Author Archives: Alive and Trekking

No cloudpiercing today, Aoraki

January 2012. On the Intercity bus from Queenstown to Christchurch, the 8-hour trip that ended up taking 9 hours. We still had a comfortable break at this stunning piece of scenery, looking to Mt. Cook (Aoraki, nothing ‘cloudpiercy’ about it that day!)  It’s absolutely ridiculous how icy blue this water is! No tricks, no creativeContinue reading “No cloudpiercing today, Aoraki”

Lake Wakatipu

January 2012. The bus from Tracknet left Queenstown very early in the morning to take a group of excited adventurers to the start of the Routeburn Track on the South Island of New Zealand. It was a windy road and the ride became bumpy when the unsealed road began. The early morning light, the gorgeousContinue reading “Lake Wakatipu”

The kindness of strangers

My first ever solo travel took me to Denmark. I had a working holiday and spent about a week picking strawberries on a small island (omg, it was so cold in the morning that I got a bladder infection!). I was out of my depth and initially wanted to run home. I didn’t and endedContinue reading “The kindness of strangers”

Hostels that will forever spoil you

Hostelling International is the hostel chain that most people will know. I’ve stayed at plenty, because I was familiar with them, but always found them huge and impersonal backpackers factories. I mean, ever stayed at Sydney Central YHA? Then I travelled to New Zealand and discovered BBH. And I was spoilt forever. ❤ BBH (http://www.bbh.co.nz/) isContinue reading “Hostels that will forever spoil you”