The authors are avid travelers and keen photographers. They have traveled to such places as the Silk Road of China, the lands of Egypt, Turkey, Russia and many of the European countries, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, Morocco etc. They enjoy capturing the local culture and architecture of the places they have traveled to through the lens of a camera and sharing their experiences with the readers. Anne is a jewelry artist and designer. Anne's appreciation of the distinct elegant qualities of pearls, the brilliance of sparkling Swarovski crystals, and the dynamics of the colourful semi-precious stones has led to her creation of the many beautiful and unique designer pieces.