Category Nature
Maori evening
Friday night, after ziplining, we went out to a nearby Maori cultural center to have dinner and learn more about the Maori traditions. We were led down a small ravine to the banks of a crystal-clear stream that flowed from a nearby freshwater spring. The Maori men rowed up the river in a traditional boat […]
Tongariro Alpine Crossing (or tramping past Mount Doom)
Aside from hanging out with the Hettingers and Kallmeyers, my only agenda item for New Zealand was to go “tramping” (as the locals call hiking) through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Touted as one of the best day hikes in New Zealand, the 12-mile trail takes you through a nest of volcanic cones — including the […]
Okere Falls hike
What to do on New Year’s Day in Rotorua? Nature walks! We took our time getting up in the morning, enjoying the leisurely pace of holiday life (and in some cases recovering from jet lag). We had no concrete plans, but the weather was sunny and warm, and we saw no reason to stay indoors […]
Beach, brunch, and a breakdown on Waiheke
This was supposed to be the highlight of my stay in the Auckland area: a day trip to the island paradise of Waiheke for brunch at Mudbrick vineyard, an afternoon of beaches and hiking, and then dinner at Cable Bay vineyard before a sunset ferry ride home. Let’s just say that’s not exactly how things […]
Volcanoes of Devonport
I’m staying out in the village of Devonport, across the harbour from Auckland centre. In addition to a completely charming high street, Devonport has two mini volcanic cones that make make for a lovely morning walk and terrific views. Mount Victoria had the best views of the city and the nearby neighbourhoods. North Head looked […]
Skellig Michael and the Ring of Kerry
You know that rocky island with the beehive huts where Luke Skywalker goes to grow a beard and become mystical in the most recent Star Wars movie? Well, it turns out that’s a real place. Off the western coast of Ireland two tiny spikes of rock (“skelligs”) jut out from the sea. On the larger, […]
Searching for Piet Udolph in the Olympic Park
On the far eastern end of London is the sprawling park area where the 2012 Olympics were held. Normally this would not be a draw for me, but I learned that some famous garden designers — including the Dutch designer Piet Udolph — have made some gardens there, and so this weekend I finally made […]
Bloedel!
When I told Lady and Dad that Justin and I would be celebrating the 4th of July in Seattle, they decided to join us! They flew in on the afternoon of the 2nd just in time for the weather to turn cold and wet, which meant that instead of grilling steaks on the roof, we […]
Nisqually!
My current theory is that this stint in London is providentially designed to give Seattle time to catch up to where I’d like it to be if I’m going to live there. The best development so far is Amy’s move from DC to Olympia. This means I get to see even more of my favorite […]
A More Gentlemanlike Manner 