I spent the first 10 years of my life in Timaru, a nondescript little city about halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin. Oamaru is about an hour away from Timaru, and we always regarded it as our ugly, boring little brother. That is the case no more; Oamaru has reinvented itself as one of New Zealand’s best … Read more
I can safely assume that if you’re travelling to Nepal that a trek is high on your list of things to do. If you’re planning on trekking in the Annapurna Range you’ll most likely pass through Pokhara, a small city on the shores of Phewa Lake. Pokhara is a great destination in its own right … Read more
They say if you can survive in the mean streets of Old Delhi you can survive anywhere. The heat, pollution, poverty and constant noise put many people off, but the incredible historic sights make it a city not to be missed. I spent two days in Delhi during my trip last year — it was … Read more
Most people who travel to northwest Vietnam opt for the comforts and commercialisation of Sapa, while the much better looking Ha Giang Province gets almost entirely overlooked. I guess some people aren’t so fussy when it comes to mountain towns. Not me though. I preferred Ha Giang Province — the scenery is incredible, the locals … Read more
After spending the previous eight months in Latin America, where things usually run at a sedate pace, we were suddenly beamed back to the bustle of Asia. I’d almost forgotten about those massive tour buses full of people that consume places. They were out in full force at Senado Square and St Paul’s Cathedral, but thankfully we found some space … Read more
After a difficult four days of trekking in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, we crossed the border to Argentina to do some easier day walks in Los Glaciares National Park. The star of the show is without doubt Mount Fitz Roy, a series of sharp peaks covered in snow which towers over the tiny … Read more
In travel, as in life, not all things are created equal. We took two separate day trips from Agra and they couldn’t have been more different. The first, to Fatehpur Sikri, was a major letdown. The popular old Mughal city was disappointing in every sense, but the trip to Gwalior Fort, en route to Orchha, … Read more
Mexico is full of colourful colonial towns and mysterious ancient ruins, and if you’re spending 2 days in Oaxaca you’ll get to see great examples of both. The city’s colonial core boasts bustling markets, imposing churches and a sprawling convent, while Monte Alban, the Zapotec ruins above town, offers a captivating glimpse into Mexico’s pre-Spanish … Read more