Welcome to Auckland – The City of Sails
Auckland, home to approximately 1.5 million Kiwis, lies in the pacific Ocean’s far south-west. It’s New Zealand’s biggest city and provides an excellent base to explore the North Island’s hidden coves and scenic coast...
72 Hours in Taupō, New Zealand
There’s so much to see and do in and around Taupō. Where do you begin? How much time do you need to visit Taupō?
To really experience Taupō you should plan for a minimum of...
All’s fair in love and war on King Tutt’s Putt Putt mini-golf courses
“Mine’s the orange one” Cerys demands with a mischievous cheeky smile.“I’ll have the lilac one” adds Cerys’ friend Laura. The remaining choice hangs in the balance and my wife Karen saves me some embarrassment...
Chasing Rainbows – Holi in Jaipur
Ah, Holi 2024 in Jaipur. A kaleidoscopic carnival of colours that I've danced through umpteen times! Picture this: me, a seasoned Holi enthusiast, diving headfirst into the riotous sea of hues that wash over...
Day 13 – 18 April 2011 – “Blob Out” Day
Updated October 2021
We officially declared today a “blob out” day – government buildings and monuments were still closed and we had some packing to do.
Feeling a bit under the weather today, I had breakfast...
Day 3 – 8 April 2011 – Discover our Second Sin in Delhi
Updated October 2021
We left Mumbai today for India’s capital, Delhi, on an internal flight with IndiGo. I have to say that I was impressed with Mumbai’s Domestic Terminal.
We were warmly greeted with friendly smiles...
An Unforgettable Afternoon with Sampa at Elefantastic
I’ll confess that I am neither overly fond of domestic pets or an animal activist. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll support animal cruelty or suffering.
Quite the opposite. I’ll further admit that I went...
Encounter whales gorging on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf’s seafood buffet
Many whale-watching excursions result in nothing more than sunburn, disappointment and a wasted day. My recent whale-watching trip with Auckland's Whale & Dolphin Safari certainly dispelled that myth.
With 6 weeks of Rugby World Cup...
Huka Prawn Park: Giant Malayasian River Prawns Evade Capture
Our mission was simple. I would lead a small task force of seafood lovers and infiltrate Huka Prawn Park to snatch as many prawns as we could in 3 hours and return to base.
Codenamed...
Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays – Tropical Paradise
Sail on the warm winds through 74 islands in the very heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Drop anchor and discover white secluded beaches. And, of course, dive the heart of the enormous Great...
















