Jan 15 - 21 of 365

Jan 15 - Taking time out
Don't you love it when you have time to just watch the waves?
We went for a walk on Pallarenda Beach, Townsville. The cool sea breeze was so nice as the day was quite hot and humid.

Jan 16 - Jack Spratt Weed
I have no idea what this little fellow is really called but he's a weed with a tiny yellow flower. We would pick it, say "Jack Spratt, come tip your hat" then flick the head of the flower off with our thumb.
I was so amazed when I took this photo. There was some side/back lighting from the sun and this is what I got. I love it!

Jan 17 - On top of the world
I took this a couple of days ago. It's a ripe wild passionfruit. These cute little guys were all over them. Once I got close they would turn away.

Jan 18 - Candles
These were a gift so I thought I would take a photo.

Jan 19 - Another Day in the Pond
I had another waterlily in my pond, I just couldn't resist it! I caught it as it was just opening. I wish I was more creative...

Jan 20 - And again
Same pond, same waterlily, different perspective. You can see how sad my pond really is and why it's a celebration when there's a waterlily in it.
I was walking by and caught the reflection of the clouds and really liked it.

Jan 21 - Bursting at the seams
The flower bud of my garlic chives is about to burst open to reveal lots of tiny white flowers

Jan 8 - 14 of 365

Jan 8 - The blue part of the Strelitzia flower

Jan 9 - Hibiscus stamen

Jan 10 - Little green frog sitting on the side of my pond. I love how their eyelids look like gold foil.
Jan 11 - I passed this on my way home from the supermarket. I stopped, took 2 or 3 quick photos, quickly jumped back in my car in case someone came out and abused me! I know, I'm so brave, lol.
Jan 12 - A tropical waterlily in my little pond.
Jan 13 - The outer casing of a wild passionfruit growing on our back fence.

All the little droplets are a sticky substance from the plant.
Jan 14 - This was a filler taken at Chelsea's place. It's a Day Lily.

My 365 Project - Jan 1 - 7

Well, I've signed up for the 365 Project at 365project.org/bella_ss/365 on the 1st January. Here is my first week's photos.

January 1
We were in Townsville and went for a walk along the Strand. I love the Strand, there is always families having parties or BBQs or just having a nice time.

January 2

I bought a new pair of shoes. I tried for an abstract photo of the tassle on the top of the sandal.

January 3
Back home, I thought I'd take a photo of the view from our back deck, the clouds were looking quite amazing.
January 4
This is a plant I grew from a cutting from Mum. I'll have to find it's name. The ants were continually going in and out of it and I managed to capture one.
January 5
Damian and Renee were away for the week and I was feeding their animals. This was in their garden and is a cutting from my succulent. (The grass is always greener...)

January 6
Kaylene (my niece) was visiting her Mum (Lynn SIL) and I got to see Angel for the second time. She was 6 months old and I had only seen her when she was a day old. She has already had 2 haircuts and her hair was an inch down her back. Must be the Italian in her ;) She is adorable though and looks like her brother Anthony. Equally adorable.

January 7
Just snapping for a 365 photo. Apparenty he is a Robber Fly. I think he's pretty ugly and looks like he's on steroids. But I do like his big green eyes.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is not just all about shopping, there's some great sight seeing to be done as well. Thanks to my friend Nancy's advice we had a very enjoyable day looking around. The tram ride to Victoria's Peak was an experience. It takes you at a rather steep angle to the very top where you get to look down over the city. Despite the smog it was still an awesome sight.

These buildings were very robotic looking and quite impressive.


Then there was Hong Kong Park which was huge. You don't see parks like this in Australia, there was waterfalls, ponds, little walks and so much more.

Every night at 8 o'clock there is a laser light show from the building. We had the perfect viewing platform from our ship. Hong Kong at night really is beautiful!

Hoi An, Vietnam

I loved our visit to the ancient city of Hoi An. The day before we arrived they had flooding here so there was still a lot of water and we couldn't see some of the area.

Every day they have markets with fresh meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables. It was amazing to see.

This lady is skillfully tying fresh crabs.
Some of the beautiful produce.
Shredding shallots

Marble Mountains, Danang, Vietnam

We visited Marble Mountains on our way home from Hoi An. There is 5 mountains or hills made of marble and sandstone. They all have entrances, caves and tunnels to explore inside. This is the entrance to the mountain we visited.

Two of the buddhist sanctuaries inside the mountain.


David and Tony were able to climb the steep, wet stairway to enjoy the view from the top.

A marble buddha I would have loved to take home.

Danang, Vietnam

We took the bus into Danang and enjoyed walking around, looking at the people and the city. Once again the traffic was crazy and there was lots of motorbikes.

The young riders didn't mind me taking their photo at all and some were quite amused by it.

Beautiful smiles


This is Lu, we spent a couple of minutes chatting, she is 42 and has two daughters, 18 and 5 years. She told me I was beautiful and she was ugly (not true as you can see), she also told me I was very lucky because I had two sons, she was not lucky because she had two daughters. I wish life was a little easier for Lu and her daughters.

A couple of roadside stalls

Dragon fruit

This little fellow's grandma didn't mind showing him off at all, look at those beautiful eyes.