Whimsical: for the child within you

Step into a storybook dessert place, adorned with lollipops, fairy floss and magical trees … a whimsical world of sweets. In Camden market, London, I saw this delightful sweets and ice cream shop called Hans & Gretel. I had this Ube (purple yam) & Honeycombe flavoured ice cream. Linked to Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge…

My 2023

My last post for this year is a look-back on the year that was. So many memories made and much to be grateful for. Linked to Cee’s FOTD and to Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge ————————- oOo ————————- Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas Season and joyous New beginnings… ————————- oOo ————————- “No matter…

Last chance bloopers

This is the last post for the Lens Artist Photo Challenge for the year. Led by Tina, we are asked to post photos that didn’t quite make it to the blog for this year of 2023. I will give it a go… Last Chance Here are some photos that were taken during my travels to the…

Moooo where is the train station?

AVEIRO, PORTUGAL Two Urban cows roaming at Aveiro train station in Portugal, their purpose is probably linked to charitable organizations, though I am really not quite sure Linked to Debbie’s 6WS and for Natalie’s PPAC.

Christmas comes alive in Covent Garden

COVENT GARDEN, UK I immersed myself in the enchanting ambiance of London, where every corner from pubs to alleyways to doorways are adorned with twinkling lights and festive wreaths. This is Covent Garden in the West End area with some of its festive doors. Linked to the last edition of Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge for…

Azulejos in Portugal

Blue is the theme for the challenge this week for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – CFFC. What came to mind are the blue and white Azulejo tiles which are a Portuguese classic. Azulejos are beautiful ceramic tiles from the 14th century that decorate the streets, churches and buildings throughout Portugal. Capela das Almas The Chapel…

Pink Flowers at the Quinta

Dictionary says that in Portugal, a Quinta is a large house in the country or on the outskirts of a town. These are pink flowers with the backdrop of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal. Linked to Cee’s FOTD Challenge Photo taken in October 2023

Tuesday Streetart – 18

BRISTOL, UK A street art by Irony (@whoamirony) & Boe (@placee_boe) that can be found in Back Road in Bristol.

Parisian Art Exploration

TRAVEL DIARY: PARIS 3 On our final day in Paris, October 11th, we aimed to explore as many Art attractions as we could before leaving. Initially, our plan was to visit Sainte Chapelle, but without a prebooking, the lengthy queue stalled our progress for 30 minutes. We opted to change course and explore another destination…

Urban sketching tools

Urban Sketching is the act of drawing or painting on location in the cities or towns that you live in or travel to. It is your own visual diary of what you found inspiring or note worthy. I have been doing this form of art for 2 years now and I am absolutely enjoying it….

Strolling Through the City: A Parisian Adventure

TRAVEL DIARY: PARIS 2 On October 10th, we embarked on the Batobus, eager to explore multiple stops with the flexibility of hopping on and off. Linked to Jo’s Monday Walk First stop: Jardin des Plantes. Walked by without going in—hubby and I weren’t too interested. Went past the Botanical Gardens… This is the stop where…

Entrances of Montmartre

Today’s post is a journey to the streets and doors of Montmartre, Paris. With its cobbled streets, ivy covered walls, stunning basilica … Montmartre is full of charm! Linked to Dan’s Thursday Door Challenge A pretty door in Rue de I’Abreuvoir, one of the prettiest streets in Paris. Green doors still on the same street….

Light fixtures

For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge I am featuring the different styles of lamps in France, Spain, Portugal and the UK. Old fashioned house lamp in the Cotswolds, UK Quinta da Regaleira ceiling lamp in Sintra, Portugal Classic lamp post in Barcelona. Old style wrought iron lamp post also in Barcelona,Spain Abney Park in Stoke Newington,…

A day in Montmartre

TRAVEL DIARY: MONTMARTRE 9th of October, our day started off early with breakfast at our hotel at 8 am. It wasn’t the usual buffet breakfast but wow was it so yum and healthy-ish. Great start of the day. Went on the metro just a 1 minute walk from our hotel. Emerged from this Metro station…

Tuesday Blue Streetart Window – 16

BRISTOL, UK After weeks away, I am back with my weekly streetart post linking it with Ludwig’s Monday Window Challenge. This is a fun challenge for me because I love searching for Streetart everywhere I go. It is not hosted by anyone, so if you want to join in, just post a photo. I found…

Capturing Moments and Embracing Empty Spaces

I am linking this to Patti’s Empty Spaces LAPC , Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is lovely Challenge and for Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday for this week. These are photos that I took with my IPhone during my travels from October to early November this year. What lovely memories…

Seats in Park View Cafe

There was a train strike last 11th of November so we decided to just stay local and stroll in Finsbury Park. About an hour walk and it was time for brunch at the Park View Cafe Some round tables and chairs. Linked to Xingfumama’s Pull up a Seat Challenge

Paris, here we come…

TRAVEL DIARY: PARIS 1 We took the Eurostar from London to Paris on the 8th of October. The moment we emerged from the bustling Gare du Nord station in Paris we were greeted by a spectacular view and sunshine. The hotel we reserved on Belleville turned out to be small, but it wasn’t as tiny…

Post-holiday Blues

It’s common to feel a bit drained after returning from a vacation, experiencing what some describe as post-holiday blues. “I really need a holiday from my holiday.” That’s what people always say. I and hubby were away for a month and a half so feeling tired and jet-lagged is an understatement. Anyway…. Back to business….

On a Road Trip

These are countryside sceneries from the car window on our way to Edinburgh from York. It is just so lovely to have spent this time with my son even just for a few days. Glad he agreed to be our driver for this road trip. Linked to Ludwig’s Monday Window and for Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is…

Night sky in Porto

This is what you get when you mix a beautiful church a cloudy sky and a full moon… Took this photo with my iphone when we passed by the Church of Saint Ildefonso in Porto. The blue and white tiles on the walls of the church is very impressive. Linked to Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Signs in Lisbon

Currently, hubby and I are leaving Lisbon and are on our way to Porto via the Alfa Pendular or the CP – Comboios de Portugal. I haven’t posted in the past couple of weeks (or months) because things have been kinda hectic. So now I am linking this to Johnbo’s Signs in Lisbon Markets Some…

On board the Eurostar

Hubby and I left early for our Eurostar train ride to Paris from the St Pancras International. Didn’t expect to get there so early giving us more time for some photo opportunities with my phone. Photos from 8 October 2023 Linked to John’s Cellpic Sunday

Weekend Sky in Finsbury Park

It has been my third day here in London and this is the first time I have seen the sun shining this brightly. It is 9:20am here. Have a great weekend friends! Linked to Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Gratitude

In the middle of jetlag and a confusion of time zones, I almost forgot my 6 year anniversary from my stroke. “Thank you Lord for the extension of my life.” I am feeling joyful and grateful that I have reached this far and still feeling this great. Oh yes…yes… I know that my body isn’t…

Hi all…

After a short hiatus from my blogging activities, I am now ready to go on a new adventure. I hope you can all join me on my wanderings starting in a few hours. I had been to London in 2016 and 2018 but I want to go back to spend a few days with my…

Looking back to my Philippine holiday

I saw these in my archive … reminiscing my trip in the Philippines last March. These are cute sculptures by Ronald Ventura in the Art Alley of BGC.. And that’s my niece with a new found friend. Linked to Natalie’s Photographingg Public Art Challenge And to Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Soar High Tuesday Streetart – 11

BGC, PHILIPPINES This is a mural made possible by a grant from Jordan-Manila who supports public art theme: “Rolling Out a Better World Soar High is by Jasmin Lacay done in 2022 and can be seen in High Street South, 28th St. corner 9th Avenue in the Philippines.