Candlelight thoughts on Earth Hour and Dark Sky places
Turning off the lights – and electronic devices – for Earth Hour is something I’ve done intermittently over the past 13 years since this symbolic lights-out…
20 travel ideas for 2020
A new year means new travel plans. I’m busy making mine, and hope you are too! After reviewing my past year, and the past decade, I found…
Walking on White Island: why we take such risks
As New Zealand reels from the unpredicted eruption of volcanic Whakaari/White Island, which has killed at least five tourists and injured many more, it’s easy to…
Victory in remembering
One of my strongest childhood memories is of getting lost. I was four years old and it was ANZAC Day, the day on which Australians and…
My year of islands
Born and bred in an island nation, perhaps it’s no surprise that I’ve got a penchant for islands. And looking back on my travels this year,…
Walking the line at Auckland Airport
New Zealand’s largest city – Auckland – must have one of the easiest methods of transport between its international and domestic airports that I’ve ever come…
All the fun of a funicular
“What’s a funicular?” The question surprised me, coming from someone who has travelled quite a lot. I was talking about travelling on one in Switzerland, but…
High above Milford Sound
Small, remote places often have small airports – if they have one at all – that have a character all of their own. Milford Sound in…
Strangers on the shore
Days ashore – often in remote locations – are the high points for expedition cruising. Taking a Zodiac or similar small landing craft to the shore…
On the bridge
An “open bridge” on a small ship is an opportunity not to be missed. Some expedition cruises, which usually have less than 100 passengers on board,…
A Glass Half Full 