Stand-up Paddle Boarding in Raglan

Donald

I love to stand-up paddle board.  I’m so glad my friend Barb suggested it a couple of years ago in Mexico.  Since then, I’ve done it several times.  Raglan was a bit different as we were fighting both an outgoing Continue reading Stand-up Paddle Boarding in Raglan

Not Just an Average Water Taxi & a Hike Too

View of Anchorage

The day we visited Abel Tazman National Park our tour leader told us we’d be taking a water taxi to Anchorage and then hiking back to Marahau (about 12.5 kilometers).  It turned out that the water taxi was the highlight Continue reading Not Just an Average Water Taxi & a Hike Too

Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre

Baby Kiwi

The Whangarei (pronounced Fangaray) Native Bird Recovery Centre was an unexpected treat.  It’s a not for profit centre that takes care of over 1300 birds a year. We had a chance to pet a kiwi bird.  A kiwi is an Continue reading Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre

Christmas in New Zealand

Lake Hawea

Christmas day started a bit earlier than I would have liked.  I was up by 615am, so that I could eat breakfast and pack before our 730am departure from Franz Josef.  The timing wasn’t ideal as we had one of Continue reading Christmas in New Zealand

Christmas Eve in New Zealand

Me and Martin

Spending Christmas in New Zealand wasn’t the same, but I still had a great time.  A couple of days before we decked out our van with some decorations.  Most of the time the tinsel was in the way more than Continue reading Christmas Eve in New Zealand

Narita Airport in Tokyo

Tokyo Sunrise

I complained A LOT about the Los Angeles International Airport on Facebook.  I couldn’t check in until three hours before my flight and there was nearly nothing to do until I passed through security (I think this is partly due Continue reading Narita Airport in Tokyo

Gumboot Throwing & A Lovely Cafe

Brown Sugar Cafe

When you are with a group of people 24/7 and have a day of driving ahead, you have to get a bit creative. Yesterday we stopped in Taihape for a gum boot throwing competition. For those at home gumboots are Continue reading Gumboot Throwing & A Lovely Cafe

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Emerald Lakes

Deciding whether or not I would do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing kept me fairly distracted for a couple of days.  My knee had been doing pretty good, but not perfect.  My biggest concern was there being a time limit.  I Continue reading Tongariro Alpine Crossing

OMG I Ate Kina

Inside a Kina

For my friends at home…kina is sea urchin. Part of our group went snorkeling and kina harvesting.  I had already snorkeled in Belize and will be snorkeling in Australia, so the very cold waters did not entice me.  Luckily my Continue reading OMG I Ate Kina

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Small Opening

Today I decided to not only see the glow worms at Waitomo, but to do it in a very adventurous way.  There are several options…a boat ride, cave tubing, abseiling & waterfalls, and abseiling (a dry adventure).  I opted for Continue reading Waitomo Glow Worm Caves