Reflecting on my 2019 Travels

What a year. I can hardly wrap my head around the incredible time I've had this year, developing emotionally, personally, physically and mentally. I look back at who I was at the start of this year and then at the…

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How to Spend a Day in San Francisco in California, USA

I last visited California and my parents in early January 2019. I then hopped on a plane back to Vancouver, Canada before departing on a one-way ticket down under to Australia. Fast forward 351 days and five further countries visited…

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How to Spend a Day in Martinborough, New Zealand

Martinborough is a lovely little town in the heart of the wine region, Wairarapa, in the southeastern section of the North Island. It's the perfect destination for a day trip from Wellington, being only 2 hours away by public transport…

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Red Rocks Reserve Hike in Wellington, New Zealand

On the coast south of Wellington facing the South Island, you'll find an incredible reserve home to an abundant seal colony and gorgeous red rocks plus plenty of beautiful scenery. Spend a sunny day here wandering the coastline - but…

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Putangirua Pinnacles Hike in Cape Palliser, New Zealand

The awe-inspiring Putangirua Pinnacles and the equally majestic Cape Palliser Lighthouse are the two main attractions in Aorangi Forest Park, a beautiful coastal region in Wairarapa. Wairarapa is a nature-filled area northeast of Wellington. Driving to Aorangi takes just under…

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Mount Victoria Hike in Wellington, New Zealand

One of the most popular things to do in Wellington, New Zealand's windy capital, located on the southernmost tip of the North Island, is to hike up to the summit of Mount Victoria. Mount Victoria sits just outside the business…

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My Travel Morning Routine

Back in 2016, I wrote a post titled My Morning Routine. Well, things have changed a bit in the last three years - most notably the fact that I've been backpacking non-stop for the last nine months and my mornings look…

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Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel

Climate changes is all the rage these days. It's trendy to care about Earth. It's cool to show up at climate strikes and to make a conscious effort in your day-to-day life to be better for the planet. Good! Finally!…

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Wainui Falls Hike in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

Wainui Falls is a great little track just outside Takaka in Golden Bay, the northwestern most region of New Zealand's South Island. It's a wonderful spot to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and see a beautiful waterfall where you…

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A Guide to Takaka, New Zealand

Takaka is a small town in Golden Bay, a beautiful little spot on the northwestern coast of New Zealand's South Island. Its neighbour is Abel Tasman National Park and the entire region is full of gems - both natural wonders…

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How to Spend a Week in New Caledonia

My final stop on my few months of island-hopping to escape the New Zealand winter was to New Caledonia, east of Australia and neighbour with Vanuatu. The funny thing about New Caledonia is that it is not a country in…

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Day Trip to the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia

The Isle of Pines or l'Île des Pins is a gorgeous island in the southernmost part of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific. While I could have easily spent a week here exploring the caves, hikes and beaches to…

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