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Flight Path: Fiji Airways
Traveller, 13 October 2024
"For supper I choose the roasted tomato and basil
soup, the grilled paneer kebab, and a tropical
fruit bowl, which are all excellent. The drinks
menu offers five wines diplomatically sourced from
the airline’s key destinations (Australia, NZ,
USA), along with various spirits and beers, but I
stick to tomato juice. For breakfast we complete a
card, selecting from such delights as a pina
colada parfait and Indian spiced savoury waffles.
I choose the chia seed pudding and cheese
omelette, which are both tasty..."
Reviewing a Business class flight from
Nadi, Fiji, to Los Angeles, USA.
[Read the full
article here]
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The who's who of Who
Traveller, 10 August 2024
"The time machine’s controls gleam before me, as
the central rotor turns slowly within its
transparent housing. I’m in the TARDIS! It’s
something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid in
the 1960s, when the BBC science fiction show Doctor
Who started screening on Australian TV.
Since then, the Doctor – the travelling alien
who’s the star of the show, righting wrongs across
the universe – has been a hero of mine, and
possibly the reason I became so keen on travel as
an adult..."
Visiting an exhibition devoted to the
television show Doctor Who in
Wellington, New Zealand.
[Read
the full article here]
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Parting is such sweet sorrow
Traveller, 27 April 2024
"In the first week of the New Year I picked up a
brand-new passport. Almost ten years had passed in
the company of my old one, and it was time to
renew. But as I delighted in the crisp,
unblemished potential of my new passport, I felt
an unexpected fondness for its slightly worn
predecessor. We’d been through a lot together over
the previous decade, and the assortment of stamps
spread through its pages recalled the most
memorable border crossings..."
Discussing the fond memories prompted
by an expired passport, of travels in
Ukraine, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa,
Liechtenstein, and Fiji.
[Read the full
article here]
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Northern Explorer: Spectacular
Axed Train Gets a Second Lease on Life
Traveller, 5 July 2022
"In August 2021 the axe fell. As the nation was
plunged into another COVID lockdown, rail operator
KiwiRail suspended its long-distance trains. And
in December, as the return of international
tourism was in sight, it announced the Northern
Explorer and the Picton-Christchurch Coastal
Pacific would remain suspended until
mid-2022, when they would return in a "modified
form" that could include multi-day rail tours
aimed firmly at tourists. This possibility this
was the end of same-day long-distance trains
sounded an alarm bell for many New Zealanders..."
Outlining the fall and rise of a
long-distance train between Auckland and
Wellington, New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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Explore the Mountains of the
South Island on the TranzAlpine
Truly Pacific, 15 June 2022
"As the train progresses we seem to be aiming
ourselves at the mountains – or more precisely, at
a notch at their centre. It’s an unsettling
feeling, as if you were driving a car toward a
wall with only one tight opening. Again the
commentary has an explanation, telling me we’ll
follow the Waimakariri River for some time as a
path through the rugged terrain, with numerous
tunnels and viaducts to also help us progress..."
Taking the TranzAlpine train
across the South Island in New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here] |
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We Stayed at… Turtle Island,
Fiji
Escape, 2 May 2022
"Sitting under palm trees with a picnic lunch on a
secluded beach, I admire the ocean view and ponder
what makes Turtle Island different. It has many of
the features you’d expect of luxury accommodation,
including high-quality rooms and attentive
service. But it’s not your typical resort.
Strongly influenced by its remote island location,
its buildings blend in neatly with the tropical
surrounds rather than overwhelming them. With only
14 bures (the Fijian word for villas) dotted above
the line of the beach and surrounded by lush
greenery, there’s low visual impact on nature..."
Reviewing a remote tropical resort in
Fiji.
[Read the
full article here]
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Wine Wander
Traveller, 23 October 2021
"Sitting at a table at a cellar door, sipping an
excellent pinot noir and picking at a vast platter
of locally produced cheeses, dips and olives, it
seems as though it's been like this forever. That
Martinborough, in the heart of New Zealand's
Wairarapa wine region north-east of Wellington,
has been idyllic wine country for a century or
more. But that's not the case. When the town was
founded in 1879 it was intended as a service
centre for local farms. But a century later in
1979 the town was dying. Then someone had a bright
idea – why not try wine?"
Sampling excellent wine and fascinating
local history on a wine tour of
Martinborough, New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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One Train, So Many Views
Senior Traveller, September 2021
"American poet John Whittier said the saddest
words in life are 'It might have been', and I have
them in mind as I walk past the grand facade of
Auckland’s former main railway station. A
beautiful Beaux-Arts building from 1930, it would
be the perfect place to begin a long train journey
across New Zealand’s North Island. But what really
matters is what lies ahead: the prospect of a
marvellous array of scenery as it tracks through
the North Island’s complex geography..."
Riding the Northern Explorer
train from Auckland to Wellington, New
Zealand.
[Read the
full article here] (flip to
page 20)
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Discovering The Great Journeys
of New Zealand
International Traveller, 26 July
2021
"Everyone knows New Zealand is a spectacular
country to visit, with its rugged snow-capped
mountains, dramatic coastline, and rolling green
countryside. But there’s one sure way to see it at
its best: by rail. The Great Journeys of New
Zealand is a series of three marvellous trains –
and a ferry – which take you in comfort through
the nation’s unforgettable scenery..."
Sharing the delights of three
long-distance train journeys in New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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What's Brewing, Bro?
Traveller, 17 July 2021
"Would you walk a mile – or two – for a good beer?
I'm willing to put that concept to the test in
Auckland, where a collection of craft breweries,
pubs and bars in the city's Eden Terrace and
Kingsland districts, south of the CBD, has led to
the birth of the Auckland Beer Mile. It's not
really a mile; in fact at 3.2 kilometres it's
exactly two miles from end to end. But with easy
access to trains and buses, it's a pleasingly
walkable stretch of places to drink. Over a couple
of days, I visit six of them..."
Sampling excellent beer at six
memorable venues in Auckland, New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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High Tea
Sunday Life, 4 July 2021
"I don't know which is more remarkable – the
mountain I can see through the window, or the
hotel I'm standing in. Mount Ngauruhoe is
impressive – high, dark, forbidding, and one of
three volcanoes clustered together in Tongariro
National Park, in the centre of New Zealand's
North Island. Conical in shape, it appeared in The
Lord of the Rings films as the grim Mount
Doom, which Frodo had to climb to dispose of the
cursed ring. It's currently dormant, its most
recent eruption beings in the mid-'70s. Having
said all that, this hotel is also a marvel..."
Enjoying a glamorous afternoon tea
in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, with a
view of volcanoes.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Trees and Teas
Traveller, 22 May 2021
"Our guide Boramey sits in front of an array of
white porcelain cups, dishes and pots, pouring
intently from one to another. This tea ceremony
involves five variants of oolong tea: green, pure,
aromatic, dark, and black. It's called a wet
ceremony, and so it is – lots of liquid sloshing
around as it's poured in graceful arcs by our
guide, finally ending in cups for us to sip. You
could be forgiven for assuming we're somewhere in
Asia, but we're not – this is Hamilton, New
Zealand, and the farm we are visiting is called
Zealong..."
Having a genteel day out, touring a tea
farm and beautiful gardens in Hamilton, New
Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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How to Go from North to South by
Rail
Traveller, 22 May 2021
"In the early morning light, with Auckland's Sky
Tower on the horizon, there's a hint of adventure
in the air as I wait to board the train waiting at
the city's Strand Station. Via three such trains –
each comprising a sleek set of modern carriages –
and a ferry, I'm about to undertake a great rail
journey across both the North and South islands of
New Zealand. I'm looking forward to a trip
involving beautiful hilly scenery, dramatic
volcanoes, and a multitude of tunnels and viaducts
built to carry the rails across New Zealand's
challenging terrain. I can't wait to see what's
out there..."
Taking three great long-distance rail
journeys across New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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After the Quake: Exploring the
'New' Christchurch
Escape, 18 May 2021
"You’d think Christchurch would want to put the
quakes behind it and focus on the future. However,
there’s a strain in the local consciousness – call
it a stubbornness, or determination – that wants
to remember the event and draw strength from the
city’s survival. Both the science of earthquakes
and the human response to adversity is on display
at Quake City, an exhibition dedicated to
explaining the disaster. From the front desk, with
its giant clock faces from a demolished railway
station, visitors are led past a vibrant
audiovisual presentation of Ruaumoko, the Maori
god of quakes and volcanoes..."
Visiting a selection of post-earthquake
highlights in Christchurch, New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here]
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Travel New Zealand by Train
lonelyplanet.com, 6 December 2019
"From its beautiful coastline to its spectacular
mountains, New Zealand is a place you visit for
its scenery – and there’s no better way to gorge
on its good looks than by train. Travelling at
surface level, you can take in every detail of
Aotearoa, stopping off along the way to see more.
Here’s how..."
Taking three long-distance rail
journeys from the North to South Island of
New Zealand.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Coastal
Pacific: One of the World's Great Train
Journeys
Traveller, 11 November 2019
"Considering all the excellent sauvignon blanc
that's made its way to me across the Tasman Sea,
it seems fitting I should pay it a visit in
return. Blenheim is the hub of New Zealand's
Marlborough wine region, so there must be
sauvignon blanc tastings galore here. I'll never
find out, however, as I'm just passing through
aboard the Coastal Pacific. This train is one of
New Zealand's great rail journeys, passing as it
does down the east coast of the South Island..."
Taking the Coastal Pacific train on
its route between ocean and mountains in New
Zealand.
[Read the
full article here] |
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How
Does a Hobbit Garden Grow?
Escape, 10 November 2019
"There’s a beekeeper’s house with pots of honey
and bumblebees buzzing among the flowers. Another
garden has stacked barrels of fruit wine, and
another has a table with a chess board and pieces.
Add in the scented smoke that rises from the
occasional chimney and it’s easy to believe this
place is inhabited. Best not to peek behind the
open door of the artist’s house, however, which
reveals an empty unfinished space of rubble and
timber planks – the cruel truth behind the
Hollywood magic..."
Enjoying a tour through the
fantasy-filled grounds of Hobbiton Movie Set, New
Zealand.
[Read the
full article here] |
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How to Score the
Best Economy Class Seat on a Plane
Escape, 6 June 2017
"Squeezed in tight, with a battle for the armrest
and a seatback in your face. We’ve all been there
– it’s a battle for space when you fly
long-distance in Economy Class. It doesn’t matter
how great the plane’s entertainment system is, or
how tolerable the airline food, if you can barely
move with discomfort. But take heart, because I’m
going to reveal my formula for securing the best
Economy Seat on any plane..."
Revealing how I choose the optimum
airline seat in Economy Class, with reference to
an LA-Fiji flight.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Top
10: Comedy Clubs Around the World
Traveller, 7 October 2016
"Our neighbours across the Tasman would have to be
a funny lot, considering such Kiwi-born successes
as satirist John Clarke and musical comedians the
Flight of the Conchords. The Classic is Auckland's
only full-time comedy venue, celebrating its 20th
anniversary in 2017 with a diverse calendar of
amusing performers in a central location..."
Listing great comedy venues in the USA, Canada,
UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa and Singapore.
Available
for republication (print only).
[Read the
full article here] |
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Lights!
Camera! Oahu!
roundtheworldflights.com,
28 September 2016
"'The stuff that goes on in making movies? They
ought to make a movie about it,' says veteran
film scout Randy Spangler. And he should know.
Spangler’s been working in Hawaii’s busy film
industry since the 1970s, when he got his start
finding locations for the TV series Hawaii
Five-O. So many productions have been
filmed on the most populous island, Oahu, that I
wonder why it’s so attractive to Hollywood and
television studios..."
Exploring television
and movie locations in Hawaii, USA.
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A Week
in Hawaii
roundtheworldflights.com,
11 July 2016
"Spending a week in the USA’s island state? You
won’t be lost for things to do. Between the
urban delights of the Pacific’s biggest city,
Honolulu, and the natural attractions across the
eight main islands, there’s plenty of material
for a memorable trip. Here are some ideas..."
Suggesting
attractions to visit over seven days in
Hawaii, USA.
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Going
Light
Paradise,
May-June 2016
"Are
you up for a travel challenge? Here it
is: could you travel anywhere in the
world, taking only cabin luggage with
you? It may sound impossible, but it
isn’t. For years, I’ve been honing my
approach to packing light, to the point
where I only ever take a single bag. The
upside? I zip through airports, often
bypassing the check-in desks entirely if
the airline offers mobile check-in. When
I leave the flight at the end of the
trip, I can walk straight out of the
airport..."
Explaining how to pack
light for the inflight magazine of Air
Niugini.
Available for republication
(print and Web).
Images
available.
[Read
the full article here] |
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Tiki Time
RoyalAuto, August 2015
(iPad magazine only)
"Randy Wong has one word for it: escapism. 'No
matter where you are, be it downtown New York or
stuck in a cubicle in Honolulu, you need to get
away. You want to go to that other realm – a
tropical island, or a cabana. Tiki culture is
perfect for that.' And Wong should know. He’s the
bass player in The Waitiki 7, a Honolulu band
playing Tiki music. This lively pop culture
phenomenon owed much to American servicemen’s
exposure to Polynesian culture during World War
II..."
Seeking examples of Tiki culture
across Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
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The
Bars of Chinatown
roundtheworldflights.com,
21 January 2015
"'An artist told me he was upset with Chinatown
because it was supposed to be the artistic
centre of Hawaii, but it wasn’t delivering,'
says Brandon Reid, Honolulu bar owner. 'He said
all we needed was wall space, lighting and a
bar. It just unfolded from there.' For a long
time Chinatown was the city’s notorious red
light district, home of brothels and dodgy bars.
However, in recent years the district has
transformed itself into an attractive
entertainment zone..."
Investigating the
lively bar scene in Chinatown, Honolulu,
Hawaii.
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The
Beat Goes On
Paradise,
September 2014
"'Papua
New Guinea was really a pioneer in South
Pacific music,' says Braden Chin,
manager of prominent Port Moresby music
label CHM Supersound. 'My dad, Raymond,
would take the biggest PNG music stars
on tour to the Solomon Islands in the
early '80s and just blow the locals
away. They were treated like rock
stars.' In the heady years after PNG
gained its independence, the country’s
music was on a creative upswing,
influencing the sounds of its near
neighbours..."
Exploring the popular
music of Papua New Guinea for the inflight
magazine of Air Niugini.
Available for republication
(print and Web).
Images
available.
[Read
the full article here]
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Hidden
Honolulu
www.lonelyplanet.com, 7 May 2014
"Heading for Honolulu? Then you’re probably going
to spend time in Waikiki. For many people, the
popular beachfront district is all they see of the
Hawaiian capital. However, there's more to the
city than tourist-thronged streets and beaches.
When you feel like a break from the crowds, take
time to check out these highlights of hidden
Honolulu..."
Revealing lesser-known attractions of
Honolulu, including food and art.
Not
available for republication.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Raise
Your Glasses in Hawaii's Capital
The Sunday Age, 23 March 2014
"When you fly to Hawaii, you're probably not
expecting much in the way of sophisticated drinks
- the Mai Tai, sure, sweetened from its original
1940s formula by adding plenty of pineapple juice
to the rum, and that drip coffee United States
hotels serve by the bucketful - but good coffee
and cocktails? No way. However, you'd be wrong. In
recent years, Honolulu's drinking scene has gone
from strength to strength..."
Recommending great bars and a cafe in
Honolulu, Hawaii.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Postcard
from Honolulu: Islamic Idyll
The Age, 22 March 2014
"I'm standing in a spectacular courtyard. Open to
the sky, it's decorated with numerous items from
Iran, including 13th-century tiles and a
six-metre-high mosaic depicting the Royal Mosque
at Isfahan. It's one of the most beautiful
displays of Islamic art I've seen, an exemplar of
the balance and harmony found in historic homes
from Iran to Morocco. But below are the blue-green
waters of the Pacific Ocean, with Polynesian kids
jumping into the waves..."
Visiting the historic home Shangri La
in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Walking
Honolulu
roundtheworldflights.com,
18 March 2014
"Starting from a popular brunch spot which
serves waffles made from the local root
vegetable taro, we visit a local restaurant to
try shoyu chicken, a delicious Hawaiian
marinated dish involving garlic and ginger. Then
it’s Japanese grilled food at a tiny place in a
curved brick building with a few
aluminium-topped tables. A classic bar offers
the chance to eat loco moco, a hefty dish
invented in the 1940s for hungry surfers..."
Taking three walking
tours of Honolulu, Hawaii, covering food,
history and architecture.
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Saving
Fiji's Iguanas
roundtheworldflights.com,
28 November 2013
"When Tom Hanks was marooned an island in the
2000 movie Cast Away, not everything
about his performance was fictional. The
Hollywood star really was located on an
uninhabited island in the South Pacific – the
Fijian island of Monuriki. Monuriki lacks any
permanent human population. What it does have is
the remarkable Fijian Crested Iguana, a lizard
covered in patches of different shades of green
and blue..."
Discovering the
conservation work of the Kulu Eco Park on
the Coral Coast, Fiji.
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Flight
Test: Fiji Airways
The Age & Sydney
Morning Herald, 23 November 2013
"The A330 is so new to the fleet of Fiji Airways
(the recently rebranded Air Pacific), the aircraft
still has that 'Mmm, new plane' smell. Four
buttons are dedicated to pre-set alignments, from
upright all the way to a near-flat bed. As it's a
daytime flight I won't be trying out the latter,
so instead I play around with the second set of
controls which adjusts fine details of the seat,
from lumbar support to the footrest..."
Reviewing the new business class cabin
of the Fijian airline.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
[Read the
full article here] |
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Three
Days in Fiji
roundtheworldflights.com,
17 August 2013
"Only three days in Fiji? Tough luck. This
South Pacific destination is so full of diverse
islands and attractions that you could happily
spend weeks, maybe months there. On the other
hand, three days in Fiji? Great! A short stay is
better than not visiting at all, and there are
still plenty of activities you can do in that
space of time. Those three days can be neatly
matched with three types of activities: on the
water, heading inland, and chilling out..."
Outlining a list of
interesting activities for a short stay in
Fiji.
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Into
Fiji's Interior
roundtheworldflights.com,
5 July 2013
"I’m standing within the Naihehe Cave in the
interior of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, my
cheap trainers filling slowly with cold water as
the light strapped to my head picks out the
rocky walls. Ahead is the 'pregnancy gap', a low
passage between this chamber and the next,
presumably named because a pregnant woman
couldn’t make it through. Beyond the gap is a
set of caverns within which the local Sautabu
tribe hid centuries ago..."
Joining an excursion
to a hidden cave in inland Fiji.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
[Read
the full article
here]
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Christchurch Reborn
Medical Observer, 17
February 2012
"As we look into the
Red Zone, we see a series of vacant lots
surrounding old commercial buildings which
have lost their facades; and behind them,
the ominously leaning form of the 1980s
Hotel Grand Chancellor. However, there is
a silver lining to this tragic destruction
- the need to rebuild the city centre
almost from scratch provides an
opportunity to create something special..."
Visiting
Christchurch, New Zealand, to gauge its
post-earthquake recovery.
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Beachside Bliss
Air Mail, Summer 2011
(Air Australia inflight
magazine)
"'All the world’s a
stage,' wrote William Shakespeare, but he
might as well have said 'All the world’s a
beach.' Through Asia, Australia and the
Pacific there are beaches of every type,
hosting every attraction. Whether you’re
after a rest, a meal, a party or a spot of
retail action, there’s a sandy shore out
there for you. Here’s a selection of the
best..."
Detailing a number of
fine beaches, including two in Hawaii.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
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Flashpack Chic
Medical Observer, 17
September 2010
"Across the Tasman, both the
natural and adventure travel delights of
Queenstown can be sampled more cheaply by
staying at this flashpacker accommodation.
It’s an easy place to find, as it’s
located on the town’s main street within
easy reach of dining and entertainment.
Ensuite doubles include bath tubs,
apparently 'to soak up the day’s
adrenalin'."
Detailing upmarket
'flashpacker' hostels across Australia and
New Zealand.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
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Auckland Express
The West Australian, 9
October 2008
"The highlight of the
Antarctic Experience is an automated ride
around an indoor penguin habitat. The ride
is a mix of the really interesting and the
really naff - there are chic mannequins
modelling Antarctic gear, along with fake
seals and an unconvincing orca. But the
live penguins are great."
A lightning tour
taking in the attractions of New Zealand's
largest city .
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
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Land of Contrasts
Medical Observer, 4 July
2008
"It’s not just from
the obvious vantage points that the
scenery impresses. On my first night, as I
walk home from a fundraising concert to my
accommodation along the dimly lit main
road, there’s a brilliant full moon. It
throws the pine trees into silhouettes
against the sky, and I can hear my
footsteps falling in the silence. It’s
beautiful."
An exploration of
Norfolk Island's old-fashioned charm and
historic attractions.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
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24 Hours in Easter Island
The Sunday Age, 1 June
2008
"Statues, statues and
more of those mysterious statues. Let’s
face it, you’re hardly going to spend time
on Rapa Nui (Easter Island’s local name)
without having a look at its famous
figureheads, the moai. If you want
sophisticated urban excitement, however,
you’re out of luck. But what Easter Island
lacks in chic, it makes up for in
mystique."
Details a day among
the treasures of this remote Pacific
island.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
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With a Head for a Pisco Sour
The Sunday Age, 3 June
2007
"Wherever you go on
this exotic island, you encounter a nimble
dance between Polynesian and Latin
American traditions, whether culinary or
cultural. It’s a hurahura (as the locals
call their traditional dance) worthy of
the dancing lady who appears on every
second postcard in the Easter Island gift
shops, dressed in a traditional feathery
gear and shimmying away as if her life
depended on it."
An exploration of
Polynesian culture and Latin American
influences on Easter Island.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
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A Life in Stone
The Sydney Morning
Herald,
12 May 2007
"Then we catch our
first glimpse of Easter Island, a rocky,
hilly green mound rising improbably out of
the ocean. Down below, a silver-haired man
waits with our name on a board for a hotel
transfer. To our astonishment, he has a
broad Australian accent and a slouch hat.
So how does an Aussie bloke end up running
a hotel on the world's most remote
inhabited island? Via the movies, believe
it or not."
Profiles an
Australian hotelier resident on Easter
Island.
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Trip With Lights Fantastic
Medical Observer, 2
February 2007
"As we tear along the
back streets, our Balkan-born cabbie
delivers a running monologue on traffic
lights, Macedonians, and the desirability
of taking assorted shortcuts to avoid the
dreadful congestion on the conspicuously
quiet main roads. I peruse the street
directory and supply useful hints on
reaching our destination, as the meter
rolls on. But at least Auckland is turning
out to be more interesting than I had
expected."
A 24-hour whirlwind
tour of Auckland, New Zealand's
attractions and entertainment.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
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Pacific Gem
Medical Observer, 1
December 2006
"Using the Goldilocks
Technique, we dismiss the bungalows ('too
cramped'); veto a five-star choice ('too
expensive'); and enter the Fare Vai Moana
in the characters of two dusty
heat-stricken gentlepersons of the road,
seeking sanctuary. But you have to have a
few ordeals, just to remind you how good
paradise is when you find it. And Mo’orea
is very beautiful."
The delights of the
island of Mo'orea, part of French
Polynesia.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
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Bon Appetit - It's Paradise,
at a Price
The Age, 22 July 2006
"Ka-ching! Welcome to
paradise! I know it's not right to worry
about money when you're on holiday - it's
supposed to be a time of letting yourself
go and having fun. But French Polynesia is
so expensive that it can throw a serious
spanner in the 'letting yourself go'
concept."
A light-hearted look
at the expensive nature of French
Polynesia.
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A Slice of French Polynesia
Pacific Magazine, July
2006
"As vibrant as it is,
Pape’ete may represent 'paradise lost' for
many visitors. Rather than an idyllic
focus of beauty, springing from Paul
Gauguin’s famous paintings, the French
Polynesian capital is a bustling blend of
concrete, car fumes and lively nightlife.
A short ferry ride away from Tahiti,
however, Mo’orea is still a living
postcard: beaches, an aquamarine lagoon,
swaying palm trees and low-level
development."
Focuses on the
unspoiled inland attractions of Mo'orea,
French Polynesia.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
|
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Romance in the Stones
Medical Observer, 9 June
2006
"Mystery is the
essence of Easter Island's attractions:
for centuries, its hundreds of massive
hand-carved statues (or moai) have puzzled
and fascinated visitors. But for the
moment, there’s a more pressing question
as we leave the humble terminal building.
Why does the bloke with our names on a
board have an Aussie accent a mile wide?"
A travel piece on the
enduring mystique of Easter Island.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
|
|
Taveuni Time
Medical Observer, 26
August 2005
"Fiji time is a
relaxed approach to everyday life, a
feeling the new day is stretching on
forever and might never end. It’s so
relaxed, you might forget what day it is.
And that’s a familiar feeling on Taveuni,
bisected by the 180th meridian of
longitude. For part of the 19th century,
this marked the International Dateline.
This geographical accident meant the
island was divided into two days: the east
side today and the west tomorrow."
Time takes on new
flexibility on Fiji's third-largest
island.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
Images
available.
|
|
All Blacks, Long Blacks,
Short Blacks and Lattes
The Age, 8 May 2004
"With the success of
the movie epic Lord of the Rings, the New
Zealand landscape looms large in the
imaginations of would-be travellers
worldwide. A lesser-known attraction is
the café life of its capital city,
Wellington. This compact, picturesque city
has a surprising range of places to enjoy
a drink."
Highlighting the
impressive cafe culture of Wellington, New
Zealand.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
[Read the
full article here]
|
|
Red Flag Flies in
Wellington's Cafe Quarter
The New Zealand Herald,
27 February 2004
"Nothing succeeds
like nostalgia. The Berlin Wall has
crumbled, Red Square is infiltrated by
burger chains and China is into capitalism
in a big way. But the red flag is kept
flying in the most unlikely of places: New
Zealand’s capital city. To get to the
heart of the matter, take a stroll down
Cuba Street, in Wellington’s city centre."
Investigating cafe
names inspired by communist nostalgia in
Wellington, New Zealand.
Available
for republication (print and Web).
[Read the
full article here]
|
|
Capital Walks
The Press, 3 February
2004
"Walking is one of
the great attractions of New Zealand,
whether as three-day treks through
stunning landscape, sleeping in huts or
tents, living rough in the company of
nature. But if you’re an urban kind of
person and the great outdoors doesn’t
appeal, you can still get in some walking
and be at a good restaurant or theatre by
sunset, if you’re visiting Wellington."
Hitting the walking
trails in and around Wellington, New
Zealand.
Available
for republication (print and web).
|
More
travel writing:
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Travel:
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I'm a
member of the Australian Society of Travel
Writers. This page contains examples
of my travel writing, organised by
location. Each entry includes a sample
paragraph, and indications of available rights.
I also have a selection of
high-quality digital images
available, depicting a variety of
international locations.
If you'd like to republish
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piece written about the same
location, please get in touch via the
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archive are available for republication (fee
to be negotiated). Articles can be rewritten
to meet your style or length requirements.
Please contact me by email
with your query.
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