Sandown, Isle of Wight, England, UK

Let's end September with a splash of sapphire. We can't all afford the gems, but nature compensates for our penury by giving us flowers: like these growing out of a crevice in a wall. I only wish they were wight. But they are! [2011]

Macau S.A.R., China

Taking a rest, not guarding the gate. These two wander the streets of old Macau, taking advantage of open space guaranteed by the presence of a church. Macau used to be a Portuguese enclave on the coast of China; it still is a Roman Catholic enclave. When the Portuguese left, they left their religion behind. [2011]

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Queen's Day brings the Dutch to the water. In Holland, that means the canals. But, there's something surprising about these revellers. Everyone's wearing yellow! Apparently, oranjagekte, the virus that turns the Dutch orange on their national holiday did not infect the entire population this year. [2004]

Genoa, Italy

The Ligurian Alps come right down to the sea, but Genoa still finds some space to spread out even if it means going up. The colors are the hues of Liguria, the earthy pastels of the Mediterranean, the 'palette of place' that provides a home for the spirit of place in this city by the sea. [2008]

Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico

On a torso, it would be unremarkable, but on the ground it's a show-stealer. The old train station in Chapala has been turned over to the arts. When you step outside, a fallen head stops you in your tracks. Alas, the head has now been put on a plinth. Magic, now gone. [2008]

Zagreb, Croatia

The 'checky shield' makes the Croatian national flag unique, but, by juxtaposing so many opposites, Zagreb's flag tells a more intricate story. Do you see the heavens and the earth? the realm of nature and the realm of culture? the open and the closed? the invitation and the threat? the medieval and the post-Communist? Now find CCTV and mirror. [2008]

Honfleur, France

T

Honfleur lies on the south side of the Seine estuary. Le Havre lies on the north side. Standing sentry, like this light tower, they guard the gateway to Normandy and the waterway to Paris. Honfleur's history goes back a thousand years; Le Havre's five hundred. Yet, Le Havre has won the battle of the ports. I wonder why. [2005]