One of the schools I visit happened to have their Autumn Festival the day I was scheduled to be there - a tough afternoon ;-)... read more

I've been in Japan a month and a half now - here's some of what I've been up to............. read more

South America has been on my 'to do' list for years. I finally got around to organising a trip over that way - unfortunately due to time limitations I only went to Peru, but had a great time and I'll be back :-)... read more

Another long weekend trip with the Auckland YHA - this one was over Labour Weekend 22-24 October 2005. Tongariro National Park was the first national park to be established in New Zealand, and the fourth in the world. It is one of only twenty sites worldwide that have been given dual World Heritage status - both natural and cultural. It consists of 79598 hectares, and is best known for the volcanic peaks of Mt Ruapehu (2796m), Mt Ngauruhoe (2290m) and Mt Tongariro (1968m). Volcanic activity has been happening in the area for two million years, with Mt Ruapehu last erupting in 1995 and 1996.... read more

This was my first trip to the far north of New Zealand - I had been wanting to head up that way for a long time, so when the opportunity came to travel up with the Auckland branch members of the Youth Hostels Association over the Easter long weekend 2005, I didn't hesitate. ... read more