A Little Girl in Quan Loi, Vietnam: A Photograph from the 1960s

A little girl from Quan Loi, Vietnam, photographed in the 1960s — a quiet memory from a place and time that have never been forgotten.

I took this picture about 53 years ago in 1960s, so this little girl would be a woman in her late fifties give or take a little. 

We landed in a beautiful place called Quan Loi Vietnam, Before Quan Loi became a big airstrip, and the short time I was there became good friends with her Grandparents. I have often wondered what happened to them. She and her sister were living with the Grandparents while their parents staid in the city to work.

If you have any information about her or her family and what happened to them, please contact us through the contact form. 

 

- James Smith 

A police-style car in Tallinn Old Town, Estonia — possibly inspired by a Soviet-era militia vehicle. Photographed near Henriks Kohvik / Henriks Cafe in 2019. 

Police Car in Tallinn, Estonia: Soviet-Era Militia Vehicle or Local Curiosity?

A day trip to Tallinn can turn into a small visual treasure hunt, especially when walking through the streets of the Old Town. This photograph was taken on 20 April 2019 during a Tallink day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn, followed by a relaxed walk through the city.

The scene shows a police-style car in Tallinn Old Town, Estonia. At first glance, it raises a question: is it a modern local curiosity, a display vehicle, or perhaps a car inspired by the old Soviet-era militia vehicles? Without verified details about the vehicle itself, it is better to leave the question open — and that uncertainty is part of the charm of the image.

Tallinn Old Town is one of Estonia’s most atmospheric places for a walking trip. Its historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Visit Tallinn describes the Old Town not only as a preserved historic treasure, but also as a living and constantly evolving part of the city.

The photograph also captures everyday street details that make travel images memorable: Henriks Kohvik / Henriks Cafe, a Protsess poster, old façades, and the layered feeling of Tallinn’s urban history. These small discoveries often say more about a destination than the most famous landmarks.

The trip itself was part of the classic Helsinki–Tallinn ferry route, one of the most convenient ways to visit Estonia from Finland. Tallink operates year-round sea connections on the Helsinki–Tallinn route, making Tallinn an easy destination for a short city break or a one-day walk through the Old Town.

This image is a reminder that travel photography does not always need a perfect postcard view. Sometimes the best travel memories come from a surprising detail on a side street — a car, a café sign, a poster, and a question that remains unanswered.

Walking through a quiet park in Tallinn, Estonia, with views toward the historic St. Olaf’s Church Tower. A travel moment from a 2019 sightseeing trip to Tallinn. Select the image to play the video on YouTube.

 

 

Tallinn, Estonia Walking Tour: Park Walk and St. Olaf’s Church Tower

This travel video captures a peaceful park walk in Tallinn, Estonia, heading toward the historic St. Olaf’s Church Tower. Filmed during a 2019 sightseeing trip, the scene offers a calm view of Tallinn beyond its busiest streets, where green spaces, old architecture, and the skyline of the Old Town meet.

St. Olaf’s Church is one of Tallinn’s most recognizable landmarks. Its Gothic-style tower rises above the Old Town and is known for offering wide views over the city when the viewing platform is open during the season. Visit Tallinn lists the St. Olaf’s Church tower and observation deck as a seasonal attraction in the Old Town.

Tallinn Old Town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, valued for its historic urban structure and well-preserved medieval character. The area is not only a major sightseeing destination but also a living part of the city, with streets, churches, cafés, and public spaces that continue to be used every day.

This video focuses on a simple walking moment rather than a fast-paced city tour. The route toward St. Olaf’s Church Tower gives the viewer a sense of arrival: the tower appears as a visual landmark, guiding the walk through Tallinn’s historic atmosphere.

For travelers visiting Estonia, this kind of short walk is one of the best ways to experience Tallinn. The city’s charm often comes from small details — quiet paths, old rooftops, church towers, and changing views between the parks and the medieval streets. 

A surprising driving moment in Yuyao, Ningbo, East China, in 2016, where sheep and Mickey Mouse create an unexpected scene on the road. Select the image to play the video on YouTube.

 

Driving in China: Watch Out for the Sheep and Mickey Mouse

A rainy day in East China turned into an unexpected travel memory during a day trip from Shanghai to Yuyao, Ningbo, in 2016. After arriving by high-speed train, the journey continued by car through the wet streets and roads of Yuyao — where the video captured a surprising roadside moment involving sheep and a Mickey Mouse appearance.

Yuyao is a county-level city of Ningbo in Zhejiang province, located in East China on the south bank of the Yangtze River Delta. It is part of the wider Ningbo region, an important coastal and cultural area in eastern China.

The trip began in Shanghai, one of China’s major transport hubs. High-speed trains connect Shanghai and Yuyao through stations such as Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Yuyao North Railway Station, making Yuyao a realistic destination for a day trip from Shanghai. Travel China Guide lists the Shanghai–Yuyao high-speed rail journey as roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the train.

This video is not a polished sightseeing tour. Instead, it captures the kind of small, unexpected scene that often makes travel memorable. Rain on the road, everyday traffic, animals appearing where they should not be, and a sudden Mickey Mouse detail all turn an ordinary drive into a funny and unusual China travel moment.

For travelers, these are often the best memories: not only famous landmarks, but also the strange, humorous, and surprising details found along the way. This short driving video from Yuyao is a reminder that travel in China can be full of unexpected scenes, even on a rainy day.