Happy Holidays from Singapore! I arrived in Singapore just in time to celebrate Christmas with my American friends, the Sauer Family. It was exactly what I needed after almost 3 months away from home. The Sauers live in Singapore with their 3 kids, and Christmas was a blast with them.... read more

My last few days in New Zealand... From Mt. Cook, I drove up to Hanmer Springs, where I soaked in thermal pools and hiked in a forest of redwoods and evergreen trees (all planted many years ago). Then I headed to Kaikoura on the East Coast, where I went kayaking in the Pacific Ocean. The next day, I drove down the coast to Christchurch for one day in the historic English-style city. I took a walk through the famous Botanic Gardens in the rain and got a quick tour of the coast from my new local friend, John, whom I'd met back in Hokitika a few weeks earlier. Finally, I spent my last two nights in New Zealand on the Banks Peninsula, about an hour from Christchurch. It was the perfect way to end my 6-week ... read more

They say the town of Wanaka is a great alternative to busy Queenstown... I arrived via the scenic Haast Pass from the West Coast, and decided to stay a few nights in this tranquil village by the lake. The area reminded me of a mellow version of Lake Chelan back in Washington State. Lots of outdoor recreation, including hiking, boating, camping and skiing in the winter. I drove up into the mountains about an hour away from town, and took a 3-hr hike to view the Rob Roy Glacier. On the way there, I drove through lush green hills and pastures. It started raining hard during my hike, and on the way back, waterfalls appeared where they weren't just a few hours before and I had to ford eight creeks that gave me a bit of ... read more

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound Early explorers incorrectly named the fiords in this area "Sounds." They are actually "Fiords" that were gouged out by glaciers and flooded by the sea when the glaciers later receded. Milford Sound is regarded as one of the scenic wonders of the world, and not to be missed during a visit to New Zealand. But many Kiwis regard Doubtful Sound as even more scenic, and because it's more remote, it receives fewer tourists than Milford Sound. I was fortunate enough to experience a day cruise on Doubtful Sound, but one experience I want to have when I come back to New Zealand (someday) is an overight cruise and kayak trip. The peace and serenity of Doubtful Sound is supposed to be an unforgettable experience, and it's a great way to see ... read more

The West Coast District of the South Island Packs in Variety, from Rugged Coastlines to Mountain Glaciers In one day, was able to walk through a dense rain forest, sit on a deserted ocean beach, and peer up at a mountain glacier in the Southern Alps! Here is a sampling of my time on the West Coast... ... read more