An open letter to my father on his birthday
I originally wrote this three years ago on the anniversary of my father’s 67th birthday. Today would be his 70th, so I’ve decided now is a fine time to move it off facebook and onto my blog instead. So, here we go: It feels stilted and uncomfortable to try and celebrate the fact you were …
Oaxaca guide: how to shop for produce at the market
Oaxaca city is full of wonderful markets bursting with amazing produce. Many of them are unassuming, tucked away through a doorway, down an alleyway, or around the corner. Access to fresh & delicious produce is one of my absolute favourite things about living in Mexico. Before you go: produce markets in Oaxaca I’m yet to …
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Puerto Vallarta neighbourhood guide
Towards the end of 2021 I moved to Puerto Vallarta for four months. It was far from my first time in Mexico, but It was my first time in this city as well as the state of Jalisco. When I move someplace new, one of the first things I want to know is an overview …
Vineyards, hot springs & golden sand beaches: a road trip from Christchurch to Picton
New Zealand’s South Island is one of the most beautiful and easy-going places in the world for a road trip. I may be a little bias, we are talking not just about my home country. here – but my home island, and even home town! But in any case, I’ve driven around these parts many times …
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Fifty books of 2021
At the beginning of 2021, I set myself a goal to read 50 books. I almost slid just in there, although I didn’t quite finish book number 50 before the end of the 31st
One month in: a few tasty eateries in Puerto Vallarta
I am many different things, but three of the most prominent of those are an avid researcher, borderline obsessive foodie, and Mexico fangirl. This cocktail means that I arrived back in Mexico armed with an enormous amount of lists, mostly centered around where (and what) to eat in Puerto Vallarta. Having spent most of my …
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An Autumn Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park
It’s been a few years now since I began visiting and exploring in the US, but it’s taken me until right now to venture into a national park. With my proclivity towards wildlife, forests, and wide open spaces, that came as a surprise to me (and most people) so it was time to set that right.
Jardin de Balata & Atlantic Plantations. A road trip in Northern Martinique
Setting out from Fort-de-france we made our way up through the heart of central and northern Martinique, from Jardin de Balata to Sainte-Marie.
Lyttelton, New Zealand: 3 Things to Love
The small port-side village of Lyttelton, New Zealand is a place close to my heart. It’s where my grandmother lived when I was growing up; it’s a short boat trip away from where my family lives now; and it’s where my partner and I ended up, by chance, renting a house for the first 6 …
Lesvos, Greece | Three things to love about my favourite Greek Island
Lesvos is perfect for an authentic taste of Greek life and a haven of delicious food, kindhearted locals and beautiful beaches. Lesvos is my favourite Greek Island .. and here’s three reasons why.
A day in Ksamil & Sarandë | A quick guide to the Albanian Riviera
Clear waters, soft golden sand, scorching summer afternoons slipping lazily into long, dreamy evenings – the Albanian riviera paints a beautiful backdrop for enjoying the delights of the coastline without the crowds and price tag of Italy and France.
Reasons I fell for Melbourne | A quick love note
In 2018, I decided to give living in one place a try. Through a few last minute change of plans, and my brother already being there, that place ended up being Melbourne, Australia. As it turns out, I wasn’t ready to stop travelling, and my year in Melbourne was cut short, as I took off …
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Souks, Spices, and Marrakech | How to Explore Morocco’s Red City
I had saved Marrakech for later. To me, it felt like an advanced destination – suited to skilful travellers who know exactly what they are doing. The more I reflect, the more I see how wrong that assumption was. I had bundled Morocco away with the likes of Japan and India for quite some time …
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Introducing the Pueblos Mágicos of Oaxaca
Pueblos Mágicos highlight the towns in Mexico deemed to be the most truly magical. Currently, there are 132 Pueblos Mágicos recognised across Mexico with six of those in the state of Oaxaca.
Moroccan Kefta Mkaoura
A signature dish in Morocco, with a fodmap friendly twist. Kefta mkaoura is made up of cherry-sized meatballs in a fragrant tomato sauce. GF & DF too.
Discover the North Island’s Most Charming Small Towns | Exploring New Zealand
New Zealand’s North Island is packed full of charming tiny towns waiting to be explored. Magnificent eaches, forests and glow worms await!
Exploring the Most Charming Small Towns in New Zealand’s South Island
I was born and raised on the South Island of New Zealand, but it took me until my adult life of traveling the world to come to appreciate how beautiful and unique this island really is. But the more I travelled, the more I heard from people along my way how much they dreamed of …
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A day in Leticia | The Colombian Amazon
I arrived in Leticia for my thirty second birthday. A corner where three countries meet, built on stilts around the magnificent Amazon river.
New Delhi to Kathmandu by Bus | A Tale of Severe Food Poisoning
Due to a cascade of last-minute decisions, I found myself taking a 36 hour upright rickety bus through the foothills of the Himalayas with a severe case of Delhi Belly – vomiting out the window the whole way.
Jardin de Balata, Martinique’s Hillside Paradise
Jardin de Balata hadn’t originally made it onto my to-do list, but as I slipped through a hillside tropical paradise of palms, ferns, tropical flowers and flitting hummingbirds I quickly realised what a mistake missing this would’ve been.
A to Z of Visiting Aotearoa
This is an encyclopaedia of sorts, an alphabet of things that a local (me!) thinks people should know to better understand not just the tourist sites, but also the culture of this beautiful country.
Wats & Waterfalls: A Weekend Road Trip from Chiang Mai
The year was twenty-fifteen, I was an eager new explorer having recently discovered the digital nomad life and set out on a one way, seemingly endless journey across Southeast Asia.
A First Timers Guide to Indian Railways Sleeper Class
Have you been dreaming of luxury railway journeys across foreign lands? Then Sleeper Class is definitely not what you’ve been seeking. But if authentic experiences are what you’re seeking, then I have just the ticket.
A Trip Across Mongolia
Beijing to Mongolia, considered one of the world’s Greatest Railway adventures. Memories of the Trans-Mongolian Express through the Gobi Desert.
Discovering the Most Magical Beaches of the Oaxaca Coast
A guide to new beginnings and tiny turtles. Exploring Hualtulco, Mazunte and Puerto Escondido on Oaxaca’s Pacific Coast
Notes from my (former) flight attendant life
Anna the flight attendant? Yeah, right! Aviation was not an industry I had ever imagined myself involved in.
A Day in Kathmandu | The city of temples in Nepal
Kathmandu wasn’t exactly love at first sight, well at least not in my case. I’d ridden a thirty-six hour bus trip through the Himalayan foothills from Delhi, vomiting out the window the entire way . It had been some bad chicken the day before, It tasted like mud and rotting flesh. I only had a …
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These are a few of my favourite travel blogs (August 2020)
Here’s a few interesting travel bloggers writing about places, and experiences, that I’ve been adding to my return-to-travel 2021 wish list