Before I went on the Milford Track, I was extremely nervous. It felt like a big step (and, indeed, quite an impulsive one) to even press the “Confirm Booking” button on the computer as I booked the trip, let alone strapping on hiking boots for someone that w…Read More

Yesterday I visited the Waitomo Caves, which are about 2 hours south of Auckland. Originally discovered in the 19th century by an English surveyor and a Maori Chief, they are magnificent treasures that lie beneath an unassuming rainforest. In Maori …Read More

Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island about 25 minutes away from Auckland by ferry. It erupted from the sea almost 600 years ago, and it now acts as a hiker’s escape from the industrialism of the city. While there are many different trails on Rangitoto, t…Read More

Waiheke Island is a beautiful island about 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. A treasure in the ocean that surrounds the greater Auckland area, it acts as a relief from the industrialism of the city. It is an oasis of surf homes and calm beaches, centered…Read More

On my second weekend in Sydney I met my friend Christie for brunch on the north side of Sydney Harbour in a neighborhood called, “Kirribilli”, a name that I found a little unusual but similar to other stops I had passed on the train like Wahroonga and Warra…Read More