Around Christchurch: an Akaroa itinerary
We were on a self-drive, on month tour of the south island of New Zealand in December 2012 and we were fortunate to put Akaroa on our itinerary. Akaroa was originally a French settlement and it is...
View ArticleChristchurch: where to stay and eat
We had great luck in Christchurch with comfortable accommodation and great food. We flew in and out of Christchurch so used it as a base at both the start and end of our trip. Where to Stay in...
View ArticleFoley Towers budget accommodation in Christchurch
I often get asked where to stay in Christchurch nowadays. Although the earthquakes were quite a while ago now, almost 2.5 years, there’s still a lot of construction work, demolition and re-building...
View ArticleCrossing the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry
Best way to cross the Cook Strait, right after jumping off a plane and skydiving right into the fields near Picton harbour, is in fact taking the Interislander ferry. Meagaan and I had the pleasure to...
View ArticleZorbing in Rotorua
New Zealand is famous for all sorts of crazy; tourist operators lure with adventure sports around every corner, one requiring more bravery than the next. It was here that the commercial bungy was...
View ArticlePolynesian Spa in Rotorua: perfect after a day of Zorbing, luging and...
Meagaan and I had an action-packed day in Rotorua a wee while ago. We started off the day with white-water rafting with our friends at Kaitiaki, then drove on to roll ourselves down a hill in giant...
View ArticleLivin’ it up in Rotorua: Skyline gondola and luge
Rotorua has plenty of things to do, and to be honest, taking the Skyline Gondola wasn’t on my original list for my 2 days in the North Island tourist town. I am, however, glad I took the gondola as I...
View ArticleStaying at Nomads Queenstown
When in Queenstown, you’ll want to make base for a few days at least. And you’d be well advised to make it a comfortable one, as Queenstown has a lot to offer and you’ll be out and about on adventures...
View ArticleWhakarewarewa: a Maori village guided tour
Whakarewarewa is the living thermal village in Rotorua, on New Zealand’s North Island. It is an area of geothermal activity within the city of Rotorua, where the Maori inhabitants still take advantage...
View ArticleMonkey madness at Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano
Beyond the regular Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima tourist route there is much to explore, and Jigokudani monkey park is one of those little gems that may not be part of the regular line-up of things to do in...
View ArticleTe Po: a Maori cultural evening experience at Te Puia, Rotorua
Te Po was most definitely the most touristy thing I did in Rotorua, but equally one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever taken. Having deprived myself of any Maori cultural activities or tours...
View ArticleWinery visit in Otago: Two Paddocks
Well, what can I say – when in Otago, try as many wines as you possibly can. Especially the pinot noir. And of course, true to this motto, I just had to fit in a few wineries on my last visit to New...
View ArticleTime travel is the new long-haul: Interview with futurist author Jule Owen...
Ever wondered what the future of travel might look like? All first class and no cattle, shorter flight times and as much carry-on as you want? Sure! Or perhaps, think of the advances in technology and...
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