Diana Australis' photos

The walls of the small settlement and viewpoint above the Hoper glacier in North Pakistan. The glacier, which is considered one of the fastest moving in the world, is about 25 km long and is a black glacier, with layers of dust and fine earth along its surface. It is rather impressive! Pakistan has around 13000 glaciers in its high peaks. This is in the Karakoram. Happy midweek to all….keep well. Love and peace, Diana

In far NW Pakistan, along the high altitude Misgar Valley in the Karakoram Mountains. The steel ‘ fence ‘ is a gabion type structure to hold large rocks to prevent the river banks being eroded by huge floods. Everything up here in this remote area close to Afghanistan is on a giant scale! Happy Friday. Have a brilliant weekend, all….D ♥️

Two Uighur men on the street in Kashgar, far west China

I did what I was told. San Francisco, a few years back. May the middle of your week have not too large a bump in it….love and hugs. Diana

Punta Arenas, southernmost city of Chilean Patagonia. It is a gracious city with elegant stone buildings and a historical capital. In the late 19 th century it was the wealthy hub of a huge overseas trade in wool and lamb. I really enjoyed it as a small and peaceful place to visit. Have a top week!

HFF. A huge bull at the Kashgar Sunday market in Xinjiang, China. A lively, crowded bustling market selling all manner of animals, with lively bargaining happening. Sending best wishes for a peaceful and happy weekend. Hugs from hot, hot Canberra….37°

The general store in a traditional building in far North Pakistan. It is a small, high village in the Karakoram mountains. Most of these small villages do not have large shopping areas but just one or two small shops like these which sell basic necessities. Have a wonderful new week..and thanks for any visit.

Far North Pakistan in summer. Ancient orchards here are heavily laden with fruits, most particularly apricots. Every family grows, and dries them in huge quantities, up to a tonne per household. Surplus are sold, but most are stored for the brutal long winters. They are a staple and no part is wasted. Lesser quality ones are fed to animals in winter. The kernels and stones are turned into pure apricot oil for cooking and for medicinal uses. And every stone wall, flat roof and even roadsides in summer are carpeted with naturally drying bright orange apricots. And yes…I have helped to pick and prepare them. They are delicious, fresh, or dried! Happy midweek ❤️

A section of a tower wall in Tbilisi….with beautiful mosaic detail. It was quite old Heatwave here, so lying a little low…temperatures high 30 to 40 in the next few days. Have a lovely week…thanks for any much appreciated visit ❤️

Taken with phone. This 4000 meter high meadow reached after a frightening 2 hour jeep track trip and 40 minute hike, has amazing views over 7788 m Mount Rakaposhi and one of its glaciers. My husband John for scale ;-) In Hunza, North Pakistan. Happy week to all ♥️ Taken July 2025

In Kashgar, China, the old mud brick Silk Road city which we saw in 2000 has been replaced by the new ‘Ancient City’. It is a visual feast, with artefacts from the old city decorating the walls. Here these were abacuses, wagon wheels, and traditional dowry chests. In this street of antiques, the street benches have been hi jacked as display cases for bric a brac. Although the old city was picturesque, it was tumbledown, overcrowded, rat infested and lacking running water among other discomforts. Have a fabulous week!

The Fairy Meadows,locally known as Joot, officially the Fairy Meadows National Park, is an area of grassland near one of the base camp sites of Nanga Parbat, located in Diamer District in the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan.At an altitude of about 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) above sea level, it serves as the launching point for mountaineers summiting Nanga Parbat by the Rakhiot face. In 1995, the Government of Pakistan declared Fairy Meadows a National Park. It is a glorious place…very difficult to access. After a nightmare jeep ride on a slippery mountain track, I was led up on a horse for 2 hours up a steep and narrow track. The horse farted, grumbled and slipped as we ascended. It was horrible..but a torn meniscus in my knee prevented me from hiking either up, or down, when I took to the dreaded horse again. It was a place of staggering beauty, used also as summer grazing for herds of livestock. Happy Friday, and a super weekend to you Diana ♥️

He saved a seat for you! North Pakistan. Public taxi to go to outlying valleys Have a good week!

I used an Australian bird to wish Christmas cheer, so I guess I should use one to usher in 2026. He was in a tree near the house. On a personal level I wish you all good health and self fulfilment for 2026. On a global level, I am depressed and heartbroken at the awful state of things. I wish for peace, equity and a wealth of other things which might heal our world. Love to all ❤️ Diana

I got my husband to take this photo of me being silly in Tbilisi some years ago. Couldn’t resist! Just found it the other day. Keep happy and healthy….♥️ Diana

No snow and cold here in Australia for Christmas. Just sun and sometimes too much heat. This curious wild emu I photographed locally earlier this year joins me in wishing you a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. And the very best of wishes for a happy, peaceful and healthy 2026. Love, Diana ❤️

The park across the street from my house which is one of those in the background of the photo. There are lots of ducks and occasionally black swans. In summer, as now, we sleep to the sound of singing frogs! I have finally just finished all the musical rehearsals and performances of the year so can get back to Ipernity again. Happy Friday, my friends, and a splendid weekend to you Diana xxxxx

Rawalpindi bazaar on a 39° afternoon in constant traffic and pedestrian jam….almost no movement possible. Here in this more southern part of Pakistan there are more conservative women in full black garb…must be stifling and hot. I love the madness of these bazaars, though! Sorry to be away so much. I am rehearsing for 3 concerts, one a major 2 hour Handel concert (in the choir), a professional one. I am out most nights and trying to learn 150 pages of music score. I will be back into visiting properly after these next 3 concerts are finished in mid December. I hope you are all well, and that life is treating you with kindness and happiness. All the best for the weekend, Diana