North Island Travel Stories Travel Articles

Venture into Auckland – Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

With a hard hat and gas mask, Allan Taylor explores an active volcano off the coast of New Zealand.

Fly Through Middle-Earth – North Island, New Zealand

Fly by Through Middle-Earth North Island, New Zealand My mission was this: devise a plan to somehow, in ten days, dazzle my visiting British friend, Kim, with the scenery of my beautiful homeland and immerse her in as much Kiwiana as possible. Ten days may sound like a long time to those unfamiliar with New [...]

Pursuit of the Endless Summer #5

The Abel Tasman Trail What began as a beautiful trek transformed into a gruelling endeavour. Our plan was to take a two-hour jet boat tour to the end of the Abel Tasman trail and leisurely walk back to our car. The guidebook said the 22 mile trek included only 500 feet elevation change and could [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Jan. 25, Auckland (3 of 3)

Jan. 25 – Auckland, cont. I awoke to a coughing fit. Then stayed awake, due to the sunlight streaming in through the window. I wondered what time it was, but didn’t dare move so as not to wake anyone. Besides, I had my germs against the wall. I didn’t want to breathe out onto the [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Jan. 25, Auckland (2 of 3)

Jan. 25 – Auckland, cont. I dragged the packs in and looked for a spot to chain them up. "Take nothing for granted, be totally aware, and keep your money belt on you at all times," is what I was told. But as I started to reach for my retractable safety cable with combination lock [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Jan. 25, Auckland (1 of 3)

Jan. 25 – Auckland I wanted a backpack with wheels so badly I could taste it. After all, my weekender travel case had wheels and shoulder straps, and did I ever use the straps? No. I wheeled it everywhere. Up and down the halls of airports, through the casinos, and up to my hotel rooms, [...]