Photo by Iris Hwang
Breathless
My heart skipped all it’s beats
And sank right to my feet –
And in that moment,
I had to remind myself to breathe.
With love, Emily.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Who doesn’t love a good road trip?
I was lucky enough to go on one in July last year (I know, ages ago) – my first ever with friends! We set off the day after I came back from Melbourne and it was rather spontaneous. We had initially planned on going to Newcastle, but because of a few hiccups we frantically tried to find somewhere else to go away to. Despite the drama and trouble I had to go through, I’m so glad it unfolded the way it did – because we found a lovely Horse Farm Stay in Wyong Creek and it was the best thing that happened.
Wyong Creek is about an hour up north from Sydney. We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights in the grounds of the Forest Hill Arabian Stud in Yarramalong Valley, in a little cottage house that comfortably fit the 5 of us. We found this place listed on Airbnb with instant booking and a very reasonable rate for us university students to afford. Our host Jenny was so flexible and welcoming, even with our last minute request to visit – she definitely made our first Airbnb experience a very pleasant one! I would definitely recommend her listing to anyone that’s looking to have a short getaway from the bustling city – she also has another little cottage that will fit a few more people.
Follow this link for Jenny’s listing; and if it’s your first time using Airbnb, you can sign up with my link for $27 off your first trip!
If you’re not familiar with how Airbnb works, it’s basically a platform where hosts can rent out a private room or entire apartment/house. It’s a great way to really immerse yourself in the place you’re travelling to and chat with your hosts who are locals and can tell you where to eat and what to do. It’s fairly easy to use and safe as well because members in the Airbnb community all have to be verified. My advice would be to read reviews diligently and take note of any cleaning/servicing fees and security deposits. It’s also a good idea to touch base with the host of the listing you’re interested in booking – let them know you and ask them any questions you might have. I found this post and this post on Jemimah’s blog very useful to getting started on Airbnb, so do give it a read!
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Upon arriving at the horse stud, we immediately took to exploring the place and seeing the horses – and we loved it; laying our eyes on the vastness of the fields, breathing in fresh air and getting to pet and feed the horses – we even got to help round up some of the ponies (harder than it looks). It was my first time interacting with horses, and I was pretty (actually, very) apprehensive. I warmed up to them though – the horses were friendly.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
In the evening we drove to Tuggerah Westfeild, which was about 5 minutes away, in search of groceries and dinner; ending the night back at the cottage house with some booze and telly.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
The next morning, our host Jenny very kindly took us on a tractor ride around the stud to feed the horses, and boy, what a ride that was – that’s certainly another way to experience the horse stud.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Afterwards we chatted with Jenny about places we could visit and things we could do nearby, and she suggested hiring boats/kayaks – and so we did! Among the five of us we hired a rowboat and a kayak, then tried desperately not to capsize for an hour. It was fun – and a little daunting –floating in the middle of nowhere and having the lake all to ourselves.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
In the late afternoon we took a scenic drive to Forresters Beach where we were treated to the most breathtaking views and a gorgeous sunset. I was so captivated by the colours that the sun, sky, sea and sand came together to produce. It was magical – and absolutely amazing.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
See what I mean?
I also shot this trip entirely on film, and I’m so ecstatic with how the images turned out.
***
Later that night when we got back to the cottage house, the night sky put on a jaw dropping sight – a sky full of stars. Naturally, having not seen that many stars before, I went out in the cold to star gaze – lying on the gravel road and staring into space; admiring the starry night sky and basking in awe of mother nature, thinking thoughts and taking in the magnificent sight I was bestowed with. I even saw two shooting stars – and in a true moment of panic, I closed my eyes and wished upon them. Definitely a night I will remember for a long time to come.
After my little downtime session, I headed back in to warm up and we cooked some spaghetti and vegetable bake for supper, and ended the night with some good ol’ cards against humanity. Hilarious.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Our last morning at the horse stud was filled with such reluctance to leave – we were having such a pleasant and fulfilling stay and I was not looking forward to return to reality. After we were all packed and ready to leave, we spent some last moments with the horses, petting and feeding them – and taking heaps of photos of course. Then it came time to bid farewell to Jenny and the horse stud )’:
On the way back to Sydney we made a pit stop in Terrigal for some food and sweets, and I also took the chance to snap some photos down at Avoca beach.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Thank you for making this trip so much fun, my friends xx
A much needed escape; it’s been the most memorable yet.
With love,
Emily.
Last week, I took a quick day trip to Hawkesbury River, which is about an hour North of Sydney.
It felt great to leave the city for a while and be surrounded by a lot more nature – the tranquility put me at ease, even if it was just for a mere few hours. The sun came out to bless us with warm weather and welcomed the inexperienced adventurers who embarked on treading unfamiliar land. I thoroughly revelled in a carefree pretence – treasuring every second of exploration and afternoon light that made for perfect photographs – and here is a visual diary of the sights in Hawkesbury:
These photographs were taken on my Canon 1100D with a 24mm f2.8 pancake lens.
Photographs of me were taken by the lovely Jenny on her Canon 70D, also with a 24mm f2.8 pancake lens. (You can find Jenny on Instagram @jennayez)
I’m also on Instagram @emilyyyung !
We lived on the edge that day – just being fearless – and it was an amazing feeling.
I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed my little trip and putting this together (or maybe not – it’s ok).
Leave me a like or a comment below to let me know your thoughts!
With love,
Emily.
Inside-out | Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
A few of my favourite pastimes include frequenting cafés, markets and art galleries – items that were also on my ‘Melbourne to-do list’ (of course).
Among the cafés I visited, the most memorable definitely have to be Drugstore Espresso in South Yarra, Hammer and Tong in Fitzroy, and The Kettle Black in South Melbourne.
The Perfect Pair | Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Drugstore Espresso is situated along Toorak Road, just down the street from where I was staying. They had seating up on a mezzanine, and bench seats looking out towards the shop front. You could tell that this humble café was a really popular place among locals to grab their morning coffee. The industrial interior incorporating timber and vintage styling brought warmth to the space and definitely won my heart over. I’ve forgotten what I ordered – but it was a twist on the classic eggs benedict and had fried polenta chips, which was the best thing ever (My first time having polenta – I think – I’d definitely recommend it!). Plus lovely coffee and friendly service – what more could have made an even better brunch?
(Did I also mention that there was Zumbo Patisserie and Fancy Nancy in the apartment where I stayed? Didn’t have a chance to try Fancy Nancy yet, but definitely going back for some high tea!)
And don’t fret – I’ll talk about Hammer and Tong and The Kettle Black in my next post.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
That morning was followed by a stroll through Lovers’ Walk and window-shopping along Chapel Street (which has every shop and boutique you could hope for).
I remember walking into a very quirky shop (why – of course – what’s new?), and in it there was an old school arcade machine that I played around with before casting my eyes over everything they stocked. I came around to a wall of greeting cards – that obviously had funky messages on them too – and among the few that caught my eye were ones that said “Get in the jar / I want to keep you” and “Addicted to you and I don’t know what to do”. But the one that screamed at me had this inscribed on the cover:
“If you ain’t got dreams what the fuck you got?”
What do you think of?
Well, I thought to myself,
“What dreams do I have?”
That moment – the few seconds wherein I pondered my potential response to this very intimidating card – was a slight epiphany.
But then I questioned in rebuttal,
“Do I need to have a dream? Must I be aiming for something specific?”
“Can’t I just do what makes me happy? Live in the moment, perhaps?”
Sometimes I wish we lived more hedonistically – rather than pragmatically. It’s become so much of the ‘survival of the fittest’. (Reality depresses me)
(hmmm)
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Anyway.
The food scene and culture are what struck me as uniquely characteristic of Melbourne. There’s so much variety in terms of food; you can also see how dedicated they are to fresh produce and coffee.
‘Culture’ is a very broad and subjective concept – one that’s very hard to specifically pinpoint – but I felt that Melbourne definitely has a laid-back, creatively driven atmosphere that fuels the arts and entertainment.
I had the privilege of watching my first ever musical at the charming Regent Theatre. On top of that, I was treated to front row seats to The Lion King! To say it was an amazing experience would probably be a massive understatement – it actually blew me away. Everything from the orchestra to the costumes and the theatrics just came together to make the perfect musical.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
The next place I had to visit was Queen Victoria Markets.
Truthfully speaking, Queen Vic Markets wasn’t exactly what I was expecting – I imagined more stalls selling handmade craft and second hand items. In my mind I was envisioning a variation of Finders Keepers. Instead, Queen Vic was a large compound selling mainly fresh produce, deli, and souvenirs (a lot of souvenirs) – which was of course really interesting as well.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
It was also pouring with miserable rain that day – but the overcast conditions gave me some beautiful photographs and I had some jam filled donuts so that was ok (heehee).
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 800
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 800
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 800
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 800
The gloomy weather, however, didn’t deter me from braving the elements to marvel at the Pink Salt Lake in Westgate Park. I’ve never laid my eyes on anything quite like it – so of course it was a scene I had to eternalise (on 3 types of film and my iPhone).
Some things in life are just worth the risk.
Pink Salt Lake | Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 800
(To be continued)
With love,
Emily.
Bleak Charm | Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
So, in July I took a solo trip down to Melbourne for 6 days.
Travelling alone was refreshing and relaxing to say the least - doing things on my own terms, stopping to take photographs, sitting in cafés just writing and people-watching, standing before the vast sea with my eyes closed and feeling the wind through my hair - I just did 'me'.
Going travelling on my own has always been something I've wanted to do - but I'd never thought I would be doing it this soon. I just came to a point where I had to go away - I had to leave. With all the different types of lemons life was throwing my way, I really just wanted some oranges instead (hurhur). I felt like I could not catch a break - my life akin to a drama series being acted out.
So then, I guess I created my own window of opportunity to indulge in wanderlust (and catch the break I so desperately needed).
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
To have been able to take this trip – I have been incredibly blessed. No words can quite describe my thankfulness. I always try to remind myself to have a grateful heart – which is sometimes hard – and often I don’t. Anyway, luckily for me, everything was rather smooth-sailing (apart from the ridiculous flight delay which made me lose a whole day of exploration – thanks a lot Jetstar).
While in Melbourne, my days consisted of walking, eating, photo-taking, writing, sightseeing, more walking, more eating, thinking, and reflecting. I went armed with willpower - trying to keep an open heart and mind at the same time – a lust for adventure and discovery, and my 4 cameras (Canon 1100D, Nikon F90, Fujifilm Instax mini 90 Neo Classic, and Polaroid Spectra).
Happiness, Or What You Will | Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
I’m so excited to be finally sharing the images I took while exploring all the nooks and crannies of Melbourne city. These photographs are all taken on film using my Nikon F90. I absolutely love shooting on film (I wish I could just shoot film – if only it wasn’t so expensive to buy and develop). I adore the effects that film can give you – effects that digital cameras can’t. Depending on the film speed and type, surrounding environment, and focal subject, sometimes I get a soft, faded look; other times I get bright, vivid colours.
Film photography is such a gamble – but that’s what I love about it. You can’t review your photos, and the wait to see your developed film is filled with such suspense. You kind of just run with your gut instincts and then hope and pray that it all pays off – but, oh boy, when you collect your film and squint at the little thumbnails on the index print, and you realise how gorgeous your photos look and start jumping for joy (literally me) – that feeling is so rewarding.
My film photographs are also untouched, unedited, and left in their original form. I loved how they turned out, so I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Dear Stranger | Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
On my first full day in Melbourne, I took to the CBD.
First stop: Hosier Lane.
Turning into this lane carpeted with graffiti was jaw-dropping – no surface was left unpainted. I took the time to admire all the colours and forms, and even reading the messages of satirical commentary which I found provoking and very true. Being there served to remind me yet again of the power of art – art’s gut-wrenching yet compelling nature; how art has the enduring ability to provoke thought and contemplation - a reminder not to take anything for granted. Artists not only create aesthetically appealing works, but conceptual pieces that carry a plethora of interpretations and entailed meanings – artists do the thinking for us.
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
Nikon F90 | Fujifilm Superia 400
(I was so scared to take this shot – but I'm glad I did)
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
On the search for lunch, I walked down Swanston Street and through Bourke Street Mall, before visiting the anticipated Hardware Lane.
Hardware Lane was really hyped up for me – I was looking forward to the amazing cafés that my friends had raved about. But apart from the cute macaron shop and second hand camera store, I was left rather underwhelmed.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
(how stunning are those clouds?!)
Prior to my trip, I had the impression that Melbourne’s weather was really erratic and especially cold during winter. To my surprise, it wasn’t much cooler than Sydney – which I was naturally happy about because I hate the cold.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
I remember arriving in Melbourne and feeling a surge of freedom – it was rather surreal. Almost liberating but not quite.
Nikon F90 | Kodak Ultramax 400
(To be continued)
With love,
Emily.