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random tales from strange lands this is a tale of my attempt to follow the summer to different parts of our world and how it appears to me

South to Taranaki

NEW ZEALAND | Thursday, 13 Nov 2008 | Views [1042] | Comments [1]

Before leaving Marakopa, we decided to have another game of tennis, since it’d been so much fun the previous evening.   And again we enjoyed patting the ball back & forwards, although there wasn’t as much running about this time.   ... Read more >

Tags: beaches, fishing, roadtrips


Marakopa

NEW ZEALAND | Monday, 10 Nov 2008 | Views [1227]

Our trip began with Rachel having a head start of a few hours on me.   I hoped to catch her before she got too far though!   She had made a bee-line for the dentist while I finished packing the car (her mum’s 4x4 actually).   Fate had thrown ... Read more >

Tags: beaches, fishing, roadtrips


Heading Back Home

NEW ZEALAND | Saturday, 17 May 2008 | Views [614]

The last leg of our trip began by boat; retracing our steps (or wake, I guess) across Cook Strait, back to Wellington.   The sea had changed since our previous trip though; where the ferry had rolled gently like a lullaby cradle, now it swayed ... Read more >


Abel Tasman Park

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 14 May 2008 | Views [793]

At last! Abel Tasman National Park!   This had been the original motivation for our trip to the South Island and now we could go explore it :) Our entry point was from the east, but we didn’t have enough time to complete the trek to the ... Read more >

Tags: adventures, beaches, hiking


The Monteiths Brewery!

NEW ZEALAND | Monday, 12 May 2008 | Views [820]

Our adventure continued on to an appointment the following day with a brewery; the original Monteiths brewery in Greymouth, no less :)   I was suffering from a cold so wasn’t really as excited as I should’ve been about the brewery, ... Read more >

Tags: brewery, forests


Glacier Country

NEW ZEALAND | Saturday, 10 May 2008 | Views [755]

What better way to get your day started than hiking & climbing up a glacier?   We had two to choose between even!   What luxury!   We decided to drive a little further north before indulging in such wonders and tackle Franz Joseph Glacier.... Read more >

Tags: adventures, moutains


Awesome Otago

NEW ZEALAND | Saturday, 3 May 2008 | Views [770]

As we drew towards Dunedin, it seemed like the weather gods were playing a cruel trick on us.  We thought we had left the snow behind at Mt Cook that afternoon, but no, it was back, all over the road!  This was Rachel’s first time driving in snow and ... Read more >

Tags: family, forests, mountains


Yay Snow!!

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 30 Apr 2008 | Views [926]

After a beautiful couple of days in Hanmer Springs, we aimed south again and were off.   It was surprising to see the landscapes that we had driven through in darkness to reach Hanmer Springs, now revealed to us by day – gorges, rivers, plains ... Read more >

Tags: mountains


Top of the South

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 27 Apr 2008 | Views [688]

At last we were on the ferry, bound for new and exciting lands – New Zealand’s South Island to be precise.   It wasn’t long before Rachel got her first glimpse of the Mainland – a rough, magical looking coastline with lush, tree-covered slopes.... Read more >

Tags: forests, hot springs


An Anzac Departure

NEW ZEALAND | Friday, 25 Apr 2008 | Views [793]

Our adventure began at the crack of dawn on Anzac day, although there was no gunfire following our footsteps, as those of our true ANZAC forebears.   Our challenge was relatively simple; load the car with whatever we might need for the trip, in less ... Read more >

Tags: festivals, museums, roadtrips


Lost on Mt Karioi??

NEW ZEALAND | Friday, 18 Apr 2008 | Views [1236]

After 3 summers in Raglan, I finally got around to attacking Mt Karioi.  I had spend a lot of time looking at the mountain, from the beach, from the surf club, from the road into Raglan.  I could almost picture myself standing on the summit amidst the ... Read more >

Tags: mountains


Best Surf of my Life???

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 13 Apr 2008 | Views [780]

At the start of this summer i got myself a new surfboard. Not exactly brand new, but as soon as i laid eyes on it i liked it :)  It was 9'1" with a beautiful round nose and white fins arching down below the tail.  It took me a few times to get ... Read more >

Tags: surfing


Fresh water - whats going on??

JAPAN | Sunday, 7 Oct 2007 | Views [711] | Comments [1]

I ended up in a tent on a lake shore, only a few other people around and a few trees leaning to the sun. Not bad for a destination that i didnt really know anything about! :) I had been in Kobe city for a couple of days, catching up with Josh & Sue ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures


Life on the Beaches

JAPAN | Saturday, 29 Sep 2007 | Views [935]

Ive just had a fun week cruising around the eastern side of Shikoku island. I found a few beautiful beaches, a temple in the clouds, friendly locals to give me rides around and a couple of other travellers too :) My first stop was a little bay just ... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


Tropical islands & Tranquil Temples

JAPAN | Thursday, 20 Sep 2007 | Views [652]

Ive been doing a few trips to beautiful islands & secluded temples recently - around Takamatsu, on Shikoku isl.  Shodoshima was just 30 minutes away on the fast ferry, where we were welcomed by more humidity & glaring sunshine. Its defintely ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures


Osaka Spa Resort!!

JAPAN | Thursday, 30 Aug 2007 | Views [1082] | Comments [1]

We had an awesome stop over on our road trip back north after a few days in Shikoku (thats a different story...). H-san found it for us & the in-car GPS showed us the way there. The hotel was awesome!!  Up on the 8th floor was a swimming pool &... Read more >

Tags: Relaxation


Shikoku Swimming... and dancing

JAPAN | Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007 | Views [1300]

I just spent a few days down south on tropical Shikoku island, with 2 aussies & 3 Japanese lifeguards.  Our mission was to do water safety patrol for a swim event at Anan beach, but we had plenty of spare time to check out a few other beaches &... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


what i dont like...

JAPAN | Friday, 17 Aug 2007 | Views [695]

First, a disclaimer of sorts... this might not be a fun story to read, but i wanted to write about some problems here... So not everything in Japan has been amazing & fun on this trip... Every day at the beach i was reminded of a problem which i ... Read more >

Tags: The Great Outdoors


Takahagi waves & lifeguarding

JAPAN | Monday, 13 Aug 2007 | Views [1090]

I guess ive been in Takahagi for a couple of weeks now? Its been alot of fun really :)  The beach is a bit like Mt Maunganui or Mangawhai Heads (for you kiwis) - mellow surf, clear water and white sand. Well, the sand seems more grey on the cloudy days ... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


Takahagi Beach Funtimes

JAPAN | Monday, 23 Jul 2007 | Views [1159] | Comments [1]

So now ive moved on up the coast, to Takahagi. I didnt know what to expect ata all, but I think ive struck some good luck :)  The apartment that Im sharing with the other 4 lifeguards is right on the beach, about 20 min walk from our patrolling area.... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


Beaches + Waves + Storms + Fine Cuisine

JAPAN | Tuesday, 17 Jul 2007 | Views [680]

Well, i tried to post a story a few days ago, but it never got there :( Anyway, i was hunkering down as a typhoon broke over us, with some pretty strong winds and rain & horrendous humidity.  I had been out early that morning for a surf with a couple ... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


Summer 06-07

NEW ZEALAND | Tuesday, 27 Mar 2007 | Views [2142] | Comments [1]

So its been a pretty up & down summer for me at home... When i got back from my travels in India & Nepal I was struck down by some nasty disease which played havoc with my stomach. After a few visits to the doc, they figured out it was a tough ... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


Trapped in Varanasi

INDIA | Monday, 13 Nov 2006 | Views [743]

Varanasi, or Benares to the Indians, is a pretty special place. Sure its dirty & theres alot of people after your money, just like other Indian cities, but theres something else.... I heard from many other travellers there that they were still in ... Read more >

Tags: Culture


Himalayan Sunrises

NEPAL | Saturday, 21 Oct 2006 | Views [1061] | Comments [1]

After a few days around Pokhara, I finally got organised to head up into the Himalaya for a bit of a walk. I had met a friend of a friend (Rami) who was a trekking guide & we decided to do 10 days, hiking up to the Base Camp in the Annapurna Sanctuary ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures


Loafing round Lumbini

NEPAL | Thursday, 28 Sep 2006 | Views [657]

I just spent a few days in Lumbini - the birthplace of Buddha around 2500 years ago, according to the Buddhist history. The central temple marking the exact site is quite simple, and surrounded by ruins from the original temple built on the site. The ... Read more >

Tags: Culture


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