On our last day in Da Nang, these bright blue seats were at the front of the restaurant where we had lunch and they immediately caught my eye. It was very hard to miss… Xingfumama’s pull Up a Sear Challenge
Category: Travels
Yellow & Blue Doors in Hoi An
I can never get enough of Hoi An. I love its doors. There are so many of them that I can never remember which one is which, yet each has its own quiet charm. Some weathered by time and painted in yellow and blue rich colours. Every door seems to hold a story … and…
Where Memories Stand Still
This week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge is from Sue, with the topic of Figures in a Built Environment. After much deliberation, I thought that I would post something fun. These images are more than just fun photographs…they are memories. Each statue marks a place visited, a moment shared, and a story that will be remembered for…
Villa Escudero Souvenir Shop
I have posted about my trip to Villa Escudero when I went on a holiday to the Philippines in March 2026. The exterior of the Artikulo Souvenir Shop at Villa Escudero is a work of art in itself. Its rustic wooden windows sit beneath a striking mural of blooming flowers, a graceful carabao, and native…
Benches in Sapa
A Backpacker resting on one of the benches in Sapa, Vietnam. Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Muong Hoa Valley Doors
Surrounded by mountains and rice terraces, I photographed these doors at the Muong Hoa Valley in Sapa, Vietnam. Most are just simple wooden doors. But there are some that are more well-crafted and beautifully done. Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge
Wooden Public Art in Sapa
Saw these wooden art around the Sapa area in Vietnam. For Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge
Stools at Turtle Island
Some plastic stools that I found while walking around the island. I am linking to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Doors on the Way to the Airport
BACKSTORY: Our last day in Dauin was so stressful. It was time to catch our domestic flight from Dumaguete to Manila, and after days of perfectly reliable transport…from coasters and four-wheel drives to tricycles…we finally experienced our first hiccup. Just before our scheduled pickup, we learned that our booked transfer from the Airbnb to the…
Travel Diary: Dauin – Day 4
It was one of those days when things didn’t go according to plan. The main reason we went to Dauin was to visit Apo Island, where we had heard that hundreds of sea turtles (pawikan) could be seen. We were excited for the experience, but sometimes travel has its own surprises, and not everything turns…
Tuesday Streetart: Sapa Mural – 130
In a hidden alleyway in Sapa, Vietnam, a splash of colour caught the corner of my eye. Curious, I wandered over to take a closer look. I’m glad I did, because tucked away were these windows adorned with brightly coloured murals, adding a cheerful burst of creativity to an otherwise quiet lane.
B for Boats
This week, Beth’s challenge is all about subjects starting with the letter B. It wasn’t as easy as I thought—my mind wandered in so many different directions. But once I chose one theme, I realized I had photographed far more of it than I expected. So, here’s my B for Boats. “Land was created to…
Discarded Plastic Installations in BGC
I came across these installations in Bonifacio Global City that completely drew me in. Created by Manila Automat, the space felt like stepping into an underwater world … only this one was built from discarded plastic. The Starfish Pod was the first to catch my eye, bold and sculptural, almost glowing in its form. Then…
Dauin Seats and Doors
Travel isn’t always about famous landmarks. Sometimes it’s the colourful doors, the inviting chairs, and the little corners of a town that catch your eye. These snapshots from Dauin, Philippines, are small details that helped tell the story of the place. Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge Xingfumama‘s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Travel Diary: Dauin – Day 3
Patricia suggested having breakfast at a healthier option restaurant. We all agreed to go, except for Tim, who preferred to sleep-in a little longer. We walked back to our accommodation, taking our time to enjoy the local scenery and the laid-back charm of the province along the way. We had pre-booked a van to take…
Assissi in Monochrome
There’s no set theme for this week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge, so I’ve decided to feature monochrome shots from my travels. This is Assisi, Italy, where every corner seems to whisper centuries of faith and tradition. It is in the quiet alleyways, It is in its stone walls, In its architecture, and very evident in the…
The Magic of Lake Tekapo’s Little Stone Church
The Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, sits on the shores of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. It is a small and simple stone church, and at first glance there seems to be nothing particularly remarkable about it. Yet visitors from all over the world make the journey here, making it surprisingly difficult…
Tuesday Streetart: BGC Mural – 129
I visited the BGC Arts Center in Taguig, Metro Manila, and saw a long mural showcasing Filipino dances and musical instruments. Called Isang Guhit, Isang Pintig (“One Line, One Pulse”) by @_racamagay, the colourful artwork celebrates the harmony of music, dance, and acting. I loved how it brought different art forms together in one vibrant…
Windows on the way to Turtle Island
The tricycle driver took us to Turtle Island in Negros Oriental, Philippines. No, we didn’t find any turtles there, but they said that people had scared them all away. I’m not sure if that’s true or just an old woman’s tale. Anyway, on the way, I spotted these charming windows and couldn’t resist taking a…
Travel Diary: Dauin – Day 2
When I woke up, this was the view from our room window. It was a beautiful sight to start the day in Dauin… a town near Negros Oriental, Philippines. Before the place fully woke up, Jack and I enjoyed breakfast by the beach. At that early hour, it felt like we had the whole place…
Tuesday Streetart: Hanoi Murals – 128
Train Street in Hanoi is a vibrant and unique spot where cafés line a narrow working railway track. The colourful murals painted on nearly every café add to its charm, making it a great place to wander and take photos.
Cellpic Mural
This is a mural by Los Angeles muralist Bunnie Reiss and is entitled David’s Hand . I am linking this to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday and to Debbie’s One Word Sunday – Mural
Shine from Within
“Shine from Within” by Daniel dela Cruz is a pair of public artworks on Bonifacio South Street, in BGC, Philippines. It is reminding us that true light comes from within, not from the spotlight. I am linking this to Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge
Travel Diary: On the way to Dauin – Day 1
Took the budget airlines, Cebu Pacific from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. After an hour-and-a-half flight, we finally arrived safely in Dumaguete. Just look at how excited I was to see my son’s name flashing on the sign held by our driver waiting for us at the airport! 😂😂😂 Our van took us to our…
Tuesday Streetart: Birds in Greenbelt – 127
During our stay at an Airbnb in Greenbelt, I walked past these murals every day. It was only later that I stopped to appreciate how beautiful they truly were. This was taken in March 2026.
Floral Friday: Heliconia Bihai – 39
This is a Heliconia Bihai which I found in the Philippines. It is also commonly known as Red Lobster Claw, False abird of Paradise or Balisier. Floral Friday
Travel Diary: Lady Buddha – Day 12
After spending the previous day under grey skies and rain, we were hoping for better weather on our last full day in Da Nang. To our delight, we woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming through the window. Eager to take advantage of the perfect day, I wasted no time booking a ride and setting off…
Flowing Water
This week’s theme for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness Challenge is Flowing Water.
Tuesday Streetart: Moana – 126
Ethnic tribe of Sapa which can be seen on the walls of the restaurant in Moana.
Floral Friday: Plumeria – 38
This was in the garden of our AirBnB in Dauin, Negros Oriental. In the Philippines, Plumeria is popularly known in the Philippines as Kalachuchi. Floral Friday
