Destination Friday: When in the World?

Well, given that generally I choose a place in the world, why not pick a time? I am totally a geek at heart, and clearly, I should get out more. ;) The International Jousting Championships in Upper Hutt. Totally one of my favourite events (held every 2 years)... and this year made the ESPN list of top 10 re-enactment events to attend in 2013.

 

Destination Friday

At this end of the year, my mind wanders to places that I could go, things I want to see, and people I want to meet.  Michael Palin has been a hero of mine for as long as I can remember, and just a few weeks ago, I heard him speak, met him, and got his autograph.  Everything about him was amazing and he left me inspired to travel further.

Michael Palin is of course one of the key members of Monty Python's Flying Circus, and host of "Around the World in 80 Days", "Pole to Pole", "Sahara", "Full Circle", "New Europe" and "Brazil".
You may notice I am on crutches in the photo, ankle surgery, but I am almost fully mended now. 

And what of your own adventures?  Link up here and I promise to read all your entries. :D

Destination Friday: Anything with a Beach

The weather is cooling here, and as much as I like falling leaves and roaring fires, I miss the beach. I was never much of a beach-bunny growing up, but when I finally learned to swim (about 5 years ago) I found myself loving being near water. The price I pay is sunburn... and a lot of it. But, thank goodness for rash-vests and SPF 80 sunscreen.

A secluded beach off of Va'vau in Tonga

The beach always seems so primal to me, real, and untouched. Living in the country means a trip to the beach is rugged, and isolated, which I love. When traveling beaches remind me of home, because the oceans all touch each other. Every drop of water is a drop closer to home, and all the things I miss, all the things I'd rather forget, and a reminder that we are all only separated by space. People are the same, the world over, we just look different, speak different and have different aspirations. Other than that, we long for home, we seek our own adventures and we carry on carrying on.

So this week, where is your happy place? Link up any travel related post, or just a post that shows where you are happiest. Thanks for reading.

Destination Friday: The Wonders of Nature

Today my caterpillars are finally emerging from their cocoons as butterflies.  And I just think about all the wonderful moments with nature.

One amazing trip many moons ago, we were sailing around the Hauraki Gulf in the "Spirit of New Zealand".  The swells were up, and kids were losing their lunch over the side.  Just when it looked like the situation couldn't get any more dire, the dolphins swarmed the boat.  It was about 200 of them in a pod.  We could see them jumping in the wake by the sides.  Down below, we could see them through the windows.  It was a magical end to the turmoil on the surface.

Where have you come face to face with nature?

Destination Friday: Lazy Rainy Days

Today, it is raining.  So gosh darn raining that the largest outdoor annual market in the Southern Hemisphere was cancelled for the 1st time in 35 years.  Crazy!  I was expecting to be eating market foods, shopping for things I don't need and avoiding pan-flute bands.  Nevermind.

Seeking shelter from the storm, Suva, Fiji

Outside, trees have fallen, some have lost power, and water levels rise.  And did I mention it is cold?  On the 3rd day of Autumn!

Sitting by the fire at my parents house, stealing their internet, life is still okay.  I have my family, and while my plans didn't eventuate, serendipity entered again, and the day is turning out alright.

So, where do you like to go to escape the rain?  Or, just, where do you like to go?

Destination Friday: Sun-seeking

Today it has been windy, and a little wet.  To me this translates as time spent dreaming of peace and quiet, and a little sun time.  Usually beaches on secluded islands capture my imagination, but often I prefer to find seclusion in the woods.

Capturing my imagination, of locations in the sun.....

We used to live backing onto National Forest.  Wood pigeons, or Kereru, used to sing and fly around the back garden.  Walking up the back end of the section, and I really mean up.... this National Park was on a mountain range.... reality disappeared into the trees.  After climbing about 20 metres, to the top of our property, the land evened out onto a plateau.  Here I used to sit, watching the birds, listening to the sound of the river just over the road from our house.

So, where do you dream about when you think of seeking bliss in the sun?

Destination Friday - Something so Perfect

The weather here today is stunning, blue skies, warm sun, and above all else, quiet.  It is a perfect day for reflecting on perfect days in the sun.

Dravuni Island, Fiji.  The only problem was overcrowding. :P

During my last trip to Fiji, we had perfect days.  We managed to follow the bad weather, leaving us with perfect skies, green vegetation, and just enough water to dampen the dirt tracks, so dust was at a minimum.  Unfortunately for Fiji, massive floods followed our visit, which was totally unbelievable and shocking to see on the evening news.

So this linky is all about perfection.  Where is your perfect destination?  What happened there?  What do you look for in a holiday?  Or just link up any travel or vacation related post.  Peace.

Destination Friday: All the Preparations

We are now only 2 weeks away from departing, and the preparations are well underway.  Every time we go somewhere, I tend to be in one of 2 camps:
1.  The overly packed with too much stuff OR
2.  Leaving everything I need at home

This time, my goal is simple.  Have everything I need, carry no excess, and avoid sunburn.

To this end I have been trying to pack for the last few weeks.  I bought a new suitcase, as my last one was too easy to overpack.... and the airline managed to rip the handle off on the last trip.  It has been needing to be replaced for a while.  Knowing I will have crutches has been a bonus as well, because I have had to really think about how I will journey.  The new bag is a back-pack, with the facility to pull along on wheels.

And I bought a rash-vest.  Yep, I will be soooooooooo untrendy.... but who cares.  I *hopefully* will avoid sunburn, without giving up snorkeling.  The worst part of the last trip was learning that coral reefs can be killed with sunscreen, so you are not supposed to wear it into the water.... which of course leads to major burns, and a lack of fun later on.  So the long sleeved rash vest will be handy.

Also, Tonga has strict laws against the exposure of flesh.  Wearing the vest will totally prevent me from being arrested on the beach!  Traveling with my multi-use skirts and cover-up sarongs will have another hidden benefit.

So, where have you been?

Destination Friday: Where are you really going?

Welcome to Destination Friday- a linky party where we share our travels.  Feel free to skip to the end of the post to find the linky.

This week I have been thinking about travel insurance.... mainly as it has been a bit of a pain, and a lot more expense, than our travels have been previously.  Partly for the cancer element- this evidently raises the price, while not actually giving any cover for cancer related care.... and partly because I want to travel with so much technology!

I have awesome cameras.  I love them, a lot.  Not taking them would destroy me.  Actually, I tend to be rather rough on my cameras, as I am now on Waterproof and Indestructible camera #3.... But my DSLR is brilliant.  I bought it to photograph weddings, but love it for everything else.   And I know I am traveling with my iPad- we are inseparable!  So I choose to list everything I take, pay more, and know I am covered. 

I know there are others that feel comfortable traveling by the seat of their pants.  Me, not so much.

So I was also thinking about security, and pretty much thinking about comfort zones.

And the last time I was really scared abroad.

I was totally scared in Vanuatu.  Not because of the people, but what I had decided to do.  I have never done any SCUBA diving, ever, but there is this awesome Underwater Walk in Port Vila.  Basically you wear weights, breath in a respirator and walk through a coral plantation.

But the whole thing scared me.  I didn't want to put my head under the water.  I kept wanting to rip the respirator out of my mouth and breathe in the water.  It was a constant reminder going through my head, just breathe, just breathe, just breathe.  And I was freaking out, big time.  There was a guide, who kept giving me the motions about going up to the surface.  I really wanted to give up, and go back on land.

Then I saw the fishies.

 

This guy was first.  And I was transfixed.  It was this completely magical kingdom underwater, just below the surface, right on the beach.

 

Then there were like millions of fish!  I couldn't believe it.  They swam up and touched me.  I fed them.  It was just surreal.  I forgot about the fears I had, and how I wanted to quit, and how I wanted to rip out the respirator in panic.... and I was calm.

 

Here was my hero, the one who didn't let me quit.  Strangely, my husband stayed on shore, unable to drop beneath the surface.  This was the first time I saw myself as stronger than him.  And I felt unstoppable.

Well, unstoppable, but insured. ;)

Anywho, time for the linky.

Destination Friday: Where are you off to?

Welcome back to Destination Friday- it is lovely to have you here.

Dilip searching for remnants of his family

This week I thought I'd ramble a little about where I am off to in a months time.... TONGA!  Oh, and Fiji.  But, I have been to Fiji before.  I love Fiji.  My husband's father grew up in Fiji, so when we go there, Dilip always tries to find people who knew his family.

I know Suva gets a bad rap, and for good reason, but, it is a great city.  All too often tourist destinations in Fiji seem to be fake.  Port Denarau only exists because of the Fiji Hilton Hotel.  Most of the tiny islands surrounding the cities are tourist resorts.  Suva however feels real.  People live, work and love there.  The streets may not be paved in gold, but they are filled with real people.  And as far as I am concerned, this makes it worthy of travel.

I have wanted to go to Tonga for a long time, and now I have the chance, I am really excited.  The only thing that worries me is that I am set for ankle surgery just a week before we leave, so I will be on crutches....

Please share your travel stories in the linky below:

Destination Friday: Welcome

Good morning!

We all have favourite places that we like to travel to.  Some we go to regularly, others are those dream-once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

I thought this linky would be a fun way of finding out the cool places you have traveled to.  You may link to any holiday blog, whether it be a vacation overseas, a trip away for the weekend, or just your favourite places to eat when you are away from home.

This week, anything vacation related.