Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #155 : On the Water

05Jul
by Oh, the Places We See
Lake Como, Italy residence on the water

Water links us to our neighbor in a way more profound and complex than any other.

John Thorson

John Steiner’s theme this week — On the Water — made me think of real estate.

Tower look-out on Lake Como, Italy

I know. This is a water theme. But how many times have you looked for houses on the water, noting that waterfront real estate is some of the most expensive anywhere?

And you don’t have to look far to realize there’s no ritzier, lovelier, or more palatial on-the-water real estate than that of Lake Como, Italy.

No matter the time of day, Lake Como — the water and the buildings hugging it — makes for a lovely sight.

Who wouldn’t want to be on the morning ferry with a view like this?

Early morning view of Varenna, Lake Como, Italy
Morning light awakens the small town of Varenna on Lake Como.

Even in broad daylight, the lake sparkles with energy and life.

Mid-day view from the ferry on Lake Como
Mid-day sun adds sparkle to the homes along Lake Como.

Everywhere you turn, you see open-air restaurants, stately hotels and people walking narrow steps upward to shops and places of business — all on the water.

Restaurant and hotel on Lake Como, Italy
On the waters of Lake Como — restaurants, hotels, and people enjoying the view!
Hotel in Bellagio, Lake Como
A lovely hotel in Bellagio awaits sundown on the water.

And who doesn’t love the elegant villas that have been movie sets like the photo at the top of this post that formed the backdrop for the first James Bond movie, Casino Royale? Or other movies that have followed?

Villa with tall trees, Lake Como, Italy
An elegant setting on the water makes for a lovely movie location.

Could you live here? Well, no doubt someone does — and my guess is that whoever it is, he/she/they love it!

Villa on the water at Lake Como, Italy
Rich greens surround this villa on Lake Como.

Even places that might be considered “ordinary” are extraordinary by our standards.

I’d love to know: Who lives there? How old these buildings? And what’s the best thing about the view, in your opinion?

Lake Como homes on the water
Private homes on Lake Como.

The answers may only be available to us tourists, however, if we purchase a ticket to roam through a villa and look out at the water ourselves.

View of Lake Como with hydrangeas
A beautiful glimpse of Lake Como from our vantage point on the water.

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.

Lao Tzu

Thanks to John Steiner of Journeys with Johnbo for leading the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week. If you want to see more entries, be sure to check out his site. Next week, look for more great photo contributions for the challenge led by Anne of Slow Shutter Speed whose theme will be Black and White.

And thanks for journeying through Lake Como with me today.

Travel on the water,

Rusha

33 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #155 : On the Water”

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I love that one as well. Thanks so much for letting me know which one is your favorite. It does pretty much boil down to light in any of our favorite photos, doesn’t it? (Or location, people, activity . . . )

      Reply

  5. WanderingCanadians

    Lovely collection of photos. I find there’s always something so magical about being by the water. It’s very calming and I love the way the water shimmers and shines when the sun is out.

    Reply

  6. lisaonthebeach

    Wow, amazing! And I do love to look around and imagine what life must be like for those who live there. If only I get a glimpse into that other world it just fills me with wonder! …and photos just help take me back! What a great post that stirs the imagination 😊

    Reply

  7. Khürt Williams

    I like the photos of the private homes and the Bellagio.

    There is a Lake Como in New York State but the two are incomparable. Unfortunately, in Lake Como (New York) the entire shoreline of the lake is privately owned.

    Reply

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  14. Prior...

    Hi rusha
    wonderful photos of water and a tour of lake como – we had a “como park” in western New York when growing up but it was nothing like this – ha

    Reply

  16. Toonsarah

    Great response to John’s theme – who hasn’t dreamed of a house on the water somewhere?! Your morning ferry photo is especially alluring and I love the faded pink of what looks like a boathouse in your ‘private homes’ shot 🙂

    Reply

  17. Pat

    We were there many years ago, before I had a digital camera, and don’t have many photos to jog my memory. Thanks for sharing yours with commentary.

    Reply

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