'Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. ... There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.'-Rachel Carson Visiting the Doubtful Sound (and the Fiordland National Park) was … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Fiordland National Park and the Doubtful Sound
New Zealand
Adventures Down Under: Shotover River
'Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.'-Helen Keller Sorry I've been a bit MIA. I had a massive life change...I moved to Bend, Oregon! While moving back to the West Coast had been in motion, the move itself was a bit rushed. Due to my life on the road, I have had horrendous wifi. … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Shotover River
Adventures Down Under: Queenstown, New Zealand
'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.'-J.R.R. Tolkien Let me start off by saying that Queenstown and the surrounding area is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It is … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Queenstown, New Zealand
Adventures Down Under: Te Puia
'My friends, this is the essence of life'-Maori Proverb My last stop of the day was to Te Puia, a Maori cultural center in Rotura (about two hours from Auckland). Between this and the Waitomo caves, I was able to get a sense of the Maori culture and how intrinsic it is in New Zealand. … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Te Puia
Adventures Down Under: The Agrodome (New Zealand)
'[She] knew that little ideas that tickled, and nagged, and refused to go away should never be ignored, for in them lie the seeds of destiny.'-Babe Welcome to the AGRODOME!!! Sorry, whenever I say the name in my head, I think of Mad Max. This place is much less aggressive! It started out as a … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: The Agrodome (New Zealand)
Adventures Down Under: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
'Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.'-H.D. Thoreau On my first full day in New Zealand, I left Auckland and headed to the wilderness. My introduction to the most stunning things I will ever see was the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It was an additional excursion and was a no-brainer. It is … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Adventures Down Under: Auckland, New Zealand
After about a million hours of air travel, I finally arrived in Auckland. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the city for very long...something that will be fixed next time I come because the area is beautiful and as someone has pointed out (repeatedly), I did not go to Hobbiton. I arrived and my shuttle took me … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Auckland, New Zealand
Adventures Down Under: Preparation
I have been home for a week and I am still in complete awe over what I experienced over my two weeks in New Zealand and Australia. This trip changed me in so many ways but, mostly, I think that I am braver. I did things that I never would have thought I would. I … Continue reading Adventures Down Under: Preparation
Living Furiously
I am getting ready to head Down Under for 16 days! This is by far the furthest I've ever been out of my comfort zone and I couldn't be more excited and more terrified. I spent Friday night seeing Hamilton (finally!!!) and it was wonderful. I feed off the energy in NYC. I have said … Continue reading Living Furiously