TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

During many of my travels, I often come across interesting subjects to photograph. Many of these subjects include natural wonders, people, architecture, wildlife, weather phenomenons and cultural icons. However, I also often do come across interesting subjects that are actually meant to be marketing materials for businesses. In my current trip to Taiwan, I came across this whale motif splashed right across the side of a building. Upon closer inspection, I realised that there were actually 2 separate whale motifs painted on 2 sides of the building. These interesting motifs are the icons of a hotel known as Hotel Papawhale. But because the motifs are so eye-catching that they literally stopped me in my tracks and subconsciously made me whipped out my phones to snap several photographs, this is what I termed as a photo moment.  Here is one of those photographs I took during that photo moment. Whale Motif, Hotel Papawhale, Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan (2018)

This post is a follow-up to an earlier post " Vietnam, Hoi An - After Dark Scenes ". While the earlier post showcased photographs taken around Hoi An during the night, this post highlights photographs taken of Hoi An in the day. The picturesque town of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Watching the world goes by, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Nostalgic feel of a historic old town, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Performers dressed in traditional costumes, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Temple, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Tourists are a common sight around town, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Old town of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) The historic feel is the main attraction of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Walking the street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (2017) Old buildings such as this are a common sight aro

Connecting Flights....... This coming weekend, I will be traveling to Taipei (TPE) via Hong Kong (HKG). Because my flights were booked on different airlines under different booking codes, I have to collect my check-in luggage upon arrival in HKG from SIN, clear immigration and customs, check-in again for my next flight from HKG to TPE, go through immigration again as well as the necessary security checks before I can emerge airside at the airport for my connecting flight. Departure Hall of the Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong SAR, China (2017) Sounds like a hassle? Not when I will be flying J-Class (a.k.a. Business Class) on both sectors from SIN to HKG via SQ (Singapore Airlines) and HKG to TPE via CX (Cathay Pacific) on tickets paid with air miles. Sure, there are hassles with the connecting flights on 2 different airlines with different booking codes but they are worth it.  In order to ensure that I have a seamless transit at the Hong Kong International

Hoi An is a city located in Quang Nam Province of Vietnam. A fairly well preserved ancient city with architecture that showcased its long history, Hoi An was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Today, visitors to Hoi An will be awed by its many old buildings with architecture ranging in designs from traditional Vietnamese and Chinese to French, reflecting the eras that this old city has seen in its journey though the years.  Interspersed with canals that evoked an almost exotic and magical feel, the Hoi An of today is a melting pot of locals and tourists, a fusion that has come to define this former port city of Vietnam.  After dark, Hoi An lights up in splashes of colours, a kaleidoscope of culture, beauty and history all combined to wow anyone fortunate enough to be here to experience its rich traditions. Night scene of Hoi An,  Quang Nam Province,  Vietnam (2018) Small water crafts ply a canal in Hoi An,  Quang Nam Province,  Vietnam (2018)

As a new year dawns, many of us will be busy with work. However, we must also find time to rest, relax and rejuvenate as the year progresses. What better way to do that than to plan a road trip to your favourite travel destination? For me, I will be going on another road trip to Japan in early April 2018. The trip's dates are timed to coincide with the annual cherry blossom season and also early spring where the weather is cool but not very cold and I can spend a lot more time outdoors without feeling the chills. I will be doing a road trip from Osaka to Takashima and Kyoto and then to Tokyo. In April 2017, I went on a road trip from Atami to Ito along the Izu Peninsula. The trip was awesome  and it brought back great memories interspaced with many travel tales to share. There were many firsts for that road trip. These include staying at a hostel for the first time in my travels, visiting a zoo (sort of, I visited the Izu Shaboten Park) for the first time outside my ho