The Token Traveller

Auguri da Venezia!

While it’s a bucket list dream for many to see in the New Year on Sydney Harbour for one of the biggest NYE fireworks displays in the world, Venice was our choice of party city to celebrate the start of 2020. “Get down to Piazza San Marco early” warned Frederico our apartment owner “or you…

La Serenissima

I’ve already written about the way I feel about Venice from our last trip to La Serenissima (the most serene Venezia) in 2013. I’ve always trained in from Treviso in the past, but this time with New Year’s Eve and Cam’s 40th birthday set to fall across our Venice days, it seemed like a great…

Lake Bled

First up, a quick mention of the gorgeous place we’ve been staying at in Sticna (where conveniently or inconveniently every street in the town is also called “Sticna”.) Branka has been our host at Hisa Ida, and her property includes a bar, a few beautiful apartments (toasty warm inside even on -6 degree nights), and…

City of Dragons

Full disclosure. Before planning this trip, the only thing I knew about Slovenia was this… The young Slovenian couple that made us all feel a little uncomfortable watching Eurovision (our annual viewing highlight) last year. But as we poured over the map of Europe, pinpointing all of the places we definitely wanted to go and…

Oh, Vienna!

ACHTUNG! If you are planning a Chrissy trip to Vienna, be aware that most of the shops will close half way though Christmas Eve, and will stay closed all day Christmas Day, and St. Stephan’s Day (Aussie Boxing Day). With Vienna bursting with tourists at the moment, I guess we assumed that there must be…

Australia to Austria

We have done a fairly fabulous job at raising our two girls, if I do say so myself. At 13 and 15, they’re (mostly) polite, (hopefully) kind, (usually) well spoken, and (definitely) well travelled. Our first big trip together was in 2009 when we took them,at 3 and 4 years of age, to stay in…

For the love of Christ…church

After leaving our carefree camper days behind us, it’s been lovely to stretch out in a super cute AirBnB close to Christchurch city. Two doors, instead of a curtain, between us and our adorable children as we sleep; a shower that we’re not nervous will run out of hot water; and a washing machine. Party…

Rebuilding Christchurch

When the world experiences a natural disaster (flood, landslide, tsunami, earthquake), there’s always a flurry of media attention. All eyes are on that country, especially when it’s a region that we feel connected to, and we raise money, donate goods, and do whatever we can to help out in relief operations. Then, a Kardashian has…

Should we do a Camper Holiday? Take the Quiz!

So, you’ve always wanted to take the kids away for a scenic camper holiday. Wow, it looks like so much fun! So relaxing! So liberating, throwing all of your gear in a movable house, and getting in amongst the wilderness without a care in the world. Answer these questions, and find out if you’re up…

Slice of Heaven

We’re currently sitting in our very own slice of heaven (Dave Dobbyn reference). It’s 9:30pm, and the sun is setting behind Lake Pukaki where we’re all set up in our final night in the camper. There are the same silver rocks we’ve seen on river beds leading down to the turquoise and pink water. Mt….

Milford Sound

Photos just cannot do justice to one of the most amazing natural wonders I have ever visited. Milford sound is nothing short of spectacular. Heck, I’ve been holding out from using the “Hunt for the Wilderpeople’s” “majestical”, but majestical it surely is. We woke up super early to avoid the queues of tour buses, and…

On the Road Again

Travelling in New Zealand, to an Australian, is a bit like living in an altered universe. It’s not different enough to be a massive shock to the system, but some things just don’t seem quite right. The paddocks, cows, and country homes look familiar…and customs and of course the language are the same; but the…

Let it Glow

The scenery on the drive from Hanmer Springs to Greymouth on the South Island’s west coast is nothing short of spectacular. The terrain alters between barren mountain ranges with rivers running over pale grey rock beds, to dense forests of dark timber trunks and feathered green foliage. There are lush pastures with fat cows, jagged…

Getting Ourselves into Hot Water

3 days before our flights to New Zealand, Avalon sprained her ankle trampolining. It’s made the trip so far annoying for her, and for us. She’s in pain for starters (her ankle has turned a pleasant shade of violet), and she’s had to hobble about on a pair of old crutches I found at a…

Kia ora!

We woke at 5am to be greeted by that “service with a grimace” Sydney is famous for…and in spades. The old Greek shuttle bus driver kicked it off with his glazed expression, more interested in watching the ash fall from his cigarette than with helping us with our luggage. As he slammed the bus door,…

New Zealand…bro.

I’ve been to New Zealand twice. In 2003, pre-kid and pre-mortgage, Cam and I rented a campervan and explored the North Island. The trip was super cheap (especially as I’d won $2000 worth of travel via a magazine comp). We went Black Water Rafting through the Waitomo caves, abseiling down, and climbing up through rushing…