A part of 1950s Melbourne

Because the Middle Park Council does not allow it’s 1950 houses to be demolished, the area has a different feel than most other parts of Melbourne. House owners might build up or add extensions to the back of a property, but the front must remain the same.

An accidental visit to Higashi Honganji

I sped past this complex when I first arrived in Kyoto. But a few days later when I hiked in the general direction of my hotel, I passed by the site once again. This time I crossed over a moat and entered through the Founder’s Hall Gate into the temple complex, Higashi Honganji, officially known as Shinshu Honbyo.

Back in the 1900s

South of Albert Park Beach was Middle Park Beach. In the 1900s when men and women  were not permitted to swim together at the beach, there were public baths along the shoreline to cater to this law.

A peek into Arnhem Land and the morning star

When I entered one of the Goma’s art gallery rooms, it was full of sacred poles. In Arnhem Land in the very north of Australia, the Gupapuyngu people hold annual ceremonies celebrating Banumbirr, the morning star, or as we know it, Venus.

A hike beyond the crowds

Climbing Mount Inari may have been about fighting the crowds and following the numerous tori that lined the trail, but it was also about the lush forest often ignored with the clamour.

Cancer country

Port Phillip Bay stretched around on its eastern side with one perfect beach after another. For me, the only disappointment was being a bay, the sea was like swimming in a lake, flat with no surf.

A room with a view

Sometimes while I studied pieces of art in the Goma art gallery, I forgot where I was. But how could I be so engrossed that I overlooked peeking out the window at the amazing view of the Brisbane River and the city skyline?