TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 1 GINZA 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…
Category: challenges
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
Farm Animals
This week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge is from Elke of Pictures Imperfect Blog. The theme is Farm Animals, and here are some of my collection from the past two years.
What my heart is telling me right now
There are days when you find yourself torn between staying home and setting out to travel. Staying home brings a sense of peace … the comfort of familiar walls, a warm cup of coffee while still in your pyjamas, and the gentle rhythm of daily life. It’s where you can rest, reflect, and feel grounded….
Tuesday Streetart: A bench in Berlin – 108
You probably know by now that I love sharing photos my kids send me from their adventures. This time it’s from Tim — he went to a festival where his work was shortlisted (so proud!). On his free days, he thought of his mumma and sent me some great shots of murals, street art, doors,…
Street Details
“I hope you find, as I did, that happiness comes from noticing and enjoying the little things in life.” – Barbara Ann Kipfer This Aboriginal artwork is located in the parking area of Federation Square in Melbourne’s CBD. Many people walk past it without even noticing its beauty. The theme for this week’s Lens Artist…
Windows of Food Trucks
Going on with what Ludwig started, here are some Food Truck Windows in markets.
Ancient Rome
The theme for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge from Sofia is Ancient. When I hear that word, the first place that comes to mind is the Colosseum (constructed between 70 and 72 AD) and the Arch of Constantine (constructed between 312 and 315) which stands right beside it.
Monday walk in Bruno’s Garden
Backstory: On Black Saturday, February 7, 2009, a massive bushfire tore through Marysville in Victoria. It destroyed the town and wiped out Bruno Torfs’ home, gallery, and beautiful art garden. Almost all of his 300 handmade sculptures were lost in the fire. Despite everything, Bruno chose to stay in Marysville and slowly rebuilt his home…
Windows of an Art Shop
This is Dean’s Art in Preston and I found the window design cute. It wasn’t open yesterday but even the closed sign is nice. I am linking this to Monday Window
Healesville
Healesville is located less than an hour from Melbourne, right in the heart of the Yarra Valley’s renowned food and wine region. With nothing better to do, Hubby and I decided to go on a day trip. I am linking this to Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge and to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge….
Floral Friday – 18
I really am not into scientific names of plants so here is just a pink flower that I saw in Sassafras when we went there in March 2025. It was when Tim was here for a few weeks holiday. For Floral Friday
Doors in Berlin
You probably know by now that I love sharing photos my kids send me from their adventures. This time it’s from Tim — he went to a festival where his work was shortlisted (so proud!). On his free days, he thought of his mumma and sent me some great shots of murals, street art, doors,…
Ceramics in Monochrome
The host for Monochrome Madness this week is Brian from Bushboy’s World, and he has chosen “Ceramics” as the theme. Ceramics have been an important part of human life for thousands of years. Made from fired clay, they can be shaped in many ways and decorated with colourful glazes. And today I am sharing some ceramic pieces in…
Back to walking in The Botanic Gardens
For Jo’s Monday Walk One doesn’t have to travel far to experience the beauty of the world. Recently, Jack and I took a leisurely walk through Wilson’s Botanic Park, surrounded by the vibrant colours of spring blooms. There is the scent of blossoms in the air making it a perfect little escape close to home….