Travel Guides

From festivals in India to white water rafting in New Zealand, we round up some of the best destinations on the planet to visit.

Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat

Day 1 – 6 April 2011 – Slumdog Millionaire, Rickshaws and Spicy Paneers

  Updated October 2021 After all of the planning and hype and nearly 24 hours flying, Rhys and I were finally in the city that Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire propelled to world fame.  But in the...

Making a Splash on The Gold Coast

Ah, my shipmates, gather 'round!  I’m about to unravel the salty secrets of Australia’s Gold Coast – that sun-kissed slice of paradise where surfers ride waves like caffeinated dolphins. But hold your seahorses! It’s not...

Day 19 – 24 April 2011 – From One Extreme to Another

Updated October 2011 I was looking forward to Singapore.  I feel a strong connection with her as I was born there and have been fortunate to visit several times since. We left Mumbai at 10:05 this...

Dunedin – Chocolate, Hops and Albatrosses

Update: Cadbury World closed permanently in May 2018 We only had two days and chose to focus on Cadbury World’s Tasting Tour, Speights’ Brewery Tour and a guided tour at the Royal Albatross Centre. Yet, Dunedin...

Rajasthan – The Enchanting Land of Kings

The Land of Kings Rajasthan, is surely the most colourful and unique state in Northern India, if not all of India. Its capital, Jaipur, the “Pink City”, derives its name from the reddish-pink stones...
Putting the I in Wellington

Insider’s Guide to Things to See and Do In Wellington

Rough Guides recently named Wellington one of its must visit cities in 2023. There are so many things to see and do in Wellington and is ideal for a mini break. My wife and I...

Day 18 – 23 April 2011 – Farewell Mumbai

Updated October 2011 What an experience last night at the game.  Mumbai Indians won a close game and the atmosphere at the stadium was excellent.  Certainly the best of the venues we’d been to. But what...

Day 10 – 15 April 2011 – Elephants, Forts and Food!

  Updated October 2021 I freely admit to being a “Jaipurite”.  And it was the perfect place to spend with my son. I’d arranged an early morning rickshaw (we’d given our driver the day off) out to...

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...

Maori History, Dolphins & Breath Taking Scenery in Paihia

Updated: November 2018 The Bay of Islands has been a favourite holiday spot for generations of Kiwi families.  At its heart, lies the picturesque seaside village of Paihia, which offers a relaxed pace for locals...