Taroko Gorge, Taiwan

 

I am back to Australia. A good 3-week break and a digital detox not by choice lol. 

The walk and hike around the mountains in mid Taiwan were really relaxing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Problem of going away for a few weeks is that a significant amount of work built up over time. There were a lot of bills to pay while I had zero income for these weeks. Life goes on!

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Randomosity

National Memorial

 

This is one of the facades in the memorial hall for one of the leaders in Taiwan. 

Given all the troubles with blogger, I will rest the blogging until I get home. I will still comment and visit other blogs that I am "allowed" to visit too.

I will be back 3 weeks later. On Monday to Wednesday, I will be joining a team to hike in the mountains. I hope my fitness level is up for it. 

Butterfly for Eileen's Saturday Critter

 

It is quite difficult to even post on blogspot. I have scheduled all the photo posts on the other street photography 3 weeks ahead. Here, I was planning to post it day by day. Very often, the editing platform just crashed for no apparent reasons either. 

Getting home to my home town in Taipei is always a nightmare. Everyone seems to want to borrow money for their own family dysfunction. I am not a bank. It is really getting to me that things have to get ugly.

I also learnt that I cannot even copy and paste my blog link address to all the weekly event either. I miss my original structure back in Australia. Humans only thrive on restructure. Constant innovation does not bring stability.

Olympus 150mm f2

Linking Saturday Critter

Avalon Sky for Skywatch Friday

 

So hard to do blogging or commenting without my usual laptop. Doing on the phone is quite a hard thing to do.

Posting a shot from last weekend since I can only process and work on the photos after I get back to Australia.

Sony A7RV

FE 200-600mm f5.6-6.3

Linking Skywatch Friday

Cherry Blossom in Kyoto, Japan

 

I just missed the cherry blossoms. 

Ninnaji Temple

Crowd is crazy

Night Melbourne traffic for Wordless Wednesday

 

I would be already on the plane when this is posted. Posting this in a rush for the night traffic near Melbourne Dockland.

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Wordless Wednesday

Melbourne Night City View as Treasure Tuesday

This is taken during a low tide at Brighton's beach. The night scenery is not bad.

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

 

Mural seen at Bendigo for Mural Monday

 

Bendigo Mural 

Panasonic G9

Leica 15mm f1.8 

Linking Mural Monday

Avalon Airshow for Sunday Best

 

I woke up early at 5 30 am. It took 2 hour congested traffic to reach Avalon Aiport. The queue was 6km with the car. It follows by 1 km queue to get inside the airport. 

Then I heard the queue was even longer for late comers to the ground.

Sony A7RV

FE 200-600mm f5.6-6.3

Linking Sunday Best

Spider for Saturday Critter

 

Spotted in my own garden lol

Sony A7RIV

Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro

Linking Eileen's Saturday Critter

Merimbula Sunset for Skywatch Friday

 

Few years ago, I did a contract work in Bega NSW. The town is so close to Merimbula which is known for gorgeous sunset. 

Panasonc G9

Leica 42.5mm f1.2 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Tenby Point without the mud

 

Mangroves are in this region. Without the low tide, it is more pleasant for long exposure

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Randomosity

Meteor Sign in Melbourne Museum for Tom's Sign2

 

I was in a dinosaur Melbourne Museum. This sign marks the end of the fossil tour. A fitting meteor for the tragic ending. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking 

Forest Glade Garden for Treasure Tuesday

 

Well, I do not own this statue. But I tend to visit this private garden opened in Spring and Autumn. The garden is located in Mount Macedon 1 hour drive from Melbourne.

The statue is a little weird that one dude is staring into another dude's private part. Quite a focus on the facial expression too. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Fitzroy Mural for Mural Monday

 

I am busy finishing my piled up work this week before taking off to overseas again. Time to get things in order in my home country - Taiwan.

The weekend was a stormy one. I cannot even get into CBD due to congested traffic at 21 pm!!! 

This shot was from a stroll a while back. It was nice that I discovered the best deli for sandwich. 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Inverloch Cave for Sunday Best

 

This cave collapsed early this year. Lucky I had snapped a few in here before. 

Love the B+W look

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

linking Sunday Best

Three legged fly for Saturday's Critter

 

One leg up

Pentax K20D 

A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Eileen's Saturday Critter

Lake Tyrrell Reverse Sunset

 

The sunset at Lake Tyrrell is always mesmerising 

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Corra Flynn Cascade Waterfall, Marysville

 

A really nice hidden waterfall, still present after Black Saturday bushfire.  Love the anions emitted by the forest at the same time.

Linking Randomosity

Street painted sign at Southern Cross Station for Sign2

 

At one stage, I see this sign everywhere in Melbourne CBD laneways, regional city walls and underside of most railway stations. 

This was one of them near Spencer Street Station 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Linking Tom's Sign2

Gundam Model Collection for Treasure Tuesday

 

Once upon a time, I was so obsessed with Gundam models. The animation series is always a one-year saga comprising more than 70 episodes at a time. It is mainly about intergalactic war focusing on the sadness of war by promoting the killing machines Gundam. 

I had a huge collection of them and I still kept some of them til this day.

Sony A7RIV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Dancer Mural in Collins St, Melbourne for Mural Monday

 

It is that day of week for Mural Monday

Three more days, I am heading home! I just can't wait! 

Little Collins St, Melbourne

Panasonic G9

Olympus 17mm f1.2 

Swan Hill Bridge for Sunday Best

 

Vic NSW border bridge at night above Murray River

Having a break on weekend taking a snap at the night bridge

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best and My corner of the world

Kookaburra on a tree, Grampians

 

I recalled this one was so loud that it took a little walk to approach her. She did not move at all. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Linking Saturday's Critter

Pinnacles, Cape Woolamai, Victoria, Australia

 

While I am busy working in a town near outback, I do not have opportunity to even get out to take some photos. So this is from the time I busted my ankle 2 months ago.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sky Watch Friday

Old Geelong Gaol

 

Old Geelong Gaol

The place is rather spooky  

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking  Randomosity 

"House of Pisco" Bike Sign for Tom's Sign2 event

I believe "House of Pisco" is a cocktail shop which I should have paid a visit to. On the website, the cocktail looks gorgeous! 

The sign is quite nice to my taste too.

Panasonic G9

Olympus 17mm f1.2

Linking Tom's Sign2

A friend of mine sent me the music clip of Dionne Warwick

It sounds so good in the late night 

Robotcom in Parhan for treasure Tuesday

 

This was taken 1 year ago. This was a nice event where different types of transformers were moving and lighting up above cargoes. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Murals of two portraits in Brunswick, Melbourne

 

Love this pair of murals

Sunshine Lane, Brunswick

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Tenby Point for Sunday Best

 

This is where I sunk my feet into the mud to thigh level a few weeks ago. So this shot was the reward lol. 

Busy for the weekend. Suddenly my job requirement expanded to cover a few slack people who dont want to work on weekends.

I was planning to visit a nearby town for abandoned themes. 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Grasshoper for Eileen's Saturday Critter

Not an entomologist but I just like the green in the photo. 

Pentax K20D

A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Eileen's Saturday Critter

Dramatic sunset at Back Beach Mornington Peninsula

 

Sea Cave at Back Beach Mornington Peninsula

Close to sunset

Sony A7RV + 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Windsurfer at At St Kilda Pier, Melbourne

 

It was a trip to St Kilda Pier on weekends for sunset photo of the local heritage kiosk. Then it turns out the whole pier is under construction. 

This chap is very kind to service the spectators by doing moves close to the jetty. So I was literally taking the shots by 50mm focal length. How fun! 

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Linking Randomosity

Quambatook Abandoned Woolshed

 

The rustic and abandoned signs left inside a woolshed in Quambatook Vic

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Signs2

My corner of the world

Abandoned Holden Car for Treasure Tuesday

 

After a busy day, I feel so unmotivated to do my daily walk in the park. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

For a while, I had an obsession to photograph old, abandoned car. Kind of treasures for Treasure Tuesday

Mural At AC/DC Lane, Melbourne for Mural Monday

 

It is the usual Mural Monday

In AC/DC lane as I recall. Looks like a monster from Pokémon 

Panasonic G9 

Leica 15mm f1.8 

Cape Bridgewater Bay Sunset

 

Finally, my foot is not as swollen and painful as 3 weeks ago. I am still on mission to lose a few more kilos by sticking to 16-hour intermittent fasting and carbohydrate deprived diet. Cutting out caffeine in life is the most difficult part as well. I need to look after my health too.

I took up another contract working in remote Victoria for another 2 weeks. This means social isolation for another 2 weeks. But it will help bank account balance for a while. 

Sony A7RV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Silvereye spotted in Cranbourne, Melbourne, Australia

 

Lately, I have been lucky to capture bird photos outside public toilets. Maybe there is something in these loos attracting these birds to them.

Sony A7RIV

200-600mm f5.6-6.3

Linking Saturday's critter

Lake Weeroona Bendigo for Skywatch Friday

 

Every night during my walk around this lake, it gives a different light. This night, I happen to have my camera with me. 

It has been raining in Melbourne. More rains to follow in the next three days. So I will be hitting some fine dining places with Joel. 

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Linking Sky watch Friday

Pulpit Rock, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Last weekend, we just had to get out of the house despite a stormy gloomy weather. It was mainly the stairs and steps I want to do to get my metabolism going. 

Spam filter here is getting to me again. So, I am trapped in this never ending gotcha moment proving I am not a robot. Sometimes I do feel that I am a robot in this capitalistic world.

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Randomosity

Restaurant Lucy Liu Sign for Tom's Sign2

 

This entrance has been viral on IG for so many years. It is almost like a cult happening. The food is of fusion style between southeast Asia and Japanese. A bit dear for the pricing. But my former photo group always come to meet here for the sake of taking a snap at the front door. I guess we are all addicted to mad marketing on social media. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Linking Tom's Sign2

Vintage car on street walk in Melbourne for Treasure Tuesday

I recalled this was taken in St Kilda. Love the classic car look.

Long distance drive like 6 hours return day trip is becoming to get me after 10 years. It is bum in seat for that long without actual physical exercises. The weekend outing for nature photography is really the only chance to get fit a bit.

Sony A7RIV

Fe 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

 

Mural along South Bank

 

This was spotted under the bridge along South Bank some years ago. There were bushfires everywhere. 

Panasonic G9

Olympus 17mm f1.2

Linking Mural Monday

Tenby point old jetties for Sunday Best

 

This is lowest tide of the evening from a week ago. There are way too many mozzies potentially carrying encephalitis B virus 

It was a bad planning on my behalf. These muds sink my feet to waist level if I am not being careful at all. So it is all telephoto lens doing the long exposure ineffectively. 

At least this look is not common on instagram feeds. 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Kookaburra, Boort for Saturday's Critter

 

This was standing on the cables while I drive passing by Boort. 

Sony A7RIV

200-600mm f5.6-6.3

Linking Eileen's Saturday Critter

Inglewood township

 

Every now and then, there is a request for my visit to Inglewood hostel. It was a stormy day that I took the trip this week.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Erskine waterfalls, Lorne, Victoria

 

Erskine waterfalls is very popular along Great Ocean Road. I used to frequent this location in university days once a month. There is a large Spanish population residing in this town. Local Paella is very nice which is only cooked up every Sunday evening. 

Canon 5D

24mm f1.4 

Linking Randomosity

Kang Rice Wine - famous in Qing Dynasty

 

Just like the modern days, Kang is the powerful family that controls sale of salt, wine and sugar. It plays a major role in SilkRoad trade too. His family home is bigger than the size of forbidden city. The whole city like mansion is preserved till this day.

The sign says "Kang Hudred Million Wine" 

The words on sides of the door reads "There are all sorts of wine in the world" "Nothing beats the wine from Kang"

Linking Tom's Sign2

Old Chinese painting passed on in the family

 

I have a large family. Over 200 cousins that I could not count them all. It has been 3 years since I return to Taiwan. There were many wonderful items passed down the family tree. This was one of them. 

I am not sure if this was a real painting or a fake one. The dress code was from Manchurian period with a pig tail. Quite a scenic background too. There is a lot of western painting influence for this one.

Linking Tom's Treasure Tuesday

More Hosier Lane mural, Melbourne

 

This was a mural art next to the three eyes post 2 weeks ago. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 15mm f1.8 limited

Linking Mural Monday