Top 15 Instagram Photos of 2015 – Migrating Miss

Instagram is my favourite social media platform by far. I get to follow likeminded people and scroll through an endless stream of awesome travel photos.

With the year coming to a close I decided to collate my top 15 photos on Instagram, by most likes, and it was a bit of a surprise. I’m happy some of my favourites made the list, and surprised some others didn’t.

I don’t own a fancy camera and the majority of these were taken on my old iPhone 4. I’ve finally upgraded to a 6s and I’m excited to be taking photos that come out a bit less grainy. Expect a lot of photos of life in Spain coming in the new year.

If you don’t already, you can follow me on Instagram here.

In reverse order, see if you agree!

15. Iceland – Glacier Lake

We drove all the way across Iceland and back in one day to see this place, and it was definitely worth the trip and nearly running out of petrol on the way back…

“Every moment I shape my destiny with a chisel. I am a carpenter of my own soul.” ?? // Jökulárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland \\ We arrived at the lagoon after a whole day driving from Reykjavik at the golden hour. The lighting and the scenery came together to make this other worldly setting. Icebergs almost as far as you could see towards the mountains and floating out to the ocean. Iceland was one of my favourite destinations and I would jump at the chance to visit to explore more of its amazing landscape. \\

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Sep 30, 2015 at 9:20pm PDT

14. Greece – Santorini

When we found the perfect spot in crowded Oia to watch the sunset, we stayed put. This was taken not long before the sun went down.

“I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.” ?? // Can’t believe it’s been a year since I was in Oia, Santorini, waiting for the sunset! //

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Sep 4, 2015 at 2:37pm PDT

13. New Zealand – Tararua Ranges

When I lived in New Zealand I tried to make the most of getting away to the bush in the weekend. The weather wasn’t always perfect, but it made for awesome photos!

“I took the one less travelled by…” ?? // Walking in the clouds on top of Mt Holdsworth, Tararua Ranges, New Zealand //

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Sep 3, 2015 at 4:49am PDT

12. Australia – 1770

I finally went paddle boarding this year, and even had a dog accompany me!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” ?? // Paddle boarding at #1770 #thisisqueensland \\ Read How Travel Can Teach Us To Choose The Adventure on the blog! Link in bio ? //

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Nov 15, 2015 at 10:06pm PST

11. Australia – Cape Tribulation

This sunrise has to be my favourite of the year.

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”?? // Another happy sunrise picture from Cape Tribulation, the Far North \\

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Oct 19, 2015 at 8:11pm PDT

10. China – Yangshuo

A throwback to a few years ago when I went to this amazing place. I’ll definitely go back one day.

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.” ?? \\ Life on the Li River, Yangshuo, China // The first really foreign place I travelled to, and still one of my favourites. This is when I decided I would have to live in Asia one day. Have you ever been somewhere that made you feel like that?

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Sep 15, 2015 at 9:11pm PDT

9. Thailand – Phi Phi Island

My favourite. As commercialised as this place is becoming, I’m still in love.

“It is in all of us to defy expectations. To go into the world and be brave and to want, to need, to hunger for adventures. Embrace change and chance and risk, so that we may breathe and know what it is to be free.” ?? // Saturday morning dreams of Thailand //

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 21, 2015 at 4:35pm PDT

8. Scotland – Eilean Donan Castle

The view of this amazing castle in the highlands never gets old. I’m so glad it made the list!

“If you don’t turn your life into a story, you just become a part of someone else’s story” – Terry Pratchett ?? // Eilean Donan Castle, #Scotland. A favourite part of my travel story.

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 18, 2015 at 6:19am PDT

7. Scotland – Shetland Isles

Visiting this place on the other side of the world where my family history stretches back for generations was made even better by how beautiful it turned out to be.

“I have always been fascinated by the ocean, to dip a limb beneath it’s surface and know that I’m touching eternity, that it goes on forever until it begins here again.” ?? // Would you believe this is Scotland? Lerwick, Shetland to be exact. // And who wants a house by the sea when you can have one in it?

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 24, 2015 at 11:45pm PDT

6. Greece – Santorini

The iconic blue and white of Oia.

“We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong.” ?? // Blue, on blue, on blue, in Santorini #Greece

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 14, 2015 at 3:33pm PDT

5. Vietnam – Halong Bay

I wish I had taken even more photos of Halong Bay. I still feel like I was unable to capture how amazing it really is, but maybe that’s how it should be. You have to visit and see for yourself.

“The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking.” ?? // Halong Bay, Vietnam // Spending a night on a boat just like this was a major highlight of backpacking in South East Asia //

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:31pm PDT

4. Greece – Santorini

Santorini seems like the winner of the year on Instagram! The sunset this time, no filter needed.

“To travel is to live.” ?? #Santorini sunsets need #nofilter

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 11, 2015 at 2:13pm PDT

3. Cambodia – Angkor Wat

You can’t see the hundreds of other people that were around when I took this photo. I still loved the experience, but it’s definitely one of those moments that is different than it seems!

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” ?? // Angkor Wat sunrises need #nofilter either #Cambodia

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 12, 2015 at 1:21pm PDT

2. Spain – The Alhambra, Granada

Fitting that my second best photo is where I’m about to move to. Visiting here is what made me want to move to Spain.

“Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he has never dreamed of when he first made the decision.” ?? \\ The Alhambra, Granada, Spain // The Alchemist is my favourite book. It starts in Andalusia, Spain, which is also the home of this amazing palace and fortress that keeps a watchful eye over Granada and the plains beyond. I had never seen anything like the intricate decoration inside, and this Moorish palace made me feel like I had stepped back into the time of The Alchemist. I love when books and reality collide.

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Sep 17, 2015 at 4:33am PDT

1. New Zealand – Tongariro Crossing

Also fitting that the number one photo (by over 200 likes!) is from my home. I love this view, and even more so because it took ten years to get to!

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” ?? // Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand. Yes, that colour is real.

A photo posted by Sonja Erin (@migratingmiss) on Aug 13, 2015 at 6:00pm PDT

I’m so excited to see what 2016 will bring!

Did Instagram get it right? What’s your favourite?

If you liked it, pin it!

Sonja x