Finding One’s “Tahanan“

You may be wondering what my blog means when I am supposed to post about being Grateful for Tina’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge . Well, last weekend, I watched a Filipino film at our local cinema titled Hello, Love, Again. The movie offers a poignant exploration of what it means to come home. At its heart,…

It’s in the Details of QVB

The Queen Victoria Building, or QVB, is a beautifully preserved heritage site from the late 1800s, located along George Street in Sydney’s CBD. I took this photo a few months ago while visiting with my sister and niece. I almost forgot to post it, but the “In the Detail” theme from Patti reminded me to…

The Silence of Bruny Island

“On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.” – Jules Renard Isn’t it amazing when you can escape the crowds and experience a destination without the usual influx of tourists? That’s exactly how it felt when we visited Bruny Island—like we had the entire place to ourselves. I’ve just returned from…

Divine Magic of the Sagrada Familia

In this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, Ritva referenced Leonard Cohen’s saying, “Everything has a crack; that’s how the light gets in.” I am also linking this to Debbie’s Six Word Saturday. This quote resonates with me in many ways, particularly when I think of the stunning light and ethereal beauty I witnessed at the Sagrada Familia….

Looking back

I travel because I’d rather look back at my life, saying ‘I can’t believe I did that’ instead of ‘if only I had -Florine Bos I almost skipped this challenge because I struggled with how to approach it. But this quote reminded me of the many memorable moments I’ve had, especially as I turn 66…

Moods from sunrise to sunset

Ann-Christine is the host for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, with the theme of Setting a Mood. The mood of sunrise over the town is hopeful and refreshing. Soft warm gold light creates a cozy glow. The early morning quiet adds to the feeling of possibility as the world begins to wake up. The mist…

Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

Patti (P.A.Moed) is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week, with the theme of Finding beauty in unexpected places This reminds us that wonder can emerge from anywhere. It challenges our perceptions, showing that even in the most ordinary settings, there are moments of inspiration waiting to be discovered. It might be a flock of…

Walking in My Neighbourhood

Tina of Travels and Trifles is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week, with the theme of Walking the Neighbourhood. I know that I have posted about this part of my neighbourhood way too often, but I can’t help it. The wetlands have become my favourite retreat. Every time I visit, I’m struck by the…

Angono… a fun place to be

This week, Egidio’s challenge is Destination: Fun. I struggled to decide what to post this week because, for me, traveling—whether close to home or halfway around the world—is always an adventure filled with fun. But I suddenly remembered these places that my niece and nephew took us in Angono, Rizal in the Philippines. This is…

Uncovering the Uncommon

Ritva is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week, focusing on Common Objects. We often pass by ordinary objects and places without paying attention. But if we look closer, these things can surprise us with their beauty. By slowing down and looking at the world differently, we can find something special in the things we…

Birds on the Shoreline

“Meet me where the sky touches the sea.” – Jennifer Donnelly This week’s photos of shorelines are for Lens Artist Photo Challenge hosted by Anne of Slow Shutter Speed. Here are some of the shorelines we captured during our road trip along the Great Ocean Road, from Geelong to Port Campbell. And from some 6,000…

The Cool Colours from Down Under

Cool Colours include green, blue, and purple and are usually calming and relaxing… it is the colour of water and of nature. There’s often a lively debate over whether Melbourne or Sydney is the superior city. I once read a saying that “Melbourne and Sydney are sisters, but Sydney is the pretty one.” As a…

On the scale of things

“Photographs with people in them are like scale models—showing just how grand or tiny our lives can be in the grand scheme of things.” – Unknown Sofia of Photographias is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week, focusing on Sense of Scale. Some objects are difficult to gauge in size just by viewing them in…

Exploring Forest Glade Gardens

“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden I previously posted the rebuilding of the Forest Glade Gardens, and now I’m excited to share a special walk my husband and I enjoyed there last May. I almost overlooked posting about it, but Anne-Christine’s Lens-Artists…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

Moonlit Sanctuary

A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called a sanctuary This week, Tina hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of HABITAT. Last April, I took my sister and niece to the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Pearcedale, Victoria. The Moonlit Sanctuary is an award-winning wildlife park located 50 minutes southeast…

From Borough Market to Tate Modern

This week, Egidio hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of TWO RECTANGLES. Where better to find rectangles than Borough Market and the Tate Modern in London? Narrowing down to specific locations helps me focus, avoiding the overwhelm of countless photos. Here is a street on the way to the market. I have two main rectangular…

Behind every Photograph

This week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge is hosted by Ritva who invites us to consider what is behind the subjects of our photography. Behind every photograph lies a story intertwined with its background. When I travel, I enjoy photographing buildings, especially churches. Here, I face a choice of capturing the entire scene or focusing solely on the sculpture in front of…

Connecting Bridges

This week, Donna from Wind Kisses hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of CONNECTIONS. Bridges connect more than just two pieces of land- they link communities, cultures, and histories, fostering unity and progress. However, this week, I’m focusing on their literal role as a form of connection from point A to point B. The Pont…

AI or not?

I’m new to this, so please excuse the image quality. I used a free app and inputted words like ‘Porto,’ ‘bridge,’ ‘sunset,’ and ‘bird’s-eye view’ to generate the first image. The second photo is one I took myself. Still learning, but here’s my attempt! Following, I used the word prompt ‘silhouette,’ ‘Eiffel Tower,’ ‘trees in…

Florals

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank This week, Sofia hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of FLORAL. I am linking this also to Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge and to Cee’s FOTD challenge. Hope you get well soon Cee. Flowers,…

Delicate

This week, Ann-Christine hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of DELICATE. I am linking this also to Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge and to Cee’s FOTD challenge Delicate is something easily broken or damaged and the first thing that came to mind is the fragility of flowers… Plants, delicate but at the same time resilient….

Being hopeful …

This week, Patti hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of HOPEFUL. I am linking this also to Becky’s SquareRenew In my ripe ol’ age of 60+, there are still many things in life that make me hopeful… witnessing simple acts of kindness, seeing progress in the world, and maybe experiencing personal growth by learning new…

Ah … to be young again!

Ah, to be young again! Running freely, without a care in the world. Exploring the world with wide-eyed wonder, filled with endless curiosity and excitement. I have three nieces, Korina, Ella, and Franceska. They each have two kids. I enjoy birthdays and special occasions because that’s when I get to see my grandkids and hear…

Music under my Umbrella

This week, Egídio hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of Music to My Eyes. Let me take you down memory lane with songs about autumn rain and umbrellas – “Autumn Leaves” has become a jazz standard and it is one of the most recorded songs by jazz musicians. My favourite version though is by Nat King Cole. The…

The Sydney Opera House

Nestled along the Sydney Harbour’s edge, it stands as an internationally renowned architectural marvel, celebrated as a masterpiece of the 20th century. Designed by Danish architect Jarn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House has been recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of human creative genius. We went on a walking tour of this historic building. I…

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…