Going back in time to 2021, there was a period during Q3 when I was at a very low point, I wasn’t in a good shape, my mental health and well-being was probably at the bottom of that rabbit hole that I spiralled myself downwards into. 

The above photo was shot on 24th September 2021 by fellow photographer friend Ryan Cheng. A picture speaks a thousand words, on the state of my mental health and well-being during that period. My article on World Mental Health Day 2021 translates them into a pretty lengthy article if you like to know more.

A year has passed, my situation has definitely improved from that dark and down period in 2021, putting aside the normal routine high stress and pressure in running my own photography business in a swinging up and down economic cycle. I am not writing as much in this article (I try to not write as much), as compared to my 2021 article whereby my photography and visual story telling allowed me to unleash (rant) a lot of my thoughts, feelings and emotions at that point in time.

In a period of crisis, there are lessons to be learnt, for you to take note, be mindful and improve on. There is light at the end of the tunnel, there is a beautiful rainbow at the end of this storm. One of the bright sparks/rainbow omen that appear for me, is that my second photography zine (publishing soon) is based on my photography therapy journeys that I embarked during my route to recovery. 

Today on 10th October 2022, World Mental Health Day 2022, I am continuing to spread the message on taking care of your personal mental health and well-being. Please visit and check out this article my alma mater University of Queensland (UQ). “What the health: How do we maintain a healthy headspace”, published by UQ Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, is a good read.    

Be aware and mindful of your personal mental health and well-being. Take good care and be safe as we rebuild a new future of living and work in a post global pandemic world. 

The post World Mental Health Day 2022 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.

Having followed, supported, photographed and documented SGNightFest since her birth in 2008, it felt really good to see the rebirth of SGNightFest in 2022, making a comeback from the global pandemic situation that disrupted and turned our daily living, social and communal life, upside down.

There is an extensive and diverse line-up of programmes, activities, performances for visitors to SGNightFest 2022 that they can enjoy and have fun, with their family and friends. From Projection Mapping to Night Lights (two of my favourites at SGNightFest), to performances, experiential programmes and many other interesting events, there is something for you to participate, visit and involve with at SGNightFest. Of course, how can we forget F&B to relax, unwind and refuel after a night out at SGNightFest? 

There is a 2 years gap in between our 12th and 13th edition. Therefore before you make a return to SGNightFest 2022, let me share with you some handy tips on visiting SGNightFest 2022, a good refresher for all of us, eagerly wanting to return back to our fun and exciting festivals again. 

Handy (Refresher) Tips on Visiting SGNightFest 2022

1. Research and plan in advance on how you want to walk and explore the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, which artworks/performances to visit first.
2. It’s alright to split your SGNightFest visits over a few nights.
3. Get a physical printed copy of the SGNightFest map or you can also view it from your smartphone/tablet from the SGNightFest website.
4. Night Lights / Project Mapping – you can visit on weekday nights too, don’t need to rush catching it on the weekends!
5. Performances – They are held on the weekends, you might need not be able to attend and watch all of the performances, that’s where you have to decide and choose.
6. Wear comfortable attire and shoes – You are going to walk a lot in our typical Singapore humid weather.
7. Stay hydrated – Bring your water bottle, drink up regularly and stay hydrated while walking around.
8. Stay safe – We are not totally out of the woods yet in our battle against this ongoing global pandemic. Stay safe, be mindful and be careful! 
9. End your SGNightFest with food and drinks at After Dark @ Dhoby Ghaut Green and GR.iD 
10. Last but not least, enjoy and have fun at SGNightFest 2022! Share and hashtag #SGNightFest and #SNG2022 on your social media channels!

Projection Mapping

Projection mapping artworks on facades of various buildings have always been a strong attraction and eye opener for visitors to SGNightFest. I would share with you selected photos of those artworks projection mapping, inviting you to visit in person, getting a feel of the projections, learning and understanding more about the stories and inspirations behind the artists artworks projection mapping.

Stories from Forbidden Hill by Maxin10sity @ National Museum of Singapore

Glitches of You by Amanda Tan | The Melting Pot by Adeline Tan and Benedict Teo | Madeleine by Lueur

Stamford Clock Tower

Midnight Show at the Capitol by MOJOKO @ National Archives Singapore

Night Lights

Night Lights intrigues, welcomes and attracts me in its own unique artistic and colourful ways, how we can interact and be a part of those Night Lights artworks. I would also share with you selected photos of those Night Lights artworks, inviting you to visit in person, getting a feel of the projections, learning and understanding more about the stories and inspirations behind the artists Night Lights artworks.

The Night Lights are placed at different sectors of Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, take your time to walk and explore!

National Museum of Singapore

#SGNIGHTGEST by Pan-United @ National Museum of Singapore

We Can No Longer Be Strangers After This by Perception3 @ National Museum of Singapore

Steps (2022) by Victoria Hertel @ National Museum of Singapore

Fecundus by Twardzik Ching Chor Leng @ SMU Green

Fort Canning Hill

tobyato bird pitstop by tobyato @ Canning Rise

Tunnel Graffiti by Lynette Quek @ Fort Canning Tree Tunnel

Under My Tree Rood by Chloe Manasseh @ Fort Canning Tree Tunnel

Stamford Road / Raffles City 

Paddy Fields by FARM @ Stamford Walkway

An Ocean Without The Anchor by Speak Cryptic @ Raffles City Shopping Centre

PALIMPSEST by William Chan and Brandon Tay @ Armenian Street

laten (BBB edition) by Chok Yi Xuan @ Armenian Church 

Bras Basah / Queen Street / Waterloo Street

Celebration of Life+Style by Justin Lee @ Stamford Arts Centre

Terrarium by Aux Media Group, Binary Style, PAPERSYNTHESIS and SERIAL CO_ @ National Design Centre

NOCTURNE: Conversations with Waterloo by Nhawfal Juma’at @ Waterloo Complex

City of Books by Fish Jaafar @ Bras Basah Complex

Performances

A good and diverse mix of performances are scheduled for the two weekends of SGNightFest.  Here are some of the performances that are taking place, do check out SGNightFest website for the full list of performances, locations and timings!

Discoloo Centre by P7:1SMA

Armenian Street Party by various artists 

“A Date with Tradition” 

During the media preview of SGNightFest, we were at Stamford Arts Centre to check out some exciting programmes. There is a festival, “A Date with Tradition”, held in conjunction with the Singapore Night Festival, organised by Arts House Limited.

Here is a glimpse of some of the exciting programmes that are going to be held at Stamford Arts Centre! 

The Art of Sulam

Open Studio: Head, Hand & Heart – The Everyday Art of Traditional Crafts

Singapore Rhapsodies

Many many more exciting activities at SGNightFest 2022!

Relax and Unwind with SGNightFest F&B

After an exciting and fun night of walking, exploring and engaging with the various artworks and performances, it’s time to relax and unwind over food and drinks with family and friends. You can check out SGNightFest F&B – After Dark @ Dhoby Ghaut Green & GR.iD.

Many many more!

There are many many more activities, events and performances that I would not be able to cover in just one article and over the first weekend. Do visit the SGNightFest website to check out more information and details on which ones that you would like to visit and check out!

Information and Updates on SGNightFest 2022

Dates: 19th to 27th August 2022

Hours: 7:30pm to 12:00am

Venue: Bras Basah.Bugis

For more information and updates on SGNightFest 2022, you can check out and follow them on their social media platforms 

• Singapore Night Festival website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Wishing all visitors returning to the rebirth of Singapore Night Festival 2022 a happy and fun time! Take more photos and videos, share around and enjoy yourselves, immersing into Singapore’s very own uniquely contemporary and vibrant arts, cultural and heritage #SGNightFest.

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R7 Explorer Series Production *

The post Singapore Night Festival 2022 is back! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

This study by Milieu Insight would be useful and informative as countries start to reopen their country, welcoming back international visitors. While they also need time to ramp up their travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries back to pre-pandemic level, travel insights would come in handy for inbound travel and tourism organisers/partners in terms of their destination marketing, publicity and awareness campaigns. 

From this study, respondents from the Philippines and Indonesia have shown the highest willingness for domestic travel. Movement restrictions across Asia have been gradually lifted, the travel and tourism industries are finally opening up. There are over 80% of domestic travelers in Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, that have indicated a likelihood to engage with travel agent services for their domestic travel and vacation plans.

Travelers from the Philippines remain most concerned with the pandemic 

An interesting point – travelers from Indonesia (89%), Vietnam (83%) and Thailand (79%) have expressed the least concern for themselves when it comes to domestic travel. The travelers willingness to travel is also reflected in the domestic travel policies of those countries as there are minimum restrictions involved in their inter-state/inter-provincial travels. In the month of February 2022, Vietnam had a total of 9.6 million domestic travellers.  

Another key and interesting point highlighted – Travelers is more widely accepted by travelers is due to the fear of a pandemic resurgence as they do not wish to be unwittingly stranded from home and work. This is totally understandable as countries can go into lockdown mode or revert back to its COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and measures that would affect traveling between countries.

On the other hand, 40% of respondents from the Philippines remain highly concerned for their safety even towards domestic travel. For the Philippines, domestic travel is still only limited to select designations and with restrictions (as of 11th May 2022). 

Travel habits and preferences of domestic travelers in SEA

What are the travel habits and preferences of domestic travelers in SEA for this upcoming summer vacation? 

Most travelers across all five countries are looking to unwind and reconnect with their family after 2 years of pandemic isolation (Philippines 83%, Indonesia 82%, Vietnam 78%, Malaysia 81%, Thailand 79%).

Recently, in April 2022, Indonesia saw mudik mass migration for Idul Fitri (end of Ramadan), where 31% of the population was estimated by the Indonesian Transport Ministry to travel back to their hometowns and spend time with their extended family.  

For the domestic travelers across all five countries, hotels remain their top choice. Half of travelers in Vietnam show preference for Resorts, and more than half from Thailand also prefer Pool Villas (54%)

Where are the destinations that the domestic travelers would like to visit? Those destinations that are family friendly should look to receive high popularities this summer, especially places that are inclusive towards multi-generational groups. Some of these activities could be a road trip to a national park or other tourist spots in a neighbouring state, or visiting a beach resort that provides entertainment for all ages, or even taking time off to unwind from the big city hustle and bustle in a tranquil village. 

Travel agencies sought after even for domestic travels

Do travel agencies still have a place in a post pandemic world? The study revealed insights that travel agencies are still sought after even for domestic travels. SEA travelers will still engage with a travel agency to plan for their domestic travel and vacation plans, despite only traveling within their home countries. 

Especially those from Indonesia (85%), the Philippines (82%), and Vietnam (83%). Engaging with a travel agent may ensure a less stressful trip, creating more time and leisure for travellers to enjoy their first post-pandemic vacation with their loved ones. 

Methodology

Based on Milieu Insight surveys with N=1000 respondents each from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, conducted in April 2022. 

Personal Thoughts and Views

This is part of my ongoing “Special Theme Q2 2022 – Fully Restarting Tourism” series, covering both outbound and inbound travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries worldwide. Milieu Insight study provides great insights into domestic tourism on Southeast Asia countries, helping countries to plan their marketing, publicity and awareness campaigns. This Milieu Insight study might be useful for travel agencies and travelers that are planning to visit those Southeast Asia countries.

As travel restrictions are gradually lifted across the world, we should be witnessing a (truly and finally) fully restarting tourism movement in Q2-Q3/Q4 2022. The travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality industries around the world would need time to ramp up, getting back to speed, from getting skilled and experienced staff back, to re-training and getting back to pre-pandemic levels again. 

The route ahead for the world travel and tourism industries is still bumpy with incoming headwinds, we are still some time away from getting back to a more normalised period like pre-pandemic days. However, the world travel and tourism industries are definitely working hard to get themselves back up and running again. We can definitely see light at the end of the tunnel.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Milieu Insight and Ellerton & Co. *

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I know many of us can’t wait to travel out for our favourite destinations again. As we start to get ready our luggages, make travel plans for our wanderlust destinations that we want to visit again. There are both excitement, anxiety, caution, as well as other travel preparations such as finding and purchasing travel insurance. I believe most countries opening up to leisure travelers and tourists would require a valid travel insurance plan with COVID-19 coverage. How is the world preparing to open up, welcome back travelers and tourists, as well as its own citizens preparing to travel out and visit other countries?

How about the situation in Singapore? We can see an increased in numbers making travel plans and enquiries. This report – Singapore Travel Insurance Consumer Research 2022 share some great insights into our travel and tourism industries/situation here in Singapore.

A recent survey was commissioned by MSIG in collaboration with Ancileo, to better understand consumers’ attitudes towards the purchasing of travel insurance. The survey polled 400 Singaporeans aged 18 to 69 on their sentiments for post-pandemic travel.

Here are some key highlights/findings from the Singapore Travel Insurance Consumer Research 2022

• Of those surveyed, 3 in 5 respondents (60%) have expressed a high desire for leisure travel this year, with 36% indicating that they plan to travel to countries outside of Asia.
• For respondents with plans to travel, 82% of them says they will purchase travel insurance for their vacation.
• Amongst those who do not plan to travel, 86% indicate that they will purchase travel insurance if they have to travel for essential reasons. This sentiment is similar across all age groups.
• As one might expect, COVID-19 coverage (21%) came out tops when respondents were asked to rank the reasons that they buy travel insurance. Emergency and medical coverage came in second (19%), followed by trip cancellation coverage (16%).
• Interestingly, COVID-19 benefits are not the deciding factor for respondents. When it comes to choosing their travel insurance plan, pricing is listed as the most important factor amongst respondents (20%), followed by ease of online claims service (16%) and COVID-19 benefits (15%). In particular, ease of online claims service held significant importance for travellers between the ages of 35 to 44 years old who are married with young children.
• Amongst other key findings, the survey found that Gen Z travellers aged between 18 to 24 tend to value personalisation of plans much more to suit their adventure-style trips while globetrotters tend to place higher priority on trip cancellation coverage as sudden rise in COVID-19 cases could lead to flight and accommodation cancellations.

Other findings that came out of the survey:

• Consumers appreciate value-added services as part of their travel insurance plan. High on the list is the arrangement of services for COVID-19 formalities (39%), airport lounge access in case of flight delay (12%) and 24×7 telemedicine (9%). Arrangement of services will include advisory and hotline support for emergencies.
• 46% of consumers still prefer to buy travel insurance directly from insurers.
• 36% are open to purchasing travel insurance from travel players, with competitive pricing as the biggest motivation.
• 35% of respondents are open to purchasing in-path travel insurance.
• Only 15% of travellers that belong to an airline members’ program indicate that the biggest enticing factor for them to purchase in-path travel insurance is when the insurance plan comes with loyalty miles, with the majority still preferring price discount over loyalty miles perks.

Steven Leong , Senior Vice President, Retail Distribution, MSIG Singapore said, “The survey supports our understanding that consumers’ outlook for travel is brightening and there are pockets of opportunities to engage customers from different segments. It is important as insurers we keep innovating to meet the unique and diverse needs of our customers in the new travel normal. The results of the survey will better position us to provide such solutions to tap into changing traveller demands.”

“With travel beginning to take off again, one of our key focus this year is to also expand the availability of our travel insurance to more consumers through the power of collaboration,” he added.

MSIG Travel Insurance Annual Plan

To keep travel insurance affordable and accessible, MSIG has extended automatic COVID-19 coverage at no extra cost to its TravelEasy policyholders. From now till 30 April 2022, customers who purchase its Annual Trip plan will be offered a free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

* Information and picture courtesy of MSIG Insurance (Singapore) and Media Outreach *

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Just like this Rainbow illumiNation by Very Small Exhibition celebrating one year of Very Momentary Exhibition at Paya Lebar Quarter. Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel, the rainbow arch waiting for us as we move towards it?

It was comforting and encouraging, I reckon many of us shed tears of joy as we can start to embark on the next steps to further opening up Singapore. You can read on ChannelNewsAsia, in full: PM Lee’s address on Singapore’s new phase towards living with COVID-19. At an appropriate time, I might just reflect and recollect my personal, emotional, mental, struggles in both personal and business, and along with my visual story telling together in another article, over this past 2+ years of living, struggling, surviving, learning and growing from this global pandemic. 

We can finally start to see some light at the end of the tunnel, it’s a huge step even, we are not totally out of the woods yet. Many of us would be looking forward to travel out out of Singapore for a break in other countries, we have been cooped up too long on our small island country. 

I don’t wish to make any travel plans or commitments at this stage, I am coming up with some travel plans in mind, maybe a short trip (3D2N or 4D3N) in Q2 or Q3 2022, a long (1-2 weeks) trip during Q3 or Q4 2022.

Would I be able to get my travel photography and writing commissioned works? Or travel media trips? I am keeping my fingers crossed. 

I am just like this Grey Heron perched on the Old Jurong Railway Bridge, eagerly looking up and getting ready to fly away, traveling and exploring in other parts of the world again. 

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R3 Explorer Series Production *

The post 24th March 2022 – Start to see light at the end of the tunnel appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 3rd year writing a Yearly Theme (you can check out my 2020 Yearly Theme and 2021 Yearly Theme), an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries. I also published a Yearly Theme 2022 (Technology, Business and Personal) on my other website TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog. 

Let me introduce my Yearly Theme 2022 for my photography and travel: “Onward”.

Theme for Year 2022 (Photography and Travel) – Onward

Onward – What is the reason behind this theme?

Why “Onward”? This is actually my alma mater school motto. Let me introduce my alma mater, Gan Eng Seng School (founded in 1885), I am also an old boy from the Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group (founded in 1922) where I spent some of my best and fun years learning Scouting skills, knowledge, in the the great outdoors, life skills and camaraderie. 

Dragon Scout Group (DSG) is celebrating its centenary milestone in Year 2022, this is no mean feat! The DSG extended family is going to celebrate DSG100 Years in Scouting! 

Onward – Strive forward as we work our way out from this ongoing global pandemic mess, it’s not just an economic and financial crisis, the world is facing other crisis in the areas of healthcare, mental health, emotional health, psychological and sociological issues.

The whole world is trying its best to move forward, with setbacks and hiccups that are going to be a common sight for this year 2022. Hopefully, our lessons learnt in Year 2020 and 2021 would come in handy for us as the world move Onward in the journey to recovery. Let’s hope the world can really start to see the true light at the end of the tunnel. 

Photography – Goals and Plans

This is not the usual way of doing goal settings that you would normally learn or see in your job/training. What I am doing is a bit of a hybrid format sharing of my goals and plans for my photography segment. 

Photography (Business)

Year 2021 provided me huge business lessons, adapting, pivoting and changing my commercial photography services portfolio. It’s not immediate, taking a bit longer than I am expected. In this Year 2022, I hope to grow those few segments below in a very competitive field, through my networks and connections. 

– Portraiture: Individual / Family / Corporate 

– Pre-Wedding/AD wedding 

NFT/Digital Arts

A new segment that I am entering into, I mentioned about this in Q4 2021. This is a field that I would be threading with caution while optimistic on its potential and viability for creatives such as photographers like myself. 

Digital Marketing + Social Media Marketing + Photography + Videography 

A digital agency or social media agency format of doing business, going to work/pitch for campaigns/projects and commissioned work. Although I established TGH Digital Studio in 2021, I wasn’t able to kickstart it properly, the time is now.

Year 2022 also marks the start of TGH Digital Studio with a new gig in the food industry. Hope this paves the way for further opportunities in other industries such as travel, tourism and hospitality,  as well as heritage, history and culture.

Photography (Personal/Leisure)

Away from my business/commercial photography, I must, and I need my time and space for my personal photography and leisure/fun photography. In Year 2022, I have some ideas and plans for my personal photography, videography and creative projects.

New photographer profile photos as well as new photographer in action theme shoots are on my plans too. 

If you are not a good photographer or find something missing in your photos you can always rely on some travel photograph editing to enhance your photos.

Personal projects 

– Complement and support my alma mater DSG100 Years in Scouting celebrations

– A new zine or a new photography book? Or both? 

– Building up my videography/filmmaking for both personal and commercial segments. Follow my YouTube channel for more updates on this segment!  

Travel – Goals and Plans

We all miss our travels, whether it’s to short-haul or long haul destinations. This ongoing global pandemic has thrown the world travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries under the bus for a very prolonged time, and maybe 1-2 more years of downtime. 

International 

I have no plans for now, I would review this in Q3 2022, keeping my fingers crossed. I am just being cautious, I am also not setting any expectations, I don’t wish to be badly disappointed  and get hurt again. 

When can we restart tourism, I am looking into this area, networking and chatting with travel and tourism networks of friends around the world, with a follow up on this area in my 3rd instalment article on the topic of “Restart Tourism”. 

This quote, shared with me by Sonja, one of the co-hosts of TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter) Chat community every Tuesday, that “Travel can be a privilege”. During this ongoing global pandemic situation, it’s even more evident and true. 

Domestic / Local / Explore your own backyard 

Since traveling out for a holiday still has its challenges, fears, concerns and restrictions. This is actually a good time to explore your own backyard again for me. I am going to continue re-exploring my local neighbourhoods, with an emphasis on green spaces / places that might/will be gone soon.

I always have a strong interest and passion in those fields, documenting the changes and losses over time due to changes in national development, growth and renewal.  

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022. After some harsh lessons from Year 2021, I decided to be cautious, not fearful, be brave, Be Prepared, ready to take on more challenges, hiccups and changes as I trek my way Onward in Year 2022. 

I really hope this Year 2022 would truly be the year where we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. 

The post Yearly Theme 2022 (Photography and Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

I welcome New Year 2022 in a very different way, no fireworks just photographing commercial ships berthed off the coast of East Coast Park firing their flares into the sky when the time strikes 12 midnight with photography friends Belinda, CK and William. Although I didn’t get my money shot of a lightning strike hitting the Straits of Singapore along with the flares, my 3 other friends got their money shot! 

In case you missed it, here’s my Reflecting 2021 (Photography and Travel) and also my Reflecting 2021 (Technology, Business and Personal) on my other portal/blog. Today marks the start of a brand new year, a new hope and a fresh new beginning.   

I am taking a rest during this New Year long weekend break, consolidate and prepare myself for a new year ahead. I would be sharing my yearly theme soon, along with some of my plans, thoughts and views for this year 2022. 

Happy New Year 2002! Stay safe and healthy as we continue battling this ongoing global pandemic! Let’s spread love, kindness, compassion to the people around us, our society and around the world!

The post Happy New Year 2022! 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.

On World Kindness Day 2021, I am spreading kindness, love and compassion through my photographs together with my heart-felt sharing.

Be kind to the world

The time is now, we have to start taking more notice and action on our world that we live in. Global warming, climate change, pollution and wastage of resources are huge pressing issues that we need to address, not just for us, it’s for our future generations and beyond.

Be kind to one another

Human beings are social creatures, we need each other to live and survive. Let’s be kind to one another instead. 

• Check on your loved ones/family/relatives/friend, ask them, how are they coping? Are they alright?
• Lend a listening ear
• Be there for them
• Please do not judge

Last but not least be kind to yourself 

Sometimes, we all forget that, everything starts within yourself first, if we can’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care or help other people. 

First and foremost, be kind to yourself first, take care of yourself first.

Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On: Spread kindness, love and compassion

The whole world can do more with kindness, love and compassion, something that we need more than before in a world getting more polarised and divided by global issues around the world, amplified through social media. 

On World Kindness Day 2021, let us Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On, spread kindness, love and compassion. 

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