Travel Writing

Here you can find links to some of my attempts at travel writing. Most of these pieces will be narratives, based on real events and experiences I’ve had around the globe and around the corner. I’ll try to be insightful and funny when I can… but no promises.

Travel

New Zealand

On the Road; the Twisty, Backwards Road

Driving can be an art in the best of situations. So try driving in a foreign country, where everything is backwards.

Taking the Plunge

A narrative about bungy jumping in Taupo.

Identity Crisis on Cuba Street

Get a feel for my favorite spot in Wellington — Cuba Street.

Election ’08 From the Other Side (of the World)

During the 2008 presidential election, I found myself in New Zealand, watching the historic election play out half a world away. It was interesting to see things from a different perspective, but, ultimately, the election and all the excitement and drama surrounding it caught up with me in Wellington.

A Red Carpet Weekend – ‘Lord of the Rings’ Tourism in Wellington

While in New Zealand studying abroad and searching for inspiration for my senior capstone project, I tagged along with Red Carpet Tours’ “August 2008 Fellowship” as they experienced a “Lord of the Rings”-filled weekend in Wellington.

Chasing a Woolly Dream

Sheep need hugs too, right??

Missing New Zealand

A guest post at Twenty-Something Travel.

“Missing New Zealand for me is kind of like missing a childhood friend who has moved far away. For the first few months, you think about them often, perhaps look at photos of the two of you together, and daydream about the next time you might be reunited. But as the time passes and you get used to being apart, you start to move on. You call less and less because you both become wrapped up in your new, separate lives, and the time difference starts to matter. You drift. The closeness you once shared is lost somewhere in the intervening miles. …”

Hakas, Rucks and Scrums, Oh My! Attending a NZ Rugby Match

Rugby is the national sport in New Zealand. And, even though I’d be lying if I said I understood all the rules, I got sucked in while living there. Read about my very first rugby match, watching the NZ All Blacks play their biggest rivals, the Australian Wallabies.

Milford Sound: Eighth Wonder of the World?

Milford Sound (really not even aptly named, as it’s actually a fjord — or fiord as the kiwis spell it — and not a sound at all) is New Zealand’s most well-known tourist destination. It’s a gorgeous fjord on the west coast of the country’s south island that you can sail through on ferry boats or hike around, rain or shine. Read about my experience here.

Doubtful Sound: Milford Sound’s Underrated Little Brother

Milford may indeed be stunning, but if you’re looking for something just as beautiful but a tad more remote and much less touristy, you can’t miss Doubtful Sound.

Climbing the Steepest Street in the World

The steepest street in the world is located in Dunedin, New Zealand. And I’ve conquered it.

Being Blown Away at Castlepoint

It’s one of the windiest places I have ever visited anywhere in the world. But the seacliffs at Castlepoint are also some of the most beautiful.

Hobbits For a Day: A Journey to the Shire — Part 1

Part 1 of 2 of a travel narrative about a visit to Hobbiton, AKA Matamata, New Zealand. Including the history of the “Lord of the Rings” filming location, and arrival.

Hobbits For a Day: A Journey to the Shire — Part 2

Part 2 of 2 of a travel narrative about a visit to Hobbiton. Including dancing on the Party Field, and standing inside Bag End.

How a Bag of Rotten Food Changed My Life

A guest post at Spunky Girl Monologues.

Moving to a strange place where you don’t know anyone can be daunting. And then what happens when something goes terribly wrong?

The No Umbrella Phenomenon

When I first moved to Wellington in 2008, I began noticing an interesting phenomenon taking place in the city every time it rained: Hardly anybody used an umbrella. Eventually, I had no choice but to adapt.

The Maori Legend of Lake Wakatipu

Learn the local story behind one of New Zealand’s most well-known lakes.

Hiking New Zealand’s Queen Charlotte Track

New Zealand is known for a lot of things — its beautiful scenery, its adrenaline-inducing adventure sports, and, of course, its wide variety of superb hiking options. The Queen Charlotte Track is just one of many hikes worth trying in NZ.

Things I Forgot I Missed About Wellington

I knew that I loved Wellington. But, after having been away from the city for 2 and a half years, I had forgotten just how much I loved it. It was surprising to re-discover some of the things I had almost forgotten I missed.

Akaroa, Je T’aime

Join me as I explore the French-infused town of Akaroa during a season when few other tourists are around.

Going Wild For Wildlife on an Akaroa Harbor Cruise

The little town of Akaroa is know for being quaint and cute, but it is also known for one of its marine inhabitants — the rare Hector’s Dolphin. But the wildlife in Akaroa doesn’t stop there… There’s plenty more to see, including penguins, seals, and lots of sea birds.

Christchurch — A ‘Munted’ City

This NZ town was devastated by an earthquake in February 2011. I toured the city 3 months after the quake, and share my observations (and photos of the damage) in this post. To say that this was a sobering, moving experience for me would be an understatement.

Christchurch — A Fresh Start

As a follow-up to my first Christchurch post, this one looks at how optimistic the city’s residents were 3 months post-quake. They are one resilient, inspiring bunch!

Riding the Rails in NZ — The TranzAlpine

The TranzAlpine train journey between the South Island cities of Christchurch and Greymouth is supposed to be one of the best scenic train rides in the world. And you know what? I think I have to agree.

Adventure on New Zealand’s Franz Josef Glacier

Glacier trekking is popular on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast, and I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do a guided hike on the Franz Josef Glacier. Hikers get really up close and personal with this icy bohemoth — and it’s awesome. Check out this post to see what the experience is like.

I Wanna Be in Wanaka

I’ve passed through the small South Island town of Wanaka many times now. And, each time, I want to stay and never leave. This town is beyond beautiful.

Conservation on Kapiti Island

I almost skipped visiting Kapiti Island altogether. But this beautiful bird sanctuary off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. On a perfectly sunny fall day, I took the ferry out to this little island to get up close and personal with its native bird life.

The Scariest Thing I Have Ever Done

I’ve been bungy jumping before, but NEVER like this! The Nevis Highwire Bungy in Queenstown, New Zealand, is terrifying — yet extremely rewarding.

China

China: A New Perspective

Visiting China alone can be an eye-opening experience. But try doing it as a college student, as part of a large marching band. You learn as much about your own culture and assumptions as you do China’s. And you also come away with some great stories to tell.

Life Behind China’s Great Firewall

We’ve all had it happen: You’re surfing the Internet at work, or maybe the library, and you try to get to a site somebody doesn’t want you looking at. Blocked. Access denied. You are stopped by an invisible firewall that stands between you and the information you’re seeking. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Now imagine if this invisible firewall existed beyond the computer.

Now stop imagining, because, in many countries, this is reality. …

The Forbidden City: Not So Forbidden Any More

These days, Beijing’s Forbidden City isn’t so forbidden any more. In fact, today, the palatial wonder is one of the most popular tourist attractions in China, second only, perhaps, to the Great Wall. And, if you’ve ever visited the Forbidden City, it’s probably not difficult to understand why it draws millions of visitors — both foreign and domestic — each year.

Not in Kansas Anymore (or Adventures in a Beijing Techno Club)

The fact that we were looking for a club called “Banana Spicy” probably should have been the first sign that our night out in Beijing was going to be far from ordinary. But nothing could have prepared us for what we found at the Hi-Way Disco…

My Strangest Travel Experience — A Uniform, the Great Wall, and Kelly Clarkson

One of my most unique and memorable travel experiences took place on the Great Wall of China — as part of a 100-person marching band.

Ireland

Ireland: Of Pints and Afterthoughts

Even as a non-drinker, it’s impossible to ignore the Irish drinking culture — a tradition most Irishmen (and women) are proud to uphold. And a tradition that American college students are eager to partake in.

Italy

Italy: Be Not Forgotten

It’s been years since my first and only trip to Italy, and I find myself often thinking back on it and realizing that I am already starting to forget when and how and why certain events happened. Perhaps it’s because I was traveling with a massive group. Perhaps it was because I was missing my boyfriend back home. Perhaps it was because it happened in the time before I decided to write about and seriously document my travels. I’m not sure. Whatever the reason, though, I don’t want Italy to slip through the cracks.

Australia

The Tale of the Flying Kangaroo

There we were, driving along the mostly deserted road to Nambung National Park in Western Australia, the Indian Ocean on one side, and a lot of rust-colored dirt stretching off into the distance on the other. And then there was the kanga.

The U.S.

Travel Scene: Pike Place Market

Get a feel for Seattle’s bustling Pike Place Market — my favorite spot in the city.

Travel Scene: Waikiki Beach

Step onto the sand with me at Hawaii’s most famous beach — Waikiki.

The Search for Sarah Palin in Alaska

When I hear the word ‘Alaska,’ a few things immediately come to mind: Mountains. Glaciers. Grizzly bears. And, of course, Sarah Palin. Read all about how I stumbled upon a gem of a store while exploring Skagway, Alaska.

Does it Have to be Authentic to be Educational? — Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center, close to Oahu’s North Shore, bills itself as being ‘Hawaii’s top paid-admission visitor attraction.’ That right there could be a red flag for any potential visitor who tries his/her very best to stray away from the typical ‘tourist trail.’ And, in fact, the PCC is extremely touristy. … But, you know what? Despite this, the Polynesian Cultural Center is actually kind of great.

Under the Sea: Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

Hanauma Bay, a horseshoe-shaped bay on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, is popular for various reasons — it’s location; it’s ridiculously blue waters; its wide, long beach; and, of course, the snorkeling.

Ka’a'awa Valley: Where the Cows and the Dinosaurs Roam

Take a tour of some famous filming locations with me at Kualoa Ranch in the Ka’a'awa Valley on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Movies like “Jurassic Park” were filmed here, as well as episodes of TV shows like “LOST.”

Paying My Respects at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

I often turn into a blubbering mess when visiting war memorials and cemeteries. But I still think they’re important to visit. Visiting the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii was well worth my time. It may be one of the most beautiful cemeteries I’ve ever visited, too.

The Day I ALMOST Swam With Sharks

I’ve always had a bit of an obsession with sharks. So when I traveled to Hawaii, I decided it was finally time to cross “shark cage diving” off my bucket list. However, the sharks had a slightly different idea…

Getting to Know the Ghosts of Savannah

Savannah, Georgia, is said to be one of the most haunted cities in all of America. It’s long history and wealth of spooky stories makes it a great place to visit for anyone interested in the paranormal.