Japan Fastest Mochi Pounders Nakatanidou

Dear friends, was there a time you feel you just have to get that picture? I have such photographic impulse many times and the latest was at Nara city, in my quest to record Japan's fastest mochi pounders Nakatanidou.

Nakatanidou won the national high-speed mochitsuki...

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Escapade to Manila

short getaway to Manila

Finally I fulfilled a short escapade to Manila, after an aborted plan more than a decade ago to visit the Palawan for scuba diving. Philippines has always been on my bucket list since. But any visit to any country is better late than never. Most of us in Singapore would have "felt connected" in some ways with Philippines through their domestic helpers, Filipino friends in professional capacities or perhaps Jollibee food outlets.

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Ha Giang, the Hidden Gem of Northern Vietnam

Photography tour exotic HaGiang

Welcome to my article Ha Giang, the Hidden Gem of Northern Vietnam. It was an eye-opening photography group tour to exotic HaGiang, Vietnam's most northerly province bordering Southern China, together with five avid photographers. In comparison to all my other trips, Ha Giang takes the trophy for its amazing mountains and tribal ethnic landscape. 

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New Zealand North Island Self-Drive Road Trip

This 1-week road trip to the North Island of New Zealand, was like a sequel to my South Island road trip, also a year ago in May 2018.  Most travel reviews cite South Island as the 'prettier' of the two - more scenic and less crowded with highlights like the spectacular Mt.Cook and Milford Sound or Fiordland National Park while the North Island has the beautiful Hobbiton Movie Set, thermal 'hotbeds' in Rotorua and the Bay of...

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Off The Beaten Track to Vilnius, Lithuania.

Off Beaten Track Vilnius Lithuania

This short off the beaten track to Vilnius, Lithuania to acquaint myself with birch tree sap and its production was arranged by my business partner in early 2018. Though brief, the trip certainly opened my eyes to this Baltic state, which was a former Soviet bloc nation. 

Vilnius city does not have bustling night market nor street food like in Thailand or Taiwan. But if...

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What You Can Do With Just 3 Days in Guilin.

Guilin Itinerary 3 Days

China is one huge country and among its 674 cities, Guilin is one of the most popular destinations. But what you can do with just 3 days in Guilin? In this travelogue, I like to share my 3 Days Guilin itinerary and some travel ideas for a quality short trip. Most who have yet to visit this city will surely have seen its spectacular scenery of karst mountain landscape and the ubiquitous 'old fisherman with cormorant'...

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Broome – Photographers’ Heaven in Western Australia

Broome - Photographers' Heaven Australia

This exploratory trip to the laidback resort town with Alvin Foo (Principal, Canon Imaging Academy) and Cindy Loo (Jetabout Holidays) convinced me that Broome is certainly a photographers' heaven in Western Australia.

For city folks with a penchant for the non-touristy, serene and unhurried pace of life or photography enthusiasts looking for spectacular nature, wildlife and landscape or couples planning...

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Kanchanaburi, one of Thailand’s most underrated destinations

Kanchanaburi Thailand underrated destinations travel blog

Kanchanaburi offers something for everyone and in my honest opinion, is certainly one of Thailand's most underrated destinations. Blessed with natural and historical attractions, this laid-back town features many sightseeing opportunities that would please nature lovers and history buffs alike. World War II memories dominate a large portion of the town, with a number of museums and war memorials dedicated to the many lives lost during the Japanese occupation, while nature parks and its...

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The Jewel at Changi Airport

shooting a new landmark as iconic as the Jewel at Changi Airport

When shooting a newly minted landmark as iconic as The Jewel at Changi Airport during the preview days prior to the official opening on the 17th of April 2019, any photographer at whatever level of experience will face a steep learning curve. One of the key challenges comes from the immense human traffic as 500,000 preview visit passes were issued for the 1-week event. But we went through a shooting session and came away with some tips that might just help those planning a photo trip...

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Thermal Gliding in Canberra

Adventure Activities Canberra Region Australia

Australia has always been one of the world's powerhouses for exciting activities that adrenaline junkies swear by - skydiving, shark diving, kite surfing, hang gliding, and bungee jumping, just to name a few. Coming from a tiny highly urbanised country like Singapore, the opportunity to enjoy thermal gliding is non-existent as huge tracts of land and airspace with the right conditions are required.

Being an aerial enthusiast when I was an avid aeromodeller during my teens, the dream to sail...

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