WORLD AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT

Extraordinary photos

IF you think your holiday photos are good, take a look at these beauties.

This year’s National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest has opened and the entries so far are outstanding.

To enter, holiday-makers were asked to submit images that “tell the story of a place”, or capture how the photographer is inspired when travelling.

The official categories are nature, cities, and people, with pictures ranging from exotic animals to rural landscapes. And, of course, using a drone is accepted.

The grand prize winner receives a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos Archipelago, one of the world’s premier destinations for viewing wildlife. It is not too late to submit a fantastic holiday snap with entries accepted until June 30. Go to www. travel.nationalgeographic.com/photographer-of-the-year-2017. All pictures courtesy National Geographic Travel photographer of the year contest.

Picture: NAO AKIMOTO Blue pond the stellar sky. Voice from the stars.

Picture: HIDETOSHI OGATA Monkeys huddle together to keep warm in Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano, Japan.

Picture: TAKAHIRO BESSHO Lake Yogo, "The lake of Mirror", in Japan can reflect everything in front of you.

Picture: TUGO CHENG The salt miners in the Afar region in Ethiopia still use the camel caravan to carry loads of salt bricks.