Deleva-Hristova Report

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    sbj
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely stunning view, I'd be happy sitting in that chair for hours on end with a good book and a glass of wine

    #51

    The View From My Train Window White Pass Railway Skagway Alaska

    The View From My Train Window White Pass Railway Skagway Alaska

    Joanne Stucken Report

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    #52

    Spring In Full Bloom

    Spring In Full Bloom

    Lise-Mari Goosen Report

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    #53

    View From My Window This Evening In Asiago/Italy

    View From My Window This Evening In Asiago/Italy

    Silviu-Cornel Iancu Report

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    #55

    Beautiful Fall Day In Syracuse NY, USA

    Beautiful Fall Day In Syracuse NY, USA

    Anthony Monteleone Report

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    #56

    Evening From My Car Window. Carolina Ave. Bluefield, West Virginia

    Evening From My Car Window. Carolina Ave. Bluefield, West Virginia

    Justin Simon Report

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    #57

    View From The Window Of Our Apartment In Valloire, France. Dreams Stay In The Moutains

    View From The Window Of Our Apartment In Valloire, France. Dreams Stay In The Moutains

    Isabelle Marchal Report

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    #58

    Waikiki Beach!

    Waikiki Beach!

    Stephanie Alexander Report

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    #59

    I’m Italian And This Is The View From My Hotel Room In Karpathos Greece. I’m Here In Vacation With My Daughter

    I’m Italian And This Is The View From My Hotel Room In Karpathos Greece. I’m Here In Vacation With My Daughter

    Desi Daria Report

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    #60

    View From My Bedroom Window Right Now. No Filter. Ålesund, Norway

    View From My Bedroom Window Right Now. No Filter. Ålesund, Norway

    Monica Juliebø Report

    #61

    Sinaia, Romania

    Sinaia, Romania

    Tamara Ogrean Report

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    #62

    The View From My Window Just After 5am This Morning In Aberdeen, Scotland

    The View From My Window Just After 5am This Morning In Aberdeen, Scotland

    Natalie Hood Report

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    #63

    View From Parking - Ferragudo, Algarve, Portugal

    View From Parking - Ferragudo, Algarve, Portugal

    Liivika Marmor Report

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    #66

    Where The River Meets The Sea. Veleka Beach, Bulgaria. Breathtaking View From The Sunset

    Where The River Meets The Sea. Veleka Beach, Bulgaria. Breathtaking View From The Sunset

    Tanya Newell Report

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    #67

    View From My Tent On An Overnight Hiking Trip To Trolltunga In Norway

    View From My Tent On An Overnight Hiking Trip To Trolltunga In Norway

    Deborah Brooks Report

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    #68

    Bran , România

    Bran , România

    Nicoleta Leiba Report

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    #69

    View From My Hotel Window, Niagara Falls, Canada

    View From My Hotel Window, Niagara Falls, Canada

    Barbara Allan Cooper Report

    #70

    View From My Window. Aoraki/Mt Cook New Zealand’s Highest Peak. With Mt Sefton In The Foreground

    View From My Window. Aoraki/Mt Cook New Zealand’s Highest Peak. With Mt Sefton In The Foreground

    Rob Poole Report

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    #71

    Night View From My Holiday Apartment In Trentino Alto Adige, A Mountain Region In Northern Italy, Just Below Austria

    Night View From My Holiday Apartment In Trentino Alto Adige, A Mountain Region In Northern Italy, Just Below Austria

    Alessandro Melillo Report

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    #72

    Vancouver, Canada Skyline At Night. Coloured Sails Of Canada Place In The Background

    Vancouver, Canada Skyline At Night. Coloured Sails Of Canada Place In The Background

    Joanne Horsman Fulton Report

    #73

    Yesterday Morning. Hungary Budapest

    Yesterday Morning. Hungary Budapest

    Krisztina Ágnes Szabó Report

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    #74

    Wekiwa Springs, Florida

    Wekiwa Springs, Florida

    Rhiannon Krist Report

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    #76

    No Filter, Batumi- Georgia Tonight, View From My Balcony

    No Filter, Batumi- Georgia Tonight, View From My Balcony

    Marta Khavshabova Report

    #77

    View From My Balcony, Wanchai Hong Kong

    View From My Balcony, Wanchai Hong Kong

    Joe Susie Report

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    #78

    View From My Window In Sarasota Florida, USA

    View From My Window In Sarasota Florida, USA

    Alicia Dawn King Report

    #79

    Falltime Is Here! Syracuse NY USA

    Falltime Is Here! Syracuse NY USA

    Anthony Monteleone Report

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    #80

    View From My Room At The Resort I'm Staying At Different Times. Phuket, Thailand

    View From My Room At The Resort I'm Staying At Different Times. Phuket, Thailand

    Mirasol Mosura Ranario Report

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    #81

    From The Window Of A Seaplane. Up Close To Denali Mountain, Alaska

    From The Window Of A Seaplane. Up Close To Denali Mountain, Alaska

    Renee Shubert Spenny Report

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    #82

    Aya Napa. Cyprus

    Aya Napa. Cyprus

    Krisztina Hujberné Report

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    #83

    View From My 51st Story Apartment In The Heart Of The Cbd In Melbourne, Australia. Blessed To Wake Up To This Everyday

    View From My 51st Story Apartment In The Heart Of The Cbd In Melbourne, Australia. Blessed To Wake Up To This Everyday

    Hannah Griffin Report

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    #84

    The View From My Apartment Balcony Tonight In Chicago, Illinois USA ... Hard To Beat This View From 27 Floors Above The City!

    The View From My Apartment Balcony Tonight In Chicago, Illinois USA ... Hard To Beat This View From 27 Floors Above The City!

    Alex Songaila Report

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    #85

    A View From My Balcony After Overnight Rain In Gurgaon, India

    A View From My Balcony After Overnight Rain In Gurgaon, India

    Neha Sharma Report

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