The first day on my bike was without a doubt the hardest. Largely because it is not wise to set off at 3pm when you do not know how long a journey will take, but also because of the insistent headwind that accompanied me all afternoon. That said, I still (for the most part) thoroughly …
The final leg of our journey took my dad and I up the east coast. First stop was Akaroa, a peninsula to the south east of Christchurch, visiting my friend Cece who I originally met during my first wwoofing experience last April. A town with a strong French influence, Akaroa is reached by a long …
Our first view of Mount Cook National Park came as we rounded a corner in the road. A large turquoise blue lake emerged on our right, mirroring the small mountain range beside it. Up ahead, a brilliantly white jagged outline marked our destination. What we had first assumed to be Mount Cook, actually turned out …
Milford Sound was something of an epic adventure. After a four hour drive, our first stop was in the town of Te Anau. We quickly found no short walks in the area appealed to us and instead went to a film showing in the local cinema. The film, Ata Whenua (Maori for Shadowland), was the …
Our first stop inland was Wanaka, the small town where I had originally planned to spend my winter. Dad was looking forward to seeing this place, one of the more prominent features of my travels to date. I had mixed feelings, knowing it would not be the same without the people that had helped make …
From Abel Tasman National Park our journey led west to the Great Coastal Road. We stopped for lunch in Murchison, a small town with wide streets and hilly backdrops, making dad reminisce over time spent in Canada. A unique vintage shop housed within a barn had rusted trucks out front, setting the scene for the …
Seven weeks after buying his plane ticket my dad arrived in Wellington airport, thirty odd hours of plane time initiating him to the world of travel. I felt a rush of emotion hugging him after over a year, though only minutes passed before it felt like we had never been apart. We spent that Tuesday …
The ‘Happy, Simply Home’ is very much as the name described. A simple structure designed to provide all you really need in a home and from my experience, you truly are happy whilst you’re there! An idea created by a man named D’Arcy, who is often travelling, working with UN and aid projects throughout the …
So, snowsports. One of the main reasons I’m working on the mountain. I have now had the chance to try both snowboarding and skiing. Initially wanting to learn snowboarding, I soon found that this was not a wise move for someone with previous back and rib injuries. I have since turned my hand (or feet) …
By Friday afternoon I had arrived at The Lodge or ‘Staffies’ as it is locally known. Staff accommodation is located in Whakapapa Village at the base of Mt Ruapehu. Over the next two weeks the number of residents increased from around twenty when I first arrived, to an impressive sixty. The atmosphere is similar to …
