Explore the Elements

This post is all about beautiful pictures. I’ve recently realized how many of them are on my disc and I never show them to the world. So the competition by Thomas Cook with excellent judges encouraged me to look for 4 really nice pictures showing 4 elements: earth, air, water and fire. I hope you’ll like the ones I chosen. Earth Earth is stable. We often take its stability for granted. I did too, until the earthquake ... Read more

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A Hobbit’s Tale

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” This quote from J.R.R. Tolkien masterpiece came to my mind the moment I saw Shaun. He was sitting there in one of the cafes of North Shore of Auckland waiting for me. And I ... Read more

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Always wanted to be a travel writer?

New Zealand is full of beautiful sites and interesting people. Just recently I met Shaun Jefferson, a photographer, and today I’m sharing some thoughts by Sarah Bennett. She is not only a traveler and adventurer but also runs a publishing house and collaborates with Lonely Planet. She is an expert in New Zealand best trails, bike routes and camping sites. Exclusively for you she shared some of her best kept secrets on how to ... Read more

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Waiheke Island: wine, food and bike

This was a delightful day! Although in the evening I was very tired I had a great time. It is the middle of the summer here, in New Zealand so last Saturday I went to Waiheke. This is a popular recreational destination, not only for tourists but most of all to Aucklanders. It is easily reached by a ferry from downtown Auckland. A ride lasts about 35 minutes and a ferry goes every hour. Bike Not always, popular places are beautiful. ... Read more

Unexpected journey

You would be surprised what kind of people you can meet on Rarotonga! At first, it seemed like the end of the world. A paradise like island isolated from all other countries. Soon, I realised how wrong I were. Journey in time The most unexpected person I met on the island was Tim. His story was a blast! There is nothing special of being a Brit, born in Manchester and moved to New Zealand with his parents. Not even his career as a ... Read more

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Merry Christmas!

New Zealand is not the most popular place to spend Christmas. Most of the people chose to go to Europe and participate in Christmas Markets. They sometimes attend Christmas carols’ concerts. There are many things in Europe that you cannot find in New Zealand, at least not at this time of the year. There is no snow because it is the middle of the summer. There are no Christmas trees all over the place because most of people go ... Read more

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!

Flowers in my hair came a little bit late on this journey but when they eventually came they were spectacular! Instead of buying a lousy rose in San Francisco I waited until coming to Rarotonga. This tiny island is a major hub to all Cook Islands and few other countries in South Pacific. This was the first time I went to a paradise like island and let me tell you this: it’s not the easiest journey I made! I will start my ... Read more

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If you’re going to San Francisco…

“If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair” advised Scott McKenzie few decades ago. His famous 1967 hit single inspired many people to visit San Francisco. Well, I didn’t have any flowers in my hair but I expect that very little has changed since this song was popular. California in general and SF in particular is still a very liberal. This is a very particular mix of hippie style, ... Read more

3 Tricks How to Deal with Jet Lag

Jet lag is a common condition of all long distance travels pursued by plane. Due to a time zone change people experience difficulties related to sleep disturbance and fatigue. Being tired few days after landing may sometimes make your short holiday much less pleasant. So here my my own tricks how to deal with a jet lag. Stay focused Jet lag is a condition that is much easier to deal with, when you know what to expect and what to ... Read more

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Beckett in Paris

So disappointing! The weather in Paris crushed my plans. And I wanted to do so many things related to my favorite writer Samuel Beckett! You know the story of Beckett and Little Museum of Dublin so you are not surprised I wanted to visit all places related to his long residence in Paris. I wanted to have a coffee in his favorite place, look at the neighborhood where he lived and finally visit his grave on Montparnasse cemetery. It ... Read more

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