Show me wings on a wall and I’m instantly in photo mode. Luckily, Jack’s always exactly the right height to wear them. … but for me? The wings always land on my head instead haha. But what I loved most this time wasn’t the wings, but our shadows on the wall. Taken outside the Cacao…
Tag: Travels 2025
Miyama’s Timeless Landscape
Nestled in the mountains of Kyoto Prefecture, Miyama feels like a step back in time. The thatched-roof farmhouses, mist-covered hills, and quiet fields create a landscape that seems untouched by the rush of modern life. It’s a scene where tradition and nature blend seamlessly — a perfect moment for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, hosted…
Shadow Trail in Obuchi Sasaba
On our way up to the tea plantation in Obuchi Sasaba, we walked along this peaceful trail where the sunlight and shadows danced together. It is a place near Mt Fuji, a fitting moment for Becky’s November Square theme—Shadows.
Tuesday Streetart: Ginza – 109
Somewhere in Ginza, on the corner of a building I can’t quite remember, I came across this embossed piece of street art. It’s one of those little discoveries you stumble upon when you’re not really looking — quiet, elegant, and perfectly at home amid the polished streets of Ginza.
Snippets of Tokyo… in Square
When in Japan, it’s totally normal to walk thousands of steps a day. Today was one of those days … lots of walking, a few train rides, and some city exploring. In the afternoon, we grabbed a taxi to Roppongi Hills to check out the exhibits at the Mori Art Museum. Here’s a square shot…
Sunrise in Tokyo
For Tina’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, the theme Ephemeral feels just right. This morning, I watched the sunrise from my hotel window in Tokyo. The sky slowly shifted from soft grey to pink, then to gold as the sun appeared over the city skyline. For a few quiet minutes, everything felt calm … no trains yet,…
Streetart on Utility Doors in Christchurch
I’ve mentioned in some earlier posts from my South Island trip that Christchurch has some pretty amazing murals. This time, I came across something a little different—art on utility doors all over the city. It was such a fun little surprise to spot them as I wandered around. A bonus find of a streetart and…
Queenstown Hostel Benches
Saw these benches just outside of a hostel in Queenstown New Zealand I am linking this to Jude’s Bench Challenge and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Wooden Cottage in Glenorchy
Spotted this charming little cottage in Glenorchy, New Zealand —with its rusty old wheel still attached and glass windows with flower boxes spilling over with blooms. The weathered wood, the vintage vibes, and that stunning alpine backdrop make it feel like something straight out of a storybook. This is something really special. And this is…
Sit & Knit
Spotted these two red chairs in the town of Te Anau, NZ—right by the lake and just too cute to ignore. Te Anau’s known as the gateway to Fiordland, but honestly, it’s got its own quiet charm that makes you want to stay a little longer. The chairs had a little sign that said ‘Sit…
Kia Ora Aotearoa
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 14 QUEENSTOWN The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand (Aotearoa). They first settled the islands over 700 years ago. In New Zealand, “kia ora” is a common Māori greeting meaning “hello,” “goodbye,” or “thank you.” More than a phrase, it conveys a wish for well-being—“have life” or “be well.”…
Strolling around Te Anau
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 12 TE ANAU On our 12th day, the rain poured nonstop. Luckily, we had this extra day to stay in—it would’ve been too difficult to drive. So, it turned into a Netflix kind of day. TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 13 DRIVE FROM TE ANAU TO QUEENSTOWN What a surprise—the sun came out just…
Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown
Let me take you back to Arrowtown, New Zealand—this time, in the opposite direction from the main street I shared earlier. The first thing that caught my eye was a historic cabin nestled against a forest backdrop. It is the old Police Hut in the Chinese Settlement of Arrowtown which is a favourite among photographers….
Coach Tour to Milford Sound
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 11 MILFORD SOUND Our day started with a 9 am walk from our hotel, passing through the Te Anau Botanical. Such a peaceful walk especially during this time of the day. Met the rest of the tour group at the town centre in Kea Cafe. Got our lunch voucher from our tour…
The Giant’s House
In the charming town of Akaroa, New Zealand, artist Josie Martin has turned an old 1880s villa, known as The Giant’s House, into a colourful and imaginative sanctuary. It is said the be the “Happiest Garden on Earth.” The Giants House has become a part of Akaroa’s folklore, earning its name when a small child,…
Windows in an Arrowtown church
This is the charming St John’s Presbyterian Church in Arrowtown, New Zealand. It’s a small stone church with a peaceful presence, quietly nestled among trees and layers of history. Above its entrance is a beautifully shaped stained glass window that immediately caught my eye. I felt drawn to it, so I wandered down to the…
Wordless Wednesday – 37
AKAROA, NEW ZEALAND
From Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 6 ON THE ROAD FROM LAKE TEKAPO TO QUEENSTOWN We loved our stay at the AirBnb but we had to move on. It was a bit overcast when we left for our day. Driving through Lindi’s Pass felt like stepping into another world — endless golden hills, quiet roads, and that feeling…
Tuesday Streetart: Dcypher – 88
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND Spotted another epic Dcypher piece on Colombo Street! This one’s a collab with the Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival and features Athena and Minerva in this wild, cosmic scene. I’m not sure what the exact story is, but the colours and details totally pulled me in—feels ancient, futuristic, and kind of magical…
Playful Windows
For Monday Window Challenge Photo taken at The Giants House in Akaroa, New Zealand.
Colourful Benches
I don’t know about you, but there’s something about colourful chairs and benches that I find so irresistible. Maybe I’m just a vibrant kind of gal—drawn to bold murals, splashes of public art, and anything that brightens up a space. Haha! Here are benches for Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge which I found on our trip…
The Mirror Lakes
The Mirror Lakes are small lakes in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island. When the weather is calm, the water is very still, and it works like a mirror. You can see the Earl Mountains clearly reflected on the surface. I am sure that this Iphone photo really suits the Reflection challenge. I…
Day Trip to Aoraki/Mount Cook
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 5 AORAKI/ MOUNT COOK Started the day with coffee and some store-bought bread I’d picked up beforehand—simple, but it did the job. It’s one of those days—drive a bit, hop out to take some photos, walk around, then back in the car. We just followed Google Maps to see what lies ahead….
Wordless Wednesday 32: Do you know what these are?
LAKE TEKAPO, NEW ZEALAND
Tall Sculptures in the Queenstown Airport
Queenstown international airport is located at the foot of the Remarkables in New Zealand. You can find the Sculpture of three Maori chiefs by Mark Hill. They were completed in November 2007 and stand in front of the main airport building. I am linking this to Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Tuesday Streetart: Food Truck – 83
We had just arrived in Christchurch, hadn’t even made it to the hotel yet, when I saw this food truck on the side of the road. I got so excited, I had to hop out of the car and snap a photo. But what I remember most wasn’t the truck—it was the amazing smell of…
Bench by the Lake
I saw this Bench challenge from Jude through Margarets’s post. So here is my first entry to this challenge… of a bench I saw while I was walking on the lakefront in Te Anau, New Zealand. I am also linking it to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday. A peaceful place…
Octopuses sitting on a Yellow Stool
Isn’t this the cutest? Two octopuses stacked on top of each other, perched on a little stool. I found this in Arrowtown, a town located 19.5 kilometres to the east of Queenstown, New Zealand I am linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge and for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
The Lilliput Libraries
Lilliput Libraries are small, friendly book-sharing boxes found all over New Zealand. They work on a simple idea: take a book, leave a book. These little libraries help bring communities together and make it easy for people to enjoy reading and share stories with others. Here are two that I saw in Te Anau while…
Tuesday Streetart: NZ – 82
A cute luggage I found in Queenstown with various New Zealand destinations.