Let’s get the mundane facts about Baldwin Street out of the way first. This 350-metre stretch of road in Dunedin, New Zealand is recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s steepest street. Its official maximum gradient is 19 degrees (though there are little bits that are 21 degrees); in other words, the ground rises […]
There was a time not so long ago when you could climb glaciers in New Zealand for NZD120. No expensive helicopters were needed. All it took was a coach ride into the Fox Glacier valley, a coat and rented crampons. You didn’t have to worry about not having enough people to go on the tours […]
Some memories will stick with me forever, especially those that involve personal ‘firsts’. I could write a story about each of these 60 moments from Middle Earth.
For 15 years, I dreamt about diving and exploring the ocean but never got round to learning it. I’d tell myself that I’d never dive often enough to make it worthwhile. Imagine all that expensive gear sitting pretty for months at home, only to malfunction when it touched water due to disuse. It was an excuse that […]
New Zealand has to be one of those places where one can live the good life on a short visit. The landscapes are mind-blowing, the local produce is plentiful, and the wines from Marlborough and Hawkes Bay are world-beaters. Now, one can add NZ craft beer to the list of fine things. Alcohol is not just […]
I really wanted to like Oamaru as much as my friend B did when she visited. It’s hard not to fall in love with its historic district, with it’s bookstores, art galleries and cafes in Victorian buildings (hipster alert!). Just look at it.