31 Monday Jul 2017
Posted in Photography, Travels
27 Thursday Jul 2017
Posted in Photography, Travels
Tags
adventure, Architecture, art, backpacking, Busan, culture, grunge photography, Jeju Island, lifestyle, lightroom, Mandalay, Myanmar, nature, Nikon, people photography, personal, photography, Seoul, South Korea, street photography, travel, travels, wanderlust
Overdue photos of people I took last year in South Korea – Jeju Island, Busan and Seoul. I finally have the time to post some of it. My two-months backpacking photos all over Europe were deleted when I reformatted my macbook. So, I decided to post my other photos in case something similar happens. My blog is a back-up copy of my memories.
By the way, we are backpacking Myanmar tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday (3 days). Do you know where to spend 4-5 hours (1am to 5am) while waiting for Ubein’s sunrise? We’re thinking of booking a hostel but I don’t think it’s worth it. We will arrive in Mandalay from Bagan at 1 am. Either we stay at the bus station (Is it safe?) or go somewhere. We are a group of five so just need a safe place to chill out.
23 Sunday Jul 2017
Posted in Art, Photography, Travels
18 Tuesday Jul 2017
Posted in Photography, Travels
Tags
adventure, art, backpacking, Beijing, China, Chinese, culture, Jiuzhaiguo, lifestyle, nature, Nikon, people photography, People Photography - China, photography, street photography, travels, wanderlust
(Jiuzhaiguo, China)
17 Monday Jul 2017
Posted in Photography, Travels
Tags
adventure, art, backpacking, Budget Trip for Taiwan, Budget Trips, Chinese lanterns, culture, grunge photography, hualien, photography, street photography, Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan travel tips, Taroko, travels, wanderlust
Taipei is nothing but a shopping district. A Japanese we met in China described it as a big night market and found out to be true. If you really wanted to experience Taiwan, go outside Taipei. There are too many places to visit. We were supposed to go to Taroko but instead stayed in Hualien. 
There is no train directly from Taipei Airport to the City center so take the bus 1841 (83NTD, 50 minutes). We stayed in Ximen Duckstay Hostel for 2 nights and it’s one of the best hostel (awarded) in the city (cleanliness, price, activities like free music jam) however, its location is not that good. For one, it’s hard to find it from the MRT. Use maps.me offline map, it’s really useful.
From Taipei, we opted to go South. Hualien faces the Pacific Ocean on the east with the Central Mountains on the west. It offers natural sceneries perfect for biking and hiking. Take the Taroko Express from Taipei for 440NTD / $14 (2 hours) but if you plan for just a day trip, take a return ticket for a much cheaper price (780NTD actual vs 880NTD budget). 
On the train station is an Information Center, few steps from the train tracks. It’s best to stop over, ask for a free map and advice. They’re friendly and can speak good English. Taiwanese people speak better English than those from Mainland but they have a stronger accent easily discernible. 
Food and accommodation are higher priced than Thailand and China. I was expecting it to be cheap. We hang around convenience stores and street stalls but still, it costs more. Someone told me (unverified), Mainland China is putting pressures on Taiwan so cost of living is high.
In case, you plan to travel further to Taroko, you can book a cab from the Information Center or hire bikes. It’s just 25 kms away.
16 Sunday Jul 2017
Posted in Art, Photography, Travels
Tags
adventure, art, Atomic Bomb Dome, Budget travel, Budget travel Japan, Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, culture, grunge photography, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Castle, Japan, Peace Dome Hiroshima, photography, street photography, thoughts, Torri gate, travels, wanderlust
Hiroshima is the first city to experience a nuclear attack. It’s worth visiting to connect yourself with the city and their experiences. There is a free bus around the city so you can just hop on and off. Further read my post Budget Tips when travelling around Japan to get tips and tricks. One day is enough, you can go to Miyajima Island to see the famous Itsukushima shrine after.
Atomic Bomb Dome
This is one of the few buildings that remain standing after the 1945 bombing. The bomb was codenamed ‘Little Boy’.
Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims
The shape is to shield the victims from the rain. Directly behind it is a Peace Flame lit until the day that all nuclear weapons are destroyed (53 years and still going).
Hiroshima Castle
The castle was used as a war headquarter. It was also destroyed during the bombing but a replica was built serving as a present museum of Hiroshima’s history.
Torii gate near Hiroshima Castle
Shinto shrines are gated with a Torii to symbolizes one’s step to sanctity.
The rightmost boy gave me a paper crane and I just found out that it is a popular gift to bestow a thousand years of happiness and prosperity.
As opposed to my unfriendly expectation, the people are actually nice (and helpful with directions).
Downtown Hiroshima
15 Saturday Jul 2017
Posted in Photography, Travels
21 Thursday Apr 2016
Posted in Photography
27 Saturday Feb 2016
Posted in Art, Photography, Travels
Tags
adventure, culture, Indochina travels, inspiration, landscapes, Laos, Luang Prabang, nature, people photography, photography, society, street photography, travel, travels, UNESCO World heritage site
Luang Prabang is an old city in Laos famous for Buddhist temples and monasteries making it a UNESCO world heritage site. I spent some time last weekend (after Halong Bay) and I’m glad I did travel to this less-preferred destination. Take a lovely look at these photos (though they don’t do any justice to the real city).
22 Friday Jan 2016
Posted in Travels
Tags
adventure, Architecture, cityscapes, Don Rodney Junio, friends, fun experience, fun travels, Good food, great culture, Japan, Kremlin, Kyoto, landscapes, moscow, nature, personal, photography, red square, Russia, street photography, travel, travels, USSR, wanderlust
Don Rodney Junio who currently lives in Kyoto, Japan travelled to Russia and brought home beautiful photos. Here is what he says when I ask him what makes Moscow a fun experience.
“It’s a city with many cultural and historical sights and over the top architecture being once a showcase city of the former USSR. Good food, great culture.”
03 Friday Jul 2015
Posted in Personal, Photography, Thoughts, Top Hits
Tags
aberdeen, arts, Belfast, bridges, glasgow, inspiration, inverness, landscapes, life, Nikon d5100, photography, street art, street photography, streets, travel, travels, UK
02 Thursday Jul 2015
Posted in Personal, Photography, Top Hits
22 Monday Jun 2015
Posted in Personal, Photography, Travels
22 Monday Jun 2015
Tags
black and white, inverness, life, love, Middle of nowhere, photography, photos, poems, poetry, reflections, scotland, street photography, travels
“Middle of Nowhere”
They say,
Time stops when two are in love.
So, I took my time.
Only to be left at the middle of nowhere.
Alone and ruined.
21 Sunday Jun 2015
Posted in Personal, Photography, Top Hits, Travels
Tags
Cardiff, change, late night thoughts, life, making a difference, photography, photos, reflections, save the world, street photography, travels
For the longest time, I envy people who dedicate a big part of their lives in making a real difference in this world. Those people who wanted to save what little we have today. Those people who believe on humanity, compassionate and love in bridging violence, fear and hate. Those who are passionate in doing things that can change the world. I wanted to be like them yet, I am never one of them.
We know that the world needs saving. We believe that a spark of change can lead to transformations. Meaningful differences can arise from simple deeds. Yet, there are more dreamers than doers. We simply love to tell the world that we feel what it is going through; that we know that things are changing. We are mere observers. We’re just a team of passive players waiting for others to make a difference. I know because I am one of them.
My cousin wanted her trees to be pink so she colored it as pink. My friend wanted her room to be blue so she painted it as blue. Changing the world is not as simple as these. It does not take one person. It does not take a simple want in order to have it. It does not take one corner or one piece of anything.
It’s hard to make a difference. It’s difficult to repair all the world’s dents that became permanent. But, every little thing can start something. This dream will no longer be just a dream if we can unite to do something. This fight will no longer be just an idea if we push ourselves to become one of them – people who really matter. Hopefully, we can truly make a difference and save the world in our own little ways. Hopefully…
