If you missed part one about sailing in the Bay of Islands, check it out here. Monday morning, the start of Christmas week, dawned bright and early with us moving anchorages to the other side of Mimiwhangata Bay, to a spot later populated by several fishing boats. The night before, during our solstice-party planning party,…
Category: northland
a brush with spontaneity: sailing to the bay of islands, part one
*also known as the adventures of Kiwi Rob and Papito* Many of you know that I recently spent some time in the Bay of Islands, but what you don’t know is that it tested every ounce of my spontaneous yearnings and made me realise that I may not be as spontaneous as I’d imagined myself…
new zealand: a year in review
It seems like only yesterday that I landed at Wellington airport, a bright eyed traveller with dreams bigger than Stewart Island, ready for a year in New Zealand. I was picked up by my new flatmate, and his dog, and thus began a new life in a new city, a new country, over halfway around…
new zealand: a hiker’s paradise, part one
When you google New Zealand, what images come up? Stunning landscapes, trails through pristine wilderness, rushing waterfalls, vistas over broad lakes, snow-capped mountains… It’s easy to imagine trekking through this sublime land and many do. There are so many great walks across New Zealand, and nine of them are actually referred to as Great Walks….
flying high with flying kiwi
About two weeks before I left Paihia, I got a surprise text from Taylor: want to go parasailing?! Um, yes.
road trip gone wrong
It was a sad day in Paihia. My lovely little Henrietta – a 1996 Honda CR-V – had died. We weren’t together very long, which is why this hurt so bad! Having a car was a big deal to me here – it means freedom and adventure. Dealing with the bus is generally difficult and…
in photos: raglan
I haven’t posted a photo essay in a while. I’m not sure why – I have plenty of photos. But I was scrolling through my library and came across these ones from Raglan. Enjoy 🙂
a far north road trip: part two
If you missed part one, check it out here! 🙂 I left Rob’s early in the morning after handing over the various things I still had – the torch, a book, a jacket. My first stop was just down the road: petrol and coffee.Then I went a further five kms down the road to Uretiti…
in video: cape reinga
Well, it’s certainly taken me *ages* to get around to making this video, but it’s finally done and you can view the entire footage here. I’m sure I don’t need to expand further on how amazing this day was. We had crap weather in Paihia and on our first day, but the day that we…
a far north road trip: part one
*sponsored in part by Far North Rentals and Okopako Lodge* On the morning that I left Paihia, I did so with no plans and only one accommodation booked: an evening at the Okopako Lodge deep in the Waima Forest outside Opononi. I drove recklessly with abandon to destinations far and wide across the Northland district…