If Derik and I could go anywhere in the world for vacation, where would we go? I partnered up with Expedia to talk about 6 lesser-known vacation spots we'd love to visit in 2015, and hope you consider them as well! Wanderlust is something that follows me everywhere. Whether it's pinning photos on Pinterest, browsing my Twitter feed, or reading other travel blogs, my destination wish-list grows bigger and bigger. Now that we're solidly into 2015, its time to start thinking about using that vacation we've been acquiring over the last few months. Most of you will begin planning your summer vacation destinations, but down here in the Southern Hemisphere we're looking to get away from the winter in May-July. Unfortunately with our travel ... Read More
Archives for April 2015
Let’s catch up.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed. Actually, that's a lie — I get overwhelmed a lot, especially living in a foreign country. There's just so much to remember and be responsible for, and issues you have to deal with that you would never have to consider if you were living in your home country. This past week has been particularly stressful for both Derik and I as our property management company of the house we rent has been dealing very unfairly with us. Thankfully, now that we live in an English-speaking country, it's a lot easier to get help and advice from those who have greater legal authority and knowledge than we do. I know in the end it'll all work out, but it does make it particularly stressful when someone preys on you because you're ... Read More
Aurora Australis in New Zealand
I've been researching the Aurora Australis since before we moved to New Zealand. I was lucky enough to have spent some of my childhood in Alaska, and because of that I grew up watching the beautiful Aurora Borealis so close to me I felt like I could touch it. When I found out the Southern Hemisphere delivered the same phenomenon (just not so close or visible), I knew I just had to try and photograph it. The Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) are a bit rarer to view down here than the big Borealis is, and many people joke that Australis is Borealis' ugly stepsister. I feel like the poor Australis gets a lot of flack for it, but it's only because where New Zealand (and Australia) sit on the map degree-wise is quite a bit different than ... Read More
Are You a Traveler or a Tourist?
“Are you a traveler or a tourist?” I call this the great debate because everyone has an opinion one way or another. You’ll see post after post about being a traveler and NOT a tourist, but personally? I don’t think one should be put on a pedestal over another. I hate that posts are written about the correct way to travel, when really, can we define traveling “correctly”? That would basically be the same as defining how to eat correctly, walk correctly, and talk correctly. Sure we can give suggestions based off of experience, but don’t be THAT person who judges someone that isn’t doing something the way you would do it. If a person has the opportunity to get out in the world and experience new things, they should not ever have to worry ... Read More
8 Things I Don’t Like About Long-Term Travel
I'm the biggest advocate ever about travel, both short and long-term! There are numerous benefits and lessons to be learned from exploring the world, and I honestly believe everyone should go out and spend a year or so abroad sometime in their life. As I've mentioned before though, not everything is all majestic landscapes, yummy food, and a wonderful cultural experience -sometimes traveling and living outside your own country can be downright hard. Have you seen that meme floating around with that dog splayed out on the deck that says " I can't adult today?" Sometimes I feel that way about traveling responsibly. I am genuinely afraid of all the issues below, but at the end of the day, I have to buck up and take care of them anyway. ... Read More
Maré, New Caledonia
We went to plenty of amazing places on our Christmas cruise through the South Pacific, but by far my favorite port was Maré, New Caledonia. Talk about actual paradise on earth, Maré is a little slice of heaven. It's underdeveloped, underpopulated, and just …perfect. I genuinely hope it can stay exactly the way it is for years to come. I'm pretty darn sure cruise tourism is one of it's only source of outside income, because businesses on the island were slim to none. Derik and I had spent the entire cruise avoiding shore excursions (seriously they're way too overpriced…or at least for our budget), but we had heard through the grapevine that buying the bus ticket via the shore excursions desk was the only way to get to the popular ... Read More