mark's favorite photo: the truth is - i was taking a break from the hot, muggy afternoon and nikki was trying to get rid of her roll of black and white film so she could shoot the grand palace in color. suddenly, something struck her eye and this was the result... it was a macro shot thus requiring me to be absolutely rigid but for some reason i couldn't stop laughing (probably the heat affecting my brain) so it took a while for her to get the shot she wanted...

nikki's favorite photo: this was a difficult choice. we had so many incredible experiences with children in various villages but i'm particularly struck by this one - the innocence in this girl's eyes is heartwarming. we couldn't speak a word to each other (she didn't speak lao but only her tribal language) but once she warmed up (and started becoming a ham in front of the camera!) i felt like i had a new, little friend. she was beautiful.

and the runner up (mark's next favorite): nikki wasn't going to take this photo - she felt she was exploiting the uncontrollable 'urges' or something of this poor zebra, but i definitely insisted and thus, it made it's way into the hall of fame as one of my favorite photographs.