This is in Osaka’s nostalgic Shinsekai district where there are rows of small shopfronts. Many open into modest eateries selling Osaka favourites, souvenirs, and affordable meals, giving the street its lively, old-fashioned charm. I am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.
Monochrome Moments at Place du Tertre
Visiting local markets is one of my favourite things to do when travelling. And not to be missed is Place du Tertre, the famous artists’ square in the heart of Montmartre, Paris which is known for its lively atmosphere. Montmartre is extra special—not only for its food and colourful stalls, but for the artists who…
Tuesday Streetart: Windows in Berlin – 113
You probably know by now that I love sharing photos my kids send me from their adventures. Here are Tim’s phone snaps, hope you enjoy them! Some photos of murals appropriately painted on windows of tall buildings. I am linking this to this week’s Monday Window Challenge.
What’s around the corner?
Nothing spectacular to photograph today—no grand buildings or perfect shots. Just life, happening around the corner. Tim and Leigh headed off this morning, but we squeezed in brunch at Project 281 Coffee Roasters in Brunswick before saying goodbye. This is the front room. And around the corner are these doors with murals. A fuchsia flower…
Ice Cream, Smoothies, Juice & Chairs
Summer is a time for Ice Cream, Smoothies & Juice while sitting on Beach Chairs in Sorrento, Victoria. I am linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge and for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Travel Diary in Katsuo-ji Temple – Day 13
TRAVEL DIARY: KATSUO-JI TEMPLE I’d seen Katsuo-ji Temple on Instagram and had been really excited to visit. We left at 9am, taking the train and then a bus, and the hour journey itself already felt like part of the adventure. This is the Katsuo-ji Temple in Mino, Osaka, and we knew we had arrived the…
Floral Friday – 23
A photo taken in Sassafras, Victoria on 20 November 2020 I am linking this to Floral Friday Challenge
Kyoto Doors
Kyoto doors, much like the city itself, feel quiet, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in tradition. In general, they are simple and understated rather than grand. Many are made of wood that has been left to age naturally, so you’ll often see soft browns, greys, and weathered textures that tell a story of time passing. The…
Tuesday Streetart: The Wanderers’ Mural – 112
These are the windows of the Wanderers’ mural on High St, Thornbury. Artwork is by Tom Civil painted in 2014. I am linking this to Monday Window Challenge
Travel Diary in Namba – Day 12
TRAVEL DIARY: NAMBA Today we’re exploring the Namba area. Our first stop is Yasaka Shrine, famous for its giant lion head that looks both fierce and fascinating, and is said to swallow bad luck and bring good fortune. So many quirky shops around the Namba area. Walked all the way to Dotonbori which is a…
Past or Future?
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why? I don’t usually answer prompts. Words don’t always come easily to me, and what I feel is often clearer in photos than in sentences. But this prompt kept appearing on my screen, so here I am… I believe that in a perfect…
My Favourites from 2025
This week’s challenge is My Favourites from 2025. I went back through photos from two of my travel destinations and chose a few favourites. Some may be familiar, but they’re images that still hold meaning for me and bring back moments I loved. For the South Island of New Zealand, choosing a favourite wasn’t easy….
Travel Diary in Nakazakicho & Umeda – Day 11
TRAVEL DIARY: NAKAZAKICHO & UMEDA It was still a tour day in Osaka for those who booked the optional excursions, but Jack and I decided to explore on our own. Took the train to Nakazakicho. But first Brunch… I’d read about this place called Nakazakicho, Osaka’s bohemian soul. It is just the place for me…narrow…
My 2025 Travels in Pen & Ink
I enjoy urban sketching—plein air sketching, sketching on location, or whatever you may want to call it. I may not be very good at it but I find it incredibly relaxing. Seeing my travels captured in watercolour and pen is the best way for me to keep those memories alive. Here are some of the…
Window & Mural in Thornbury
This mural was painted by LucyLucy on the wall of Women’s Health in the North in Thornbury. It shows two women and the words Voice, Choice, Power. The message is about women having the power to make their own life choices. I love the vibrant colours that were used. I am linking this to Ludwig’s…
Travel Diary in Nara – Day 10
TRAVEL DIARY: FUSHIMI INARI, NARA, OSAKA From Kyoto, we headed to Fushimi Inari … and as expected, it was incredibly busy. We wandered around, browsing here and there, taking in the energy of the place, and even found time to try the famous 10-yen coin–shaped, custard-filled pancake, which was a fun (and sweet) little treat…
Tavel Diary in Miyama & Kinkaku-ji – Day 9
TRAVEL DIARY: MIYAMA, KINKAKU-JI It was our free day on the tour, so I asked the hotel if they had any trips to the Golden Pavilion. They said the shuttle wasn’t direct and would pass by Miyama, which meant the journey would take a bit longer. Oh well — it was a free shuttle, so…
That “Money Shot” Family Christmas
Trying to get that perfect “money shot” with family and kids is an adventure in itself. Blinks, giggles, distractions everywhere… but somehow, those imperfect moments become the best CLICK: Oooops no one’s ready! CLICK: Tita Mari and Marion not looking at the camera. CLICK: Well everybody looks happy here, but Remi got hungry and a…
Travel Diary Kyoto – Day 8 (Part 2)
TRAVEL DIARY: KYOTO Jack and I continued our walk and reached the Kamo River. The Kamo River (鴨川, Kamo-gawa), runs through Kyoto and is a popular place for locals and visitors to wander, sit by the water, and enjoy a slower pace of the city. Enjoyed a lovely lunch overlooking the Kamo River. Honestly, it…
Best Christmas Surprise Ever!
I had the surprise of my life this morning while Jack and I were having Brunch with Pat. Out of nowhere, someone tapped me on the shoulder … and boom … it was my son Tim! I was still talking about how we hadn’t planned our Manila trip yet because he’d been so busy with…
A yellow rose in my backyard – 22
Rain on yellow rose, a quiet breath of light in the grey air. I am linking this to Floral Friday Challenge Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Travel Diary in Kyoto – Day 8
TRAVEL DIARY: ARASHIYAMA, KYOTO Kyoto has this quiet charm that reveals itself in its little laneways—narrow paths lined with wooden houses, simple doors, and tiny details that feel like stepping back in time. Every turn seems to lead to a hidden shrine, a tea shop, or an old doorway that has its own story. It’s…
Free Train Weekends in Melbourne
To celebrate the Metro Tunnel opening, public transport is free on weekends (that means trains, trams, buses — all across Victoria) from: 30 Nov 2025 through to 1 February 2026. So Jack and I grabbed the chance. We went down at the Melbourne Central Station and spotted something new. Along the walls are large-scale murals…
Travel Diary On the way to Kyoto – Day 7
TRAVEL DIARY: OBUCHI-SASABA, KYOTO Another long day of travelling awaited us, with around four hours on the bus ahead. We started the morning with an early breakfast, took a quick walk around the hotel grounds, and then began our journey toward Kyoto. It was one of those quiet travel days where you just settle into…
Travel Diary: On the way to Shizuoka – Day 6
TRAVEL DIARY: 5TH STATION MT FUJI, LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, FUJI FIVE LAKES, OSHINO-HAKKAI, SHIZUOKA Today’s tour from Tokyo to Shizuoka was a mostly relaxed one, spent largely on the bus as we made our way from one stop to the next. Altogether, we were on the road for about three hours. It is just enough time…
Last Chance: South Island
Some South Island scenes I haven’t posted yet … or may have forgotten if I already did. Sharing them now before the year closes, for Tina’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge with the theme “Last Chance”. A last glimpse of autumn purple at NZ Alpine Lavender Farm. The South Island skies is always dramatic, vast, and…
Seated teddies hoping you’ll say hi
Three cute bears in the Shinsekai district of Osaka. For Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge and Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Travel Diary Azubadai Hills – Day 5
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 5 AZUBADAI HILLS Our main itinerary for today was to visit TeamLab Borderless, since we had a free day on our tour. So we took our time exploring the area before heading in on our designated entry time of 12 noon. Azabudai Hills is a modern shopping centre with a sleek architecture…
Floral Friday – 21
At my sister in law’s garden. I am linking this to Floral Friday Challenge
Another visit to Hosier Lane
I hadn’t visited Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s CBD in what felt like forever. Somehow, it took Jack’s boss flying in from the Philippines to bring me back. As we walked through the laneway, I was reminded of why I used to love coming here … the colours, the chaos, the way the artwork changes every…