Melbourne Lighthouses
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia On my return from a road trip around Mornington Peninsula and Great Ocean Road I realized that I had made (too) many photos of the lighthouses I came across during my exploration of this beautiful coastal landscape close to Melbourne. I guess I was subconsciously gravitating towards them. I admit, I have a certain love-hate relationship with lighthouses in general and can’t quite explain it. There is something mysterious and dark about them. It seems to me they are keeping many secrets and give me a slight chill whenever I come near them. On the other hand, they look absolutely wonderful in coastal landscapes and are there for a very good reason. They also offer so many great photographic opportunities. Lighthouses were built on specific points along the Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula. A few of these places have…
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Mt Karioi, Raglan, Waikato, North Island, New Zealand TRAVEL DURATION: Whole Day Hike Mt Karioi is an extinct volcano that is located in the Waikato Region near Raglan.…
TRAVEL DESTINATION Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand TRAVEL DURATION Long Weekend Dunedin is beautiful. I was struck by the city, magnificent landscape and the feel of this…
Animals of Otago Peninsula
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand Today I will be exploring the beautiful animals of Otago Peninsula. This is an amazing part of New Zealand where you can encounter many unique species living in their natural habitat. I felt very much privileged to be around them for a short while when I was visiting Dunedin a month ago. Native animals here are protected, as many species became endangered after the past periods of their near extinction. However, there are still many threats to these animals today, one of them being human activities and incidental entanglement. Therefore, knowing how to share the environment and their mainland habitat with them is important to keep these species alive. So, let’s get exploring! Yellow-Eyed Penguin (Hoiho) Sandfly Bay beach is the most probable place to spot the yellow-eyed penguin on Otago Peninsula. These animals are unique to New Zealand and can be…
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Tāwharanui Regional Park, Auckland, New Zealand TRAVEL DURATION: Half day hike Tāwharanui Regional Park is a place that I keep visiting during the summer months. Mostly for the…
So, I want to travel. It’s something I am drawn to, something I feel I need and want to do. Traveling makes my life fuller, it gives me…
The Needle Hike (Te Rua Manga) in Rarotonga
TRAVEL DESTINATION: The Needle (Te Rua Manga), Rarotonga, Cook Islands TRAVEL DURATION: Half day hike Wherever I go and travel to, I always try to scout out some hills or mountains to climb. There sure is something about that 360 degrees top view. I love to see the place I am visiting from a bird’s-eye perspective. Maybe for some, the airplane view would do, but for me, the hiking and climbing are much more rewarding. There is a challenge involved as well as the experience and, without the exception, the numerous surprises by the end of the hike. This was my third visit to Rarotonga in Cook Islands, and about the time to put on the hiking shoes. Sharing the experience with my brother and sister just made it all the more special. Hike Anticipation When I think about it, this was my first hike in the tropics, I guess. I started without…
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Rarotonga, Cook Islands Rarotonga is the biggest and most visited island out of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands. It’s become my favourite go-to…
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Islands of French Polynesia Once in a while, it’s just the right time to slow down and smell the roses. Literally. When I traveled to French…