Took my sister and niece to one of my favorite spots for urban sketching, eager to share my go-to location with them. Here are some white Dahlia at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick. For Cee’s FOTD
Tag: challenges
First impressions of Porto
TRAVEL DIARY: PORTO 1 After a brisk journey aboard the Alfa Pendular, Portugal’s flagship Pendolinoa high-speed train, we arrived in Porto just past midday, so we were starving from the trip. Near our Airbnb, we stumbled upon a nearby restaurant where, unsure of what to choose, we trusted the owner’s recommendations for our meal. Francesinha…
St Mary’s Cathedral and its Windows
St Mary’s Cathedral is the largest church in Australia. It is an active place of worship and an important landmark in Sydney. Let me take you inside to see the beautiful stained glass windows which I am linking to Ludwig’s Monday Window.
Each stone tells a story
This week’s challenge is being led by Donna, and the topic is Rock my World. So welcome to my world of rocks, where each stone tells a story—not of scientific origins, but of cherished memories. Let me start with my most recent trip to Sydney with my sister, Pilar, my niece, Pam and Jack. We…
My Lord…it must be Jesus!
This is the St James Church on the bustling intersection in Sydney. Walking on the right side of the church I noticed a homeless person covering himself in a blanket with only his feet protruding. But then I thought, is it a real person or just a sculpture? Looking at it more closely, I noticed…
Chairs & Benches — still on the Rocks
While walking in the Rocks area of Sydney… I saw these chairs and benches. I am linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
The Rocks
We explored Sydney’s oldest neighborhood, The Rocks, where we found olden style cobblestone streets intertwined with modern cafes and restaurants. The rich history of Sydney’s roots are seen in some of its public art. “First Impressions” is a sculpture located in Playfair Street in The Rocks. This sandstone relief was created by Bud Dumas in 1979…
From the plane window…
I am on a few days trip to Sydney with hubby, sister and niece… Some views from the plane window which I am linking to Ludwig’s Monday Window Challenge Glad to see the Sydney Opera House from the plane window before it touched down…
Before & After
Today’s challenge is from Johnbo, the before and after of photo edits. While I adore snapping photos, I often find myself hesitating to delve into the meticulous world of editing with dedicated software. My go-to approach involves minor tweaks on my phone, focusing on cropping and color adjustments to bring out the best in my…
Limestone stacks and turbulent sea waters
Sofia leads us this week with the topic of “Water in motion”. And just in time, I together with my family, went to the Great Ocean Road to take them for a sight seeing roadtrip. I am also linking this to Jez’s Water Water Everywhere and for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday First stop was the…
Geelong by the Waterfront
This morning I took my sister, Pilar, and my niece, Pam, to Geelong. (They are both here for a month long holiday from the Philippines). Geelong is the second largest Victorian city behind Melbourne and is the gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road. Here we found these amazing sculptures which I…
Quaint town of Obidos and its doors
Obidos, just a half-hour’s drive from Nazare, is our third stop for our day trip. It is a quaint and charming escape with its cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, colourful shops and many local cafes. These doors add to the town’s aesthetic charm. Here are doors that become more appealing because they are surrounded with greeneries….
Lovely Yellow Windows in a Corner Shop
NAZARE, PORTUGAL A yellow restaurant by the sea. I am linking this to Ludwig’s Monday Window
Wall Art in Frankston with Sis
I hadn’t originally planned any activities for my sister and niece on their first day in Melbourne, but it turned into quite a busy day. We ended up heading to Frankston beach to admire the stunning wall art from the recently concluded 2024 Big Picture Fest. I am linking this to Natalie’s Photographing Public Art…
The green doors in Nazare
As I have posted previously, Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré or the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare has semicircular steps that lead to a Baroque portal. Outside the church are green doors. In the interior … still more green doors in the corridors of the church. I an linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors…
Cats by the Window
NAZARE, PORTUGAL I don’t know why there are so many cat figurines in Nazare. Anyway, here they are … and they’re so cute sitting on the window ledge. I am linking this to Ludwig’s Monday Window
People…memories from the Philippines
I’m thrilled because my sister from the Philippines is finally visiting me here in Melbourne for the first time. Despite living here since 1991, I’ve always been the one to visit her because she felt Melbourne was too far. But now, she’s finally making the journey, arriving at midnight, and I couldn’t be more excited….
The Beatles Cafe
LIVERPOOL, UK This is the Chantilly Beatles Cafe located within the Cavern Walks Shopping area. Here you can see lots of Beatles memoribillia and artwork. I am linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Pandas at the Singapore Airport
Found this cute trail of Pandas at the Kuala Lumpur airport when we left for London in October 2023. I am linking it to Natalie’s PPAC
Lisbon windows through Tim’s Lens
Yes, yes my son, Tim, takes photos so much better than me and I am proud of it . Hubby and I stayed longer in Lisbon and when it was their last day, Tim and Leigh went out on their own to experience the city on a faster pace (without their 65 year old parents…
Saturday Blue Skies in High Street
There are many High Streets in Melbourne, but the one I am talking about is the street that runs through the city’s inner north suburbs of Northcote, Thornbury and Preston. Surprising news this week, as Time Out magazine ranked High Street as the coolest street in the world. In my opinion it is not, but when…
Empty Chairs waiting patiently for diners
Passing by a restaurant in Porto at midday. I guess they don’t open up for lunch. Linked to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge and Debbie’s Six Word Saturday – 6WS
Art Inside Pasteis de Belem
When in Belém, don’t miss trying the original Pastel de Nata. Just remember, if you’re having more than one, it’s called Pasteis de Nata. ( which I am sure you will be having two or more of them)😂😂😂 You can find tasty pastel de nata all over Lisbon, but the ones from this famous bakery…
Pena Palace Doorways
The doors at Pena Palace, Portugal, are famous for their colorful designs and intricate craftsmanship, reflecting various architectural styles like Romanticism and Moorish influences. Closed doors in the Queen’s Terrace Here are some of the doors from the interior of the palace. Opened doors and arched entry. Linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge
I love doing this…
What activities do you lose yourself in? When I engage in urban sketching, or other art forms mentioned below, I often find myself completely absorbed, losing track of time as I immerse myself in the process. This was in The Old Cheese Factory in Berwick where I went with my friends from the Casey Urban…
Flower in Monochrome
I haven’t joined this challenge for a long time, so here is my monochrome for today. And for Cee’s FOTD challenge
Exploring the Magic of Sintra’s Most Iconic Landmark
TRAVEL DIARY: SINTRA 2 Having marveled at the grandeur of the Quinta de Regaelera in the morning, we continue on our walk and immerse ourselves with the enchanting beauty of the Pena Palace in Sintra. My daughter Pat first introduced me to this palace in 2017 through a photo from her solo European trip, urging…
Weekend sky, weekend heat
It is already autumn in Australia but for the past few days it has been scorching hot here. Still feels like summer. It is Labour Day long weekend in Melbourne so this post technically is not late. Linking this to Hammad’s Weekend Sky Challenge
A circular journey
For this week’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge, Anne Christine leads us with the topic of Circular Wonders. Let me focus on images with circles or circular patterns on architecture. On windows… Double dipping for Ludwig’s Monday Windows. On signages… On different art forms… On everyday objects… It can also be found in nature…
Too Many Seats, Not Enough Takers
LISBON, PORTUGAL Photo taken 18th October 2023 when it was a sunny day for a change. Linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull up a Seat Challenge And for Debbie’s Six WordSaturday