Archive for the ‘NEW ZEALAND’ Category
The Road To Rotorua

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
After the thrills and spills of Kayaking in Mercury Bay, New Zealand, we were grateful for a soft bed at the hostel in Whitianga. The next morning it was clear that autumn was trying to assert itself. Rain in the early hours had drenched...
March 20th, 2014 | STAFF, NEW ZEALAND, ★ Rewind 2 | Read More
Kayaking in Mercury Bay, New Zealand

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
Auckland. Also known as Dorkland, its inhabitants humorously refer to themselves as Jafas (Just Another F****** Aucklander). This city is one of the biggest tourist draws in New Zealand. It’s also where I spent the greatest percentage...
April 10th, 2012 | STAFF, Beaches, Boating, NEW ZEALAND, Scenic Wonders | Read More
Te Kaha and East Cape Lighthouse, New Zealand

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
Leaving Rangitukia, the little green Kiwi Experience bus returned to State Highway 35 for the last leg of our East As adventure around New Zealand’s East Cape.
After a short time, we veered off the main road and continued towards...
March 6th, 2012 | STAFF, SERIES, ROAD TRIPS, NEW ZEALAND | Read More
Sunrise at Rangitukia, New Zealand

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
GETTING BACK ONTO the little green bus after our stay at Tatapouri was difficult. We were all reluctant to leave our newfound patch of paradise, but we knew there were more wonders to come.
We were traveling with Kiwi Experience, an...
January 10th, 2012 | STAFF, SERIES, ROAD TRIPS, COTTAGES & CABINS, NEW ZEALAND, Scenic Wonders | Read More
Funky Signs: No Standing on the Toilet Seat

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
MATAMATA IS A peaceful little Kiwi town not far from the city of Hamilton. At least it was peaceful, until March 1999 when tons of heavy machinery moved in to transform the surrounding farmlands into The Shire. Yes, the Bagginses come...
October 17th, 2011 | STAFF, FUNKY SIGNS, NEW ZEALAND | Read More
Cape Reinga, New Zealand and the Awesome Bus

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
7 a.m. on a foggy morning in Paihia saw us introduced to Spike, the driver of the Awesome bus.
To call him a character would be an understatement, but I can think of no one better to introduce you to the “top bit” of New Zealand....
September 21st, 2011 | STAFF, SERIES, Spirituality, Beaches, Forests, Lighthouses, ROAD TRIPS, CHARACTERS, NEW ZEALAND | Read More
Tatapouri, New Zealand

Story by guest blogger JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram.
TATAPOURI CAN BE found on the eastern cape of New Zealand’s North Island. Despite its proximity to the city of Gisbourne (the nation’s surfing capital), Tatapouri is gloriously quiet and secluded. It may be set on one of the country’s...
August 3rd, 2011 | GUEST BLOGGERS, SERIES, ROAD TRIPS, NEW ZEALAND | Read More