In 1993, the United Nations declared March 22 as World Water Day to focus on the importance, development and management of freshwater resources. Every year, there are worldwide events and celebrations to help raise awareness on water issues and conservation. This year’s theme is the International Year of Water Cooperation.
Their underlying message this year is that water is a shared resource and must be managed wisely. Cooperation is necessary for preserving and sharing of knowledge, information and best practices to ensure everyone’s basic needs and varying interests are met despite threatening factors of overcrowding, pollution and climate change.
Pumping water at Studio Ghibli Museum – Tokyo
In honor of World Water Day this Friday, I decided to put together some of my favorite water shots during our travels as an appreciation of our greatest natural resource. I never realized how almost all of our trips involved some sort of water activity or scenery.
Waterfalls are some of our favorite destinations. There’s something fascinating about hearing and seeing the power of some of these mighty waterfalls. One of the most breathtaking is Niagara Falls which spans two countries and is actually three waterfalls located next to each other. Niagara Falls is the largest electric power producer in New York. The Maid of the Mist tours is truly one of the best ways to see the falls from below and feel its power and make for an unforgettable close-up experience.
The spectacular Gulfoss Waterfalls or Golden Falls is considered Europe’s most powerful waterfall. We were lucky enough to have the rainbow over the double cascading falls during our visit to Iceland last summer.
The waterfalls we’ve visited the most is Yosemite Falls inside Yosemite National Park in central California. It is considered one of the world’s tallest and is made up of three separate falls. The best time to view them is during late Spring when the water run-off from the melted snow is the strongest.
This was one of the waterfalls by a nature trail near Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska.
Mendenhall nature trail
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” W.H. Auden
There’s something very calming about lakes. Lake Tahoe is North America’s largest alpine lake and located between California and Nevada. Some of the ski resorts offer beautiful panoramic views of the lake.
We found beautiful Convict Lake by surprise in central California. It was named for a group of convicts that escaped a Nevada prison in the late 1800s.
Mono Lake is an otherworldly location that needs to be seen in central California. It is about 2.5 times more salty as the ocean so no fish live here. Calcium-carbonate spires called tufa towers are found throughout the area.
Lakes are also perfect for those beautiful reflection shots like this one inside Sequoia National Park.
“Water is the driving force of all nature.” Leonardo da Vinci
Rivers have been a major source of water and food and used for transport, trade, defense and irrigation, etc. by civilizations for thousands of years all over the world. This peaceful river was in Belize that flowed into hundreds of cave systems once used by Mayans for sacred rituals and ceremonies but now largely used for cave tubing.
The Colorado River, shown here by Hoover Dam, is a major source for the power and water needs of 30 million people in several states.
The powerful Colorado River also carved out the Grand Canyon for millions of years.
They add beauty to the surroundings like the Kings River along the Scenic Byway at King’s Canyon National Park.
They meander through major cities like the River Seine in Paris.
There’s undeniable beauty to an almost frozen river like this one in Whistler Ski Resort in Canada.
“In one drop of water are found all the secrets of the oceans. ” Kahlil Gibran
I realize World Water Day is about freshwater but wanted to add a few ocean shots like this one from Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii.
I know many of us would rather be lounging at Eagle Beach in Aruba.
And this one from Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, California.
“Clean water, the essence of life and a birthright for everyone, must become available to all people now.” Jean-Michel Cousteau
It’s easy to take for granted the water that freely flows out of our faucets and showers. I can teach my kids about water conservation and they can read about it. But, I know it just won’t be the same until they actually see how it’s not easily accessible for others. We hope to travel to one of these areas soon for them to experience it and get a dose of reality.
Did you know that 783 million people don’t have access to clean water? Even though World Water Day is celebrated on a designated date, it’s not too late to participate in worldwide efforts throughout the rest of the year to increase awareness and every effort counts. Here are a few ways to get involved with water cooperation this year.
“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” Thomas Fuller
*Do you participate in water conservation efforts? What is your favorite type of body of water?
This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox , Friday Daydreaming at R We There Yet Mom?. Do some armchair traveling and please visit the sites for other travelers’ wonderful photos and posts.
An island girl at heart who loves cruising, visiting National Parks & traveling the world with two kids in tow. 
I thoroughly enjoyed your photos celebrating such an important day! I love to be around the water – doesn’t much matter if it’s lake or ocean! All of the pics are beautiful but I particularly liked the one in Iceland – I would love to visit there soon.
Lisa recently posted..Photo Memories from the Grand Canyon
Thanks Lisa! I really hope you can use Iceland as a layover on your way to Europe next time. I’m with you…I love any type of body of water.
Hi Mary, what a beautiful way to celebrate and to remind every one about World Water Day. I enjoyed all your beautiful imagess, I particularly love the reflection shots. I also enjoyed all the quotes on water.
My favorite body of water is a waterfall, but I’d love to be on one those beaches right now! It’s still freezing in NYC:(
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Cruising Halong Bay: Still Beautiful, But….
Thanks Marisol! I hope it warms up in NYC soon. I’m glad you enjoyed the water shots. I love waterfalls and hoping to see more soon.
You have done a superb job pulling together a marvelous selection of photos. Each one is beautiful and the quotes are well chosen.
In Canada I think we take our water for granted yet it’s still going to end up being a very important resource in the coming decades.
Excellent reminder Mary.
Leigh recently posted..Exceeding Expectations: Hostal Finca La Violeta in Susacon
Thank you Leigh! So glad you liked the quotes. I wasn’t sure of including them at first. it’s too bad we take water for granted but I’m glad they have efforts like World Water Day to remind us to do our part.
Great idea for a post. I never thought about how much of my travel is focused on water destinations. I love the photo from Iceland–would really love to go for our next international trip.
Sensibletraveler recently posted..Photo of the Week: Never Ending Winter
Thank you! I hope you make it to Iceland for your next trip, It’s such a beautiful country. I hadn’t realized all our travels related to water too.
I didn’t realise it was World Water day but what a great way to highlight it. You have certainly been to some fun places. We take our water for granted here. Interestingly the largest body of water is in the north of the state. Accessing it is a problem that has been talked about for years!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Jordan: The Ottoman Town of Salt
How interesting about your water problems down there. I just realized last week too so I’m glad to put this post together and reminisce.
Wow- amazing photos! Love them all!
Leia recently posted..Throwback: Dublin, Ireland
Thank you Leia!!
The first quote said it all for me, Mary. We really can’t live without water but we can live without love.
Great shots and a fabulous way to celebrate an important day.
InsideJOurneys recently posted..Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park
Isn’t that a great quote? It’s just sad that some people don’t have access to clean water. Thanks Marcia!
Convict Lake and Eagle Beach are two of my favourite photos. Plus the Mendenhall.
I was not aware tomorrow was world water day. I shall have to look at my own water
shots.
budget jan recently posted..Resuming our Mekong River Trip from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves
Thanks Jan! I hope you get to put a water photo post together. That would be great to see.
Especially love the picture of the falls near Mendenhall Nature Trail, wow! But also the beach in Aruba, because I just love that colour blue! Great water pics.
Thanks Johanna! I loved how blue Aruba’s beaches were too.
Great photos. The Gulfoss Waterfalls is my favorite
Muza-chan recently posted..Omamori, Japanese good luck charms
Thanks Muza-chan! Gulfoss seems to be a favorite among many.
With the skies dumping rain on this part of the world the last couple of days I have to confess I am tired of water, BUT you have so beautifully reminded me of its importance!
Jackie Smith recently posted..Springtime in Washington’s Wine Country
Thanks Jackie! I hope the weather starts to let up soon in WA.
Those are just stunning captures but my favorite is that of the opulent Niagara Falls!! I have written a post on Water Woes in India, do check Mary!
Loved your post, those sayings are beautiful.
Arti recently posted..Thirsty Throats and Water Woes of India
I loved your post Arti! Thank you and I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. Niagara Falls picture is one of my favorite pictures too.
Gulfoss Falls is my favorite. How fortunate you are to have captured the rainbow, too. And I think Mono Lake looks unearthly. One of the things I miss most about America is having drinkable water out of the tap.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..Kangaroo Island’s Koala Walk
What a great selection of photos! I particularly like the Iceland, which is currently at the top of my-places-I-want-to-travel-next list, photo.
Margaret recently posted..What? You inspected my luggage again?
Amazing photos for an amazing cause!
I really don’t think there is another travel blogger that has covered more National Parks than you Mary! You’ve been to some naturally incredibly places, and seen some mighty waterfalls! You were lucky when you went to Yosemite, as when I was there the waterfall had dried up almost invisible to the eye. Stunning photo of Sequoia National Park – beautiful reflection. Oh and the Auden quote – love his poetry!
Beautiful pictures, Mary. We are so fortunate to have access to clean drinking water and I don’t know about you, but I can certainly take that for granted and not give a thought to how blessed I truly am. Thanks for the push to give our water sources a bit more thought and consideration.
Tonya @ The Traveling Praters recently posted..Civil War Sites in the South
Gorgeous photos!
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug recently posted..Caribbean Cruise: Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Lovely set of shots, Mary. Halifax, where I grow up, has excellent drinking water. I never appreciated it until I moved to Korea, where the water is full of heavy metal. That means lugging water up 4 flights of stairs several times a week, and it’s expensive to buy. After living here, I will never take water for granted again.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — March 21, 2013 — The Best Pad Thai in Chiang Mai
Beautiful images, and I’m now pretty sure I want to go “cave tubing”! Thanks!
MIchelle @ Having Fun in the Texas Sun recently posted..Urban Air Trampoline Park, Southlake
Gorgeous water pictures!!! Thanks for linking up!
Becca@rwethereyetmom recently posted..Friday Daydreamin’: Hill Country Heaven
Wow..I’ve never heard of water day before, but I am adding it to our calendar! Thanks for sharing this.
We probably don’t give much thought to water although it’s one of the most important parts of the world and for us. Nice collection of water photos to celebrate the World Water Day. Love the photo of Iceland’s Gulfoss Waterfalls.
Salika Jay recently posted..Is Iceland A Destination Worth Saving Up For?
Gorgeous photos and important message. Love that quote by Thomas Fuller — “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry”. You’ve got me thinking today about conservation and about going to some of the awesome places you’ve shown.
What an inspirational post! I love water and water sports and try to incorporate a little into every vacation. And yes, conservation is so important to teach our children!
Sonja recently posted..Celebrate Springtime!
Wow, Mary. What an inspirational post both in the message & of course some added travel inspiration. Living in green, lush Western Washington, it’s hard to think about conservation, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t relevant and important. My mother-in-law reminded me of this as I was rinsing her dishes (in Phoenix)–she said, “NO! We live in the desert, we don’t rinse our dishes!” She’s absolutely right, and it’s appreciated the reality check!
Kate @Wild Tales of… recently posted..Embracing the Arrival of Spring at the Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum
Beautiful photos, I have been to some of these places but many are still on my wish list. Niagara Waterfalls is definitely high on the list, so impressive.
Freya recently posted..Climbing Mount Jbel Toubkal in Morocco