Ulva island, land of birds
Ulva island is one of New Zealand’s only open island sanctuaries. The moment you step off the boat (15min water taxi from Golden Bay in Oban) you’re greeted by birds. The songs carry… Continue reading
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Stewart Island and the Rakiura Great Walk
Stewart island where birds roam in large flocks and bush is everywhere. We did the Rakiura Great Walk while we were there.
Wildlife adventures in the Catlins, New Zealand
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted about my travels, but my latest trip was just too good not to share. After completing the Milford Track Great Walk (hopefully if I get into the… Continue reading
A dash of positivity
It’s been awhile since I posted and was part of the monthly blog linkup that my lovely travel blogger friends organise, yet I felt that of all months this month it was time… Continue reading
Duck Island (île aux Canards), Nouméa
In the shallow clear waters of Duck Island fish swim. Not just any fish, fish with attitude. Fish with style. Colourful and patterned fish. Last week I shared a bit about my little… Continue reading
Nouméa: Colourful Peaceful Island Life
When one part of your life comes to an end and another is set to begin, what better way to disconnect than jumping across to New Caledonia for a long weekend? After finding… Continue reading
Tribute to Christchurch and New Zealand
As all Kiwi’s and many others around the world stay shocked by the recent terror attacks, I seem to just struggle to find the words. The words that express the sadness, the hurt,… Continue reading
Travel moments that sparked joy
When you close your eyes and think of your travels, those happy moments, those places that sparked joy, the smile that the memories create… where are you? Here’s where those moments take me:… Continue reading
Africa, with travel love
Dear Africa, I know your wild and wonderous. I know some of the humans of your land hurt you and your incredible wildlife. I want you to know that you’re the destination that… Continue reading
Sights of Summer
As winter gave way at the end of 2018 in New Zealand, the sunshine tried to open up and eventually brought on lovely flowers, birds and landscapes to enjoy. Below are a few… Continue reading
12 Days of Christmas – the travel edition
Here’s my top pick for the best destinations around the world that I’ve been to that would be great at Christmas 1. New York, New York Though I went a bit early at… Continue reading
Missing London
As I write this (first edit on the train commuting funnily enough) I’ve started to realise how much I miss London. It’s been over 3 years since I left and so much has… Continue reading
The impact of travel
If it wasn’t for travel where would I be? I can’t even imagine the sort of person I’d be if I hadn’t studied in Austria, become close friends with other international students, one… Continue reading
Winter and Spring Snow Adventures
Nothing quite like fresh mountain air and beautiful snowy landscapes to give you a decent break away from city life. This winter I’ve been snowboarding usually at least once a month, few bouts… Continue reading
10 Peaceful spots of New Zealand
As it gets towards the time of year that I spend time reflecting, I like to find peaceful spaces to be alone with my thoughts in. I thought I’d share some of my… Continue reading
Top 10 Travel Take Aways
And no I don’t mean fish n’ chips on the beach… though that could be a pretty tasty takeaway about now… (forgive me if food takeaways are just a Kiwi thing). This month’s… Continue reading
The Borneo Adventure Roundup
From leeches in the jungle to island delights. From rivers with monkeys to sanctuaries with orangutans and sun bears. Borneo was a mixed bag with definite highs and a few lows. It was… Continue reading
From Turtle Island Glamping, Borneo to the Batu Caves of Kuala Lumpur
Island life vs big city living. There is quite a different vibe you get from Borneo region compared to the mainland city of Kuala Lumpur. Timely as politics was quite the talk at… Continue reading
For the love of solo travel
Organising what you want to see, how long you want to be somewhere and when you want to leave. Eating whatever you want, when you want. It could be pizza in Rome at… Continue reading
Sun Bear and Sepilok Orangutan Wildlife Sanctuaries, Borneo
WARNING: CUTE PHOTOS AHEAD! Wild and free animals (or lack of) behind me, it was onwards to cute wildlife cared for in the popular sanctuaries of Borneo. Sun Bear Conservation Centre My first… Continue reading
Kinabatangan River Wildlife Spotting, Borneo
I was excited. This was it. This was the chance to see wildlife in the wild. It was going to be great. Note: This post contains Proboscis monkeys with no shame and due… Continue reading
Homestay and local village of Tambatuon, Kota Belud, Borneo
In a quaint, quiet valley of Borneo lays a sleepy little village called Tambatuon. It’s here that my tour started its second week/second tour. We were based in a homestay for a night… Continue reading
Survivor Island, Borneo
Pulau Tiga in Borneo was the location for the first season of Survivor. This was the next location on the Borneo itinerary for me and it definitely was an improvement on the 2… Continue reading
Borneo cave exploration and leech strewn forest
Cancelled flight, missing luggage, exhausted naps and before you know it I’m in the depths of the Borneo jungle. Mulu National Park 4:30am trip to the airport for 3 flights and eventually we… Continue reading
Making a difference while travelling
Whether it’s smiling at a stranger, helping someone with their bags, giving food to the homeless or just complimenting someone on a piece of clothing, it all goes a long way to making… Continue reading
Round up of New Zealand’s South Island
Well my posts about my roadtrip around New Zealand’s South Island have finally come to an end. It’s kinda sad to be honest! I loved the scenery and hikes so much. I’m very… Continue reading
The Road Home: Hanmer Springs and Picton
I thought I was leaving the rain behind me. I thought I was escaping. It was sunny again. Then it was not. Hanmer Springs This was when the fun and enjoying of camping… Continue reading
The road to Peel
Sounds like a book or movie right? Well it was pretty exciting and maybe one day it will get into a book… Saying goodbye to Ohau Having spent New Years at Ohau Lodge… Continue reading
Scenic delights of Aoraki Mount Cook
Ice cracks and crashes as an echo is sent through the Hooker Valley. This is a pretty special way to celebrate the start of 2018 on New Years Day, walking the Hooker Valley… Continue reading
The road to Ohau – scenic inland New Zealand
When I think of beautiful scenery in New Zealand I think coastal initially. My roadtrip through the South Island taught me otherwise. Not only are the coastal aspects beautiful, but the mountain and… Continue reading
3 Years Repatriated in New Zealand
Time flies. 3 years seems like a long time and yet it feels like I’ve just returned to my home country of New Zealand in many ways. I sometimes wonder if that feeling… Continue reading
Postcards from Moody Doubtful Sound, Fiordland
Saying farewell to the sunshine in Wanaka, I packed up the car for a few nights of camping before New Year’s Eve. The drive over the Crown Range into Queenstown always freaks me… Continue reading
Travel Challenges
Sometimes I feel like challenge should be my middle name. That or unlucky. This month’s travel blog linkup is all about challenges and while I don’t want to jinx my upcoming trip to… Continue reading
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Summit Hike – Wanaka
Walks labelled as Moderate-Hard shouldn’t be underestimated. Especially if you’re walking on your own and don’t do big hikes often… So someone like me was totally qualified to hike up to both the… Continue reading
Sights of Wanaka – Lavender and Wine
What’s more to love right? Flowers, the smell of lavender, maybe a taste of lavender ice-cream… followed by a trip to the most scenic vineyard I’ve ever been to… topping off the day… Continue reading
Wanaka Hiking Mount Iron
Sometimes it’s difficult to comprehend such beauty and this road trip has had those moments over and over again. Wanaka didn’t disappoint. I fell in love with this small town a few years… Continue reading
3 Years on.. Places I can’t get out of my head
Back in 2015 as part of the monthly bloggers linkup I shared my passion for Africa as the place I couldn’t get out of my head. Three years on and is it still… Continue reading
Road to Wanaka
Lake Matheson > Haast > Makarora > Wanaka Leaving the beautiful Lake Matheson behind me it was onwards to Wanaka, my favourite town in the South Island (competes with Tauranga for best in… Continue reading
Reflections of Christmas: Roadtrip to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers
Hokitika > Franz Josef Glacier > Lake Matheson > Fox Glacier Spotting ice during a summer Christmas… sounds a little unusual right? Well last Christmas I did just that during my roadtrip in… Continue reading
HO HO HO Hokitika
Hoooow I wish I’d taken a photo of the roundabout that was decorated for Christmas saying ‘Ho Ho Ho Hokitika’ but alas, I was concentrating on driving and getting fish n’ chips for… Continue reading
Seals and Pancake Rocks: Driving the West Coast of New Zealand
Westport > Tauranga Bay > Punakaki Leaving the sandflies behind the West Coast of New Zealand just gets better and better. Westport is the first decent town you’ll hit South of Karamea, it’s… Continue reading
The thing about travel and perspective on life
A slight interlude in my road trip posts… figured it was time to share a big change in my life. I purchased a bed for the first time in about 10 years. I’m… Continue reading
The REAL middle of nowhere: Oparara Arches
Day 2 Route: Picton > Westport > Karmea > Oparara Arches > Kohaihai Campsite, Kahurangi National Park Where the heck are the Oparara Arches you may ask? The Oparara Arches are nestled away… Continue reading
Reigning in Christmas in the wop wops
Wop Wops you say? (Plural for Woop Woop: a humorous name for a remote outback town or district.) Yer that’s the middle of nowhere in New Zealand. I didn’t realise you can actually… Continue reading
Travel Planning Mojo
As my UK and European buddies rug up for a wintery Christmas, I’m busting out the dresses and skirts and enjoying the warm summer walks in the sun… when Auckland isn’t sharing its… Continue reading
Journeying into the unknown
This month’s travel blog linkup is all about Journeys, somewhat appropriate for me since my entire life feels like a journey! For me a journey is discovering the unknown around the world and… Continue reading
An Ode to the Snow
Oh how thee is so white. Oh how thee is so pure. Oh how thee glistens under bluebird skies above. The trails they leave behind are a minor scratch on your skin. The powder… Continue reading
That daily ‘happy place’
Sometimes travel takes you to your happy place. One that makes you smile. One that takes your breath away. One that puts you in a good place to start your day. I’m lucky… Continue reading
10 tips for expats returning home (repatriation)
So a few years back in New Zealand and I’m definitely not settled, but I’m thinking of things that have helped me bit by bit feel a little more comfortable back home, after… Continue reading
Top 10 tips for solo travel
I’ve done my fair share of solo travel, also group travels and travels with friends. My most epic solo journey was probably 6-7 months through South and Central America, though there were still… Continue reading
Adventures in the snow
Nine years on and I return to a winter wonderland known as Mount Ruapehu in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. It’s cold, white (and rocky) and exhilarating. When my… Continue reading
Long Weekend Getaway: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Countryside, wine, food and friends – what more do you need for a decent break? I recently ventured down to a new part of New Zealand that I’d never properly visited. The Hawkes… Continue reading
Travel Fears and Scares
Note: Probably don’t read this if you’re about to head off on a solo trip to a dodgy foreign country… read it when you get back. This month’s blog linkup is a goodie…… Continue reading
Expat Returns: July 2017 update
Not sure if anyone really is interested in this, but I’ll try for another month and see what you guys think. So here we go, what this month has been all about as… Continue reading
Snorkelling and sunset cruising along the Low Isles of the Great Barrier Reef
Calm seas, purple skies and heavens opening. This trip out to the Great Barrier Reef was definitely a good one to end my trip on. Clear skies aboard a stunning catamaran in the… Continue reading
WARNING: Cute animals! A day at Wildlife Habitat, Port Douglas
Disclaimer: I cannot be held accountable for a few too many ‘awww’s’ or mentions of cuteness in this post. Read (and smile) at your own peril. I’m always wary about wildlife sanctuaries and… Continue reading
My Travel Story
This month’s travel linkup is all about what got me into the world of travel blogging. Why I am here today sharing my tales from the globe, solo travel, being an expat, to… Continue reading
Expat Returns: June 2017 update
Last month I reached my 2 years back in NZ and inspired by other bloggers, ideas of reflection and gratitude I’ve decided to try a monthly review here on kiwifootprints.com. Possibly not the… Continue reading
Daintree Rainforest and Cassowary Falls day trip from Port Douglas
Nestled amongst glorious green vegetation, farms of sugarcane and little country towns is the Daintree Rainforest…. and a LOT OF RAIN! Yes, this was to show me just how wet the tropical rainforest… Continue reading
Port Douglas, Queenland, Australia
Sunshine, palm trees, fresh brunch, tropical juices, gorgeous pool and a quaint township… what more could you want from a little retreat in Queensland, Australia? The second half of my Easter getaway took… Continue reading
Kuranda: Queensland’s village in the Rainforest
Watching out the window as the forest passes me by, I notice openings of stunning scenery below as the scenic train to Kuranda climbs through the mountains to reach 327 metres above sea… Continue reading
A place called home
Home… This month I was kindly asked to be a joint host in a monthly blog linkup. The topic is oh so appropriate given I’ve just reached my 2 years back in New… Continue reading
2 Years On… expat back in New Zealand
2 Years ago I landed back in New Zealand. Almost 3 years since I left my life in the UK to travel my way back to my home country. And what a whirlwind… Continue reading
Scenic Flight over Great Barrier Reef
There is nothing quite like seeing the Great Barrier Reef from above. The colours of the ocean and coral are incredible with shimmering fairy lights on the water. I had booked an early… Continue reading
Snorkelling in Upolu Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Situated on the Outer Reef region of the Great Barrier Reef, Upolu Reef is home to an array of fish, coral, turtles and other sea life. It reached up to 15m in-depth so… Continue reading
Cairns, North Queensland Australia: home to the Great Barrier Reef
In the true tradition of Easter in my world I did the typical thing and went travelling. This year with the Easter public holidays and ANZAC Day it meant for a cool 10… Continue reading
The ultimate travel menu of locations
As part of this month’s travel blog linkup, I’m sharing my ultimate travel menu of locations. From an entrée (short haul) to a main (long haul) and a memorable desert. This menu will take… Continue reading
Another day, another flower… Auckland Botanic Gardens
Another day, another flower. Auckland Botanic Gardens holds enjoyment all year round for all ages and I for one love wandering around flower gardens just like this place! After two visits, one in autumn… Continue reading
Crankworx Rotorua, 2017
From all around the world the BMX and mountain bike riders descend on the smelly (but lovely) kiwi town of Rotorua to enjoy the bush tracks on offer to riders… yes Rotorua is… Continue reading
That place that Inspired me…
How can a travel destination be inspiring? Is it a place that changed your perspectives in life? A place that encourages you to do something more in life? Is it simply a destination… Continue reading