The theme for World Mental Health Day 2021 is “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality”. The governments around the world has acknowledged and recognised that more needs to be more on mental health services. Do visit their pages if you would like to know more!

If you have been following and reading some of my articles on my technology and business portal/blog, as well as here on my photography and travel portal/blog. My mental and emotional health were not in a good shape and condition, the impacts on running a small sized photography business in this pandemic period took a huge toll on me. On top of that, there were deep personal matters and issues that spiral me downwards into a rut.  

With the help of a few friends that helped and pulled me out, I started to lift myself out from the bottom. This wasn’t an easy recovery journey, times are still very difficult and challenging with this ongoing global pandemic, many of us are emotionally and mentally fatigued. 

During my recovery phase, I went to the outdoors, immersed myself into nature/greenery, the peace and tranquility. I discovered an inspiration to work on a photography therapy zine project with a playbook element. This inspiration 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. This is an ongoing work in progress, part of my plans/projects for Q4 2021. 

Through my photographs and writing, I would like to share some points/things that could be featured inside my photography therapy zine, based on my own personal experiences dealing and handling with mental health awareness that might be useful for you this World Mental Health Day 2021. 

Journal

Keep a journal, write down your thoughts, feelings and emotions. You can even draw, sketch or doodle. Maybe you can paste photos that meant something personal to you inside the journal.

Outdoors / Nature / Trekking / Exercise 

My haven when I felt down and out, trekking in the outdoors into nature and green spaces is my saviour. The peace and tranquility, it’s so therapeutic. 

Talk to someone 

If you really need to, please please find someone that you can talk to. Someone who is willing to lend you a shoulder to lean on, a kind and attentive listening ear, that will not judge.

Read books / Find a new hobby / Rekindle your old hobbies

We are too engrossed and glued to our technology gadgets and social media platforms/channels. How about going back to reading books? Or find a new hobby? Have you always wanted to go back in time and rekindle your old hobbies? 

Of cute dogs and cats 

If you have followed me on my Twitter or Instagram, you would know how much I love dogs and cats. These lovely pets provide great therapy to us humans when we are down. 

Last but not least

Please take good care of yourself, your mental and emotional health well-being. Please don’t judge, please be kind, help one another. 

Let’s make it a reality: Mental health care for all, no matter how big or small the resources, means and efforts. 

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

Travel writer

Although at times I have more travel photographs than travel writing, embarking on the travel writer route is a natural progression from where I had been sharing my travel stories on my photography and travel portal/blog over the years.

Most recently, I added the following travel writing guides “How to be a Travel Writer” from Lonely Planet, “The Art of Travel Writing” and How to make a living as a Travel Writer” from Nomads Worldwide, along with these books that had been with me for a while, “Globejotting – How to Write Extraordinary Travel Journals” by Dave Fox and “台灣街角小旅行” by emico. Last but not least, my Travelers Factory journals are waiting for me to fill in those journals with travel stories, moments, photos, stickers, ink stamps and drawings.

Therefore, I would practice my travel writing stories inside my upcoming photography zine publications, from online/digital to small prints.

Travel planning

The amount of travel tools, websites, apps, blogs etc are in abundance in this modern social media and digital era. It’s so much easier to do your travel planning with the information available such as Best Travel Sites: Top 25 List for you to plan and book your next travel adventure! For all fellow travelers and travel wanderlusts like me out there, travel accessories are important in your travel planning too, do check out Best Travel Accessories: The Top 25 List, you would definitely need some of these travel accessories before you embark on your next travel adventure!

Visit Japan!

If you have been a regular reader and supporter of my photography and travel, you would have noticed that I am a big fan of Japan travel! There are still many destinations to visit in Japan that I have to do so!

Visit Mie, has an instagram account that I followed, they recently conducted a lucky draw for the contest that I participated in and I won a pair of Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus 5 days pass! I can now travel across Kansai region, visiting Mie, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara! The expiry date for this pair of pass is end October 2020, I really hope that I can make this next Visit Japan travel photography adventure happen!

I also want to visit Hokkaido again, for spring, summer and late winter seasons, to complete my Hokkaido autumn 2016 and early winter 2014 travel photography adventures, that would allow me to produce my second book on Hokkaido travel photography!

Do visit my Flickr travel photography collection and check out my travel photographs of the various destinations that I visited!

Goodbye to a travel icon in Singapore

At Changi Airport Terminal 2 in Singapore, there is a solaris board at the Departure area, the iconic analogue flight information board that had influenced me to be a travel wanderlust since I tasted traveling overseas. It’s sad to say goodbye to the analogue flight information board, I hope that I can still see you somewhere in Changi Airport, for old memories sake!

What is my travel bucket list for year 2020 ?

Japan – Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Mie

Sri Lanka

Climb and conquer another mountain peak

Year 2020 kicked off to a very disruptive start, no thanks to the COVID-19 virus situation, travel and tourism industries are badly hit. The recovery from this virus situation might be three to six months away hopefully, keeping our fingers crossed.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement, please continue to follow me on my travel photography and travel writer adventures!

The post Travel wanderlust February 2020 edition appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

I currently have a few Moleskine notebooks, they are special and limited editions, two from Canon and one from LG. They were more than just gifts from the two major brands and I am only currently using the Canon Moleskine notebook, the other two are still wrapped up!

During a recent event in Singapore, I was introduced to Moleskine, celebrating M for Movers, of ideas and creativity, the movers life journey in a modern world today, with changes to working, travel, creativity and expression. Along with the wider world of Moleskine’s family of products, embarking on the Moleskine Creative Trail in Singapore and an introduction to urban sketching with Paul Wang.

In this article, I would be introducing you to Moleskine’s family of products for movers and creators.

Moleskine Bag Collections

First and foremost, I have never known that Moleskine has bag collections! When they introduced their Moleskine Bag Collections, I was amazed and pretty impressed by their bags collection, range and designs!

Moleskine Bag Collections

First and foremost, I have never known that Moleskine has bag collections! When they introduced their Moleskine Bag Collections, I was amazed and pretty impressed by their bags collection, range and designs!

The Metro Collection

The contemporary bags collection, clean urban design and modern technology feel. While it may not look that big in size, they can pack in technology gadgets such as a 15inch laptop along with your other creative stuff. The water-resistant nylon casing and padded pockets protect your gadgets and tools.The embossed honeycomb lining and subtle reflective details shines a light to the Mover on every part of their creative journeys. For the Movers, there is a My Moleskine Notes Pocket, for you to store your memories, ideas, thoughts, dreams, intimate moments during your Movers creative journey.

Price:

Metro backpack: SGD$220

Metro slim backpack: SGD$190

Metro vertical device bag: SGD$170

Moleskine Classic Bag Collection

This series was first designed by Giulio Iacchetti in 2011, for the minimalist Mover, aesthetic and beautiful. There is the Classic Leather Collection, for Movers who love both leather material and design with great functionality and ergonomics. For this bag collection, the corners are rounded, just like the classic legendary Moleskine notebook and each bag carries the time honoured “in case of loss” notice in the interior. More than just a classic bag for the Movers to store their creative tools while traveling, they are also the secret places to keep your memories, ideas, thoughts, dreams, intimate moments during your Movers creative journey.

Price:

Classic leather backpack: SGD$320

Classic leather device bag: SGD$250

Classic leather pro backpack: SGD$390

Moleskine Go Shopper Collection (newly launched in October 2019)

The artist/doodle/sketcher in you, would love this self-customisable Moleskine Go Shopper. With this bag, you can draw, doodle and write on its surface, telling your stories, thoughts, ideas and moments through your artworks, whereby you can stamp your artistic mark on this special bag.

Price:

SGD$41

Moleskine Art Collection

The world of notebook journaling has now expanded with the watercolour notebook, along with the watercolour block and pencils.

Watercolour Notebook

This watercolour notebook is made using cold-pressed cotton-blend paper and they can handle plenty of water on both sides of the paper. Just like the classic Moleskine notebook design, rounded corners, a ribbon bookmark and matching elastic closure, you can now have the creative freedom to write, sketch, draw, colour each and every page with your words, moments, thoughts, drawings, sketches and paintings, whenever you are on the move, at a location creating artworks or when you have an inspiration or idea coming into you.

Watercolour Block

The Watercolour Block is the ultimate companion for the creative artist as you strive to capture the inspiration, the moment, whether you are indoors or outdoors on the move. They features a strong backing support and high quality detachable pages that allows you to unleash your creativity and talents while on the move.

Price:

Large: SGD$40

XL: SGD$61

23×31: SGD$61

Watercolour Pencils

Bring beautiful colours into your inspiring works with Moleskine Watercolour pencils, through your drawing, sketching and colouring. Featuring 12 Moleskine Watercolour pencils a set, it’s time to unleash the creative artist in you! Add some water to create light washes and moments as you draw, design, sketch and colour.

Price:

City Travel Palette SGD$60

Moleskine Limited Edition Collections (Launching Soon)

Most of us would know Moleskine for their classic notebooks and if you are a fan of James Bond 007 or Star Wars, you have to take a look at them!

007 Limited Edition Notebook Collection

There is something special inside 007 limited edition notebook, there are two limited edition notebooks. Each chapter in the story celebrates James Bond’s resourceful spirit and skilful mastery of knowledge. Each notebook also comes with a set of 25 tickets inspired by over 50 years of Bond films.

Price:

SGD$60

Star Wars Notebook and Planner Collection

If you are a Star Wars fan, this collection would definitely interest you! This Star Wars Notebook and Planner Collection pays tribute to Star Wars. Which side are you on, the Jedi or the Dark Side?

Each notebook/planner inside this collection includes the distinctive Moleskine design features, such as the colour-coordinated elastic closure, expandable back pocket for your notes and thoughts, a matching bookmark ribbon and filled with graphics on the front and back endpapers, a themed paperbound B-Side and special sticker inserts.

May the Force be with You, creative, inspirational, artistic and talented Movers of Moleskine!

Price:

Notebook: SGD$60

Planner:

Pocket size: SGD$37

Large size: SGD$45

For more information on Moleskine products and where you can purchase them, visit Moleskine.com

Moleskine Creative Trail in Singapore

Coming soon, keep a lookout for the second part of this article, learning how to draw and sketch with Moleskine Watercolour Notebook and Watercolour Pencils, my personal experiences, stories from Moleskine Creative Trail in Singapore, plans and inspiration to further expand my personal movement of photography, writing, prints, notebook journaling with Moleskine for my personal photography projects (documentary, travel)

Would the M for Movers by Moleskine, be the final piece of the puzzle of my photography,  notebook journaling along with my photography prints, sketching, drawing and painting?

* Thank you Moleskine and Burson Cohn & Wolfe for the invitation *

The post Celebrating Movers of Ideas and Creativity with Moleskine appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Inspired by creative illustrators, artists and travel writers, I am slowly learning and evolving my travelers notebook, travel writing and journaling, accompanied by the classy and beautiful leathercraft works. Through my Instagram journey and sharing, you would be able to observe the changes and growth in this creative segment since I started this personal travel writing and journaling journey.

For somebody like me who doesn’t come across as a creative talent in drawing and illustration, I am slowly opening up and releasing my inner creative drawing and travel writing on the blank notebook papers inside my travelers notebook. While at times, I can’t seem to draw and sketch as beautifully like an artist, I shall do it my own style and design.

After discovering washi tapes and ink stamps, I slowly started to learn more ways to decorate and describe my travel and photography adventures along with them. An amazing process and journey, not rushing into it, searching and choosing washi tapes and ink stamps in the context of travel and photography.

Returning back to the old school system seems like a blessing and a gateway to appreciating the beautiful world out there without the madness, pressure and  running the rat race, fueled by internet, social media, greed, fame and narcissism. The relentless and brutal world out there took our life and soul away for money and fame. This is the time, to take stock and make changes.

Writing, traveling, journaling, photography, arts and craft, they are giving me a new hope, a new direction and personal goals to work on. All these would fuel my inner mind, heart and soul, unleashing the creative person inside me that I never knew that I have, all thanks to this book written by Fernando Gros, titled “No Missing Tools”, a book that I am very thankful for and here’s my book review for the book! Along with other books, from travel to minimalism, and ikigai – finding my purpose in life, I am able to appreciate more things in life.

Follow me on my Instagram and Facebook Page on my travelers notebook, journaling, travel writing and leathercraft collection journey. I hope to share more creative illustration, travel adventure stories and enriching experiences that would blow you off and away into your travel wanderlust. Over time, I hope to add more photos into my Flickr photo album from my adventures in travel writing, journaling with travelers notebook and leathercraft workds.

A lot of work in progress, it will be a never ending journey, as I continue to trek forward and upward, expanding my travel writing and travel photography. I am seeking and generating more different and unique experiences with my travel writing and travel photography, a travel wanderlust I am, with my own travel stories book to be published in the near future.

Come walk with me, through my lens and  travel stories, let me bring you on a travel wanderlust adventure in many beautiful places far far away, along with my travelers notebook, journaling, travel writing and leathercraft.

The post Travelers Notebook, Journaling, Travel Writing and Leathercraft appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.