Thanks for stopping by my blog!
This blog is for sharing my thoughts, moods and photos (all taken by me, except otherwise noted) with my friends.
I am retired and based in Hong Kong. I have taken up part-time teaching at a local university and helped out in preparing a book.
Writing this blog (first time ever) is a challenge for me as:
1. English is not my native language.
2. I have never written anything. Pre-retirement, the only thing I need to write were emails.
3. Writing is not my best of skills.
Nevertheless, there were many things I wish I would have written about before my retirement. I am happy to take up this challenge as from 1 January 2012.
I hope you would enjoy my blog.
2013 Update – I have started a daily morning hike into the woods, learning Chinese calligraphy and Spanish, and watching more movies in cinemas.
Copyright
All images on this blog are copyright (C)
a) In case you want to reuse any of the photos in this blog, please notify me and provide a link back to this blog with full and clear acknowledgement of all items used.
b) All photos and text or part thereof are not to be used for commercial purposes.
c) All photos must be used in their original form, no addition or alteration are allowed.
Hi, Michael! Long time no see! How are you?
I am ahead of you by a year. I started to take pre-retirement leave on 2.1.2011, retired on 1.7.2011 and have lazed for one whole year enyoying my own life with my family without becoming bored.
Looking forward to meeting you on the 14th.
I have really enjoyed looking at your photos, and just wanted to say that I think it’s awesome that you are writing in a second language. Living in Europe for the past eight months has really helped me appreciate the value of multilingualism. My goal is to become proficient at French and Spanish, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to blog in any language but English!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am thinking of learning sufficient Spanish to get by while travelling in South America. I would be travelling to Budapest soon!
Hi I just nominated you for the “Inspiring Blog Award”! You can view it here: http://wp.me/P2SkWH-kn
Hi 1life196countries, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
Hi, Michael:
I just noticed your blog, and really enjoy reading it. I shared some of the ideas you have. First English is not my native language (Chinese is :-)), second writing is not my major (data analysis is :-)). It took a lot of courage for me to set up my blog a year ago, that is one of the reasons that I named my blog as “from hiding to blogging”.
I am looking forward to sharing the experience in blogging with you in the future. Please take a moment to visit mine here: http://cxianliu.wordpress.com/.
Thanks.
I visited your blog and am glad that I have found it.
Surely, I will be happy to share my experience of blogging (not that much really!) with you!
Regards,
Michael
Hi! Thank you for stopping by my blog! English is not my native language as well, but I think these challenges make it more interesting for us. I am enjoying reading your travels! Have you made it to Estonia when you visited Lithuania? (I am from Estonia… 🙂 ) Good luck!
Yulia
Hi! I think writing the blog in English is a good way of keep using this language after I retire. We spent a few days in Estonia (our first visit) and find it delightful; computers are very widely used and people are friendly, but unfortunately, it has been raining heavily and I didn’t have much chance to take good photos. I have enjoyed reading your blog and I didn’t realize that English isn’t your native language.
Hi Michael! Thank you for your comment. Yes, Estonia is delightful isn’t it? I’m sorry that the weather did not cooperate, but it is pretty common. We even have a joke about it: “The summer is over, why are you not tanned? Oh, I was sick that day.” 🙂
Had been sightseeing in Tallinn and visited the Parnu Beach. The beach was very windy that day but I enjoyed the atmosphere. My impression was that Estonia is more modern than the other Baltic countries. I also like the architecture. One building I saw was cladded in rust free steel (actually it was a bit rusted but would not further deteriorate) which I had never come across before. It was a wonderful trip!
This is a very keen observation, and I tend to agree with you – I think Estonia has had more successes to become independent than her two neighbors. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
It was the loss of professional identity after decades of dedicated work that was somewhat not that easy to get over. Yes, blogging, teaching, assisting to prepare a book, hiking, travelling, photography etc have actually helped me to transition from work into retirement. I am glad to have retired!
Michael, you and Yulia amaze me. You write so well in English, yet both of you no doubt have to work at it. I studied Spanish in high school, and in recent years have taken a few courses in conversational Spanish. I have so many words in my head, yet putting them together in a coherent sentence is a challenge. We have lots of Spanish-speakers in our area, and I ask them to speak to me in Spanish so, “puedo practicar la lengua.” That helps, particularly if they correct me along the way and correct my mistakes. You are quite a traveler, Michael. Budapest is a place I’d like to see, but know little of Estonia and Lithuania. We had a priest here return to his native Estonia when the USSR dissolved to become either a bishop or archbishop there. I’m sure it was a life’s dream for him to be able to return. Thanks for liking my posts. With a trip to Spain tentatively planned for September I may have an opportunity to practice my Spanish more, though they do speak it differently there than our Central and South Americans do.
Hi, I think I will never be able to write posts using Spanish. I have studied it for over a year now -there seems to be so many things requiring good memory – the conjugations and the tenses etc. I hope I can have more chances practicing with others. I understand that there are differences in the Spanish between C and S Americans – like ustedes and tu etc. Hope you will have a great trip to Spain!
Hi!
Thanks for liking my blog. I can assure you that your English is much much better than my Cantonese, which is rather cobbled together because I had to learn how to speak it for a job in Scotland.
Great photos!
Your images of Lake Wandermere are just marvellous. Wish I would be able to visit the place one day.
Hey! We’d love to welcome you when you can make it. Can I practise my Cantonese or Mandarin with you then?
I was posted to work in London in 1985 and did some travelling around UK but never had the chance to visit Lake Windermere. Your photos of Lake Windermere are just great! I would be pleased to practise Cantonese or Mandarin with you if I am in the area.
Can you adopt me and take me with you everywhere?? 🙂 Love the pics !!!!
Will have to carry you around in a suitcase. Regards.
English may not be your first language, but you certainly could have fooled my on that point. And if writing isn’t one of your best skills, then you must be very, very skilled in other areas.
I’ve been to your beautiful city (before reversion back to Chinese control) and very much enjoyed the experience. I hope to return one day.
Thanks for your kind comments. I know my English is only functional and because of professional needs, it tends to be precise rather than appealing. I am relearning how to write and keep on polishing my English. HK is constantly changing, hope you will like it when you return.
Lovely blog and pictures. You are living the life I crave for- maybe a few years in the future! I am 3 years in my profession, works hard, but spend any free time travelling. I hope to earn enough to not have to worry financially in future, and to retire in a secluded place in the world where no one knows me!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Like you, I have been working very hard when I was young and spent time travelling and learning. Travelling has helped me to view the world and myself in a different light. It is important to save up and invest wisely so as to gain one’s financial freedom as soon as practicable.
Retirement is a great time to take on new challenges.
Yes! I am enjoying every moment of it. I started up the blog wanting to talk about this important transition, the psychological journey, what it does to longevity etc. I have digressed somewhat into travels and photos. Would like to write more about this subject later. Anyway, many thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and liking my post on Stratford-upon-Avon! Your blog is wonderful and your photos are absolutely amazing, thanks for sharing them!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am glad that you covered Startford-upon-Avon so well in your post, a place which I have always intended to visit but still have not been able to do so.
Thanks for liking my post Grand Canyon Sunset.
I have always been fascinated by sunsets and love your pictures.
Thanks for visiting my blog “Eyes to Heart” and liking my post “Rainbow’s End.” … Have fun with your blog. … Be well, Dorothy 🙂
Thanks for sharing your great peoms and pictures!
Thanks for visiting my new blog and liking it!! I like your pictures as well, beutiful places. I understand what you mean about writing in English, I am in the same boat!!!
Your English and writing seem really good, especially since English is not your first language! Good luck with all your retirement endeavors – it’s an exciting time for a new chapter in your life! Thanks for checking out my blog!
Thanks for liking my blog! I am hoping to polish my English through writing and would be grateful if anybody can point out how I may improve. This is indeed an exciting time and I really enjoy the complete freedom I now have.
You use your camera very skillfully. The photographs are beautiful, and have the effect of making us want to visit the places you have been! I’ll be back to look around and read about some more of your adventures.
I am flattered by your comments on my photographic skills as I am still a learner. My wife’s usual comment on my scenic photos is that they are boring. In any case, I am very happy to share my travel photos with all those visiting my blog. Many thanks for your comment!
Hi and thanks for dropping by..i’ve been to your country just this year and enjoyed your place..i’m happy that you are enjoying your retiree years in traveling..
Hope you have enjoyed Hong Kong. It seems, in my retirement, I have found something which combine traveling, photography and writing. Thanks very much for stopping by my blog and liking it!
Thank you. I had thought what you are living in Langkawi. I understand why there are Chinese in your article. I am looking forward to the travel writing of your trip.
I love travelling around; be it in Japan, Malaysia, China, Europe, infact, anywhere. From the responses I am getting, like me, many of the readers also like Langkawi. Thanks for following my blog and have a good weekend!
It looks like you’re having fun. Keep it up. You’ll soon wonder how you ever had enough time to go to wokr.
Enjoying total freedom for the first time and treating time (the present) as the most valuable asset. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thanks for visiting one of my blogs. I am glad you enjoyed today’s post on Collioure. You do very well for someone who is not native to speaking English. I hope you will stop by again.
Léa
Hi Lea, thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed your post on Collioure and will surely come back and revisit!
Hi Michael. Thank you for stopping by my blog. This song is lovely and the photographs are magnificent.
Hi Pat, your picture on Machu Picchu was just fanatstic! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Gorgeous photos!!!! I am envious of your many travels … many of these places I plan to get to, one day…. Thank you for visiting my blog! Cheers, PK
The field you are in is really interesting. I would also like to pursue it if I am still young; would be nice to know how to reduce morbidity and increase longevity. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking the posts!
Thank you fro stopping by my blog and liking my post! Great pics on your blog!
Your beautiful pictures of Italy make us wanting to go there! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thank you!
Hi Michael, I’m glad you checked out my blog because it enabled me to discover yours! Your photos are great and I’m very jealous of your travels. All the best!
Your blog is very interesting. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Hi Michael, I am pretty close to you, I’ve been living in the Philippines for the past 5 years. I hope to visit Hong Kong some day soon, maybe take my kids to Disney there.
I look forward to reading about more of your adventure on your blog. Like you, I am new to blogging, good luck on your journey!
The Ocean Park here is also very interesting. Maybe, you can consider that as well. Thanks very much for visting my blog!
Cool Blog! ❤
Hi Nina, thanks for the kind words!
Hi Michael. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to catching up with some of your posts here too. I am pretty new to blogging too so every new post is a learning curve. Best wishes, Phil Max
Hi Phil. I love your bear. I am also new to blogging and as you say, am still on the learning curve. Sometimes, I don’t know what to write or how to present . Maybe, that’s part of the challenge.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Reagards, Michael
Thank you so much for liking my blog post! And very best wishes from Jamaica! By the way, your English is excellent. And by the way, I am retired too! I am now one of your followers! Best regards,
Emma
Apologize for the belated response. For unknown reason, your comment was classifed as Spam. I enjoying reading your posts and it is nice to know you are from another part of the world which I don’t know much about. I trust you are also enjoying your retirement. Thanks for following my blog. Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, thank you for stopping by my blog and liking my post. I adore as well your post and also your English..pretty well done I think, and in the option of being still flourish in retirement..amazing and it’s great! Hope you’ll get wonderful time on your next vacations, and can’t wait for your holiday stories in my country Indonesia (so many places to choose)..hope so..:D..
Hi, Have been to Borobudur and Mount Bromo many years back, but still have fond memories of those places. I look forward to visiting your country and maybe Lake Taboa as well. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking it! Michael
I retired early last July and have been feeling my way. you liked my blog on trekking in Nepal – this was my first adventure in retirement. I have been to many of the places you have talked about – the west coast of Japan, Hong Kong, many places in China and Taiwan, as well as the standard western Europe countries. I believe that travel should be more than just checking off another country on the list; in each place I hope to find some new piece of beauty, truth, humanity – or why go?
It will be interesting to compare our experiences of “retirement” – which is a misnomer, I think, as i hope to be more engaged with the world and its inhabitants, not less.
I believe that it is important to give something back to the society and for this reason I am doing part time teaching at a local university. I also believe that we should contribute as much as possible to our profession. My contribution to a book under preparation is perhaps one of the things I can do using my previous experience / residual value. Travelling to me is opening myself up to new ideas, situations, environment and understanding of the world and its inhabitants so as to see what and where we can be of some assistance. Regards, Michael
Hi Michael! Great blog you have here! I love your whole adventure, I wish I get to travel to the same places you have as well in the future (like Egypt!). There’s just so much to discover out there and it’s great that you’re taking time to discover them all 😀 I look forward to reading more of your blog 🙂
Hi, I suppose that there are more places than we can travel in our life time. I hope you will be able to travel to all those places you love, including Egypt and other unforgettable places. Thanks for visiting my blog and liking the posts!
Hi Michael! I’ve enjoyed following your travels and I think you have a gift for simple yet powerful storytelling. I have nominated you for a Genuine Blogger Award:
http://insearchofperfect.com/2012/06/06/genuine-blogger-award-and-unearthly-sunset/
Congrats!
Yulia
Hi Yulia, I feel very honoured to be nominated for the award. However, in my retirement, I have decided not to pursue or receive awards of any nature. Writing and sharing with others from all over the world already give me the highest pleasure I have ever found in my life. Your encouragement and inspiring comments will never be forgotten. I found many bloggers write long articles which I am unable to do as my skills in English is rather limited. I have also not followed those bloggers who have put in a lot of photos as usually I can only find a handful of pictures which look reasonably good.
With regret, I have to decline the nomination , hoping that you will understand. Regards and take care! Michael
Michael,
Of course I understand and appreciate your position – in any case I just wanted you to know that I enjoy reading your blog! 🙂
All the best,
Yulia
Hi Yulia, I also enjoy very much reading your posts. Wow! You were brave to have stayed in Afganistan. Regards,
Michael
Thank you Michael. I’m afraid I was not brave – we simply had no choice 🙂
Good luck. What a great retirement project! All the best! And thanks for stopping by my blog.
Love your tips for Barcelona; presumably you will also have Part II. Regards, Michael
Indeed! I’ve been travelling again but I hope to have to have time to write parts II and III soon!
And here is part II – part III to follow!!
http://mikanqueen.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/barcelona-part-2-tips-from-friends/
Thank you for sharing on Barcelona!
I love your blog. The pictures are fabulous and it is great to see someone living the dream 🙂 I look forward to many more posts
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I hope you will fufil your dreams as well.
English is my 1st language, but that rarely means that I will say what I am truly attempting to communicate :0) Thanks for stopping by my Post today!
I trust you are a devoted mother and a good cook. Love your pictures on birds and nature. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Hey Michael
Thanks so much for the ‘like’ on my blog..Really great to see you there.
🙂
Hi Stuart, You have a great blog with amazing photos! Regards, Michael
Thats extremely kind of you Michael…I’ll try to keep those photos coming….
🙂
for someone who has not written before you are doing a great job! please keep up the good work! and also, thank you for the support on my blog, it means alot 🙂 great encouragement for any student!
Hi, My writing has been lousy since high school days. Maye, this is just a happy punishment. . . . . . in any case, I have been keeping my posts short.
Thanks very much for following my blog which is appreciated. Regards, Michael
oh but you are doing a very very good job sir! dont ever get discouraged 🙂
Hi, I will do the best I can and share my writings and photos with anybody showing interest. Regards, Michael
Michael – Thanks for liking my post and picture on pecorino. I see we share the same theme! and same interest in evocative fotos. Your pictures are amazing! I enjoyed them very much.
Hi Pamela, your posts on Italy make me wanting to be there. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Regards, Michael
Thank you! Bringing Italy to you has been my pleasure. Divertiti! Enjoy –
Dear (retired) Professor Michael,
I can very much relate with the writing part as English is not my mother tongue. That’s one of the reason too why I created a blog to hone my writing skills while sharing my travel adventures. I dream of becoming a writer and hopefully I could write a book someday :-).
You’ve got a beautiful blog + photos! Wishing you always good health so you can travel more :-).
An aspiring student,
Mafey
Hi Mafey, blogging is a good way to polish up my English. I hope you will be able to become a good writer some day. Thanks for your comments, good health and safe travels! Michael
Hi Michael, Thank you for popping in. Your blog seems very interesting and I can’t wait to hear more. 🙂
Hi Lara, thanks for stopping by and your kind comments! Michael
I see that you’re based in Hong Kong. I have just been there four months ago. I loved the weather in February.
Cheers,
Lara
Hi Lara, I think the best weather for visiting Hk is October / November, but basically you find something enjoyable at any time of the year. Hope you like HK!
Regards, Michael
Good luck with your writing, it seems to be going great so far!
I always wonder how moving from one place to another changes our lives. Will be interested to see how things develop for you. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Regards, Michael
Hi there,
Thanks for stopping by The Legion of Door Whores and leaving a like for one of my images, it is appreciated 🙂 If you have time, please drop by my photo blogs http://reflectionsofchina.wordpress.com and http://moreimagesfromme.wordpress.com, I do hope you enjoy what you see there!..You have a really nice site here, certainly worthy of a follow. Regards Mark
Hi Mark, I have vistied both sites and found the photos amazing! I thoroughly enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! Regards, Michael
You make me want to retire — about 40 years ahead of schedule. 🙂
Hi, looks like you enjoy your work and retirement is still so far away. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Michael
Thank you for discovering and liking my latest post, because it has allowed me to discover your blog as well. I applaud your attitude to “retirement” and I put the word in quotes, because you have not retired from the world, you have simply changed focus and means of engagement. Like you, I no longer work at a defined paid employment, but I am fully engaged in the world — perhaps more than ever, certainly more broadly than before. We are in what I call the Golden Overlap: we now have the time to explore new opportunities, and we still have the physical and mental ability to do so. Lucky, lucky us.
Hi Penny, well said, we are now in the Golden Overlap. Not too many readers have viewed my postigs on retirement, many of them liked the travels section. I am glad that we share the same attitude. I hope we are only at the beginning of the Overlap and that we have many andd varied opportunities in front of us. Thanks for stopping by my blog and offering insightful comments! Regards, Michael
Hi,
I nominated you for the “Versatile Blog Award”
You can find all the information you need here: http://solaner.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/another-day-another-award/
I really appreciate your work! It’s incredibly inspiring! Thank you!
Hi Andre, Thanks for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or receive any nomination during my retirement. As such, I have already turned down three similar nominations. Knowing that my posts are read throughout many parts of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. I thank you for visiting my blog and the kind and supportive comments. Regards, Michael
Thank you for dropping by my blog and following me. You have beautiful pictures here…lovely to see them
Hi Ritva, thanks for the kind comments! Regards, Michael
Michael,
It’ll be some years yet before I can retire and go around as you do but I definitely aim to!
Cheers,
Mel
Hi Mel, thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Regards, Michael
I can’t even imagine writing in a second language. It is a challenge for me to express myself in my own language! You are brilliant!
Hi Lissa, I am struggling with it; in any case, I treat this as a challenge. I am learning from other bloggers how they write and how they have skilfully taken their photos. Thanks for the kind comments! Regards, Michael
Michael thank you so much for your support of my blogs. I think you are mastering English very well.
Thank you!
Hi again, I just wanted you to know I’m really enjoying your Blog and included it on my Sunshine Aware Post, no obligation to participate but you can read it here:
http://boomdeeadda.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/sunshine-award-passing-it-on-from-boomdeeadda/
Hi, many thanks for that. I love your description about my blog. As I have promised myself not to pursue or receive any award during my retirement, I will not be participating. Thanks again for your kind comments and the support! Regards, Michael
Hello there. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Keep supporting me. By the way I really enjoy your blog. Its kinda amazing..
I’m glad you liked Focus on Croatia. There’s some nice photographs here. I’ll be back.
Hi Michel, Croatia is lovely, isn’t it? Thanks so much for the comment! Regards, Michael
Thank you for stopping by Pinball Donut Girl. Your photos make me itch to travel!
anna
Hi Anna, thanks for the ckind comments! Regards, Michael
My son lives in Hong Kong, and I see you have been to Hungary, and Budapest. A great place for photos, I’m off there again in a few weeks.
You have a lovely blog and amazing photos! Thanks for the kind comments, Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, thanks for reading my blog on Granada, Nicaragua. I cannot imagine writing in another language, I am having a lot of trouble just trying to speak in Spanish. Good luck to you and have fun.
The idea of livng in a place and learning the language appeal to me too. I am also thinking of learning Spanish which is so widely used in the Central and South Americas. Good luck with your learning and your work! Michael
Mike, you seem to write quite well, after all you retire after the running the world 🙂 for ages I guess. OK seriously – your writing is short, simple and clear. The kind of writing I like – brevity. I haven’t had much chance to read your other posts but this is the feeling I get from your About page.
Hi Benjamin, I think I can only write functional English and things that make sense to me; not necessarily those things appealing to others. So, I have always tried to write in simple English. Thanks very much for stopping by my blog and share your kind comments! Regards, Michael
Hi there,
Thanks for liking my post “gone again” on my blog Little Things. Glad you stopped by!
Cheers,
Jill
Hi Jill, thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thank you for your comments on my blog. Darlene
Thank you for liking my post. I really enjoyed looking at your China photos and look forward to reading more of your blog!
Looks like you have been enjoying your time in China. Hope I will be able to travel into mainland China again this year. Thanks for following my blog! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, just wanted to say thanks for liking my post about traveling in Africa. It is inspirational to see someone so ready to see the world and be open to all its beauty and mystery. Good for you and keep on inspiring all of us!
Hi Tanner, opening up myself is one of the reasons for travelling. Thanks for your inspirational comment! Regards, Michael
Hello Michael,
I want to thank you for stopping by my blog. I give you much respect for writing a blog that is not in your native language! Bravo! I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Best, Margie
Hi, Margie, your posts on Italy are just fantastic; enjoy reading them. Regards, Michael
I have a the same challenge, writing this blog in English, which not my native language. I opted for that, because it gives me global reach and I use English in business every day anyway. Your posts are really good and your layout fantastic.
Greetings from Munich to Hongkong. I had a short consulting project HK Electric 1999-2000 and I remember the city well. I am also a big fan of Wong Kar-wai.
Good luck and happy writing.
For the same reason I am writing my posts in English; it is nice to know that one has readers from all over the world. In fact, I do not have many readers when I wrote about Hong Kong. I am happy that you also read my post on HK. HK still remains my favourite place where I call home. I understand Munich is a very attractive place in Germany to live in. Greetings from HK as well! Many thanks for your inspiring and kind comments! Michael
Michael. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I really appreciate it. The English language ain’t so bad…
Hi, love reading your post on ponds. Thanks for your kind comment! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, just wanted to say thanks so much for stopping by our blog earlier today. Much appreciated 🙂 Hope you’re having a great weekend!
You both have travelled a lot! Have a great weekend too. Regards, Michael
We’ve been bitten by the travel bug 🙂 Thanks so much and same to you!
Hi, Michael. You’ve been too modest with your introduction. You are a great writer and photographer.
BTW, my husband is now visiting HK for the first time. Anything place of interest that he ‘must’ visit?
Hi Sutira, I would suggest going up the Victoria Peak (or sometimes called the Peak), a ride across the harbor in the Star Ferry and if he has the time, he may like to go to visit the Big Bhudda at Lantau Island by taking the Ngong Ping cable car at Tung Chung near the airport. Regards, Michael
Michael, thank you so much for your advice. I’ll pass it on to my husband.
Regards,
Sutira
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
You are welcome!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for visiting our blog and liking my post. I have enjoyed reading your stories – you have done some really interesting things!
Jo
Thank you Jo!
Hi Michael,
Despite the fact that English is not your first language, you write beautifully! I love the name of this blog (very clever) and I can’t wait to read everything and travel vicariously through you. I’m glad you’re enjoying retirement so far!
Happy travels!
Nancy
Hi Nancy, thanks for your kind comment, I am flattered. I hope I can maintain, if not improve, my English in my retirement and keeping myself busy. I also enjoy reading your posts. Regards, Michael
Thanks for reading and liking my most recent blog post. Enjoy your travels. You’re lucky to be able to take advantage of your retirement in this way.
I count myself lucky to be able to travel during my retirement; this makes up for the many leave days not taken when I was busy at work. Regards, Michael
Hi, Michael! Thanks for visiting our blog. I have reading your stories.You have done really interesting things, indeed!
Thanks for preusing my posts!
Thanks Michael for visiting my blog and liking my posts on Paris and London. I’m also discovering the power of the English language every time I’m writing for blog. 😉
Your post have given me many fond memories of the two cities. Thanks Gina!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Michael. Your pics of Hong Kong are lovely! I now know other places to go to when I next plan a visit to Hong Kong 🙂 Wishing you many happy hours of blogging and photography!
I think I have written too much oversea travels instead of writing much at all on Hong Kong. I will try to include more photos on HK later. Thanks for following the blog. Regards, Michael
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Michael, and giving me a “Like” on “Days Gone By”. Good luck with your blog writing.
Hi Shanomi, thank you for stopping by my blog as well!
Thanks for liking some recent posts. Best to you.
It is my pleasure!
I think writing is an awesome skill you have.
Hi, in my days, students who are good in mathematics and bad at English / language would go for an engineering career. I was one of those. After blogging for several months now, I find that quite a few of the bloggers are engineers or IT professionals. Maybe, the lack of opportunities of writing to express ourselves (and not our projects) is the main driver for writing. Thanks for your encouraging comment! Regards, Michael
lol. I am an Engineer and in the IT industry myself too !!
That’s why we are now bloggers!
for me, blogging is a way to capture my memories..the good ones.. and putting them in one place where I can see it for years to come and share it as well. some of my posts are from 15 yrs ago too. Whatever I can recollect, I quickly type them out. I travel a lot too..my experiences from my travel make their way in my posts. while at it, I learn from all blogs that I can read. Read many of your posts by now !
Hi, only after retirement do I have the opportunity to write. Many of my posts are quite contemporary; I have lost almost all my old non-digital images. Yes, you must have read quite a few of my posts; very few people would go back to my post no.1 on “Retire Tomorrow”. Thanks for perusing my posts, knowing that I have readers like yourself is a already a great encouragement to continue blogging. Have a good weekend, Michael
Hi Michael. Thanks for stopping by our blog and liking our latest post! It’s much appreciated!!!
You are welcome! Regards, Michael
Your doing great Michael. I’m following your blog. Thanks for liking one of my photos.
Hi Chris, thanks for the comments. I’m also following your blog! Regards,Michael
Greetings, Michael! Thanks for liking my post. It is nice to know you are from Hong Kong as well!! Your writings and photos are beautiful, and I am sure you have enjoyed the new and exciting world of blogging. I look forward to reading through your travels, and also exchanging great encounters in Hong Kong. Best wishes, SC
Hi SC, I’m still learning how to present my photos and text in my posting. Blogging is indeed interested; I hope I’ll not become addicted to it. Will look forward to exchanging our encounters in HK. Regards, Michael
great pictures! i visited some of the same places- its great to have such a beautiful reminder!
Glad that it brings back some great memories!
Michael, it’s great that you have started this blog — great concept to have a retiree journal (although it sounds like you’re quite busy!) I love your photos and looking at them give me the travel bug! Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post on kangaroo road kill.
Hi Stephglaser, thanks for your encouraging comment. I’m trying to keep busy and meaningful during my retirement! Michael
Hi, thanks you for visiting my blog and for the like. Really liked yours and keep writing. English is not my native language either but it is a good way to challenge yourself. All the best
One thing I’m not accustomed to when writing in English is that I can’t use Chinese proverbs and idioms or do it in a colloquial manner. As you said, this is a challenge. I like your blog, please keep blogging! Michael
Hi Micheal,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post Špilberk Castle in Brno. I find your approaoch to retirement really interesting.
Hi Janet, I am still in my early stage of retirement – the Go-Go stage. I am happy with my present life and hope that I can continue with this for some years. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Regards, Michael
Thanks Michael for visiting my blog and liking my post. I like your travel stories and photos. It is also my dream to travel to different countries someday. And I wish I could also blog in English. You are an inspiration to other retirees. Keep on blogging.
Thanks for your kind comment; I am also open to be inspired by our fellow bloogers! Regards, Michael
Wow you take great natural photos…:)
Hi Jeni, thank you for your comment. You are welcome! Michael
Thanks for liking a bunch of recent posts. Best to you.
Amazing photos!
Greetings! Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking one of my posts. I’ve enjoyed viewing some of your photos — superb! I’ll be checking out more of them. Looks like you are enjoying a lot of travel in your retirement. 🙂
Many of your photos and writings are superb too! I am just trying to use my time in retirement in a meaningful manner. Regads, Michael
Hi Michael, you have a lot of amazing pictures in here and now I think I want to retired soon 😀
PS. Your English are just fine, more… it was a great one ‘holding dictionary just to type this comment’ 🙂
Hi Ansella, you won’t be surprised if you occasionally find some grammatical errors in my writings or if the English is structured in a rather strange manner. Many thanks for stopping by my blog. Regards, Michael
You sound like you’re having a fun. Don’t spoil that with concern over grammatical or writing or any other language errors. You’re doing fine and keep on trekkin’.
Thank you Cecil!
Thanks for liking my post. Enjoy your retirement, it could be a long time if you don’t.
Hi Wendy, very true, normally we may have 10,000 days in our retirement. It would be a long time if we don’t like it. Thanks for your comment! Michael
Thank you for visiting my blog. In return, yours looks much more interesting than mine! I love to travel, and I would love to do what you’re doing someday. Keep posting, please. Your photos are awesome!
In fact, my blog’s layout is quite plain. I only have limited computer skills to make it more attractive. Thanks for your kind comment!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I look forward to keeping up with you as well! 😀
G
Hi Ginger, you have a lovely blog, I also look forward to keeping up with you! Regards, Michael
Why thank you sir! And thanks for stopping by my FB Fan page — means alot!!!
Hi Ginger, you are welcome!
Hi Michael. Rex Crum, aka rexpresto here…Just wanted to thank you for the “like” of my post, The First 662.7 Miles Are Always The Easiest, at Your Dad Did. All the best to you!
Hi Rex, thanks for your inspiring comment! Michael
I only looked at the most recent 2 posts from you and from what I’ve seen so far, it looks like great travel blog already! I will read some more tomorrow, keep it up and enjoy your retirement! You’ve been to places that people can only dream of.
I am glad that you like my posts. There are a lot of interesting places that I still want to travel. Thanks for your kind comment!
Looking through your blog is very inspiring! I am a new blogger, trying to focus on traveling, and dabbling in other topics too. Thanks Michael!
Hi Katwin19, I started blogging 6.5 months ago; therefore I am also new to blogging. Indeed, I would also like to diversify into other areas. Best of luck with your blogging! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael! Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my post!
Hi Michael, your photos are stunning, keep up with the good work! Regards, Michael
Thanks for the like at “Memories on the Journey” – we spend many days looking for God’s lessons in our new life here in Hong Kong, hopefully some of them bless & encourage others along the way! Next time you visit, please let us know your thoughts! – Blessings, jk.
I enjoy reading your “About”. You truly are a blessed family. Best wishes, Michael
Thanks so much! *oops* I just realized the comments were disabled on that page. fixed it now. 🙂 Guess we all have much to learn about the blogging world! Glad you decided to write too, I think your English is very good – compared with many we work with here!
Hope you and your family will have a good time in this part of the world!
It’s never too late to learn – best of luck! Thanks for stopping by my blog too.
Hi, thanks for the comment! Regards, Michael
I love your photos! They are so real and so beautiful!
Many thanks for your kind comment!
Hi – please check your nomination – I like your blog! http://managuagunntoday.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/very-inspiring-blogger-award-nomination-circle-of-love/
You will also have noticed I reblogged your blog about Dubrovnik. Thanks very much. Hope that’s ok.
Hi Managua, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down several similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated. Regards, Michael
Thanks for stopping by and visiting CTB 😀 Good for you and your English is very good! Much better than my Chinese will ever be. After 2 years in China I can only say a few words, never would I be able to blog in Chinese!
Thanks for your kind comments. English is so much different from Chinese, I think to be proficient in it is not that easy. Hope you have enjoyed your stay in China! Regards, Michael
Hello! Thanks for the like on my post! You take nice photos and I think your English is pretty good as far as I have read 🙂 I really like your night shots, for me those are hard to do!
Hi Anna, thank you for your encouragement. Understand encouraging other people is a purpose of your blog! Reard, Michael
I really enjoy your blog , and I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award…you may receive it here. http://viewsofmyworld.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/thank-you/ 🙂
Hi LyannV, thanks very much indeed for the nomination. I have told myself not to puruse / receive any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason I have turned down several similar nominations. Knowing that my posts is read in many countries is already my biggest reward. So with regret, I have to decline also this one. Many thanks once again and regards, Michael
I can certainly understand 🙂 At least you know that I really, really like your blog!
Hi LyannV, many thanks for the kind comment. It is reader like you that keeps me go on blogging (until I run out of photos and things to say). I also love reading your blog! Have a great weekend, Michael
I envy you Michael. I dream of travelling different country as well but my main priority now is to explore different places in my country. I hope you’ll have a chance to travel here in the Philippines and I’ll assure to you that you’ll find many beautiful places here. By the way, we Filipinos are known as very accommodating people so you’ll enjoy staying here.
Hi, thanks for your comment. Travelling to the Phlippines is also on my wish list. Regards, Michael
Hello. Please forgive my tardiness, but I took two short trips and have lost track of keeping up with my blog stuff. I stopped by to (finally!) thank you for liking one of my recent posts. I always get a kick out of it, and I appreciate it. So—thank you. 🙂
No worries, love your posts on Mexico!
Thanks for reading my post! You got beautiful pictures. Sorry about your bad experience in Hungary! (There is a reason why I don’t live there any more…) It’s great that you have undertaken blogging in a second language in your retirement.
Hi Monica, understand that there are too many people who have left their homeland and and crowded into Budapest. I suppose this is the universal trend of urbanization and Budapest just don’t have sufficient number of jobs for its residents. I don’t blame them. Thanks for the kind comments. Regards, Michael
Well good luck with your writing and I echo some of the comments above; you’re writing is far better than you realise. Well done and good luck!
Hi, many thanks for your inspiring and supportive comment! Regards, Michael
Thank you for dropping by! For a moment there I thought you were my cousin. 🙂 My family is Lai too and I have a cousin who goes by that name.
You take beautiful pictures! You have been busy since retiring! You do write well. I only hope one day I can work up the courage to write in another language. 🙂
Keep up the great work!!!
Hi, Lai ia not an uncommon surname in the southern part of China and perhaps also in Vietnam and other SE Asia Chinese communities. I am seeing more blogs in languages other than English. Thanks for your kind comment!Regards, Michael
What a great blog! Love the name!!! Your blog makes me want to run and buy a ticket somewhere and start my own adventure! Best of luck to you in completing your book. I’ll be living vicariously through you as I look at your photos and keep tabs on your latest trips. Best Regards!
Hi, many thanks for your encouraging comments! I wish I can have you skills in macro photography; your photos are just amazing / awesome. I am also living vicariously through you to look at the world in a more detail manner. Regards, Michael
Loving your blog – thank you for sharing, sure glad you gave my blog a like so I could discover your blog. My husband are starting to plan a year long Europe trip and I am just in heaven reading about your journey!
Wow! A year long Europe trip. That’s wonderful. Will be anxious to live it vicariously through your blg. Safe travels, Michael
Wishing you all the joy, fun and satisfaction in the blogging world, Michael. Glad you liked and discovered my blog; otherwise, I would not have come across yours. Thanks.
I am also glad to have come across your excellent. I like your reviews very much. All the best with your future blogging! Regards, Michael
Because I really like your blog, I nominated you for the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’. You can see it here: http://brilliant-london.com/2012/07/26/blog-award-2/
Hi, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down several similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated. Regards, Michael
No problem. Happy to check-in on your posts.
There’s so much happening in London right now, your posts reminds me of my year (1985) in London. Regards, Michael
Hello Michael, thanks for sharing your perspectives, experiences and photos. Nice blog! If you happen to come to the south of Spain, do drop me a line! I speak Mandarin too.
Hi Bernice, we were tossing between going to Spain or Croatia this year and in the end we went to Croatia. This is partly due to the fact that my aged father in law couldn’t stand having late meals in Spain and that some of us have been there before. I very much enjoy Seville, Cordoba and Granada and will surely like to re-visit these places and Barcelona. Will drop you a line when the time comes. Thanks for the encouraging coment! Regards, Michael
Thank you for visiting my blog. It gave me an opportunity to discover yours in return. Your photos are lovely and I’m impressed with your ability to write on English when it is not your first languguage. Bravo!
Hi Anna, if you are careful you may spot the clumsy way in my writing or an occasional grammatical mistake. Many thanks for your encouraging and kind comment! Michael
Dear Sir, thanks for stopping by your photographs are awesome and I liked that you describe them as well.
Thanks very much for your kind comment!
Hello Michael, thanks for visiting us at Around the World in Eighty Wickets. I’m inspired by your energy and your courage to blog in a foreign language. Thanks for the wonderful photos, too. Best, Merryn
Hi Merryn, my source of energy comes from a redirection of it from my previous work. As for the courage of writing in another language, it comes from ignoring how difficult it might be and knowing that my readers will forgive me for my funny English. Thanks for the kind comment! Regards, Michael
Good for you! Enjoy!
Michael, I too have recently retired (July 1, 2012) and begun writing. I have a great editor (my daughter-in-law). It’s difficult to edit your own work, even if English is your first language.
I wish you success. I love your pictures and can’t wait to see your next post!
Hi Bmpiller, welcome to the world of the retired. I’m sure you will enjoy your retirement. My writings are unedited, so forgive me if you spot any grammatical mistakes. Many thanks for your encouraging comment. Regards, Michael
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for “liking” my blog at http://www.artteachtravel.com . I was so encouraged today to see that you’d read quite a few of my blog posts. I am fully impressed with not only your blog, but your learning the English language so well. Also your photographs are wonderful! I see that you are based in Hong Kong and that is a city I’m considering moving to. I will enjoy looking through all your photos. The very best of luck to you and enjoy your retirement! I can’t wait for that day to come for me! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. HK is indeed a fascinating city. It has just been ranked number one in terms of Liveability by the Economist. Hope you will have the chance to move here!
Hi,
This is just to let you know that I have nominated you for the beautiful blogger award. If you chose to participate, (I understand completely if you do not wish to), please pick the award and rules from here: http://wp.me/2ys6I
Luv ,
Cynthia.
Hi Cynthia, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
A fellow traveler! If you journey to the Southern of the two Koreas in the future, I hope we could meet up. But I’m sure there are many other places you plan to visit. Looking forward to reading more of exploits!
Hi Albinogoth, thanks for the good gesture. Travelling to Jeju is on my wish list; although I don’t know too much about it. Thanks to your kind comment! regards, Michael
Just looked at your January images, Michael; as w/ the rest, simply amazing. (Figured I’d grab a month at a time in order to not have a sensory overload.) Love the title “retireediary” as well; great choice – if this is what you are producing as a retiree, then you should have retired a long time ago!
Wow! I have another look at your blog, your photos are just amazing. I envy your skills on Photoshop, Lightroom etc which I know nothing about. I was born in an age when we still use punched cards and later magnetic tapes for running computer programs. If I were in the States, I would also like to take up some proper photography training. All the best with your future blogging! Michael
I really enjoy to read your blog .. specially “ABOUT” this one is similar to me ” 3. Writing is not my best of skills.” ;D you are not alone Michael .. im with you 😉
– Pinaybyaheras
Good to know that I’m not alone. After writing for about 7 months, I still find that’s not easy! Regards, Michael
Yes your right .. ;D
Have a blessed day!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your photographs and admire the challenges you are undertaking.
Wow! I really envy your experience of crusing to so many parts of the world. Safe travels, Michael
Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. I’ve been to hongkong once and it was a great visit. Btw, English is not my mother tongue too, but the best part, we try to keep up!
All my best,
Criselda
Thanks for the kind comment!
Thank you for stopping by my blog – and no, English isn’t my first language either, so we have that in common. Your blog looks like fun, well done for starting it and keeping it up.
Thank you for your encouraging comments! Michael
But you write so well Michael! English is not my native language either, but it’s the one I’m most comfortable with. By the way, nice photos! Ah, to have time to travel!
Hi, I’m sure your English is a lot better than mine. Anyway, thanks for your comment! Michael
Hi Michael. Thanks for visiting my blog. Great to read yours – loved the photos on your last post in particular. I wouldn’t have guessed about non-native English as it read really well. Hope you keep enjoying the writing! Annabel
Hi Mrs H, thanks for the encouraging comment. Hope you are enjoying your time in your new life after quitting the job. Regards, Michael
Hi, thanks for paying a visit to my blog today. Lately I’ve been considering early retirement but my problem is I what to do with all that time, I must have something to do at least a couple of days a week; otherwise, I am afraid I’d be climbing the walls. LOL
Hi Marcia, I know the concern and I pondered about it before retirement. I have a draft (more like a checklist) of what people do in their retirement. I Hope I can put it to shape and publish it soon. Best wishes, Michael
I have some ideas of things to do, what I want to find is a way to produce a good income working from home, LOL
But.. I will still welcome your post on the subject!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. And your blog is something worth following.
Hi Adamontheweb, you are welcome! Michael
Hello, this is so late but thanks a lot for liking my post. I can’t reveal my real name yet as I am not retired yet.. If I reveal my name, it won’t be good for my job. Your photos of China are fascinating to me!
Hi, hope to post more on China. Thanks for the comnment! Michael
Hello Michael
I am glad you found my blog. Hong Kong was the place we almost moved to (as described on my About page) and although this move is not happening just yet, we enjoyed a fabulous visit there in October, and have not ruled it out for the future, if the opportunity arises. You write well! I look forward to reading more. Good wishes, ItchyFootMum (UK)
Hi ItchyfootMum, it will be interesting to stay here in this exicitng place; think you would like it here. Hope the chance will come up again. Thanks for the kind comment! Regards, Michael
beautiful photos. your entry about thailand reminds me of my solo vacation to phuket and im feeling very nostalgic now 🙂
Hi Apple.e-s., thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes, there are also many places in Thailand that I love to visit. Regards, Michael
Hello, Michael. I have been enjoying your photography and have nominated you for blogging awards at atasteofmorning.com
Hi Laurie, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
No worries : )
Lovely photos! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Minou
Hi BonMinou, thanks for stopping by my blog too! Michael
Thanks for your comments Michael. English is my first language but according to Mrs Spouse that is debatable after the third glass of red wine. Or….was it the fourth?????? How I admire anyone who has 2 (or more) languages at their finger (tongue) tips. Love Hong Kong but compared to New Zealand it is just a little busier. Thanks again for looking at my Blog.
I can’t drink at all if I am to write in English! Love NZ, but a man cannot be in two places! Thanks very much for the comment, Michael
Pingback: He’s Walking: Wonderful Photos from Michael Lai, RetireeDiary Blog « The Practical Psychosomaticist: James Amos, M.D.
Hi James, many thanks for referring me to your readers. I am very pleased to share my posts wth them! Regards, Michael
Hello! Thank you for liking one of my post as it enabled me to discover your wonderful blog. Your pictures are amazing! Best regards, Ann.
Hi Honey and Parrots, thanks for your kind comment! Michael
Hi Michael, Thanks for stopping by and liking one of my posts in my blog. Reading some of your trips really wow-ed me.. The kinda retirement I would love to have someday 🙂
Cheers, Rie.
Hi Rie, thanks for the comment. I’m still trying to find more meaning for my retirement. Regards, Michael
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my post earlier today! Your photography is breathtaking and I admire your taking the plunge to start a blog. I just started mine as well after a lot of thought.
I started the blog without much thinking; I guess the difficult part is how to maintain the interest of the readers in the long run. Regards, Michael
Yep. I’m still figuring that out, but it sounds like you’re doing ok in that area.
I am still muddling through!
Thankyou for taking a look at my site. Very sweet of you Michael.
Michael, congratulations for taking up the challenge of writing, even if wish you had done it sooner.
Hi bucketdave, I am happy to take up this challenge and as you said, I should have done it sooner. Regards, Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks for visiting my blog again, and for the like on my post “Sunrise at Anacortes Marina.” I’m still enjoying your photography.
Alice
Hi Sailor Lady, would stop by again! Michael
Love the blog !
Thank you youtheeverydaysuperhero!
Hi Michael thanks for visiting and liking my post …really like the pictures on your blog…All the best!!
Hi Shivani, all the best with your blogging and regards, Michael
thanks for stopping by my blog. i am glad to find yours. love your photos!
Thank you Anvi!
Hi Michael! Thanks so much for taking the time to “stop by” my blog…I’m fairly new at this and enjoying the challenge. Love your photos! Victoria
You are welcome. Thanks for your kind comment!
Dear Mr. Lai,
Your blog is absolutely beautiful, from the thoughts, to the photos and to the written word. i admire your willingness to continue to challenge yourself. And I find myself wondering, “HOW does he take such gorgeous photos?” I look forward to following your blog!
Hi Mindfulmagpie, thanks very much for your encouraging comment! In my previous life before retirement, I have always tried to challenge myself. Now, this blog is my major challenge as this is the first time I actually write and show my photos to others. Thanks also for following my blog! Regards, Michael
THANKS for visiting my “pun-ny” photoblog and leaving a “like.” Your photos are incredibly beautiful and imaginative.
–John R.: http://TheDailyGraff.com
Hi Mr. Robinson, thanks for the encouraging comment! Michael
Thanks for visiting my blog and for leaving a “like”! love our photos of China. I live in Kunming, Yunnan. You must come back again.
– Regards, Roz: http://www.rozw.wordpress.com
Hi Roz, Yunnan is a lovely place. I know I’ll revist it sometime. Hope you like the life up there! Regards, Michael
Hello Michael, I’ve lived in several cities in China, even in Hong Kong and visited Yunnan (Dali, Lijiang, Xizhou, Kunming) 3 times while I was working but now I am retired and loving my tranquil life in Yunnan. I too have taken up writing. Just finished writing a Chinese Cookbook and waiting for the final parts to complete and then it will be epublished. Amazing what you have time for when you don’t have to work!!!!
-Regards, Roz
Hi Roz, it appears that you are very active in your retirement and enjoy writing and publishing. All the best with your retirement and hope that your book will be a success! Michael
Hello there, I nominated your blog for a Blog on Fire award. No need to call the fire fighters, just showing my love for your blog. You can check out it…
http://thisfloridalife.com/2012/08/19/florida-heat-blog-on-fire-award/
Cheers!
Hi Thisfloridalife, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Hello, your blog has got fantastic pics and to think they are all taken by you is humbling. Thank you for liking my blog too and the article on tourism in Uganda. You should get sometime and visit Uganda. We are a beautiful country! You can also get me on twitter @masakeonline or @ugandatourstrav for any questions on Uganda. Kind regards!, Masake
Hi Masake, didn’t know Uganda has so many gorillas. Will keep learning more about Uganda and to be inspired. Many thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Your welcome Michael! Would you please avail me with your email address? i would wish to inquire something about certain products in China if it’s ok with you. Thank you and kind regards!
Hi, my address is block8alai@gmail.com. Regards, Michael
Hi. Wow, I am fascinated by your travels. You seem to be doing retirement the right way! Keep at it.
Hi, I am trying to stay active in my retirement and am enjoying it. Thanks for your kind comment! Michael
ciao! thanks for (ad)dressing my blog. i checked yours and it’s just a luvFAB.
thebestdressup.
Thank you thebestdressup!
Glad to meet you… and put a face to your name! 🙂
Hi Elizabeth, your positive attitude and encouargement are inspiring! Regards, Michael
Likewise! TY! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your world in stories and pictures and thanks for taking time to stop by my blog. I believe I will learn alot following your adventure into retirement.
Hello Mud, you are welcome. I believe I can learn from you and be inspired by you too! Regards, Michael
One of my writing teachers once taught me that you cannot be a writer if you don’t write. That’s how it gets better. Good luck!
Yes, practice makes perfect, thank you!
Michael,
I am very inspired by reading your story. It sounds like you have lots of fun and adventure ahead of you! Good luck with writing it all down. And good for you for doing it in English, which is not your first language!
I want to thank you as well for your “likes” of my blog post on The Dairy Free Traveler, and ask you for a favor. Recently, I left WordPress.com and am now self-hosting my blog on BlueHost. It is better for the most part, but one thing I have lost is the ability for people to “like” my posts. So now I can see people are reading but I don’t know who! Could you please leave me some comments now and then to let me know you are still reading? Even a short sentence would be a big help.
All the best,
Karl
Hi Karl, thanks for the kind comments! I’ll leave comments now and again on perusing. Regards, Michael
Michael, Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog and “like” my pages. I just subscribed to your blog because I love your photos and adventures…I hope you will do likewise. I’m a novice to blogging but not to the love of travel! How much fun to “meet” other wanderlusts across the continents!
Victoria
Hi Victoria, will follow your blog. Regards, Michael
Great! Looking forward to experiencing more fabulous destination, even if it is virtually or vicariously! V.
Thank you Victoria!
Hello Michael,
Your blog looks most interesting and I look forward to reading more. It is always a pleasure to meet new friends from the Far East. Keep up the good work!
Hi, I have much respect for cabbie drivers in London who know the back streets so well that they can always avoid the congested roads. I also love their manners and the design of the London taxis – ability to turn tight circles and spacious seat arrangement. Some of the models(T4?) are now being made in China under licence and some people have tried to import them into HK for use of disabled persons. It is my pleasure of meeting you! Michael
Hi, thank you so much for stopping by my post. It is greatly appreciated! I too am starring to write and have much to learn about being an online writier.
Hi Scarlett, I am also learning. Keep up with the good work! Michael
Michael,
Great blog! Good to see people sharing their adventures with the world. We are very fortunate to be able to travel.
Thank you for stopping my blog and liking an article.
Until next time…
Wyman
Hi Wyman, it is my pleasure to share my posts with you. Thanks for the comment! Michael
Impressive travel list! I love the photos! Keep up the blog, it’s great.
Many thanks for the comment, will keep up the blog! Regards, Michael
Thank you, Michael, for liking my blog post. I agree with Claudia : VERY impressive travel list. And I admire your skill, writing in another language than your own. English is not my mother tongue either but at least we use the same alphabet. Don’t skip Belgium on one of your travels : we have a great “cuisine”. 🙂
Hi Pviette, I like the Belgium chocolate. Understand Belgium is a bit small but also very beautiful, will certainly include it in my future travels! Michael
Hello Michael, It’s the small things that matter, you know. And our fantastic chocolate is only a small part of our cuisine 🙂 The Dubrovnik series is great ! Have fun. Patricia
Small is beautiful! Thanks, Michael
Thanks for visiting!!
My pleasure!
Thank you for visiting and liking my post Gathering
Hi lamrcc, you are welcome! Michael
Having read your posts, I’d say you’re doing a great job regardless of any preconceived obstacles. I enjoy your stories and photos. I look forward to more posts!
Hi msherice, in my retirement, I am relearning my photography, my English and writing skills. I thank you very much for your encouraging comments and would do my best to overcome the perceived obstacles. Best wishes, Michael
Hello Michael,
thanks for stopping by! Beautiful photos! I have been to HongKong in 1997, just before it went back to China and landed at the old airport. Remember flying through the city at night. Wow!
I enjoy your blog and think your English is amazing! Hats off to you for doing a blog that is not in your mother tongue! 🙂 I have hit the “follow” button.
Best wishes from sunny Vienna 🙂
Hi happyface313, landing at the old airport after making a tight turn in the air is not for the faint hearted! The night views here is always amazing, hope you enjoyed that. Thanks for following and for your encouraging comments! Michael
Dear Michael, it is so long ago, but it was really amazing. Haven’t been to HK since, but maybe next spring. So I trust I will read and see a lot of your diary until then 🙂 Encouragement is very important and underestimated. All the best! 🙂
Thanks, may you have happiness on your face all 365 days in the year!
Thank you for visiting. i really enjoyed reading about your travels and your photos are wonderful!
Thank you for your comment, as much cake as you want!
Breathtaking photographs. Your pictures speak for itself, so writing is redundant I may say, although i don’t quite see you lacking in it either 🙂 Wonderful blog, keep it coming.
Many thanks Mo for your kind comment!
Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Your images are beautiful .
Thaank you Brenda, you photos are beautiful!
Hello,
I hereby nominate your most deserving blog for “One Lovely Award”. For more details please go to my post :
http://exxtracts.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/one-lovely-blog-award/
for fulfilling some rules/ formalities. Should you have any question please let me know for clarification.
Hi AnilCm, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination and your following which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Dear Michael,
No matter for non-acceptance of the nomination. Truly speaking, I too not much interested for such awards. I have already declined one recently and this the second one, which I accepted. So don’t get disturbed by declining the nomination. Its absolutely fine.
Have a nice time.
Regards,
Hi AnilCm, love reading your blog independent whether you have any awards! Michael
Hi Michael…first of all…it is amazing that you are writing this in a language which is not your mother tongue. I could never do something as challenging. A special thanks for liking my post on my India Journal Blog and also for bringing me here to explore yours. It is wonderful. You might also like another one of my several blogs which has lots of inspirational posts about life’s journey but also many photos. Continue to enjoy every moment of your retirement. I have been enjoying mine for several years now and it is a true blessing. Hope you continue to enjoy my adventures in India as well.
with love light and JOY
Hi Jane, I have retired for a year now, I know I am getting more satisfaction out of it than from my previous work and am enjoying every moment of it. Your other blog on life’s journey is really inspirational; will visit it again. Thanks for your kind comment! Michael
thank YOU…and continue to enjoy…your life in general and blogging as well. 🙂
It does look like you’re having a great, rich life being a retiree. Congratulations! Thank you so much for visiting my blog; I’m glad you liked the one about sustainable lifestyle in Germany. Best regards.
Hi Rebecca, I like the sustainability topic you posted which is quite unique and interesting. I am trying to make more sense out of my life than in my previous work life. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
It’s my great pleasure to award your blog with ” One Lovely Blog Award ” :–) please come and have your award here :
http://gabrieliphotography.com/2012/09/06/one-lovely-blog-award/
Hi Gabriel, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Thank you for your encouragement and liking my recent post on the weekly photo challenge. Keep up the fine work on your end ~ it is quite enjoyable!
Thank you ThisDayln!
Hi! I nominated you for a One Lovely Blog Award. I really enjoy your posts & photography. Keep up the awesome work. I’ll keep reading. 🙂
Here’s the link to your award nomination: http://twohundredseventy.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/one-lovely-blog-award/
Hi Baywife270, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
I understand! I just wanted you to know that one more person out there enjoys your blog!
Thanks very much!
I nominated you for the ‘One Lovely Blogger’ Award! http://hslaterblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/the-one-lovely-blogger-award/
Hi Hayleens, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael,
I’m just discovering your blog, and thusfar I’m loving it! You are so privileged, being able to see the world. That’s my biggest dream! Keep up the good posting for us travel junkies 🙂
Hi Shanothaine, thanks very much for the encouraging comment. I feel myself blessed to be able to see the world. Will do my best to share the best views in my travels. Regards, Michael
Michael:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I applaud your plan to start a blog and making your golden years more fruitful and satisfying. Please do not stop. I am talking from experience that it is most gratifying to hear from people who you have never met telling that they liked something you created. Keep it up.
Hi ashokshenolikar, quite true, if I got as many “likes” from my previous company as from my readers now, most probably I would have never retired!
Well said, these are my golden years when I rediscover that I could write something and show a few pictures which people like and I also enjoy. Regards and all the best! Michael
Hi Michael
Nice to meet you. Will be interested to compare retirements.
Corinne
Hi Corinne, nice to meet you too! I have retired for one year now and find retirement interesting and more rewarding. In the initial stage of my retirement, I did find it somewhat difficult to adjust to my new life psychologically, this is described in my post on the Psychological Journey of Retirement in the blog. Will be happy to compare notes. Regards, Michael
Hello Michael, thanks for visiting Featherglass. What a blessing it is to be able to see the world! Keep writing and taking these lovely pictures. : )
Hello Ming, each day is already a blessing and I count myself extremely fortunate to be able to travel and share the joy with others. Thanks very much for the comment! Michael
Michael, I like the pictures you bring to us so I am nominating you for a One Lovely Blog Award!
For more details, please see here:
http://streetsofatlanta.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/one-lovely-blog-award-nomination-by-gabriel-photography/
Hi Steve, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Amazing photos, thank you for sharing them, and thank you also for visiting my blog 🙂
Keep sharing…love your images.
Thank you A Rambling Poet, I love your posts too!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your photos of Dubrovnik make me wish I was there again…
My pleasure and hope you will revisit Dubrovnik again! Michael
Dear Michael
I totally relate to being self – taught and having had (still having) many challenges in putting up blogs and websites, as well as to having travelled extensively and loving Gaia, our beautiful mother earth!
English is also my second language as (I lived most of my life in Australia, although I was born in Venice – Italy and am back here in Umbria now, between Rome and Florence which are only about an hour and a half by train).
I am passionate about life and with a lot to share myself, which I now try to do via photgraphy, writing and the B & B set-up I have helped with here in Italy where I hope like minded individuals will soon come, to visit a wonderful slice of Paradise where there is so much to learn and photograph!!!
As a matter of fact, my first friend to visit me here was Noriko M. from Osaka (where I was at her home,for a month many years ago) and she absolutely loved the places, nature and culture of the areas we went to.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for liking my post and who knows, if you come to Italy one day it’d be great to meet you in person. I love your photos on the coloured flowery fields and wish you the best. My other website is indicated below although it was through http://marinacpublications.wordpress.com that I found out that you liked what I had set up, thank you!!! It does motivate one to continue sharing!!!
Hi Marina, whereabout in Italy are you based? I have not visited Italy before and would like to visit it one day. You obviously have a lot of talents and hope that you would achieve what you have set out to day one day! Thanks & regards, Michael
Thank you for stopping by my blog and liking my post. All the best to you in retirement. I look forward to the day when I can do the same. By the way, English is not the easiest language to learn, but you’ve done wonderfully!
Best,
Nett
Hi Nett, it is not easy to learn a language well, but by comparison, English is an easier language than Chinese. Thanks for your best wishes and your kind comment! Michael
beautiful pictures.. happy retiring.. 😛
Thank you uw und ich!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for visiting my blog, liking my posts, and commenting. I love photographs and it’s great to see so many beautiful photos on your blog. I look forward to seeing more
Hi myoutdoorexplorations, thanks for the kind comment! Hope my future posts wouldn’t disppoint. Regards, Michael
Hello Michael
Thank you for “liking” many of my posts. I too started really started blogging earnestly in January because my son suggested I do it. I, too, have found the experience of meeting people from around the world a very rewarding experience. The internet has shown us how many good people are in this world – how much we can share with each other. Thank you for sharing your photos and thoughts. Carla
Hi Carla, my pleasure. I also found meeting international bloggers very interesting. I would like to share my posts with others as well as to be inspired! Regards, Michael
hi! thanks for stopping by my blog http://www.bitsandpiecesonphoto.com. i am really new so appreciate it. i love your travels and photos and look forward to more.
Hi mekala, you have a lovely blog, so keep on blogging! Michael
It’s my great pleasure to award your blog with ”One Lovely Blog Award” 🙂 Please come and take your award here: http://heythatsmypic.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/one-lovely-blog-award/
Hi Oli, thanks very much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Beautiful photos!
Thank you ananastravels!
Hi Michael 🙂
Thank you for liking my posts on my blog. By the way, you have a great blog.. looking forward to reading more of your posts 🙂
You are welcome, thriftysenyorita!
thank you for visiting my blog and for the ‘like’. loved your pictures. they speak for you…:)
My pleasure! Thank you for your kind comments, Michael
Hello and welcome to the retirement club. I joined about 7 yrs ago. It is nice to be able to engage in some of the activities that you always dreamed about. Thank you for visiting and liking my post Nearing the End.
Hi, I am new to this club and still finding the best way to enjoy my new phase of life. Thanks for the comment! Regards, Michael
Thank you for sharing your travels and your beautiful photos and thankyou for visiting my blog. I’m putting Dubrovnik on my future travel list!
My pleasure to read your blog. I would also like to revisit Dubrovnik someday. Regards, Michael
Wonderful about. l enjoyed your post and the pictures.thank you for visiting my site.Best regards.Jalal michael
Hi Jalal, thank you for your encouraging comment. Best regards, Michael
Thank you for sharing your photos. They are beautiful!! And…you write very well!
Hi Mr. Tod A Parker, thanks for your kind comment. I am still polishing my writings and would appreciate any comments for improvement. Best regards, Michael
Your writing is fine,just like your photos. Keep up the good work. It inspires other to do the same.
Thanks very much Mr. Tod A. Parker!
Please,call me Tod. Mr Lai
Hi Tod, will do. Regards, Michael
Beautiful blog and really amazing photos!
Thanks very much Ataleen for the kind comment! Michael
Appreciate your coming by and liking my Weekly Challenge post Solitary.
My pleasure! Michael
I think you are doing a great job and I see no problem with your English and you take beautiful pictures. Keep on doing what you enjoy the most.
Thank you very much for the encouraging and kind comment, bebs1!
thanks for reading. I enjoyed your blog and will follow. I invite you to follow my blog as well. beebeesworld
Thank you beebeesworld!
Michael — I have nominated you for the ‘Reader Appreciation’ Award. Congratulations! Do not feel obligated to pass it on, but know that you are appreciated! If you want to pay it forward to some of the blogs you appreciate, however, the “rules” of the award are contained in my post: http://travelgardeneat.com/2012/09/25/being-appreciated-the-reader-appreciation-award/ . . . looking forward to your next travels! ~ Kat
Hi travelgardeneat, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
No worries — I am happy to tell others of your blog, and hope more will discover it! I understand completely. ~ Kat
Thanks for your kind understanding. Best regards, Michael
Hi Michael. Thanks for visiting thefirstgates to like a post. You have a wonderful blog, and I would not have known that English is a second language or that you had little previous writing experience. Nice job!
Hi Morgan, my pleasure to peruse your blog. Thanks also to the kind and encouraging comment! Michael
Hello Michael,
Your posts always give me so much pleasure that I have just nominated you for a Silver Quill Blogger Award. You can read more about it on my latest post, 26 September.
Hi icelandpenny, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
No need for any appology, Michael. I also feel that the real value of an award is not the award itself, but the fact that someone I respect has offered it to me.
Thank you for your understanding and always kind comment! Michael
Hi Michael
How are you? I am so glad to see you are a regular visitor to soulsnet. I hope you are enjoying reading it as much as I am writing it. It is wonderful to discover such an absorbing and creative activity in the world after work!!
I am preparing a post on “Silver Surfers” and the challenges that retirement and new technology presents for some of the more mature amongst us, and of course I thought of you!!
I have looked through your incredible array of photographs and I can’t begin to choose. There are so many but would it be alright if I share some from time to time. I will always let you know when and which and of course always link back and credit you.
I have become an enthusiastic amateur photographer and will always be grateful to blogging for introducing me to another way of seeing the world, but for something really lovely to look at I will always want to share a photograph from an accomplished photographer, and you are one of my favourites.
You are obviously having a wonderful retirement and have found a lovely way to share it with others. I always look forward to new posts from you and I am sure all of your followers do too.
Warm regards
Corinne at soulsnet.com
Hi Corinne, I am alright with what you suggested in your third paragrapph, provided it is not for commercial use. I am a retiree still looking for a meaningful way of life and wouldn’t mind at all sharing what I like / love with the world of bloggers and friends. I feel flattered with what you said about “accomlished phtotgrapher”. I am still an amateur, hoping to shoot pictures so that beautiful views can be shared. Thanks for liking and following my posts as well as your inspiring comments and your posts in Soulsnet which I am happy to followed. I am also prepared to be guided. Thanks & best regards, Michael
Hi Michael
Thanks for that. It won’t be for commercial use, just for sharing with friends and the blogosphere.
All of my posts come out of something that I have either struggled with or found interesting and “Silver Surfing” is a poem that I wrote ages ago when I was deciding whether or not to try to keep up with the modern world or let it go on without me.
I want to try to work it up into a post because I think alot of my friends seem to be facing the same dilemma. Actually starting a blog for me was not only about sharing thoughts and ideas it was also a commitment to trying to stay in touch with new technology. I am not finding it easy but I am surprised at how much I have been able to do.
Warm regards
Corinne
Hi Corinne, will await to read your inspiring post on Silver Surfing. I am a dummy on IT. When I was at college, we used punched cards for running programs, then we switched to preparing command statements, then using magnetic cards and self written programs on calculators. At work, I always have a secretary so I didn’t have to type myself. Retirement means I have to type, prepare all powerpoints for part time teaching, using Excel spreadsheets for my personal matters etc. The world has moved on and retirees have to do the same! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael
How reassuring to know I am not alone. That’s what’s so good about sharing. We always think that everyone else is doing so much better than we are and then we find that more often than not we are all in the same boat.
Thanks so much for this
Corinne
Thank you Corinne!
Michael! My parents were both born in Lithuania, so I particularly like your pics of Trakai! I was there a few years ago myself. Keep up the good work!
Hi, it is one of the most pictureque and romantic castles I have ever seen. I’m sure you love it. Thanks for the encouraging comment! Michael
Congratulations!
You have just received the So Sweet Blogger Award for being so AWESOME!
Please check out my blog for details, post the award on your sidebar and spread the love to some of your favorite bloggers!
http://foodandotherstuff.com/2012/09/27/how-sweet-it-is-so-sweet-blog-award/
Hi foodnotherstuff, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
You are welcome Michael. No worries, I completely understand;)
Thank you again, foodnotherstuff!
Just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I hope this will be welcome news for you. If you prefer not to accept the award, I certainly understand, but I hope you will visit the other nominees, and they will visit you, just the same. To see more about the award and accepting this nomination, please visit my post at http://wp.me/p2ekZU-E4. All the best!
Hi The Retiring Sort, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Best of luck with your blog writing and thanks for visiting mine! Enjoy your retirement too.
My pleasure visiting your blog. Thank you for the kind comment! Michael
Hi Michael
Lovely to see you at soulsnet today. I hope you enjoyed the post. As you could see I had had some technical issues which nearly drove me demented so it seems opportune to make the next post the one that we discussed previously “Silver Surfing”. Thank you for allowing me to share one of your lovely photographs, I shall be spoiled for choice. I will obviously link back and credit you and I hope you will enjoy it.
Warm regards
Corinne
Hi, will await for your next post! Michael
Hi Michael
I have just posted the latest from soulsnet. I do hope you enjoy it as to a large extent you inspired it. I have so enjoyed following your blog, not just your wonderful photography but also your journey post retirement which you share with us.
Warm regards
Corinne
Hi Corinne, a great post – I thoroughly enjoy reading it and would recommend it to any retirees or readers. I look forward to one day when my hair is all silver rather the dirty grey at the moment! Warm regards, Michael
Hi Michael
So glad you enjoyed the post. We silver surfers have to stick together.
Warm regards
Corinne
Hi Michael! I truly enjoy your blog and have nominated it for an award! Please see the details at http://tinylessonsblog.com/2012/10/07/appreciation-in-multitude/. Take care – Tiny
Hi tiny lessons blog, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Josh here from the BlinkPack blog. I like the concept of your blog, and I am so glad you are spending time sharing your thoughts through writing. Thanks for that, and for visiting the blog. Wishing you all the best! Happy trails.
My pleasure in perusing your blog! Safe travels, Michael
HI Michael, please accept this blog award as an indication of my enjoyment of your beautiful blog! http://youngbyname.me/2012/10/09/one-lovely-blog-award/
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
That’s fine, Michael, I totally understand. I’ve had several others that I haven’t bothered with before, but this one just caught me in the right frame of mind to follow through! Thanks for letter me know though, and keep on blogging! Best wishes, Debbie
Thank you Debbie!
Hello Michael, thank you for the like on my blog https://islandhoppinggreece.wordpress.com/. Reading your blog makes me a bit envious – how wonderful to travel as much as you do and to be able to see photos the way that you do. I really enjoy your style of blogging. Regards, Pia
Hi Pia, I am glad to have discovered your blog which has valuable information and beautiful photos of the Dodecanese islands which have aways been my dream destinations. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Regards, Michael
Welcome! Thank you for subscribing to follow my blog. I hope you are encouraged, inspired and enjoy the photos I take of life events as seen through the lens of my camera.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
My pleasure to follow your blog and peruse your posts!
Hi Michael, Thank you for following my blog. I hope my photos inspire you. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and learning about your retired life! Great photos.
My pleasure in following your blog and peruse the posts! Michael
Thank you for sharing, Michael. Your photographs are stunning!
Thank you Jacq for your kind comment! Michael
Hello Michael, I’ve enjoyed following your travels and seeing your journey documented in spectacular images. I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Super Sweet Award! Thank you for creating such an interesting, super sweet blog 🙂 Here’s the link: http://twoblackdoggies.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/super-sweet-award/
Hi twoblackdoggies, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael, I understand and respect your decision completely 🙂
Thank you twoblackdoggies!
Just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I hope this will be welcome news for you. Some people choose not to participate, others enjoy the opportunity to visit new-to-you blogs and to be visited by new-to-you bloggers. To read more about the award and accepting this nomination, visit my post at http://globetrottersara.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/speeches/
Hi Sara, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Michael, I sent you an award, but just read the comment above that you do not accept awards. Sorry….
Hi Shaanthz, thanks very much for the nomination. I am glad that you like my blog and consider me worthy of the nomination. Have a great weekend! Michael
Thank you very much for stopping by my blog and taking the time to like some articles. I started reading some of of your posts and I am hooked ! Your pictures are marvelous ! I loved the ones of XiXi, Hangzhou in winter 🙂
Thank you for reading my blog; I also love perusing some of your articles and was interested in knowing why you call yourself “anonymous”. I understand Mr. “anonymous” did exist and I have a picture of his staute in my post “Budapest – Of Heroes and Castles”. Regards, Michael
I read your article about this mister “anonymous” and I admit I knew nothing about this man, but I may start looking into his work !
I chose to call myself anonymous as I believe that once you start traveling (properly) you are no longer only a people of your native country, but a citizen of the World, a chameleon and you adapt your behavior depending on the country you are in. I believe being anonymous makes you travel better ! But that’s just my point of view.
Yes, we are just world citizens in a world without boundaries (except visa requirements), the absence of any pre-conception / discrimination and travelling with an open mind are perhaps the best way of travelling. Regards, Michael
Great blog! I’m enjoying your photos 🙂
Thank you Mark!
Thank you for liking my Big Lobster! I can certainly relate to what you have said about yourself. I too am writing in my second language, I am not a professional writer (or a photographer), and I am semi- (i.e., about to be) retired. My Blog is my experiment. I certainly like your photography. I’ll follow your Blog, and hope you will with mine too and drop by again.
Hi Opalla, it seems we are similar in many ways. Am following your blog and will drop by again! Michael
Thank you for stopping by and liking a verse on my WordPress site. I plan to look at and perhaps be inspired by your photos. Continued good wishes on your retirement…I have many years to go before I can retire. My WordPress site was also an experiment in recording small daily observations. While we cannot follow every blog…I do plan to put your site on my favorites list so I can find you easily. As I enjoy photography too. Though I haven’t quite figured out all the computer details about posting it.
Cheers from Pennsylvania – The United State of America.
Hi Jules, thank you so much for your encouraging and kind comments. Hope you will enjoying blogging and posting, will meet you on this platform again! Michael
Enjoy your retirement!
I will make the bost use of my time in retirement. Thank you!
I would be surprised if no one has nominated you yet for the Beautiful Blogger Award. I just did because I really like your site. You write very well and your pictures are so beautiful. Keep on blogging.
Hi bebs1, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Thanks for the like on my post “baby gators” I have enjoyed checking out your blog – Steve
Hi Steve, it was a pleasure reading your posts. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Thanks so much for checking out my lifestyle blog, http://bmoreenergy.wordpress.com. I will take a look around yours!
You are welcome!
You have great eye for color, light and shadow. There is an elemental balance in your photography that really catches the essence of the subject. Thanks for stopping by The Brass Rag. Come back and see us again soon. Meanwhile, happy writing!
Hi Cheri, thank you for your encouraging comment; I am still a learner in photography. I’ve started following your blog! Regards, Michael
Thank you for following, sir!
My pleasure!
Hi Michael, thanks for stopping by to read. Not only is the sheer quantity of your output inspiring, but the quality is just fantastic too. I look forward to more!
Hi ryan, I have been trying to click “like” on some of your posts but find that it didn’t work. Maybe, you can ask your friend to do the same to see if this is also the case. Many thanks for visitng my blog. Regards, Michael
Thanks for the advice, Michael – I will investigate!
Thank you for your continued support and liking of my blog posts!
My pleasure, Stan!
What an interesting life you lead! Thanks for the like on my own blog. I’m thankful too that I checked yours out here. Your English is as good as any native speaker!
Hi Stacey, life only started to be more interesting upon my retirement. Thanks for the kind and encouraging comment. Will stop by your blog more often. Cheers, Michael
Thanks for liking Emmmyjay’s Excellent Adventures! Retirement certainly agrees with you!
Thanks, I am really enjoying my retirement!
Hi, Michael,
You have been nominated for a One Lovely Blog award – see details at http://otrazhenie.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/nominated-for-one-lovely-blog-award/ . Enjoy your award and keep blogging 🙂
Regards,
Otrazhenie 🙂
Hi Otrazhenie, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Thank you for passing by and the following..
You are welcome!
hi Micheal,
Thanks for the likes!! ditto:)
Keep your posts coming…..let me know if you get to Lucca!!
http://www.ilovelucca.co.nz & http://www.runtontorun.wordpress.com
Hi, I got to Lucca but it seems there is no “like” button to click. You have quite a few posts which I like. Regards, Michael
i will go amend that…i think you can only like it on facebook as the ilovelucca website has some functions of wordpress but its hosted separately….try ilovelucca.wordpress.com…its soley the blog
oops, forgot to say…..maybe we can tempt you to join us on the writers workshop in 2013????
check out full details in January 2013…..www.ilovelucca.co.nz
Hi, unfortunately I am neither a writer nor a photographer; I’m just a retiree muddling through my new phase of life. Thank you for your suggestion!
i’m not either But you never know…Ivan can help the writer in all of us:)
Hi – Thanks for stopping by my blog, “Snapshots.” I, too, am recently retired. I enjoyed looking at your post of Victoria Peak. I’ll visit your blog often.
Hi Charles, hope you are enjoying your retirement. I also enjoy reading through your posts! Michael
I hope you get freshly pressed one day. Your photos are awe-inspiring.
My main objective is to share and be inspired by others, so I am not too concerned whether my post got freshly pressed. In any case, I feel flattered by your kind comment!
Thank you for visiting and liking our webpage http://nxtgengadgets.com and bringing us to your wonderful site.
Keep on visiting often to get your daily dose of technology.
Thank you Pranav!
Awesome Photos and story. thanks for blogging! 🙂
Hi beethbeth, It is my pleasure to share my posts with you and all readers. Thanks for the perusal! Michael
I lived in Okinawa for 3 years and I admire your writing this blog, great job!
Hi author4u, I like Okinawa and have written a couple of posts about it. In particular, I like the aquarium. In my retirment, I like travelling around and taking photos. Thanks very much for the encouraging comment! Michael
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your English is good, keep it up 🙂
Think I still need to improve my English. Thanks for your encouragement! Michael
Thanks for stopping by my blog Michael. We share some life experiences-no longer working full time, blogging for the first time and having to prepare any slides and such all by ourselves. That is life beyond full-time flat-out work. That is a wonderful life. I am using my blog to describe life and thoughts beyond full time work too. barbstruestories.wordpress.com
Hi Barb, indeed we have many similarities. While working, I always have my own secretary, I didn’t even have to do much typing or preparing slides or PowerPoints. I am now being thrown into a different world but am enjoying every bit of it. Preparation of PowerPoints for part-time teaching is my biggest challenge. I think I could have made my blog a lot more attractive if I have more computer skills.
Best wishes on your retirement and please keep in touch! Michael
Thanks for stopping by….hope to see you sometime soon!!!
Thanks for liking the post! Would you be passing through HK?
Appreciate you stopping by my blog and liking several recent posts. Best to you.
You are welcome!
Thank you for checking out my blog. I LOVE yours. It makes me want to retire haha
Both work and retirement can be enjoyable; at the moment, I am finding the latter more enjoyable! Haha!
I think this blog is wonderful and I am glad to share all your experiences….thank you
Lisa
Hi Lisa, glad that you like my blog. It is my pleasure to share my journeys and experiences with you. Regards, Michael
wonderful pictures! keep on clicking!
Thank you Junsjazz!
Awesome shots! Cheers ^_^
Thanks for the kind comment!
Interesting travels and photos! I have found I like following the blogs of people from countries other than my own as it provides a different perspective on travel and other issues. Your English seems quite good to me. I think you write in English better than a lot of Americans!
For the same reasons, I also like following blogs of people from other countries. No doubt, you will find a mistake or two here or there in my text; hope my readers will pardon me. Thanks very much for the perusal and kind comment!
Congratulations on writing a blog in your non-native language. I think it is fabulous way to improve your English (though yours already seems very good). I was only yesterday encouraging a student of ours to do the same thing. All the best for your blog, photography, travels and retirement.
Thank you for the encouraging comment!
Thank you for visiting and liking a blog post of mine. I was looking through yours just now…your photos are beautiful.
Thank you Irish Kate!
Hi and thankyou for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy my little stories of France 🙂 I’ll be enjoying your photos.
Thank you cupcaketravels, I really do enjoy the stories about France. Thanks for sharing!
Dear ★ Michael ★,
I have nominated you/your inspirational blog, for the Blog of the Year 2012!
Congratulations!
Please pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass the torch at:
http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/
Wonderful Holiday Season to you and yours!
😀 Fae.
Hi Fae, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Dear Michael, I sincerely respect your choice. Though it was obvious having viewed your blog, nonetheless, I wanted you to know that your blog was one of my choices for the blog award of the year. I appreciate your talent and am always in awe of what you capture with your lens. Fae.
Dear Fae, thanks again for the nomination and your kind words of encouragement! Have a great weekrnd, Michael
Good morning Sir! Just wanted to stop in and say thank you for your support of The Brass Rag. Your blog looks beautiful and I love seeing your pictures. Looking forward to your comments…meanwhile happy photographing and writing.
Thank you Cheri, you are most welcome!
Michael I have nominated you for the “Blogger of the year 2012” award. Please go to The Other Side of Ugly at this link http://theothersideofugly.com/2012/12/08/its-wonderful-to-be-a-part-of-such-a-beautiful-community/ and follow the instructions. Congratulations!
Hi The Other Side of Ugly, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks for having a look at my Bucket List. I had a look at your blog and the first thing I’ll say is your pictures are giving me a twinge of homesickness (my parents live n the countryside, I’m studying in London), your photography is really beautiful. Secondly- I think it’s great that you’ve picked up writing- even as a retiree! I absolutely adore it, my blog is the place I find myself, and develop my creativity. Interviews with poets, fashion designers, and making bucket lists etc are helping me find myself- people like you reading them is just a bonus! Keep up the good work, I hope you stop by again soon.
Regards,
Rhiannon
Hi rhiannoncdavies, thanks for the kind comment. I also find your blog interesting and will stop by again. Regards, Michael
Hi, Michael,
I’m finally getting around to thanking you for taking time to read (and like) my blog posts. Also, thank you for your lovely and thought-provoking photos here. I really enjoy your blog. Best wishes, Paula
Hi Paula, thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Hi Michael Lai!!! Thank you for stopping by my blog. may you find some words in my blog that is less understood. This is because my english is not good.
I love your travel experience, especially Shirakawa-Go.
By the way, do you have plans to visit Indonesia. if you come to Indonesia you should visit Belitung Island and Raja Ampat
Warm regards from Indonesia
Hi Abdul, I have visited Indonesia and like very much Mount Bromo, Yogatta and Bali. Thank you for introducing Belitung Island and Raja Ampat to me. I will find out more about these lovely places. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Maybe you mean is Yogyakarta not yogatta….
hehe
Yes, I mean Yogyakarta!
I am enjoying your photos. Thank you for liking and following . . . it brought me to your site.
You are welcome!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I’m so glad I found yours as well!
I am glad also to have found your blog. Regards, Michael
Love your blog ! I have an award for you at my place. Please stop by and check it out ! Bella
http://bellaremyphotography.com/2012/12/13/time-to-celebrate/
Hi Bella Remy Photography, thanks so much for the nomination. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
My dad says writing is just organizing your thoughts. You seem to do that quite well, from what I’ve looked at so far your writing is good!
That is so cool that you get to travel so much and take such great pictures. How often do you travel?
Before I retired, my job involves quite a lot of thinking and organizing; maybe those help. However, my English is mainly functional and does not contain a lot of colloquial language, simply because I don’t know them. I am in my early stage of retirement and therefore would travel as much as possible while I am still mobile. I have been to two short trips and one long trip this year. Regards, Michael
Sorry, I disagree w/ one more thing – you said writing is not your best of skills. Your stories are great. And thanks for the quick response/like of my ” ‘Shrooms” and “The Old Fisherman…” OK, I’ll leave you alone now…Have a lovely evening (or day???)
Hi Laurie, I try not to use too many words. Sometimes, I am not sure whether I am gramatically correct or whether I have mis-spelt. I hope my stories are not boring ( I am sure some of them are, if not for the photos!). Best wishes, Michael
I am grateful. ❤ Thank you and may your 2013 be heavenly blessed!
Thank you, same to you!
Hi Michael!
I have nominated you for the Blog of the year 2012 Award. Thanks for all your great photos & fantastic insights. Also for ‘following’ my blog and all the ‘likes’, it is much appreciated & inspires me to blog more everyday!
Check out my blog for your Award 😉
Hi Milka,
Thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (150 countries) is already my biggest reward.
I read your post on your impressions about my blog. I feel very happy and honored. I know if I write something which is not from my experience or from my heart, usually, the response is not good. I have a phobia for writing – when I was a student, I always hated the “compostion” examinations as I don’t know and could not make up my mind what to write.
With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated!
Regards, Michael
No problem Michael..it was my pleasure anyway!
All the Best with your blog! 🙂
All the best with your Blog too!
Happy Holidays, Michael
You are such a wonderful friend and encouragement.
Thank you for your kind comments and likes on my blog.
Yours is absolutely beautiful and very well done.
Your friend Amber……
Happy holidays to you Amber !. . . . . .
Thanks for showing so much support for snappy~speak, Michael! I really appreciate it!!
~Christy
You are welcome!
I have nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Please see this link at
http://wp.me/piVRT-2M6 Congratulations!
Hi mavimet, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (150 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Michael, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I enjoy your pictures and your writing. I wanted to acknowledge you even though you don’t accept awards.
http://miriamtroxler.com/2012/12/23/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Hi miriamtroxler, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (150 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Michael,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my Christmas post. Your photos are excellent. I love the recent “oils,” especially the “Fields of Gold” one. Looks like retirement is treating you well! Look forward to following.
Hi Ashley, I am enjoying every moment of my retirement. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Michael
hi 🙂 I’ve nominated you for the versatile blogger award http://theeclecticeccentricshopaholic.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/the-versatile-blogger-award-and-the-shine-on-award/
happy holidays! ^^ and yes, i’m definitely enjoying your blog. english isn’t my first language either but i’ve realized that blogging is indeed a great way to sharpen language skills ^^
Hi KZ, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (150 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
it’s totally fine, no problem ^^ i only felt the need to mention your blog because your photography is fantastic and wanted to share it with my followers as well. happy holidays! ^^
Much appreciated KZ!
Thanks for visiting my recent blogpost… It’s been a pleasant journey…http://3rdculturechildren.com/2012/12/27/looking-back-at-2012-remembering2011/ Thanks for stopping by and liking! Much appreciated! Happy Holidays! Greetings from La Paz, Bolivia!
Wow! This may be my first comment from Bolivia! Thanks for the greetings and best wishes for the New Year!
I’m glad to know this is the first one from Bol… If you wait a couple more years, the comments will be coming from another country… that’s our life! 😮 Take care! Happy 2013!
Actually, my readers are from over 150 countries. Hopefully, I will receive comments from some African countries which are not yet covered. Happy 2013!
Wish we had interacted earlier, when I first began blogging about Mozambique, S. Africa and Swazi… Wishing you a successful blogging year! 😮
Thank you 3rdCultureChildren!
Merry Christmas Michael 🙂
Happy New Year to you jakesprinter!
So how did it go since last January? 😉
I have to say, your writing is just fine; it is impressive to know that you have not written before, especially that English is not your mother tongue. I wonder if you have an easier time with your first language, or is it harder?
Thanks for liking my recent post.
Lila
Hi Lila, I have never expected that there are so many hits / followers. My training and career were in engineering. As I have not written before, it does not matter whether I was to write in Chinese or English; I have to struggle with both. However, I cannot do Chinese posts as I don’t even know how to type in Chinese! Shortly into blogging, I realized that there are very few readers from HK as they don’t normally read English blog posts. The advantage of writing in English is that there are a lot more audience and I am happy with that! Many thanks for the perusal and comment, Michael
I understand completely. Writing is an art; it doesn’t matter if you use ink or water color The struggle of art has nothing to do with the tools we use.
English is predominant now. I am Canadian from Arab origin and even in the middle east, there are people who studied English for so long that they can only write well in English.
And it’s funny how there are English born speakers learning Chinese/Mandarin because they believe it will soon be the predominant language! Can you believe that?
I’m happy you write in English so we could meet and communicate. It’s great to meet you.
Best to you in the new year!
Lila
Hi Lila, China has a population of 1.3billion, in addition, there are many migrants in SE Asia ( including Singapore, Malaysia) and the Western world, they speak and / or write in Chinese. Some people are learning at least to speak in Chinese, so they can do business / work in China. The difficulty of learning Chinese is that the writings are more diagram like and not related to the sound, this is the biggest hurdle in Chinese becoming the most prdeominant language. I am sure that there will be more and more people who can read / write Chinese but not sure that it will be the most commonly used language. Happy New Year to you! Michael
At 1.3 billion, it already is the most spoken language, and English is the most dispersed around the world. I think it’s a great idea that people are learning it. It’s Interesting that you speak the top spoken languages in the world. You’re quite lucky!
The way you described Chinese reminds me of hieroglyphics. It sounds fascinating, I love it; you taught me something new about the Chinese language 🙂
Lila
Hi Lila, I have started learning Spanish. By the time I have some profiency in this language, I will be able to communicate with a big percentage of the people in the world! Michael
Haha, you’re a genius, Spanish is huge!
I am working on increasing my French skills now, only because I love it so much and I am also Canadian! But the next language will either be Spanish, Chinese or Japanese!
How are you studying?
Hi Lila, I have started on a Basic Spanish class which involves attending 12 lessons each of 1.5 hours. Back home, I do homework and listen to the CD attached to our textbook. I have now enrolled the Intermediate classes in Spring too. Kind regards, Michael
Excellent. I am at fault with my languages since I have no one to talk to for practice. Language is just a skill we need to repeatedly practice for excellence. I use audio daily.. Seeing others who practice like you motivates me even more to excel (: Thanks!
Lila
Thank you Lila!
Thanks for dropping by and liking my post, much appreciated. 🙂
You are welcome!
Hi .. I’ve nominated your blog for 4 different awards. Please take a peek at them here whenever you get a moment! 🙂
http://randomuzings.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/awards-night/
Hi muZer, thanks so much for the nominations which I understand are important awards. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (150 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nominations. Thank you once again for the nominations which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
No problems at all. I did give that option of accepting or not so totally understand it. This was just my way of showing appreciation for your blog and the amazing photos I get a chance to look at, so thank you for that! 🙂
Regards,
Hi muZer, thanks for the understanding. Have a great weekend! Michael
Just to start the New Year off right, there is an Award waiting for you at http://acrossthebored.com/2012/12/30/awards-christmas-comes-twice-this-year/
Whether you choose to participate or not, please know that Across the Bored finds inspiration, entertainment, enlightenment and good company in your blog. Thanks for being a presence in our virtual reality!
Hi ideflex, thanks so much for the nominations which I understand are important awards. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (156 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nominations. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
No problem – it’s the thought that counts – have a wonderful New Year!
Wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2013 too!
Hi Michael, nice to meet you. Your blog so impressive… 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog… blessing to you… !!
Hi Bams, glad to meet you too. Happy New Year to you!
Love your blog so I am passing on an award I received for a Blog on Fire: http://sarahryan85.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/a-whole-new-year-ahead/
Hi Sarah, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Michael
Hi Michael! Thanks for dropping by my blog and liking my posts. I was looking at your photos… so nice! I was also reading your post on joys and jokes of retirement. Got a good chuckle out of the part about getting a watch when time is no longer as important as it was before. Good point.. I never really thought about that. 🙂
Hi Shelley, thanks very much for reading something which I wrote almost a year ago when I first retired. In a sense, time is now all the more important as all time is now in our hands ( and no more in the hand of the employer) and as always, it is running out! Michael
Thank you for stopping by my blog and liking my post. I look forward to checking out your photos!
You are most welcome!
Your photos are lovely! I have really enjoyed browsing them just now. Thanks for the visit to my blog and keep taking fabulous images!
Thank you very much roxyboots!
Wonderful retired life and great photos!
Thank you myfoodandflowers!
Thanks for stopping by and liking my Word a Week Challenge – Clouds entry! you have some great images here, and I find your English to be very good. Take care and thanks again!
Thanks for your kind comment. Have a great 2013!
Wishing you the same!
I’m so happy to have a WordPress friend in China! I am a tea reviewer and student of Chinese tea. I love your photographs and your spirit for travel! Congratulations on making your transition to retirement. I will read your blog with delight!
In my retirement, I am getting to know more about China through travelling and lately learning Chinese calligraphy. I may try Chinese tea tasting too. Thank you!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and looking at your pictures for awhile now, and decided to nominate it for the Shine On award. Read all about it here. http://mycruisestories.com/2013/01/10/shine-on-award/
Hi LBcruiseshipblogger, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Regards, Micha
Michael,
Very interesting stuff. I can see you have an appreciation for life, nature, and the mystery surrounding it all. Thanks for taking an interest in my work as well.
-Joe
Hi Joe627, thanks for your perusal. I am flattered by your kind comments. All the best with your blogging!
You have a wonderfully interesting blog here and I am impressed with your command of English, as you write clearly and with fairly good grammar too. The subjects of your little articles and the photos are very interesting and I can see why you have so many followers. I am only in first week of blogging, so still have much too learn. Will return often!
Would be grateful if you would help me to improve my English through pointing out some of the shortcomings. Best wishes on your blogging!
Cheers for liking my post about airline meals! Which were your most memorable ones?
Will be curious to see if you post photos of Shenzhen and Kowloon Tong, since I used to live in both of those areas!
My most mmemorable meal was not the one when I was upgraded to first class but some roast goose with noodles served on CX. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of Shenzhen or Kowloon Tong. Thank you for the kind comment!
We’ve nominated your blog for an award (or two, or three…), if you accept them. If not, just consider it a token of our esteem! 🙂 See our post at http://windagainstcurrent.com/2013/01/13/award-appreciation-we-thank-our-readers-for/
Hi Vladimir, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
You have a very interesting and rich blog Michael, as evidenced by the number of positive comments that you’ve received here. Well done; and thank you for your appreciation of what I’ve posted so far.
You are welcome. Thank you for the kind comment!
I am incorperating more pictures in my blog now that I have recoverd my photo albums.
Thank you Bill!
Michael, I think I know your response since I’ve read the comments in this section. But I nominated you for the Shine On! Award prior to reading these. Just know that you are appreciated and mentioned. Here’s where you can read about your nomination: http://wp.me/p2l4j8-s2
Best wishes for continued success!
Hi Rusha, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
Hi Michael, thanks for your Like on my Cologne trip post (artcalling). I just dropped into see what you are up to and it is a very interesting blog and your English is excellent.
Many thanks for for the perusal and the comment!
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I like you recent post – the glass is amazing. 🙂 D34
Thank you D34!
🙂
Hi Michael, I have nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award 🙂
http://opallaontrails.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/my-turn-to-say-thank-you-reader-appreciation-award/
Hi Opalla, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the
I can understand and I respect your decision, Michael. It’s taken me a while to decide whether to dip my feet in these awards blogging too. I consider myself a participant observer to find out about blogging, and hence, I am in. Bog on!
Hi Opalla, thank you for your understanding. I am also new to blogging (1 year) and am still learning. Regards, Michael
Congratulations! I love your blog and have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
However, there are rules and I won’t be offended if you don’t want to follow them. I just wanted to share your blog with others.
Ana (http://jubileejourney.wordpress.com)
Hi, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
If retired life is as good and globetrotting as yours then it perhaps is something to really look forward to. You are indeed living the dream of traveling and enjoying life after having met its responsibilities. Your photographs are splendid, have character and your narrative reminds me of friends coming back from trips brimming with enthusiasm and stories. Your following is perhaps best reflective of the joy your posts are bringing people. Keep good health, keep travelling and keep blogging.
Looking forward to your Posts
Hi Potsoup, your comments are exceedingly kind and encouraging. I have worked continously for almost 4 decades without any time for developing my interests; so this is a new lease of life. Regards, Michael
Keep on TRAVELING!
Will do and will share them in my posts!
Hello, Michael!
Just wanted to say “Hi” and let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I also appreciate all the “likes” you’ve clicked on my page time after time. I am especially impressed with your photography. I have just finished reading all the comments on your about page to see if anyone asked the question that’s always on my mind…and no one has yet. So here’s the question: “What camera do you use?!” (Of course it’s not always important about the equipment, but moreso about the technique but I’d really like to know what camera you’re using.) All of God’s richest blessings to you and your family thoughout 2013!
Hi Andy, for the last 2 years, I only have 2 digital cameras. A Fuji X100 which has a fixed lens (no zoom) for oversea trips and a cheap small Casio EX-H15 which I may carry around locally ( previously, I only have entry level cameras). I quite like the X100 but now Fuji has produced even better cameras, some with interchangable lens. The more recent ones include the X100S, X200, XE-1, Pro1 etc. I am also looking for a new camera as my X100 cannot zoom (that explain why I do not have a lot of close up shots, apart from macros). Hope this information is of some use to you. Many thanks for your blessings . Best wishes to you and family in 2013! Michael
Hi,
Good news (I hope), if not, just news.
I am nominating your blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
The rules of this blog award are at:
http://notesfromcamelidcountry.net/2013/01/25/something-inspirational/
Best wishes, Paul.
Hi, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
Thank you for stopping by on my blog, great to see your photos of China, particularly envious of your trip to Zhangjiajie – my dream place to visit! Please continue to enjoy your retirement to its fullest, an inspiration for us uni kids to work hard and achieve the same. Daisy
Zhangjiajie is indeed a breathtaking place to visit. Your certainly have the right philosohy: work hard and reap the harvest when retired. Thank you for your kind comment!
I nominated you with the Versatile Blogger Award! Please click this link http://kuyasnotebook.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/versatile-blogger-award/ for more about it! I love all of your photos! One day I’ll have to see all the places you’ve been to! 🙂
Hi, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
That’s fine! I just want you to know how much I appreciate and love to read your blog, regardless of whether you want to accept the nomination. 🙂 Thanks for always putting out such great content!
Much appreciated!
你好老师！我是大学生。我家有四个人。我妈妈，我爸爸，一个妹妹，和我。哈哈。我是美国人。
Good that you can write in Chinese. Best wishes to you and your family. Many thanks for the kind comment too!
I have just been looking through your Blog, what a wonderful set of images.
Hi male-sf, many thanks for the perusal and the kind comment!
Thank you for the “like” on my blog. I came over here to view yours and love it! The photography is excellent. I will be following the blog.
Thank you for your kind comment and your following!
Thank you for stopping by simplydaisies. Your photography is amazing.
Thank you for your kind comment!
What a lovely blog, with some amazing photos! And considering English isn’t your first language and you’ve never blogged before, I think your doing a super job. Thanks for taking the time to stope by my Heggles blog and like it. I’ll definitely be looking out for your blog in future.
Best wishes
Heggles
Many thanks for the kind comment! Best wishes in the year of the Snake!
Dear Michael Lai,
I’m much respect and really appreciate for your kindness. Thank you for taking time to stop by my blog, read and then “liking” my posts, although in Indonesian language.
English is not our native language, it’s no problem at all. I am happy that we had “connected” by “retiree” language (I was retired in 2002… 🙂 )
Happy blogging, Michael… All the best to you and your family… !!
– It’s my dream to visit HK… someday –
Hi Bam, my pleasure to visit your blog. Happy retirement and thank you for your kind comment!
Here is another retired since 2004. I speak Finnish, but I am blogging in English, French and Spanish.
I wish to You active days! 🙂
I admire your proficiency in so many languages. I have just started learning elementary Spanish in my retirement. For me, it is a good mental exercise to keep learning. Happy retirement and hope to hear from you again!
Hello, thanks for visiting my blog. I really liked Hong Kong when I visited last year. I also enjoy reading your blog. Happy Chinese new year!
Hi, Hong Kong is avery unique place. Maybe, I should have featured this in my recent post on “Unique”. Thanks very much for the kind comment!
Drop by to say “Gong Hei Fat Choy 恭喜發財”!!
Your blog has been an inspiration.
Thank you for your kind comment! 恭喜發財 to you and your family in the year of the Snake!
Hi there, you’ve been nominated by F&S Guru:-)
Hi, thanks so much for the nomination which I understand is an important award. I have decided not to pursue or accept any nomination / award during my retirement and for this reason, I have already turned down all similar awards. Knowing that my blog is read in many places of the world (over 160 countries) is already my biggest reward. With regret, I have to decline the nomination. Thank you once again for the nomination which is very much appreciated! Best wishes to you also, Michael
Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you’re enjoying your new challenge.
I am enjoying my retirement. Thank you 🙂
The words and photos on your blog are just beautiful – thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to seeing more of your photos and hearing about your retirement journey. Enjoy!
Hi, you are most welcome to visit my blog. Thanks very much for the encouraging and kind comment 🙂