Being a tourist (in Melbourne)

We parked near Federation Square to take advantage of discounted parking—only $16 instead of $25. Great deal, right? Then we hopped on the tram, which was free within the tram zone area, so that didn’t cost us anything either. Headed straight to Askal. Traditional Filipino flavours in an upscale contemporary experience. Another birthday celebration for…

Mural with Windows

MEYERS PLACE, MELBOURNE This is a Mike Makatron Mural in Melbourne CBD entitled Jungle Funk. Linked to PR’s Monday Window.

The City in Zigzags

Today’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge, hosted by Patti, invites us to explore the theme of Zigzag. Coincidentally, while celebrating Jack’s birthday with my daughter in the city, I observed numerous zigzag patterns, particularly on buildings and construction sites. One striking example is Federation Square (Fed Square) in Melbourne. This abstract building, known for its vibrant…

Modern Sculptures in Sydney

Sorry guys, this is a late post and the exhibit is finished but I still want to share some photos of my experience for Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge The original Maman, a towering iron spider standing about 30 feet tall, is exhibited at the Tate Modern Museum…

Mural Doors – London

Here are a few doors with murals from the Camden Area of London. In November of 2023, artist Julian Phethean, known as Mr Cenz (from South London), returns to Buck Street to paint which was meant to be a message of peace, unity and hope amidst the conflict in Israel and Palestine. It depicts a…

Birthday Flower for my “partner in Crime”

It is unsure where the term Partner in Crime came from. Some say that it may may have originated with an Agatha Christie story, and others say it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. Well it is such a generic term that it may have originated from anywhere. But for me…

Great Ocean Road in Monochrome

This is not a themed week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. So I have decided to feature The Great Ocean Road in Black &White. This is one of the world’s most iconic scenic routes which spans 243 kilometres along the stunning coastline of Victoria, Auatralia. I am sharing this for Monochrome Madness.

Spiral Ginger

SYDNEY BOTANIC GARDENS At the Sydney Botanic Gardens, I saw this Costus barbatus, or Spiral Ginger. It is known for its eye-catching spiral arrangement of bright red flowers. I am linking this to Cee’s FOTD Challenge

Square windows

BRISTOL, UK Here are some square windows from Bristol. No colour this time but just plain white walls for a change.

Floral Monotone

“I think I like wildflowers best. They just grow wherever they want. No one has to plant them. And then their seeds blow in the wind and they find a new place to grow.” ~ Rebecca Donovan Here is my interpretation of MONOTONE for this week’s One Word Challenge from Debbie. Photo taken with my…

Balconies

PR of Flights of the Soul is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week, focusing on Balconies. Balconies are architectural elements that extend from the exterior of a building, providing outdoor space and often offering picturesque views. One of literature’s most iconic balconies belongs to Juliet in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” While the balcony itself in…

Purple

Nature’s brushstroke of purple perfection. I don’t know what it is about purple flowers. FOTD

Doors & Murals from Ireland

My son, Tim, just returned yesterday from a brief trip to Ireland where they attended my daughter-in-law’s friend’s wedding. I was delighted to receive numerous photos of charming doors and vibrant murals, and I’m excited to share them here for the Thursday Doors Challenge. Vibrant Mural Doors Charming double doors

Monochrome Trees

“There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.” – Minnie Aumonier This week is a “themed” Monochrome Madness  week, and Sarah at Travel With Me is hosting with the theme “Trees”. For me, not all trees look good in monochrome, it has to have the shape,…

Perfect Pairs Close to Home

Elizabeth of Albatz Travel Adventures is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, focusing on Pairs. Here are some examples of what I consider perfect pairs. This week, I’m staying close to home and visiting my local wetlands, nature’s tranquil sanctuary, where pairs of black swans glide gracefully. Here, the images share some common elements. And amidst the…

Day trip

TRAVEL DIARY: MORNINGTON PENINSULA Time went by so fast, and it has been more than three months now that my sister and my niece visited me here in Melbourne. Jack and I took them to Arthur’s Seat Eagle. Arthur’s Seat is a picturesque coastal landmark situated on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. We went…

Window Display in Covent Garden

COVENT GARDEN, LONDON Here is a cute and stylish Venchi (pronounced as Ven-key) window display that I took last November. It is a chocolate and artisan gelato shop in the middle of the Apple Market in Covent Garden, London

A short stroll in Mornington

TRAVEL DIARY: MORNINGTON It was a sunny weekend so hubby and I decided to go out and enjoy our Sunday. About half an hour drive to Mornington Walked around the main town. And saw some stools and got envious of these cuties sitting on sun chairs. Then it was lunch at Betty’s Burgers. Heading away…

Doors & Art in Rue des Deux Boules

The main place that we wanted to visit was 59 Rivoli. I have featured it previously here and this is the entry door to the gallery. However, today’s post isn’t about that. I want to take you through the lesser-explored back doors and side streets of Rue des Deux Boules in the 1st arrondissement of…

Aeonium undulatum

Aeonium undulatum is a striking succulent known for its spoon-shaped, glossy leaves. Now that it’s winter, it blooms vibrant conical yellow flowers, adding a burst of color to my back garden. Even the bees are happy. For Cee’s FOTD Challenge And here is how it looks like when the leaves wilt.

Upscale Shop Windows

Paris is know for its Upscale shop windows which epitomises elegance and sophistication. It showcases luxury goods drawing in admirers with their artful use of display. Linked to Bushboy’s Monday Window

Sightseeing Destinations

This week, Leanne is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, focusing on Tourist Attractions—a broad yet captivating theme. To tackle this expansive topic, I’m categorizing my entries into places I cherish exploring. To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things. as if for the first time,…

Fresh Blooms flourishing in my garden

One more month of this chilly Melbourne winter. These white and purple blooms are beginning to flourish in my garden, benefiting greatly from alternating sun and rain. I am linking this to Debbie’s Six Word Saturday and for Cee’s FOTD

Grand Entrances in Paris

We’ve spent a few days in Paris for our holiday in October of 2023. We explored the different arrondissements of Paris, while wandering alleys and main avenues. Here are some doors that I was able to capture. Ornate gilded gate of the Paris Palais de Justice with the steeple of the Sainte-Chapelle in the background….

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

TRAVEL DIARY: SYDNEY I’ve visited Sydney numerous times, yet I’ve never had the chance to explore the Botanic Gardens until now. One of the perks of hosting visitors from overseas is discovering places I wouldn’t typically think to visit. This is the entrance to the Gardens, Austtalia’s oldest botanic gardens with all its natural beauty….

Windows in Liverpool

Of course. Liverpool won’t be complete without the Beatles. This week’s windows are from the main strip of the Beatle land. Here are sculptures of the Beatles on the second level of a building. It is nice seeing it at night because of the different coloured lights. Some covered up, colourful windows with psychedelic or…