At 3,754m, Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain. Situated in the Southern Alps on the South Island, Aoraki Mount Cook is in good company; there are a couple of dozen other peaks in the Southern Alps that are higher than 3000 metres, which makes this region such a spectacular place to visit.
We arrived completely soaked although we had only walked the short distance from our Wellington base, the YHA hostel that is barely a 5 minute walk away – it was raining cats and dogs, and we must have looked a sight.
So remember why I went on a crazy two-week road trip around New Zealand with my friend Meagaan back in October/November?
Last time I was in Vancouver, I indulged in some aerial exploration of this beauty of a city. As you know I hopped on a helicopter on Grouse Mountain to see what everyone’s ooohing and aaaahing about when they talk about the scenery of BC.
It is not a secret that I am somewhat taken with Vancouver. It must be something between its amazing cityscape, its super-friendly and entrepreneurial inhabitants and its spectacular natural surroundings that attracts me, like so many others, and the fact that it feels very familiar; perhaps it’s the fact that like London, its winters are...
When holidaying on Madeira, chances are you will be staying in Funchal, as it is the most developed part of the island in terms of tourism. Cruise ships dock at its port on a daily basis, on their routes between Portugal, the Canary Islands and north Africa. Although Madeira certainly isn’t famous for being a...
The Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most famous shrines. It is probably more widely known to foreigners as the shrine of the thousand red gates, and located in Kyoto’s Fushimi-ku district. The Shinto shrine consists of thousands of red gates, or toriis, along a network of paths, leading through the forest up to...
We used Nelson as a base for five days of holiday – each packed with great things to do! Nelson gets more sunshine than anywhere else in the South Island and along with being a great town on its own, it is a great base for numerous day trips.
It’s a good time to visit Christchurch now. While there is still considerable damage from the earthquakes to be seen, you can witness the changing face of the city in all the reconstruction efforts.
Visiting Christchurch was a sobering end to an action-packed road trip across the North and South Islands. The Garden City, as it is called, really surprised me; naturally it was sad seeing the city for the first time after the earthquake, but at the same time, it was great to experience the reconstruction, innovative projects...
Queenstown is known for its stunning scenery with the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, and of course for its status as the adventure capital of New Zealand. But only an hour’s drive away its little neighbour Wanaka sits in equally beautiful scenery, mostly overlooked by tourists. Nonetheless, this little town of 5000 inhabitants has a lot...
The bright orange of my overall was the only thing that was lighting up my face at this point. I look at Meagaan’s face, and am somewhat glad that it is marked by a certain nervousness. My travel buddy is not impervious to pre-skydive jitters after all, despite her constant efforts of trying to talk...
It was cold, it had rained, and Meagaan and I were happily kicking back, drinking tea in our cosy room at the YHA in Rotorua. The phone rang, and BAM! – we jumped up, grabbed our backpacks and headed out front, wearing big smiles – the white water rafting trip was ON!
Maison de la Mer in Akaroa, Canterbury: a luxury B&B
Apr 30, 2013
Milford Sound Lodge chalets: a special place to stay
Apr 22, 2013
Hanami: cherry blossoms in Japan (photo essay)
Apr 18, 2013
The Te Papa Museum: a Maori experience tour
Apr 10, 2013
Raising funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal: the results are in!
Mar 20, 2013
Flightseeing in Vancouver: seaplane flight from Coal Harbour
Mar 10, 2013
Flightseeing in Vancouver: Grouse Mountain helicopter ride
Feb 24, 2013
Arrowtown: where to eat, what to do and where to stay
Feb 18, 2013
Exploring Madeira: things to do in Funchal
Feb 14, 2013
Where to stay in Funchal: Hotel The Vine
Feb 3, 2013
