HOW IT ALL STARTED
And who starts a travel blog in the middle of a global pandemic…?
It does sound a little crazy, especially down here in New Zealand where our borders were closed to the outside world, and getting a voucher to return home was harder than snagging a ticket to Glastonbury.
After being plunged back into another lockdown, I found myself with a little extra time on my hands, and an idea came to mind. I’m always planning my next adventure, and as I couldn’t leave the island but needed to relieve my itchy feet a little, this blog was born.
I’ve spent a good chunk of my life travelling. From landing in Brazil as a wide-eyed 17 year old ready to start a year long student exchange, I’ve always been planning where I’m going next. Since then I’ve been lucky to travel and live in many places across the world.
The purpose of this blog is to provide inspiration and empower independent, adventure travel - the kind of travel that takes you outside your comfort zone and creates opportunities to understand and appreciate different cultures, to challenges assumptions and broaden perspectives, and to gain self-confidence, empathy and connection.
From my own epic backyard and beyond!
GET TO KNOW ME
THE FIRST PLACE I TRAVELED TO
SAO GABRIEL D’OESTE, BRAZIL
This small farming town on the edge of the Pantanal is where I spent my student exchange.
The sight of a pair of macaws hanging in the trees outside my bedroom window, the taste of coxinhas and brigadeiro, rounds of tereré, the sound of sertanejo, the intrigue of a new diverse culture.
These are just a few things that formed an unforgettable year, and initiated my desire to travel ever since.
MY FAVOURITE VIEW
LAKE WĀNAKA
If I’d answered this question 10 years ago, the answer would probably be very different.
I guess it took travelling the world to appreciate my own back yard. It’s impossible to chose what’s better - the sunrise from Roys Peak or the sunset glow over Mt Aspiring National Park - best enjoyed with a glass of Pinot in hand of course.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING
THE HERMITAGE, ST PETERSBURG
This building is probably the reason I wanted to go to Russia in the first place, and The Hermitage lived up to all of my expectations.
Founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great, this icon will never go out of style. The opulent architecture and the extensive art collection is incomparable.
Whilst we spent 6 hours marveling at this prestigious museum, apparently it would take 11 years to spend 1 minute at each display, such is the volume of work in this prestigious museum.
THE PLACE THAT SURPRISED ME MOST
ROME, ITALY
After being told that Rome was ‘too big’/’too dirty’/’too something’, or that if you love Florence (I did!), you’ll hate Rome, my expectations for Rome were well tempered.
Luckily, after spending 5 days in the city, I have no idea what they were on about! I absolutely loved La Citta Eterna.
With history on every corner and the most amazing food, Roma is a city that feels alive. I can still almost taste the pistacchio gelato!
TOP OF MY BUCKET LIST
INDIA
As home of the only wonder of the world I haven’t made it to (yet), the Taj Mahal is firmly at the top of my bucket list.
As soon as the post-Covid world allows, I’m transporting myself straight in India.
Want to reach out? Get in touch with me here
EXPLORE MY FAVOURITE PLACES
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