Every June, we celebrate the vibrant hues that bridge cultures, spark emotions, and bring our experiences to life. In honor of Pride month, June’s edition of our employee travel photo contest was all about color. From the dazzling markets of bustling cities to traditional attire, breathtaking landscapes, and those unforgettable, colorful moments on the road—these photos remind us how color has the power to connect us all.
Here are the five winning entries that capture the world’s beauty in every shade.
Threads of Heritage
“This photo was taken during one of our last family trips together in the ancient city of Bagan, Myanmar. It’s a moment I really treasure. It brings together the women in my family across generations—my mom, aunts, and cousins—before we all ended up living in different parts of the world, in Yangon, Bangkok, New York, Melbourne, and Vietnam.
We’re wearing our traditional Myanmar attire, with each ‘htamein’ showing off vibrant colors and the intricate ‘Cheik’ patterns that are such a beautiful part of our culture. These colors mean more to me than just clothes. They hold memories, stories, and the feeling of being connected, even when we’re far apart.”
Colors of Community
Lutviah Lutviah
Customer Service Team
“This photo was taken in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Maasai Mara people. Wrapped in their colorful traditional attire, I felt instantly welcomed and connected, even though we came from different worlds. Each color in their clothing tells a story of community, courage, and tradition.
In that moment, I realized that travel is about more than just places, it’s about people and the connections we make. The colors in this photo remind me that, no matter where we come from, we can find unity and friendship. This experience truly showed me the power of travel to bridge cultures and bring us all closer together.”
A City Painted Orange
Natcha Sanguankittichai
Marketing Team
“Thanks to Agoda’s Remote Work Program, I traveled to the Netherlands, continued working from there and stayed with my friend (whom I got to know through Agoda) for a few weeks in April.
Knowing my usual greyscale wardrobe, she gave me the very specific brief to bring ‘something orange’ to wear as she wanted me to experience the country’s famous King’s Day. On the day, the city was painted orange. Everyone was in orange, having a good time outdoors; it was incredibly fun!
As it was my very first time in the country, my friend made sure I got to experience it all; from tasting some bitterballen and visiting cool local cafes (and making sure I wouldn’t refer to them as ‘coffee shops’), to day trips in different cities and the tulip garden (since it was the season!) Along the way, I met lovely people, learned the ‘ij’ sound, visited 10+ museums and explored so much more than what a usual visit would allow.
Also, I only packed four t-shirts for the entire trip, so I ended up wearing orange so much more often than I’d ever imagine!”
Festival of Smiles
“I’ve lived in Thailand since 1999 and have been lucky to travel most provinces and experience the key celebrations. But the ‘Bun Bang Fai’ rocket festival, held each May in the Northeastern province of Yasothon, had eluded me. My nearly 82-year-old father decided to make one final trip to Thailand, and we agreed it was time to see these rockets in action.
The festival runs over three days, featuring concerts, colorful cultural parades, food, and of course the 100kg rockets which are launched into the sky on the final day. On day 2, as we tried to find a suitable spot to for my mobility-challenged dad to sit and view the parade, we found ourselves surrounded and welcomed by ‘grannies’ who were part of the LGBTQ parade crew. They not only moved attendees to make a space for him, but asked about where we were from, how we knew about the festival, and giggled at my not-so-great Thai as we chatted.
Part of the parade involves locals showcasing their colorful traditional dress, along with everyone else wearing something that will help them blend in with the vibrance of the event. This photo was a magical moment, which after 25-years here, reminded me of the world-famous Thai smile, hospitality, and was a moment of genuine cultural connection, which helped us connect through travel.”
Colors of Devotion
“In the small Indian town of Barsana, Holi isn’t just a festival. It is a spiritual storm of color, emotion, and devotion. This photo captures a fleeting moment, a raised hand reaching into a cloud of pink and red as flower petals swirl like blessings from the sky.
I was surrounded by people I had never met. Yet we danced, laughed, and celebrated as one. The colors blurred the lines between caste, language, and background. We were all simply human, joyful, messy, and alive.
This moment reminded me that color is more than what we see. It is how we connect. It speaks a universal language that needs no translation. Through this photo, I hope to share the magic of a tradition where devotion and celebration collide, painting every soul in unity.”
Want more travel stories?
Click below to explore past winning entries and unique perspectives from Agodans across the globe:
- January: How Food Brings the World Together: 5 Stories from Agodans
- February: From Elephants to Engagements: Stories of Bridges We Build
- March: Windows to the World: 5 Travel Stories from Agoda Employees
- April: Birthday Wishes: 5 Travel Stories from Agodans
- May: The Road Less Traveled: 5 Travel Stories from Agodans
- June: Colors that Connect: 5 Travel Tales from Agoda Employees (You’re here!)
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