We’re living in strange old times at the moment and Instagram is feeling it too. In the past, the social network was full of photos of Instagram travellers showing off the wonderful sights from all around the world. Now, everyone’s stuck at home, there’s less and less of these about.
There is a solution though, as you can still travel the world by using Google Maps for a virtual tour instead of a real one.
That’s what one Instagram user started to do when issues with agoraphobia led her to have a crippling fear of the outside world. Unable to leave her London Flat, Jacqui Kenny instead took to Google Maps to travel to faraway lands.
When she struck upon the idea of uploading the images to Instagram, she soon became an Instagram sensation and is now over 126,000 followers. Maybe if you’re looking for something to do to alleviate the boredom you could use her idea as inspiration for some digital travels.
We’ve been through theAgoraphobic Traveller’s Instagramaccount to show you some of the best destinations she’s travelled to, all from the comfort of her own home.
A tree that casts a large shadow
Using Google Maps to travel to Sun City, Arizona, the Agoraphobic Traveller discovered this impressive street side view of a magnificent tree casting a large shadow over its sunbaked surroundings.
This is just one of many desert locales this Instagrammer has travelled to thanks to the power of Google Street View - probably a welcome change to the rain-soaked views of London visible through her flat window.
Boys and girls at football practice
In the foothills of Bolivia, a mixed-sex football team takes some instruction from their coach and prepares for practice in the sweet warmth of the summer sun.
Paddling pool in the street
Summertime in Callao District, Callao Region, Peru must get a bit toasty. This view shows kids splashing about in a large paddling pool in the street. A refreshing dip in the sweltering sun. A brilliant view from another part of the world enjoyed from a computer screen.
Staten Island after the hurricane
This image was captured in 2013 and shows the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, one of the most deadly and destructive hurricanes of the time. Here we see the damage the hurricane did in Staten Island, but that same hurricane also did damage elsewhere. Winds whipped up to 115 mph, causing 233 people to lose their lives and damage totalling over $68 million.
A home in the sun
In Western Cape, South Africa, a man stands in the doorway to his home watching the Google Street View car passing by. A simple view of life miles from home.
The boy with the blue balloon
On a quiet street corner in the Western Cape, South Africa, a small boy can be seen blowing up a blue balloon. Small blue shacks can be seen behind him and the vast blue cloudless skies above.
Workers in Bolivia
Another shot from the foothills of Bolivia shows some workers at the side of a dirt track watching as the Google car passes them by. Dust roads and green hills can be admired in this area, without all the hassle of actually walking.
A lone horse is watching you
At the edge of the road, a lone horse looks befuddled by the car as it passes by disturbing his peaceful grazing. Not the usual Instagram snap of Rio De Janerio, Brazil you’d expect to see - no beaches or cocktails anywhere in sight.
A long worn mountain road
This view shows the worn out roads of Mongolia, stretching off into the distant hills. This rural view would certainly require a long trip in order to see normally. Google Maps gives easy access to far-off lands with just a few clicks.
A herd at the petrol station
Nature meets man. This image shows a petrol station in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia as a shepherd and his flock pass by the pumps on their onward journey.
