A Recap – Yearly Theme 2022: Onward

My Yearly Theme for 2022 was “Onward”, moving into 2022 from 2021, I felt that this was most suitable at the point in time as the world was edging closer towards reopening of the economy and lifting of risk management measures for the global pandemic COVID-19 that impacted us so much from 2020 to around mid 2022.

Photography / Visual Storytelling

Business/Commercial Photography

This sector has small improvements, however there is a lot of room for growth and improvement especially in a rebuilding phase as we emerge from a post global pandemic period. Through my networking this year, some project ideas came up, some discussions are ongoing, keeping my fingers crossed that they can take off in 2023.

Training and Consultancy 

I mentioned about these two areas previously. They came about from my diversification of my photography and content creation suite of services. These two segments are more private and confidential versus some of the other points that I wrote down here.

The potential for growth and expansion is there for these two areas, going to build on them in Year 2023.

6 years in the business (2017-2022) | Renewed another 3 years 

Before the end of the Year 2022, I was sent a reminder email that I need to renew my sole proprietorship business registration for 2023 onwards. In the blink of an eye, I went through 6 years in the photography business from 2017 to 2022, and during this tenure, around 2.5 years of my time was caught totally off guard and thrown off my tracks when the global pandemic hit in 2020 to mid 2022. 

Running a small business is never easy, it’s already that tough and difficult. This global pandemic situation was a real setback, the life and business lessons were huge for the past 2.5 years. The next few years are not going to be easy with a new set of dark clouds and challenges facing the world economy.

Dark Clouds/Challenges looming ahead in 2023

In this year 2022, just when the world is relieved and happy to be recovering, reopening and moving away from this global pandemic that turned the world upside down for the past 2.5 to 3 years, the world economy is facing a new of economic challenges (high inflation with a recession looming over us) and political instabilities in some parts of the world.

Personal Photography

Visual Storytelling/Creative side of things

I have been a visual storyteller since I started this TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog back in 2006. My visual storytelling has evolved over time, improvements, as well as changes in my writing styles and approaches with my photography. 

From publishing photo books and photography zines, journaling and simple designing through handy apps such as Canva, I have explored more on the creative side of things over the decade. In a world so much driven by social media, some of us are inclining to return back to basics, the craft, art and eye for photography and creative stuff, through hands on art and craft work or analogue/film photography.

Analogue / Film Photography

I recently inherited some old film cameras from a former commercial photographer in the film era,  his nephew is my fellow photographer friend Chester Tan, also a fellow technology writer and talented musician.

When I started off film photography more than 3.5 decades back, medium format (MF) film photography was out of my reach. Now I have an opportunity to enter into MF film photography, as well as a return to analogue/film photography.

On this story, I would share more updates in another article. 

Videography / Filmmaking 

I have been slowly building up this segment, as a complement to my photography, visual storytelling and content creation segments. I am looking to produce my own short works with help from other filmmakers/videographers in both personal and commercial projects. 

Some themes that I am looking at are cinematic travel vlogs, exploration and heritage projects. I didn’t manage to produce more as I would like to in Year 2022, I would be planning some projects  for Year 2023.

Of Photo books, visual storybooks and zines

Launch of 2nd photography zine – TGH Photography Therapy Zine and Playbook 

This took me a bit longer than I expected, I officially announced the launch of my 2nd photography zine in November 2022. On a personal basis, this was a publication that meant something deep and personal to me. It’s not perfect, it’s more of a personal achievement to overcome and get myself out of a dark period. 

If you would like to purchase it, my 2nd photography zine is available for purchase a physical and/or digital copy on MagCloud. 

What’s next in 2023?

After publishing my 2nd photography zine, I am planning to publish more in the year 2023, I would share more in details when I finalise my projects and approaches. Just a short teaser, I am exploring a new photo book (Theme: Old playgrounds or sunsets) or a travel visual storybook (Hokkaido travel adventures) or a new zine collection (B&W street photography)? Or a combination of all of them?  

Travel

International Travel

Although my huge massive travel wanderlust is urging me to get away from Singapore, to a nearby regional destination at the very least. I decided not to join the travel deprived crowds when many countries border restrictions were lifted along with lowering of risk management measures. 

Costs of traveling is one of the factors for consideration, getting my photography business, content creation and writing back on track were my key priorities in 2022, thus I pushed back traveling overseas in 2022, as much as I would love to.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I would be able to travel in Q2 2023.

Local Travel

Nobody really gives a look at local travel in Singapore (Do we even have a domestic tourism market? Some might ask). During the pandemic lockdown period, Singaporeans did manage to explore more of Singapore (in both good and bad ways), I am re-exploring Singapore again, nature, outdoors and old places. 

Something Personal

Recovery from an uneventful down time in 2021

A few uneventful events got me spiralling down into a rabbit hole in 2021, it took me a while to get myself out of that situation, allowing me to enter 2022 with a clean slate of mind, personal well-being and mental health. 

JOMO versus FOMO

JOMO = Joy of missing out, FOMO = Fear of missing out. The world of social media in recent times had been getting more messy and complicated, oversharing, excess showing off, all wanting fame, likes and first to post/share. 

There was a time when I was FOMO, however I got so delusional on some aspects of social media, even though I am still actively using social media platforms, just more selective. I am moving into JOMO mode.

Maybe JOMO would free me up from those shackles, allowing me to concentrate on honing my craft, creativity and writing even further and better, as a writer, a visual storyteller.  

There were still struggles

I am not going to paint a beautiful scenario or picture, like people posting on their FB or social media platforms, smiling, enjoying life and living a fun and exciting lifestyle.

There were still struggles over the whole year 2022, hidden away from social media. Not many people or nobody can really know what I am going through.

Year 2022 Theme: Onward vs Year 2022 in Reality 

Year 2022 in reality was definitely Onward for me, even though the economy wasn’t giving us a smooth and easy recovery, I have to ride out the usual ups and downs like the rest, even as the world economy is working towards reopening and returning back to a more normal living of pre-pandemic days.  

Last But Not Least

Reflecting Year 2022 in my photography and travel segments is just one half of my equation of my Year 2022 in Review. The other half of my equation of my Year 2022 in Review can be found here in this article: Reflecting Year 2022 (Technology | Business | Personal) on my TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

I would like to say a big Thank You to the various camera, travel, tourism, food and hospitality brands/organisations and PR agency folks that I worked closely with in Year 2022, to my readers for their utmost support for this year.

Wishing you a Happy New Year 2023! Good luck and all the best in the new year ahead!

The post Reflecting Year 2022 (Photography | Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Looking back at World Tourism Day 2021 and World Tourism Day 2020, how would be we approach World Tourism Day 2022, rethinking tourism and its future, from both demand (consumers) and supply (providers) perspectives? How can the world rethink tourism, make the necessary changes and transform world travel and tourism for the future of Mother Earth and human race? What is the future of tourism and travel that we want, beyond just consumerism and capitalism?

Rethinking tourism, there are a number of areas/issues on hand that the world travel and tourism industries are looking into. Personally, the areas/issues that I am interested in are on sustainability, eco-friendly and community-based tourism. From a travel photographer/travel writer perspective, and as a co-host for TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter) chat community, I believe that we consumers can play an integral part, we can be more responsible and prudent in how we consume resources.  Everyone can and must play a part to make the changes and transform, from the consumers/customers to the tourism and travel providers.

Community-based tourism is an area that I would like to explore further, how we can help and benefit this sector that might not fully benefit from the growth and boom of tourism growth over the decades.

On 27th September 2022, World Tourism Day 2022, as the world is Rethinking Tourism, what is the future of travel and tourism, and what do we want for our future generations, in a post pandemic world? 

The post World Tourism Day 2022 – Rethinking Tourism appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy”, Jane Marczewski (Nightbirde). 

Everyone of us had own issues, problems and situations to manage, handle and resolve, we all have our ups and downs. Life is never easy, some had it tougher than others. Personally, I had my fair share of ups and downs, however last year 2021 was one of my most difficult periods, mentally and emotionally, there were huge struggles on both personal and professional aspects. I am still struggling (lesser as compared to 2021), I wasn’t happy even though I don’t show it on my facial expressions.

Recalling Nightbirde’s quote, we can choose and decide to be happy. A gentle reminder, a wake up call, I can choose and decide to be happy. This is not going to be an instant change, first and foremost, I am making the decision to be happy, while facing all the incoming headwinds and challenges head on.

Jane Marczewski (Nightbirde) passed away on 19th February 2022, her voice, words, positivity and courage will always be remembered. 

Rest in peace, Nightbirde.

The post Decide to be Happy appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography 

Business

Running any business, no matter whether it’s a small, medium or big business, it’s just very tough, very difficult and very stressful. Throw in a global pandemic situation that further transformed into an economic crisis, the magnitude increased exponentially. No educational textbooks can really teach you everything about running and operating a business, let alone a photography business. 

While I didn’t exactly started off properly in my photography business a few years back due to some unforeseen circumstances, when this global pandemic wave hit us in 2020, this was a major setback. I didn’t know exactly know what steps to take, it took me a while to navigate, adapt and change my photography services portfolio. 

In a harsh and brutal analysis, switching photography genres and services can be playing catch up with fellow photographers in those particular fields. Considering the ongoing and near future impacts of this global pandemic situation, I have switched my photography genres services as well as adding digital marketing/social media marketing into a digital agency setup. Therefore, I established TGH Digital Studio earlier in the year and I am working to expand on this in Year 2022. 

Personal/Leisure

Although I didn’t put more time into my personal/leisure photography as I would love to, I was glad to rediscover the art and wonder of nature therapy/forest therapy, a.k.a. Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) – forest bathing. Entering into the world of nature, green spaces and the great outdoors was my haven for refuge during this particular period whereby I was in a rut, in a really bad emotional and mental health well-being. 

A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to my photography outdoors explorer friends that trekked together with me exploring forest bathing and offering me priceless and unwavering support and encouragement during my downtime. 

Travel 

Exploring my own backyard / Domestic 

The good and bad thing about us being unable to travel overseas, is that we explore our own backyard. For me, even though I have been regularly going out to explore my own backyard, it feels good and refreshing to re-explore my own backyard again, documenting and updating my collections.   

The bad thing to me is, everyone is now a hiker, cyclist, nature lover or heritage and conservation advocate probably because they can’t travel out of Singapore for their regular holidays. While they probably have good intentions, their actions and ethics prove/shown otherwise. 

International 

At the start of 2021, I was cautiously optimistic that I would be able to travel out again around Q3 or Q4 2021. However, I got myself thrown into a spiral downwards into a rut due to various situations happening in mid 2021. The travel situation in the earlier part of the year wasn’t that optimistic as well. 

As time progressed into Q3 2021, there were vaccinated travel lane (VTL) arrangements between Singapore and a list of countries, opening up the possibilities for people to travel out. However, there were still many uncertainties with this ongoing global pandemic situation. The emergence of the new variant Omicron has put international travel back to a slowdown again.

As a co-host of Travel Talk on Twitter (TTOT) community chat on Twitter taking place every Tuesday 9:30am GMT and 9:30pm GMT, I learned a lot more about the international travel and tourism situations from fellow travel and tourism friends and networks. 

I was reminded on this life lesson, “Travel can be a privilege”, a constant reminder to myself. During this global pandemic crisis, this quote is even more prevalent, revealing the widening gap between the rich and the rest.

There are still many travel uncertainties, rules, restrictions and lockdowns can change at the snap of the finger by the respective authorities of the country. I also have a tight financial situation due to my photography business being affected by this pandemic. 

When can we really truly restart tourism again? I would share my thoughts and views in another article in January 2022, an update to my earlier articles “When can we Restart Tourism?” and “World Tourism Day 2021”. 

Last but not least

Year 2021 had been a very turbulent year of many ups and downs, disappointments and heartaches from unnecessary expectations. There were many life and business lessons handed out to me, priceless and painful.

Do visit my TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog too! I have also published a reflection, thoughts and views article in my technology, business and personal segments.

Signing off Year 2021 with a beautiful sunset to say goodbye to Year 2021, good riddance to bad rubbish. It’s been a very painful time, very difficult and tough, mentally, emotionally and financially for me personally. I will learn, remember and apply the good and bad lessons from this year. I will also make sure that I will never let myself fall as low as what happened to me in 2021. 

Year 2022 is starting soon, a new year, a fresh and brand new start in an ongoing global pandemic situation. I would share more about my plans and directions in the Year 2022 for my photography and travel segments inside my upcoming Theme and Goals for Year 2022 article. 

To all those who had pulled me up when I was down at the bottom, as well as those who supported and encouraged me throughout this very difficult Year 2021, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart, no amount of words can show my utmost appreciation towards what you all had done for me. 

It’s time to say Goodbye Year 2021 and Welcome Year 2022.

The post Reflecting Year 2021 (Photography and Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

As we enter into the final month of Year 2021, I would also like to share some photo stories and happenings that took place over the past few months. 

First and foremost

First and foremost, while there had been immense difficulties emotionally, mentally and financially for this year 2021.

I want to take this opportunity to be thankful and grateful, with utmost gratitude, humility and kindness to all who have helped me and pulled me out from my rut, those who supported, encouraged and believed in me during this very difficult year 2021. Let’s be kind, compassionate and spread love. 

Please do not judge, none of us are having an easy time during this battle against this ongoing global pandemic situation.

Help each other if you are able to

We are entering into a brand new year 2022 soon, this year would not exactly be a smooth sailing year as we are still grappling and battling this ongoing global pandemic situation. Let’s work on getting our life, our business and our work back on track, hoping that we can restart our recovery proper. 

Help each other if you are able to, support fellow local small and medium sized business, they are the ones who are most severely affected by this ongoing pandemic induced economic crisis. 

Gifts from lucky draws

Since I missed my Japan travel so much, I am following Japan Rail Cafe and Hokkaido Government Representative Office FB pages on a regular basis. They had a few travel events held online, it was good to take away some of my travel wanderlust for Japan. There were lucky draws held during the online travel events and I was lucky to win some gifts from their lucky draws! 

Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On

I discovered my passion for cooking during my UQ uni days, as part of my subject curriculum and for my daily living/meals. I do not deny that I had been slacking over the decades after finishing my studies. However, I rediscovered this cooking/roasting passion of mine again when the pandemic hit us in 2020. 

Cooking haJs a mix of therapeutic activities for me as well as being practical, having home cooked meals whenever I am able to do so, instead of eating out or having take away all the time. 

I have been doing some roasting in recent weeks, two of my favourite food, roast pork a.k.a. sio bak and char siew pork. They are works-in-progress, learning from my mistakes at each cooking/roasting, making improvements in my next roasting. During the Christmas festive week, I hope to Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On, with my roast pork and char siew pork delights, along with some other dishes on the back of my mind too. 

Reward myself once a while

I don’t usually buy many things, once a while I would buy some things for myself, it’s nice to reward myself once a while. I am planning to add a Japanese gyuto knife a.k.a. Chef Knife into my cooking/chef setup.

All I want to do 

Be happy, take care of myself more, be less mentally and emotionally burnt out like this photo of me rocking alone on the playground (it’s a posed photo by the way). 

Spread the message of love, care and compassion, for Earth, our natural environment, for our loved ones, for myself. 

Coming soon in January 2022

Coming soon in January 2022, I would be publishing and launching my second photography zine, this photography zine is a mix of therapy and playbook coming together. I am also working on getting my first NFT photography artwork minted and listed. More details would be shared along the way leading up to January 2022, stay tuned!

Last but not least

Last but not least, it’s an open call every year during the month of December: Anyone would like to buy me a 2-in-1 Christmas (December) + Birthday (January) gift?

The post Bring a very difficult year 2021 to a close on a high appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography by Ryan Cheng

Before I go into my planning, goals and objectives for Q4 2021. First, let me take a short trip back in time to Q1 to Q3 2021.

Reflecting Q1 to Q3 2021

Entering into time machine mode, let’s go back in time to a few months back in 2021. 

Q1 2021

In Q1 2021, I was secretly and cautiously optimistic about 2021 that it would be a year of recovery albeit at a much slower pace. Looking back at this point, it wasn’t this scenario at all, more of a complete opposite instead. 

Q2 2021

Moving into Q2 2021, I was celebrating and marking 15 years of TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog in April 2021. Things look pretty alright until May 2021 when I got myself into a sticky and messy situation that is not helped with Phase 2 Heightened Alert (P2HA) situation. I was lost , shared through my reflections, thoughts and feelings during June 2021 with fate and time. I was kind of depressed, my mental and emotional health wasn’t in a good shape, I spiralled downwards to the bottom, got stuck in a rut, reaching a tipping point. I had a few dark periods in my life till date, this period would be right up there with my other dark periods.

Q3 2021

Moving from Q2 to Q3, I slowly got myself out, thanks to a few friends who pulled me out from the rut. This started a period of making further pivots and changes. This was followed by Reflecting H1 2021, new themes for photography and travel in H2 2021 and some photography, travel and updates in August 2021. 

During this period as I pivoted, changed and reorganised, those changes needed some time too. Opportunities come and go, sometimes you get them, sometimes you lose them. 

Photography by Isaac Ong

Plans for Q4 2021

Entering into Q4 2021, what are plans, goals and objectives for Q4 2021? My main theme that I wrote down earlier in my introductory paragraph above is, “Survival”. I am pulling all my brains, mind, soul, as well as pulling strings, networks, connections to survive. Just by saying it’s very tough is an understatement of the predicament and ground level situation that some small and medium sized businesses are facing. 

Photography

In my area of commercial photography services, I made a switch into other photography genres in the portraiture segments, covering leisure, family, pets as well as corporate portraiture. Although there is a school of thought that teaches us to specialise in one or two genres, the fallout from this global pandemic has shown that specialising in one or two genres have its pitfalls too. Having a few more specialisations will be very helpful for future-proofing, not just in the photography industry, in other industries as well.   

I have also made a move back into doing wedding photography, both pre-wedding and actual day wedding photography. When the economy returns back to a more normal and stable level, I would  relook into my photography services portfolio again. 

Zine 

Initially, I have plans for what I want to produce and achieve in publishing zines, an outreach for my photography, writing and content creation. At the forefront, I wanted to publish a zine commemorating 15 years of TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog milestone and a special project to seek funding on a segment of my documentary photography works that I did some years back. Due to unforeseen circumstances, both external and internal factors, those two zine projects were put on hold, I would relook at them in Q1 2022. 

My focus is now on a photography therapy zine, an inspiration that came from my nature therapy walks during Q2 to Q3 2021 when I went trekking into nature and outdoors, with my camera and lenses, photographing landscapes, light rays, bringing me peace and tranquility. 

NFT / Digital Arts

I embarked on the digital arts journey some time back on Makersplace platform. At that point in time, I didn’t do enough homework/research and preparation before entering into this space. While NFT has recently received quite a lot of limelight and attention from the creatives industry, I am doing more homework/research before I go more full in-depth into this platform to showcase my curated photography works.

Keep a lookout for my updates in the NFT / Digital Arts segment in Q4 2021! 

Travel and Tourism

I would love to travel out again, just like pre-covid time for my travel photography and holiday. While I don’t have a timeline on when we can safely travel again, I would have to wait patiently for the time to arrive while I concentrate on my photography business and building up my digital agency business. 

When can we restart tourism? I asked myself again on World Tourism Day 2021. Many of us wanderlusts are searching for this answer too. Meanwhile, I am networking with travel and tourism folks, from travel agencies, Travel Talk on Twitter (TTOT) community and travelers from all over the world. When it’s safe to travel again, I would share more on them if the universe and stars alignment for my travel photography fall into place.  

Emotional / Mental Health

To be honest with everyone reading this article, I am still, and have been mentally and emotionally very fatigued for a lengthy period of time, the worst period was probably in May and June 2021. We are all exhausted battling this ongoing global pandemic, its economic, social, emotional and mental fallout and onslaught on our work and daily living. 

Running your own small sole-proprietorship photography business is already very challenging and tough. Throw in a global pandemic situation and it just magnifies many times more. 

How many would really know, feel and understand how small and medium sized businesses are feeling and coping right now in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic? 

When can we see the light at the end of the tunnel?

When can we see the light at the end of the tunnel? We have been asking ourselves this question all these time during this ongoing global pandemic. 

Help local small and medium sized businesses by referring clients to them, through word of mouth or do a shoutout for them on your social media platforms. Please don’t judge, please be kind, everyone one of us is trying and working very hard to survive this global pandemic situation. 

All of us, just want to survive and get out of this ongoing global pandemic situation, returning back to a more normal life during pre-covid days, although we will most likely unable to return back to those days. 

That’s basically in a nutshell, my main theme, my plan, my goal for Q4 2021 – Survival. 

The post Reflecting Q3 2021 and Plans for Q4 2021 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The ongoing global pandemic has caused massive economic and financial impacts to the world tourism and travel industries. I wrote, shared and published an earlier article on “When can we Restart Tourism?” in June 2021. I was cautiously optimistic, however the world situation didn’t go according as planned with the Delta variant causing havoc and further disruptions towards many countries plans to reopen their economy, as well as their tourism and travel industries. On World Tourism Day 2021, this would be my follow up article that I published earlier in June 2021.

Looking back at my travel adventures over the years, I am missing it a lot. During this ongoing global pandemic period, my wanderlust for travel has also made me reflect a lot on the future of travel as it would never be the same again before the days of COVID-19. 

First and foremost, I will now always remember these words of wisdom, travel may be a privilege for some of us, not everyone can get to travel out overseas. This ongoing global pandemic could have further widen this gap between those that can travel and those who can’t.

When the time arrives whereby we can Restart Tourism, travel overseas safely again, this would be the time to add on more travel photography adventures to my TGH Photography travel portfolio, Flickr travel photography collections and travel explorer stories here on my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

I am keen to work on two areas when the world travel and tourism industries reopen – community based tourism and nature based/conservation/sustainable tourism. As we are preparing for the eventual reopening and recovery of the world travel and tourism industries, I am reaching out to the travel and tourism worldwide networks on collaborations and partnerships.  

While this global pandemic situation has caused massive impacts to the world tourism and travel industries, this is also an excellent opportunity for a “reset”, to address and change some of our tourism and travel industry standards, operating procedures, practices, mindsets, habits etc etc, to make a change for the better, for the future. 

Let’s help to restart the world tourism and travel industries again when it is safe to do so, sometime down the road, hopefully soon. Meanwhile, do support your local/domestic travel and tourism industries too. This is the time for inclusive growth. 

Meanwhile, when can we restart tourism again? A number of countries have started to open up their tourism markets in small and at specific destinations. Some countries have started to open up more than other countries. We are all taking steps towards reopening the international tourism and travel industries.

Till the day when we can safely #RestartTourism and travel overseas again, take care and be safe! I look forward to meeting my travel and tourism network friends when I get the opportunity to travel and visit them in their countries! 

The post World Tourism Day 2021 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

From 8th October, Escape to Hokkaido  

You can savour the taste of Hokkaido in every bite with the Hokkaido Salmon Burger, available from 8th October. This burger features delicious salmon from Hokkaido, coated in crispy panko, filled with shredded white cabbage, sliced onion and roasted sesame mayo, sandwiched between a soft bun with black and white sesame seeds.The Hokkaido Salmon Burger is available in both a Single (from $5.95 a la carte) and a Double (from $7.95 a la carte). 

The brand new kawaii star-shaped golden brown and crispy potato treats! The STARZ Potato (9pc) is available from $2.20 a la carte. 

Add the Yuzu Cream Cheese Pie to round up your tasty Hokkaido getaway where yuzu meets cream cheese.

The all-in-one Hokkaido Salmon Feast is the meal that you are looking for, which includes the savoury Hokkaido Salmon Burger, iconic golden-brown fries (M), crispy Yuzu Cream Chess Pie, and refreshing Green Tea (S).The Hokkaido Salmon Feast is available from $11.40 for the Double and from $9.40 for the Single at all restaurants, and via McDelivery® and GrabFood. 

The Hokkaido Salmon Burger, STARZ Potato (9pc) and Yuzu Cream Cheese Pie are available after breakfast hours and while stocks last. 

Chocolate lovers alert! Indulge and getaway into a Chocolicious World!

Chocolate lovers! You cannot miss this opportunity to indulge and getaway into a chocolicious world! Time to paint the town with Hershey’s chocolate and feast away in the richness of Hershey’s chocolate, available at all McDonald’s restaurants and Dessert Kiosks islandwide.

(From left to right) Hershey’s McFlurry®, Mudpie McFlurry® and Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry®. From $3.00, $3.30 and $3.30, respectively.

(From left to right) Hershey’s Cone, Twist Cone and ChocoCone®. From $1.40, $1.40 and $1.60, respectively.

Soft-serve cones are a favourite too! Enjoy a quick escape with Hershey’s soft-serve cones, available in a regular Cone, Twist Cone1 and ChocoCone®. 

(From left to right) Hershey’s Hot Fudge Sundae and Hershey’s Strawberry Sundae. From $2.40. 

For Sundae lovers, the world of Hershey’s chocolate is going to bring your chocolicious adventure to the next level, with even more chocolate. Time to indulge in Hershey’s creamy soft-serve, glazed with hot fudge or strawberry sauce. 

Get your chocolate fix at all McDonald’s restaurants and Dessert Kiosks after breakfast hours and while stocks last. 

Have a tea and cake break at McCafé 

(From left to right) Green Tea Latte and New York Cheesecake. From $4.90 and $5.20, respectively 

From 8th October, you can enjoy aromatic Green Tea Latte – a delightful blend of a creamy aromatic tea latte with smooth steamed milk, topped off with a touch of green tea powder and accompanied by a crisp caramel Lotus Biscuit, and take a bite of our rich, creamy and cheesy goodness atop caramelized cookie crust, New York Cheesecake.

Available all-day at all McCafé stores (Excludes McCafé stores at Gardens by the Bay, Forum Galleria and Lido)  

Do share this tasty getaway with McDonald’s® and a chocolicious escape with Hershey’s with your loved ones, family, relatives and friends! Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On, Sharing is Caring!

* Information and pictures courtesy of McDonald’s® Singapore and GOLIN *

The post Enjoy a Tasty Getaway with McDonald’s® and a Chocolicious Escape with Hershey’s appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Having printed my own photography book previously, as well as printing different sizes of photographs from square pocket, 4R to A3 size, it was very enjoyable, a sense of pride and achievement when I printed my photographs, for display or as a gift. Next up, I created an account with Zno and began my printing adventure!

Zno Designer user interface, layout and workflow

Using Zno Designer user interface and layout is not difficult at all, it’s pretty easy to navigate, select and start making your desired photo book. Once you have your curated and edited photographs ready for your photo book, it’s not difficult at all to upload your photos, placing and arranging them to your liking and preference. 

My Hokkaido 2016 autumn travel photography adventures

I visited Hokkaido during October 2016 for an autumn travel photography adventure, wonderful and bright colourful memories brought upon by the changing colours of the maple leaves. I was able to get two seasons in one frame, with autumn colours and winter snow covering some of the destinations that I visited in Hokkaido. Do visit my Flickr photography collection and you can enjoy my Hokkaido autumn travel photos! 

Therefore, I decided to select my Hokkaido 2016 autumn travel photography adventures as the theme for my square 8×8 little black book with Zno.

Personal thoughts and views

Although this Square 8×8 hard cover little black book of 24 photographs is printed at no cost from Zno, the international shipping fee is not covered and I had to pay for it. 

When I unboxed and opened up my Square 8×8 Little Black Book photo album of my Hokkaido 2016 autumn travel photos, I was impressed by the Lustre Photo Paper quality and vibrant colours. This little black book is classy yet modern and elegant with a designer feel and look. 

This would be a good personal photography book for all (not just photographers) to showcase their photography works, special moments or travel memories, and of course, this can also be part of a photographer’s portfolio of works for the clients to touch, feel and enjoy. A little black book makes a lovely gift idea for any occasion! For those who wonder about printing photographs, I would like to share with you my article, “Why we should go back to printing photographs”

For the high quality paper and print quality, my personal opinion is Zno pricing is reasonable and really good. 

I would like to thank Zno for this opportunity to know more about you as a new lab printing house and to be able to print a square 8×8 hard cover little black book of my Hokkaido 2016 autumn travel photography adventures.

The post A Square 8×8 Little Black Book with Zno appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

What is Shinrin-Yoku? Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) literally means Forest Bath (thanks to Google Translation). The YouTube videos produced by Forest Digital from Hokkaido were very soothing, calming and therapeutic. I visited Hokkaido twice in 2014 and 2016, it’s a very beautiful destination for landscape and wildlife photographers, not to forget their delicious cuisine too!

Inspired by their videos, I revisited my Hokkaido travel photography 2014 and 2016 collections on Flickr. Being an outdoors and travel person, this is probably why Shinrin-Yoku resonates so much deeply inside me, whenever I am inside forested areas, surrounded by the fresh air, beautiful sounds of Mother Nature, tranquil surroundings and in peace with myself inner soul. Nature therapy is one of the best natural therapy around us.

During this tough period, I hope that the Shinrin-Yoku videos and my Hokkaido travel photographs would be able to give you some peace and tranquility from all the stress, anxiety, frustrations and pressure that you are facing right now during this Covid-19 situation.

One day, I would return back to Hokkaido again, to continue my travel photography coverage of her spring and summer seasons. Along with climbing mountain peaks in Hokkaido, I am going to add Shinrin-Yoku pilgrimage in Hokkaido too.

Forest Digital

Website: https://forestdigital.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ForestdigitalO

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xYvCZf-Magqh6Nj6PVXmA/

The post The Art of Shinrin-Yoku appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.