The water started coming down, in a light spray at first, then heavier and more intense, until tiny reflective droplets coated my glasses and I could barely see. The wind picked up too, rocking our little boat precariously as we paddled further into the waterfall. I suddenly remembered to look up, and saw only…
As I got off the bus at Dambatenne, I got a warning. ‘Careful’, the driver said, ‘yesterday two person die.’ What? ‘Yes,’ he said, indicating lightning with his hands and pointing up the hill, ‘Big storm. Two are die.’ It’s true that the previous afternoon there had been a big storm in…
A few months ago I found myself waaaaay down the South end of the South island of New Zealand, wondering just which direction to go in next (Duh…North?) when I realized that the Southern Wild Food Festival was coming to Invercargill. I like food. It’s no secret. And wild food? Sure, why not? …
Any visit to Tibet is full, and I mean full, of visits to monasteries. During the 11 days I spent in Tibet I spent hour upon hour wandering through ancient dark halls scented with incense and old wood, walking over creaking timber floors and looking at imposing statues behind dusty glass. Sera…
I recently had a little bit of an internal battle. Nothing serious, but a situation that left me perplexed, that made me question myself, who I am and what I believe in as a traveler. I had a plan. A very vague one, but one that had me crossing the Cook Strait to Wellington,…
“To the east, to the east, the road beneath my feet. To the west, to the west, I haven’t got there yet. To the north, to the north, never to be caught. To the south, to the south, my time is running out.” – Frank Turner, The Road When…
Thirteen years ago when I travelled in New Zealand, a couple I met in Auckland told me about Wharariki Beach (pronounced Fah-rah-reekee), and said I must go, and that I should go at sunset, and at low tide. Luckily, when my friend and I found ourselves in the area, low tide and…
In honour of my six month-a-versary of being in New Zealand, in my last post I told you about six things I absolutely adore about this country. I also warned you that my next post would be six things I dislike about it. I had a bit of trouble thinking of six whole things,…
A few days ago I hit my six month-a-versary of being in New Zealand! As I sat wondering just where the time has gone, I decided to tell you about a few of my favourite things about this country. I could be all clichéd here and say ‘Ooooh the scenery is so beautiful’ or…
In my last post I promised to tell you what’s been keeping me so busy lately, so here you go! I’m in New Zealand on a Working Holiday visa, which is a good thing because to spend a year in this super expensive country definitely requires working at some point. $8.50 for a smoothie!…