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Many Adventures of a Nomadic Poet A young poet with Asperger's makes travel his passion, and away he goes...

Trip: My big OE in Aotearoa

There are [38] stories from my trip: My big OE in Aotearoa


The Fijian way

FIJI | Wednesday, 19 Aug 2009 | Views [1306]

Nisa Bula! As I stumble through the arrival hall with a bottle of duty-free liquor (which my host family asked me to purchase) after getting like my eighth Fiji passport stamp, I spot my name hastily scribbled on a piece of paper. His name is Ratu, ... Read more >

Tags: food, hospitality, people


Busy in "Gissy"

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 9 Aug 2009 | Views [1444]

After four months in the most touristed area of NZ, I find myself in Gisborne, or "Gissy" as it's often called. The eastern half of the North Island probably has the smallest concentration of tourists in the entire country. There's a very ... Read more >

Tags: culture


Rees-Dart Track

NEW ZEALAND | Thursday, 30 Apr 2009 | Views [8549]

             Conditions really deteriorated since last night when it wasn’t too cold and I could see the stars but this morning it was very cold and gloomy, like it was on the verge of rain. Anyways, I packed up my tent and all my other stuff and ... Read more >

Tags: adventures, nature, tramping, wilderness


Mt. Arthur Lookout

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 22 Mar 2009 | Views [1649]

I’ve spent four nights in Ngatimoti now, and I certainly felt better today than I did yesterday. This morning I woke up at 9:45 AM and washed up. Last night I had a dream that I was stranded in Sao Paulo. I was ready for a walk up to Mt. Arthur ... Read more >


Cape Reinga revisited

NEW ZEALAND | Thursday, 26 Feb 2009 | Views [1746]

It was an outrageously adventurous day in the Northland today. We nearly got stranded but we made it out. First let me get to the good part. Oh I'm a self-professed traveloholic, by the way! OK OK I'll get to my day. This morning I washed up and then ... Read more >


I meet Maria

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 25 Feb 2009 | Views [475]

This morning I was awoken when I heard someone yelling "Chris, Chris" It was Gabe and Lance because they were freezing cold. They had asked me to paddle to shore but a fisherman offered to give them a lift over. Lance's sleeping bag was soaked ... Read more >


Sailing from the Barrier to Paihia

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 22 Feb 2009 | Views [2191]

It was a big day of sailing as we set out toward the Bay of Islands today! This morning when I woke up I knew it was going to be so hard leaving because Nikki is a very nice lady! I took a shower and then made my morning cuppa earl grey with a teaspoon ... Read more >


Niuean culture

NIUE | Monday, 9 Feb 2009 | Views [3007]

Fakaalofa atu (Hello in Niuean ). My 10 th day on Niue has passed. When I began my travels four years ago in Australia I was only there for two weeks; it was much too short. Nowadays I’m spending two weeks on Niue . This morning I woke ... Read more >

Tags: culture, food, hitchhiking, hospitality


The Far East

NIUE | Thursday, 5 Feb 2009 | Views [834]

When you hear "The Far East" it immediately conjures up images. Prototypically it's Shanghai or Tokyo, or to the more adventurous it could be Vietnam or even Mongolia. Whilst I'm half an ocean away from Asia, today I went to Liku, the village ... Read more >


Talava Arches

NIUE | Wednesday, 4 Feb 2009 | Views [1291]

Niue this! Niue that! Niue! Niue! Niue! It's so different! This morning I was awoken by a chorus of roosters just outside my window. Niue has been my temporary home for five days now! Except for that whole debacle coming here I've enjoyed every minute ... Read more >


On top of frustration, a car, and the world. One crazy story!

NIUE | Monday, 2 Feb 2009 | Views [4452] | Comments [2]

Great God, I've been in Niue for three days and it's been misery! Why did I do this to myself? I still don't have any money. My father isn't able to wire me any because he barely has enough to pay the rent. My uncle and mother hardly have any for ... Read more >


A Dutchman and the Ahura

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 25 Jan 2009 | Views [1191]

For three days I've been searching, and today it paid off! This morning I woke up extra early at the crack of dawn so I could scout around for someone going across the strait. Yesterday I learned my lesson because I missed a catamaran by only ... Read more >

Tags: sailing


Photos: Cook Strait

NEW ZEALAND | Sunday, 25 Jan 2009 | Photo Gallery

In my plan to hitchhike the length of New Zealand, I hung around Picton for three days trying to find a yacht to hitch on, and I succeeded! I've successfully hitchhiked the full length of Aotearoa
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Photos: Kepler Track

NEW ZEALAND | Thursday, 15 Jan 2009 | Photo Gallery

One of my favourite tracks on the South Island. Here I got gorgeous views of Lake Te Anau as I walked above the treeline
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Christmas in paradise and seclusion

NEW ZEALAND | Thursday, 25 Dec 2008 | Views [1875]

It's Christmas! But for me it's not your average Christmas. Most people wake up to presents around the tree, a cup of hot cocoa, and lots of good cheer, usually surrounded by family. This year, I'm in seclusion, deep in a glacier-carved valley. I woke ... Read more >


Photos: Copland Track

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 24 Dec 2008 | Photo Gallery

On Christmas Eve I walked more than 12 miles deep into the Copland Valley on the West Coast. A good soak in the hot pools, combined with a sublime view of the Southern Alps felt so invigorating! On Christmas Day I spent the day out there, continuing to ... Read more >
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Whitebait, anyone?

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008 | Views [2078]

Two weeks ago whilst working with Ingrid at the store, a customer walked in and asked about whitebait. My response was "ah, that's used for fishing." Ingrid looked at me rather harshly and said "No, that's not fishing bait!" Feeling ... Read more >

Tags: food


Photos: Central Otago

NEW ZEALAND | Tuesday, 9 Dec 2008 | Photo Gallery

Rocky, brown Otago is very different to flat, green Southland
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A case of Clyde-itis

NEW ZEALAND | Monday, 8 Dec 2008 | Views [968]

Welcome to Clyde. Population: 918 This town may be a little dot on a map of the South Island, but it sure holds a special place in my heart. A wee while back I was thumbin' it near Milton (home of the "odd kink in the road") and I was picked ... Read more >


Photos: Clyde

NEW ZEALAND | Monday, 8 Dec 2008 | Photo Gallery


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Gold and Greenstone

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 3 Dec 2008 | Views [1805] | Comments [1]

It was a day of trying to strike it rich in the Land of Greenstone (and in some places, gold). I got up at 10:00 and packed my tent, sleeping bag and a few other things so I could go camping tonight. I wasn't sure where I would end up, but I was thinking ... Read more >


Sutherland Falls

NEW ZEALAND | Saturday, 15 Nov 2008 | Views [1943]

Today was day three on the Milford Track. I was still in “dreamland” as everyone else was getting ready to tackle MacKinnon Pass. At 8:30 I washed up hurriedly and packed up everything and ran out the door. Since I walked up to MacKinnon Pass yesterday, ... Read more >


Mintaro Hut

NEW ZEALAND | Friday, 14 Nov 2008 | Views [1156]

Day two of the Milford Track trek! I woke up at 7:00 AM when I heard all the ruckus of everyone else getting ready to set out. I got dressed and then washed up. Laurel and I took a photo together with our bags to make it official that we’re Milford ... Read more >


Photos: Milford Track

NEW ZEALAND | Thursday, 13 Nov 2008 | Photo Gallery

New Zealand's most well-known of the Great Walks, it's a bit commercialized but nonetheless incredibly beautiful!
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Kiwi spotting

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 5 Nov 2008 | Views [4190]

Ian told me that if I want to get to Mason Bay before dark, that it isn’t worth it to go around the mud on the track. We went through the Paterson Inlet and then up the Freshwater River. Ian has to time the ride to go at high tide. At 6:00, I ... Read more >

Tags: adventures, beaches, kiwi, nature, wilderness


Aotearoa tōnui ma

NEW ZEALAND | Monday, 13 Oct 2008 | Views [747]

Today was another adventurous and exciting day in God’s Own Country. I awoke at 6:30 after having another strange dream last night. I’ve been having so many strange dreams lately, including one where I was in a prison and I climbed ... Read more >


The farm in Whitianga

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 1 Oct 2008 | Views [1272]

Mill Creek Rd., which is where I was headed, was very rocky and bumpy, and he seemed to enjoy driving through the rocks. He dropped me off right in front of the property. After eight rides and several hours, I was at my destination. It was raining, ... Read more >


My 24th! A Big Leap

NEW ZEALAND | Saturday, 20 Sep 2008 | Views [2649]

Happy Birthday to me! It was my free day today at the Dorje Chang Institute! I woke up at 9:30, had some Weet-Bix and a cuppa before packing for the day becuase I wanted to get into Auckland early. With my camera, credit card, and some money I hit ... Read more >


A taste of Buddhism in Aotearoa

NEW ZEALAND | Tuesday, 16 Sep 2008 | Views [824]

Welcome to the Dorje Chang Institute! A Tibetan Buddhist centre where big love and wisdom is practiced and absolutely no living thing is killed. It's a 2.5 hectare "Garden of Eden" with the high-rises of Auckland off in the distance. There ... Read more >

Tags: buddhism, culture, people


Stony Batter

NEW ZEALAND | Wednesday, 10 Sep 2008 | Views [1953]

"Yoo-hoo, today is a great day if you want to go to Stony Batter" Roberta calls into my room at 8:30 AM. I'm glad I did because I've been waking up a little too late the past few days. She was right, so I thought I'd seize the opportunity ... Read more >


Friendly Islands to Friendly Fiji

FIJI | Friday, 29 Aug 2008 | Views [718]

The Friendly Islands are behind me now. I sure miss Tonga already! After doing that tourism geography project last year it was totally worth it to visit. Earlier my flight touched down safely at Nausori Airport. I went through customs and got another ... Read more >


Cycling across the island

TONGA | Thursday, 28 Aug 2008 | Views [3573]

Today was exciting and full of events on my final full day in Tonga. I woke up at 8:30 ready to make the most of my final Tongan day. I washed up and made a cup of tea and ate some Weet-Bix although I had no milk. Toni asked me to pay him tonight, so ... Read more >

Tags: adventures, cycling, islands


Nuku'alofa

TONGA | Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008 | Views [1163]

Today was my sixth day of my Pacific island travels. I got up at 8:15, washed up and made a cup of tea. I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do today. I walked over to Toni’s house and used my phone card to call Teressa, but I only had like ... Read more >


Around Tongatapu

TONGA | Sunday, 24 Aug 2008 | Views [1355]

Another fabulous island day has passed, so I’ll tell you all about it. I woke up at 9:15 as I was hearing the distant church bells. It is Sunday and I should be headed to church today; I haven’t been in a long time and I sure love the Lord.... Read more >


Friendly Islands....finally!

TONGA | Friday, 22 Aug 2008 | Views [2675]

As we were flying into Tonga, I noticed the island is dotted with coconut palms. I had brought a coconut with me, but when I went through immigration they took it. The official told me I can get tons of coconuts here. Grant wasn’t able to get me ... Read more >


The Journey Begins! Destination: Suva

FIJI | Thursday, 21 Aug 2008 | Views [868]

It was a great first day on my journey through two of the world’s great island countries. It surprised me as I got off the plane that I didn’t see the Fijians playing their instruments. I went through customs and the official questioned the address ... Read more >


Photos: Westland

NEW ZEALAND | Tuesday, 17 Jan 2006 | Photo Gallery

Fox Glacier is one of my favourite places in Aotearoa. I was there back in 2006 and then worked at the convenience store for two months last year. During my stay I visited Franz Josef, Hokitika, Ross, and just about every place I could think of on the ... Read more >
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Photos: Christchurch

NEW ZEALAND | Monday, 16 Jan 2006 | Photo Gallery


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