Travel Destination: Hanoi, Vietnam

I'm supposed to be editing, but my mind is wandering. So instead of procrastinating and doing something completely unfruitful, I thought I'd do what comes therapeutically to me - blogging.

There have been some of you who have told me I should never stop writing my personal blog posts. It sparked somewhat of a strange flicker inside me because I thought - why would any one of you be interested in me? I consider myself one of the most boring, unexciting, and plain type of personalities out there ever. Some days I can't even keep myself entertained, how could I possibly light up the eyes and minds of all of you who visit this little corner of the web.

Co-incidentally, I miss writing. You know, the kind of writing for the sake of writing... little drops of the soul, of the mind, in the form of written smiles, tears, contemplations... So, I promise I won't stop. Me in all its forms will paint their faces across this blog in some way or another in between all the pictures...

And it all starts with a step.

The husband and I recently decided to pack our bags and getaway. I usually take 1 weekend off every month, so I can recharge, stay grounded and keep as far away from burnout as possible during peak season. It can do that to you, you know? Peak season - drive you crazy, that is. We aren't built to be superhumans. We're mortals who all need rest, sleep, and downtime. I'm not perfect at the whole balance game yet, but I am learning, trying, bettering each time around. Because ultimately, I believe that a balanced photographer is a more creative photographer. Who thinks best when they are worn out and tired right? So I plan breaks. Time off. It's almost as necessary as the air we breathe in my opinion. Don't believe me? Keep working your little behind off, then burn out, and then come back to me :)

Hanoi was a complete spur of the moment thing. Peak season in all its insanity, was rearing its ugly head one day, and I had just about wanted to throw a book at it. Instead, I sporadically hopped online and bought two tickets to go away. Just like that. It took just 10 minutes, and we were one step closer to our pho, bike infested adventure! For some reason, I'm not usually a big fan of travelling to asian countries for holidays, but Hanoi was a complete delight and it didn't disappoint - hanoi in all its dilapidated claustrophobic manic beauty was perfect for our quickie getaway! We had beef pho every day, and then some, and laced in between it all were flavours of sweet, bitter, tangy delectably intertwined together.

Here are some photos from our trip! :) For some reason, I saw the whole city in B&W and vintage. Yeah, you may think I'm really weird, but I actually see my final shot before I actually take it :)

Vietnamese Elixir.
Okay, so its their coffee, but day-um!! this stuff is amazing!! I love it more than my espresso stuff! :D It was my 2nd fave drink of the trip. My favourite was this delightful drink comprised of all these tropical fresh fruits, in condensed milk, with crushed iced mixed it. Result = TROPICAL FRUIT HEAVEN!!








Apparently this is how people cut their hair in vietnam. What salons? ;)




The city is FULL of bikes. Nobody seems to drive, or follow the traffic light system for that matter. So how does one cross the road? Step onto the road, close your eyes, and just move forward. They will drive around you. Crazy I tell you!!! And I thought KL's road system was nuts!


I don't know why but i love the following photo - it sums up Hanoi in all its claustrophobic charm. Wires, bikes, and all. I love wide open spaces, and it made me appreciate Australia so much more :)


Old little things for sale, were everywhere.


And here is the Beef Pho - best eaten on the streets!


This is how we ate pretty much every night - on the streets, on tiny little plastic stools. The best food was found in corners like this one.


I realized that people work really really hard in Hanoi. They worked right til late into the night. I guess you'd have to when the average pay here per day is $2USD. I didn't realize when I tipped the bag boy $1, I was giving him half a day's earnings :)




The picturesque Ha Long Bay.






And some photos of us. Me pretending to be Miss prim and proper, Ju caught with a mouthful and in the SAME travel shirt he always SEEMS to travel with! I promise you people, Ju does own other shirts!


We met some delightful crazy fellow Aussies on the trip! They were pure funny, and we had the loveliest time hanging with them during the day! :D Here is one of them fooling around again... ahaha.. this was not a rare occurence during the trip!


Last shot of the trip.


Have a gorgeous thursday everyone!! :D

Kevin and Valen: Engagement

These two have seriously left a footprint in my heart. I think from the moment her exuberance in peals of laughter ushered into my door, and the doting way his eyes would linger in happiness at her and hold her hand protectively like he was holding a sacred treasure, I knew. I just knew they were perfect. There is just something magical and solid about a first true love. It hits you like a lightning force, and then settles like the roots of a very old tree, they stem, intertwine, and delve deep under. Deep deep under. It is almost impossible to unearth no matter what the storms, the trials and tribulations, distances, or adversities it weathers.

Even after years past their first brief encounter with each other in high school, when fate had toyed with them, letting them pass each other by year after year, something about her face had imprinted itself in his mind. Something memorable. Something enduring. So much so that when life would have it, and the doors opened once more for these two, Kevin without hesitation put himself on a plane and flew from across the other side of the world, across continents to let her know he was hers. This time and always. In his words, Kevin said from the moment he held her hand, he knew she was IT. The one. And considers himself the luckiest guy in the world to be able to marry this girl and spend the rest of his life with her.

There is something magical about a first true love. It hits you, stays, and then flourishes like an indelible force.

Kevin and Valen, thank you SO much for letting me document your love! You are everything I could hope for in a client - fun, energetic, vivacious, creative, complete trust in me, and gorgeous inside and out! You both have beautiful souls and I can't wait to do this all over again with you when I hit LA!! Have a gorgeous wedding ahead - I'm so sorry I can't shoot it, but I promise when we hang together next year it will make up for it!! :D

Here are my favourites from their session:

(ps: shoutout has to go to the awesome awesome team from Pretty In White, who provided the gown, and hairpieces - they all went perfectly!!)

Here marks the start of day 2 of shooting - since the first day rained out in the middle!








This, I swear, has to be one of my favourite portraits of a bride of mine :) Its totally candid, raw, and unabashedly joyful. None of that arty fartyness hung over in it. Its true beauty in the form of happiness.










Since we had an INCREDIBLY long veil (say, 6m??), I couldn't help myself but do some dramatic veil shots, since the weather was nice and dry for it! :D














There's that exuberant laugh from Valen again!




I love it when my couples laugh like this :) It makes my day - so boys and girls, don't hold back on your laughter!! It's so beautiful!


The day ended with some pretty light! :D








And because we haven't had a slideshow on the blog for awhile, here is their slideshow to a song I just absolutely adore by an artist who has become penned as one of my enduring favourites :) For smooth viewing on slower connections, please press PLAY, then when the progress bar loads, press PAUSE. Once the bar is fully loaded, press play for a better visual experience! :D




Much love!! xx