Several people have asked about maintaining a website while on safari or in the bush. See Tom V.'s comment on the Background page. -- Grace

Love the site. My wife found it while researching Portugal for our honeymoon. We just checked back and now recognize your pictures from Lagos and Lisbon. Portugal was amazing.

I was wondering what software you are using for your image galleries? I have been searching for a good solution and havent been able to find one as nice as your site. If you could let me know I would be forever greatful.

--Jay P. (Vancouver BC, Canada); Aug 10, 2006

Yea, we had the same problem when we were designing the site. There are a lot of shareware solutions, but we didn't like any of them all that much. Being website people, we just decided to make our own. It is more work, but we can make exceptions to the format when we want to, and in the end we like the way it looks better.

--Grace; Nov 3, 2006

Your website is so inspiring. You have visited most of the places I really have to see. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure! South America is probably next for me. Or back to Egypt to visit my husband's family. Your pics are making that a stronger urge!!! I really appreciate how you have put in a running commentary via captioning along with the pictures. I really like how you tell us what the birds and animals etc. are. It adds interest and knowledge, thanks! Congrats on the marriage and the trip! Life is too short not too live the dream!

--Cat (Aldergrove, Canada); Aug 5, 2006

You have all these really great skies, everywhere you go... polarizing filter? Graduated ND? Fantastic luck? What's the secret? [comment originally written about this photo]

--David K. (Ko Sichang, Thailand); Jun 26, 2006

We do use a polarizer frequently, especially when we have the wider angle lens on. I think, however, that there is also a good bit of luck involved. It also helps that we only publish a small fraction of the photos, so there are lots where the skies aren't so nice.

--Grace; Jul 15, 2006

I've been checking in on thirteenmonths.com for over 6 months now. Thanks for taking me (and many others) on your journey. I don't expect to visit 1/2 the places you've seen, but your trip has definitely inspired me to travel a bit more.

Just an idea...you always take so many awesome pictures of the local food. When you get a chance, you should put them together in some sort of online pictorial of "Food from Around the World." Well, just an idea.

Enjoy and be safe!

--Mark I. (New York City, New York, USA); May 5, 2006

That is a great idea! We've thought about posting a few special galleries at the end, when we're done, including: weird wide-angle shots, food, lego. Glad to hear that somebody out there thinks it’s a good idea! :)

--Grace; May 21, 2006

WOW.. I'm so jealous first off haha. I love your pictures, I'm in awe right now at how amazing they are. I love photography and am taking classes right now and I was wondering what kind of camera do you use? The pictures look so crisp. I have travellled to a lot of places you have been but its so wierd how different it looks in your perspective and photos. I'm travelling to NZ next Decemeber and i cant wait to go. Hopefully someday I will be able to do what you are doing now.

--Olivia (Chicago, Illinois, USA); Feb 13, 2006

We are really honored that you're enjoying the pix, Olivia - that's great. We use a Nikon D70. There's more info here: gear: technology. And of course, there's some work that goes into them post-camera, too. Have a great time in NZ and best of luck with your photography!

--Grace; Feb 17, 2006

I was simply stunned when browsing through your website. All that technical equipment you carry and all the time you spend to make your experiences available to others. And especially your pictures. They are a nice mixture of excellent quality ones and the odd shot of yourselves for friends and family. The pictures of Taiwan brought back memories from my time spent there, checking out every night-market available in Taipei (quite similar to your experience.

Btw, would it be possible to add the technical details (lens, aperture, iso...) to your photos? I have no clue about digital SLRs, but if it's possible to save these details with no further efforts while taking the picture I would really appreciate if you did.

--Arne A. (Norway); Dec 28, 2005

Thanks for the kind words, Arne! Unfortunately, there's no easy way to add the photo data for every picture, but if there are some that you are curious about, please just ask and I'd be glad to post the info. We did that for a few Hong Kong pictures (this one & this one) since somebody wanted the info.

--Grace; Dec 28, 2005

I have been reviewing your web site just to "catch-up"! With the long hours that I keep I usually either hit the sack immediately upon my return to the hotel or, when I do go online then I try to keep up with friends and family. By the time that I usually make it to your web site I end up in one of your photo galleries just staring at the images and allowing them to tell their stories. Magnificent stories! Lately I have been going back to "catch-up" with the story line. This has obviously been a work of love! And a work of art!

--Robert P. (California, USA); Oct 26, 2005

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip. It really makes me dream... Your photos are awesome, especially pictures of the local people you've encountered. Do you have any advice on getting natural shots of people? Do you ask permission before taking their pictures? Also, do you feel safe walking around with your fancier camera equipment (not the small point and shoot)? Anyway, enjoy the rest of your trip!

--Corinne (Canada); Oct 3, 2005

The people shots... that's a very good question; we've struggled with that ourselves. If it's possible, we usually try to ask permission to take somebody's picture. This isn't always possible, however, and other times it can spoil (or at least dramatically change) the picture (e.g., if they're doing something and you want a shot of the person *and* the activity instead of just the person).

We try to keep our gear low profile. Our camera bag (see gear: luggage) doesn't scream "fancy camera!" and we try to keep the camera put away most of the time (instead of wandering around with it around our necks, sporting a giant yellow "Nikon" on the strap). On that note, we don't actually use a camera strap (some people will say this is very strange, but it compels us to put the camera away instead of leaving it out) and we've taped over the brand names on our gear with black electrical tape. We also dress low key, so that helps, too (but it sure will be nice to have more than 3 shirts again someday). It also helps that there are two of us. If I'm taking a long time to get a shot, Susan usually keeps an eye on the surroundings. All in all, it hasn't been a problem, but there have been times when we've felt less comfortable; it's always a good idea to stay alert.

Grace; Oct 6, 2005

Congratulations on the quality of your shots. You have a keen and imaginative eye for subject. Well worth the two days I've spent viewing.

--Ellen (Perth, Australia); Aug 31, 2005

The photos are great!!!!! I've realy enjoyed them a lot, and now I want to be there... Hope there will be more pictures soon!!

--Suzana (Hungary); Aug 22, 2005

Hey, great site. Your panoramics are excellent, i presume these are just cropped to the size displayed in photo shop? Inspirational!

--Darren C. (Sudan); Jun 11, 2005

Yes, the panoramics are just cropped images. I've thought about experimenting with some stitching programs, but that'll have to wait until we get home. Glad you're enjoying the pix!

--Grace; Jul 15, 2005

My wife and I discovered your site and are following your adventures with more than a little vicarious thrill. Thanks for sharing. Also, Grace, your photographs are stunning. I'm an amateur photographer and looking to branch out past my D70 kit lens (looking into the 70-200 VR and 80-400 VR lenses). I appreciate your occasional photo tags with your lens type/filter/settings information though as you mentioned its too time-consuming to do as a rule. Thanks again and keep safe.

--Jonathan F. (New York, NY, USA); Jun 12, 2005

Thanks, Jonathan - your words are very kind! Regarding the long VR lenses, it's a tough choice. We almost bought the 70-200, but decided that we wanted the reach of the 80-400 for safari. We're very happy with our choice, but everybody that has the 70-200 loves it, though it is a bit pricey (and a bit bigger, too, I think). In any case, the VR feature is excellent. [For those of you that don't know what Jonathan and I are talking about, check out the gear: technology page.]

Let me know if there are pix for which you'd like to know the specific settings, and I'll see what I can do.

Oh, and, just for the record, Susan takes some of the photos, too... :)

--Grace; Jun 22, 2005

Can we just say that you two are incredibly entertaining?! I love all of the stories and photos and even the scary video of Grace trying to cross a street!

We were laughing out load every time we saw the little Lego bride and groom. I hope they are enjoying the trip as much as we/you are!!! Stay safe!

--Rayna K. & Allie (Honolulu, HI, USA); Mar 4, 2005