Walking along the Dotonbori River, I noticed colourful painted walls stretching along both sides. They added so much life to the walk—bright characters, bold colours, and little details that made me stop every few steps. It’s one of those small surprises in Osaka that makes a simple riverside stroll feel fun.
Month: November 2025
Travel Diary in Ginza – Day 1
Day 1 Well, it’s our first full day here in Tokyo and so far, things are off to a great start. Flight Centre booked us at Hotel Monday Premium Toyosu, and because we added three extra nights before our tour, we got to settle in properly. Best decision ever. The hotel turned out to be…
Rose Lips Shinsaibashi
Spotted this cute hotel by the Dotonbori River in Osaka. It is called Petit Hotel Rose Lips Shinsaibashi . From the outside it looks like a charming place, but upon my research, all are smoking rooms… so definitely not for me to book. I am linking this to Ludwig’s Monday Window Challenge.
A lone bench in Yamanakako village
Somewhere in Yamanakako Village, a wobbly, forgotten bench caught my eye. No one sat on it, no one photographed it—but I did. Even the broken corners of a place deserve a moment. This is a place near Mt Fuji. I am linking this to Jude’s Bench Anniversary and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Mysterious
This week’s challenge is from Patti with the theme of Mysterious. Mysterious: A mood or moment in a place that feels quietly powerful, subtly beautiful, or filled with secrets you can’t quite name. Mysterious is how this church in Porto rises against the night or a lone bird flying above a cathedral. It can be…
Balcony shadows shaping the morning light
During one of our walking tours in Kyoto, i saw this apartment building with its beautiful, symmetrical balcony shadows. For Becky’s November Shadows and for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Floral Friday – 19
It’s been a bit since my last post for Floral Friday, so here’s something simple and sweet—pink blooms on a quiet Miyama road.
Sheds, Doors & Shadows
In the South Island even the simplest things like an old shed, a half-open door, the play of shadows, feel poetic. New Zealand really knows how to make the ordinary beautiful. I am linking this to Becky’s November Shadows and for Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge
Casting silhouettes
There’s something playful about this mural … a bright, smiling sun nestled inside a giant daisy, spreading its colours across the whole corner of the building. What I love most is how the real sun above joins in the fun. Its light hits the street just right, stretching long shadows of people walking by. It…
On the Move
Something about being on the move (and stuck in a plane seat) convinces me that sky photography is my calling. Clouds, sunsets, random blue patches, I snap them all. Don’t judge me haha. I am linking this to Johnbo’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge with the theme “On the Move” Sunrise on board Singapore Airlines from…
Back in Melbourne
Just got back a few hours ago and spotted this bench I’d never noticed before at the Melbourne Duty Free. I am linking this to Judy’s Bench Anniversary and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Proof we were here…
Proof we were here… courtesy of our shadows. On our last full day in Osaka… at the Osaka Castle grounds. This is for Becky’s November Squares.
Me & My Shadow
Show me wings on a wall and I’m instantly in photo mode. Luckily, Jack’s always exactly the right height to wear them. … but for me? The wings always land on my head instead haha. But what I loved most this time wasn’t the wings, but our shadows on the wall. Taken outside the Cacao…
Tree Shadows
The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say. – Gregory Maguire Caught this shadow of a tree while walking with my tour group in Kyoto. I am linking this to Becky’s November Shadows.
Miyama’s Timeless Landscape
Nestled in the mountains of Kyoto Prefecture, Miyama feels like a step back in time. The thatched-roof farmhouses, mist-covered hills, and quiet fields create a landscape that seems untouched by the rush of modern life. It’s a scene where tradition and nature blend seamlessly — a perfect moment for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, hosted…
Shadow Trail in Obuchi Sasaba
On our way up to the tea plantation in Obuchi Sasaba, we walked along this peaceful trail where the sunlight and shadows danced together. It is a place near Mt Fuji, a fitting moment for Becky’s November Square theme—Shadows.
A celebration with flowers
This challenge is called #1Day4Cee and it is a tribute to Cee plus a joint birthday celebration of Dan and of Marsha. Here are some flowers and Autumn foliage taken in Kawaguchiko, as our tour passed by this beautiful lake.
Sunset over Mt Fuji
Watching the sunset from our hotel window. This is Mt Fuji in the distance, bathed in golden light and growing shadows. My entry for Becky’s November Square with the theme, Shadows.
Tuesday Streetart: Ginza – 109
Somewhere in Ginza, on the corner of a building I can’t quite remember, I came across this embossed piece of street art. It’s one of those little discoveries you stumble upon when you’re not really looking — quiet, elegant, and perfectly at home amid the polished streets of Ginza.
Snippets of Tokyo… in Square
When in Japan, it’s totally normal to walk thousands of steps a day. Today was one of those days … lots of walking, a few train rides, and some city exploring. In the afternoon, we grabbed a taxi to Roppongi Hills to check out the exhibits at the Mori Art Museum. Here’s a square shot…
Sunrise in Tokyo
For Tina’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, the theme Ephemeral feels just right. This morning, I watched the sunrise from my hotel window in Tokyo. The sky slowly shifted from soft grey to pink, then to gold as the sun appeared over the city skyline. For a few quiet minutes, everything felt calm … no trains yet,…
The adventure begins at Changi Airport
We are travelling to a country I have never been but first is a four hour layover. The adventure begins at Changi Airport … from strolling through the Enchanted Garden … to chasing sunrise in the Sunflower Garden and saying hello to butterflies before takeoff. With every turn there is so much to see and…