Guardian readers March 2, 2009

Been there photo competition February 2009

From grand hotels to tiny caravans, there was no scrimping on talent this month despite the 'budget' theme

Mumbai — Catherine Edwards: "Kids playing cricket in the middle of the road in Mumbai, January. Although they didn't have either a pitch or a set of stumps, they still had a very tense and exciting match!" Photograph: Catherine Edwards/guardian.co.uk

Swakopmund in Namibia — Les Sturch: "On the road to Swakopmund in Namibia I spotted this budget offer in the middle of an endless desert. Just shows that value, value, value retail is the only sort these days, and is that dish a sign of internet bargains too?" Photograph: Les Sturch/guardian.co.uk

The Jurassic coast — Suzanne Watts: "Youth hostelling. Walking along the Jurassic coast with a group of friends in May." Photograph: Suzanne Watts/guardian.co.uk

Uttrakhand, Northern India — Antony Walker: "Monsoon Motorcycle. A man on a motorcycle makes his way through a flooded town in Uttarakhand, Northern India on the first day of the 2008 monsoon, wearing a shopping bag on his head to keep the rain off. An example of resourcefulness." Photograph: Antony Walker/guardian.co.uk

Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal — Sophie Atkinson: "Apart from the airfare there, Nepal is a real budget country to travel in. The trek up to Annapurna Base Camp with porters and guides, staying in basic huts, is not only cheap, but one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. I sat under the prayer flags, watching the locals play volleyball with the magnificent Machapuchare mountain towering in the background." Photograph: Sophie Atkinson/guardian.co.uk

Palma, Mallorca — Sam Evans: "This was taken last year in Palma, Mallorca. After a long, hot day we discovered this water fountain by the bus station. Massive plumes of water shooting straight into the air, controlled by buttons on the ground that you could stamp on to the change the pattern. Wonderful, cool and completely FREE. Our kids were in heaven for over an hour running through the spray and even the very wet walk back to the hotel was fun." Photograph: Sam Evans/guardian.co.uk

New Zealand — Roz Stripe: "90 Mile Beach, New Zealand - on a budget!" Photograph: Roz Stripe/guardian.co.uk

Air Madagascar shack in Andapa — Murray Carr: "This is the Air Madagascar shack in Andapa, a small town near Marojejy National Park in north-east Madagascar. I think this sums up what we expect from budget travel. No frills!" Photograph: Murray Carr/guardian.co.uk

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Lola Akinmade: "Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Hopping a ride on a tuk tuk is one of the cheapest and most scenic ways of experiencing [the] city." Photograph: Lola Akinmade/guardian.co.uk

Nong Khiaw in Northern Laos — Andy Pickford: "Taken at an extremely remote village in the mountains around Nong Khiaw in Northern Laos. I know it’s a cliché, but despite the obvious lack of any material luxuries - or any manufactured goods whatsoever – the sense of community enjoyed by these children gave you an understanding of what real wealth is." Photograph: Andy Pickford/guardian.co.uk

Cairo, Egypt — Ivan Stelmak: "Cairo, Egypt. This photo shows a situation when you must count all your money." Photograph: Ivan Stelmak/guardian.co.uk

Taken on the South Bank in London. Coins being collected by a sand sculptor — Chris Mole: "Taken on the South Bank in London. Coins being collected by a sand sculptor." Photograph: Chris Mole/guardian.co.uk

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Jamie Lafferty: "Hotel occupancy in expensive hotels like Atlantis in Dubai is said [to be falling], but the beach is still popular (and free)." Photograph: Jamie Lafferty/guardian.co.uk

Baracoa, Cuba — Jon Stanton: "Bicycle taxis queued up in Baracoa, Cuba... They didn't look as if they were too eagar to get some business!" Photograph: Jon Stanton/guardian.co.uk

Grand Hotel Scarborough — The winning shot by David Meredith: "This is of the Grand Hotel Scarborough. We got a coach trip from Leamington Spa to York, where we visited the minster and railway museum. We then stayed overnight at the hotel with evening meal and breakfast. The next day we had a few hours to explore Scarborough, then on to Whitby and back home, all for the princely sum of £39.95 each. Great value and great fun."

Freelance travel photographer and our judge Natalie Mayer said: "How well off is Britiain, if a hotel looking like this, and costing probably a years wages in some parts of the world, can be considered budget! It is technically proficient and the photographer has taken real care with the white balance and exposure. I think this is a very eye catching image." Photograph: David Meredith/guardian.co.uk

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