Starlight

Having found myself caught in the whirlwind that we call life, I find myself dreaming of my adventures and wishing life was always a series of giggles and grins. Yet, how can we know what it means to be happy if we never experience sadness? How can we appreciate true joy if we never experience pain?

No matter how smooth the sailing, you must always be ready for that rogue wave which is sure to come. Life throws obstacles at you to see how you will endure, how you will overcome them. Everyone faces different obstacles throughout life and those who refuse to get knocked down by them come out the other side ever stronger. 

With the last slew of waves that have been crashing my way I have been using my memories from the past and my dreams for the future to pull me through. On my trip to New Zealand I traveled new distances, reached new heights, and learnt much about myself (some of which I hadn't 't even realized until now.)

Driving 1500 miles in a hire car, hiking up mountains, trekking across glaciers, swimming in geothermal waters, and walking in the footsteps of hobbits my love for our world was reborn. As is to be expected, everything did not always go as planned. Wild weather seemed to be following us no matter where we went and we often found ourselves having arrived at our destination hidden amongst clouds of swirling rain.

I had been so excited to visit Lake Pukaki & Tekapo so I could look upon "The Lonely Mountain" from "Lake Town" however, when we arrived the mountain was hidden by a wall of clouds. Disappointed to be missing out on the Hobbit filming location's "gem" we were not going to let our spirits join the gloomy skies. So, despite little hope of the skies clearing, we decided to go for a day hike to the top of Mount John.

We wandered through the town, stopping to play in front of the lake and admire the views beyond. The infamous Church of the Good Shepherd lay just off in the distance so we made our way over to it before doubling back and beginning our hike up Mount John. The Church of Good Shepherd is a beautiful little church in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful locations. Even on a cloudy day the church was radiant and one could not help but feel a sense of tranquility around it.

We left the church smiling under spots of sunshine and made our way to the Tekapo spring where we would begin our hike up Mount John. No, the hike was not long, but with our packs it was a welcome challenge, and we grew stronger with every step. Half way up, the skies decided to cool us off and the rain washed away our sweat along with our grip on the ground. As our boots slipped in the mud we trudged the rest of the way up towards the summit of Mount John.

Tekapo is located within a National Dark Sky Reserve, and the summit of Mount John boasts a world renowned observatory and a fabulous little Astro Cafe. Reaching the end of the trail soaked and somewhat winded we enjoyed a well deserved snack while waiting for the invisible sun to set. The sky was a sheer blanket of clouds and we held on to little hope that it would clear to expose a night full of stars to us but ever the optimist we decided to wait nonetheless.

Long after the sun had set we found ourselves sitting under a pitch black sky, the occasional star making an appearance but definitely nothing to write home about. As the rumbling thunder began to roll towards us and lightening began to dance in the distance, it was time to go. We began to pack up our things and suddenly the sky above us opened to reveal the Milky Way Galaxy surrounded by an infinite number of stars. They say that every cloud has a silver lining and ours was a blanket of stars!

Dream of Steam in the Stream

New Zealand is a geothermal wonderland tucked away deep in the Southern Hemisphere. Driving through this stunning beacon of natural beauty there is almost always a glimpse of geothermal power escaping from the deepest depths of our complex planet. Streams of steam billow from the earth making money for the nation not just through the creation of power but through tourist attractions as well.


Natural hot springs, geothermal spas, thermal hot pools, whatever you call them, these all-natural hot bodies of water are never all that far away.  A popular tourist destination, you can rest assured that if this is on your New Zealand to do list, there is somewhere you can go and pay approximately $30 a person plus $5 a towel & $8 a robe to visit. However, don't be fooled by the mirage of elaborate marketing. Paying to visit one of these steaming hot pools is not a necessity as there are much more intimate locations you can frequent free of charge.

Hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous mountain that played Mount Doom (Mt. Ngauruhoe) in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, we decided to drive to Wellington via Lake Taupo. Having arrived at Taupo peering through rushing windshield wipers flinging large droplets of rain off into the darkness of the night, we hoped that the night would deal with the storm and lead us into a beautiful morning so we could have a view of the real life fictional mountain.

No such luck. We woke to the sound of rain on our windows and all of our plans to visit the mountain were washed away. Though we were doomed to not visit the mountain we were determined not to let the day be a total wash. A friend (who lives in Auckland) had suggested a natural hot spring in Taupo that is a favorite spot for the locals and better yet, free of charge!

Spa Thermal Park, is a public park with expansive fields, a fabulous playground, and trails that take you down & around the Otumuheke thermal stream. The steamy stream flows into the frigid Waikato river creating a lovely swirl of hot and cold water mixing together enabling you to find the perfect place to relax.

It was an incredibly cold day and with the rain dribbling slowly down from the never ending grey clouds we made sure to wrap up warm and bring towels with us so we could dry off the moment we abandoned the comfort of the warm water. A cold wet day creates the perfect occasion to visit this hidden gem. Not only is the horde of usual rowdy visitors who often plague the river in the hot summer months deep in hibernation, but the wet winter conditions intermingle idyllically with the piping hot stream.

Not wanting any of the chilly Waikato to even have the chance to lick my back we continued over the bridge and up the stream to one of the many "private" entrances along the path. A beautiful little waterfall stood cascading into a shallow pool the size of a hot tub and the fog of mist & steam rising above it willed us to skimp out of our cozy winter warmers and slip gingerly into the inviting water. The pool was so hot that the minute my toes were dipped in I had no qualms sitting on the cold rocks to work my way in to the water slowly.

The rain dancing with the cold air as it sprinkled down on us was fabulously refreshing and helped us not over heat in the water. We spent ages in the water, getting in and out to regulate our temperature, just relaxing and enjoying the magic of the hidden treasure. When the time came to leave, it was a welcome escape from the heat to climb completely out into the cold air and dry off. (In fact, once we were completely dry and had bundled back up we found ourselves overheating as we were walking back to the car because we were still so warm from the water!)

Absolutely no doubt, hands down this was the best free stop on our entire trip, and in my top 5 favorite experiences in all of New Zealand. Whenever you next find yourself in New Zealand, especially in the winter, you simply must stop at one of the many thermal wonders and go for a dip. (Visit NZHotPools.co.nz for a full list of sites!)

Blue Skies appearing over Lake Taupo as we are leaving.

Aroha Aotearoa

For me there is little better than an open road compelling me towards my next adventure. A world of endless possibilities lies before you but as time is not infinite you have to constantly make choices at every possible detour either to diverge from your set course to explore or continue towards your final destination. With that finite time forever in your mind only a certain number of detours are truly possible so you constantly have that niggling feeling in the back of your mind that you might have just missed something amazing as you pass on an option to turn but you are too excited about your destination to make too many detours. This feeling, this sense of adventure and exploration tantalizingly mixed with the need to make quick decisions on the go makes embracing the open road all the more exhilarating.

I can barely begin to describe the beauty of New Zealand. It is as if mother nature herself created it as her own personal playground perfecting every inch of ground from the deepest gullies to the highest peaks. The small country is a "kaleidoscape" of exotic natural worlds which converge into an ethereal land shrouded in mystery and wonder. Hugging the open road in our little 4X4 every turn brought a vision of beauty. Rain, clouds, sunshine, or the deepest darkest night it did not matter beauty danced around you.

Driving through New Zealand, exploring both the North & South islands was an adventure unlike any other. We landed in Auckland and drove down through the North Island to Wellington where we caught a ferry to the South Island before making our way down the West Coast and crossing back up towards Christchurch. It was an absolute whirlwind and the only thing we couldn't get enough of was time.

This road trip in New Zealand proved to me that that my biggest fear in life is time. Yes, time, not heights or spiders, death or snakes, simply time. We have a finite amount of time living and breathing in this universe and it is constantly running away from us. I am not scared of dying but of not living, of wasting the precious time I have. I have three great loves in my life: my family, my friends, and my world and travelling is a great way for me to stay in touch with all of them while doing something I love.

We live in a beautiful world and New Zealand is a sparkling example of its beauty. Here are some of my favorite photos taken from the road while on the most fantastic road trip I have taken thus far. Enjoy!

Blue Suede Shoes

Elvis' private plane, "Lisa Marie"

"I'm leaving town, baby
I'm leaving town for sure
Well, then you won't be bothered with me hanging 'round your door
Well, that's all right, that's all right
That's all right now mama, anyway you do"

Elvis blasting on the Radio, we crossed the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge into Tennessee, dancing in our seats along to the music of a legend who called Memphis home. As we had come to Memphis with the sole purpose of visiting Graceland, it seemed only fitting to roll into the great city while enjoying "That's All Right Mama," one of Elvis' most popular songs, which he recorded 60 years ago!

Memphis is located on the East side of the Mississippi river on the border of Tennessee and Arkansas. A city with so much soul you can feel it as soon as you step out of your vehicle, Memphis is a must see location for anyone interested in American pop culture. The city in and of itself has so much to offer with it's unique vibe and finger-lickin' good food that you will never want to leave. However, with only 2 nights and one day to experience this sensational city we dedicated our time to Graceland, promising ourselves we would one day return.

Graceland! Home of the King! Elvis Presley was a musical pioneer who helped change the way the Western world listened to music. Elvis owned various properties across the U.S. However, his main home is in Memphis, Tennessee. While visiting Graceland I learned more about Elvis then I had expected, learning that he was more amazing than I could ever have imagined. When you think Elvis, you think Rock & Roll, rebellious youth, wild parties, sexy ladies, sinful music, and THE American heart-throb. Yet, Graceland shows you that Elvis was so much more than this. He was an unbelievably talented man, performing in over 30 successful films, recording 150 billboard hits, and producing ten number one albums. He was a true patriot, serving his country despite the exemptions his celebrity status could have afforded him. But above all he was a philanthropist, generously donating both money and belongings not only to organizations but to people that he met who touched his heart.

Arriving at Graceland, you take a trolley to the historic home which is a modest size for such a legendary super star. Walking through the front doors is like stepping out of a time machine into the 70's. The home is kept in pristine condition and the tourist accessible areas are highly controlled in order to preserve it for future generations. A white sitting room with beautiful stained glass windows leading to a grand piano leads you to imagine Elvis sitting at that very piano rocking away to a song he was trying out for the very first time. Making your way through the building you eventually make it to the kitchen, which is the ultimate time capsule in the home, carpeted, and complete with the finest appliances money could buy. Downstairs, a media room with 3 TVs sits next to a fancy bar to the left of the stairs and to the right of the stairs sits a wild billiards room designed to perfection for the era.  In the background, clips of Elvis giving interviews or performing for screaming crowds add to the ambiance.

From the main house we went into three other buildings: a recording studio, the gym & racquetball court, and a building filled with hundreds of awards and historical Elvis memorabilia. I knew Elvis was a mega super star who was extremely successful but the number of golden, platinum & diamond records on the wall was astonishing! It was fascinating watching him in interviews and seeing the real original outfits he wore. Leaving the trophy room we went to pay our respects to Elvis and his family in the meditation garden where they are all buried together.

Graceland is more than just the home of Elvis Presley, while visiting the home of the king you can also choose to wander through the automobile museum, take a tour of Elvis' private jets, learn about Elvis in Las Vegas, or experience some of Elvis' history in Hawaii. As travel addicts, we chose to visit the automobile museum and the private jets. Elvis' car collection is jaw dropping and would make Gas Monkey Garage drool at the stunning classics in pristine condition. However, though the cars were cool, my favorite thing was the jets. It is unfathomable that a private citizen, especially in that day and age, could own and customize a full size jet for their own personal travel around the country. Walking through the planes it is hard to believe they aren't from the set of a Hollywood production and it was a real experiences that I will never forget.

Graceland was hands down the most interesting historic pop culture site I have been to thus far. I fell in love with Elvis all over again and wish I could have enjoyed some of the true Elvis experience while he was alive. However, it wasn't just Graceland that I found myself enamored with but the city of Memphis itself. Having found the best breakfast in Memphis at the Blue Plate Cafe Downtown and sinking our teeth into some mouthwatering BBQ at Charles Vergo's Redezvous Charcoal Ribs our taste buds have been tempting us to go back ever since. The food, the people, and the entire vibe of Memphis, Tennessee is unique to any other town in the South and I, for one, am looking forward to the next time I find myself in Memphis.

Viva Las Vegas!

The city of sin, Las Vegas, where fortunes are made but more often than not, lost. Having arrived late at night, we made our way to the penny slots for a quick test of fate. With a drop of alcohol to settle our nerves, we eased our way into the slots betting a penny at a time until we were brave enough to bet $3 a pop for the best chances at making some real money. After a couple hours of gambling fun, the exhaustion began to settle in and having spent our allowance for the night we sleepily made our way up to bed. 

Time change making it easy to feel like we had slept in we were up relatively early. After grabbing a quick breakfast, we made our way from Downtown Las Vegas to the infamous Las Vegas strip. Free parking in the Bellagio garage (which actually had enough clearance for the enormous truck we were travelling in!) made for the perfect start to our day of good fortune. Heading in towards the butterfly garden we soon found ourselves amongst beautiful flowers watching the butterflies dance in their conservatory.

Vegas is fabulous for a million reasons, but for me, what makes Vegas unforgettable is the architecture and interior design of the hotels. Hotel hop down the Las Vegas Strip and 99% of the hotels you step into will take your breathe away. Each hotel is unique with its own vibrant personality and character, ride a gondola through Venice, eat crepes in Paris, get lost in a breathtaking flower garden in the Wynn, or fly away with the butterflies at the Bellagio.

Inside the Wynn

Though the buildings are structures of astonishing beauty, their contents are what really bring people to Las Vegas. The live shows, insane night life, and heart-stopping gambling keep people coming back for more and turn Las Vegas from somewhere unbelievable to somewhere you will never forget.

We each had our own personal favorite slot machines. My favorites were the ones with multiple games and bonuses for I felt they gave you the most chances of winning but it was probably more just that those were the games where my luck decided to join me. Now then, though penny slots were fun (and safe) they did not even begin to compare to the excitement of the black jack tables!

A felt table with two chips worth a total of $10 (the minimum bet at the table), sit at the top of a capital B. As the dealer draws each player’s card, setting it face up between herself and your bet, the nervous excitement builds. As soon as the second round of cards has hit the table you know what to do. The key to black jack is knowing when to hit (draw another card by tapping the table between you and your bet) and when to stick (stay with the cards you have by waving your hand). The goal of the game is to get the sum of the face value of the cards closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21. Get an ace (face value of either 1 or 11) in the bag followed up by a 10 and receive one and a half times your bet in return. Beat the dealer with any other combination, and receive chips equivalent to your bet as a reward. As jacks, queens, & kings all have a face value of 10, there are four 
times the number of 10s in the deck than any other number so it is always best to assume the dealer’s hidden bottom card is a 10. The dealer has to hit if their sum total is less than 17 so if the dealer’s top card is a 5 or 6 it is usually best to stick as there is a high chance of “busting” (when the player’s cards add up to more than 21) the dealer. It is, however, slightly trickier when you are the one with 15 or 16 as you either draw and run the risk of busting or stick and don’t have enough points to win. Talk about a fun and exciting game! We had the most fantastic time playing black jack and with four leaf clovers dancing above us we somehow managed to walk away with a handsome sum of winnings.

Unfortunately for me, I had to work on Monday morning and although Vegas was still calling my name and the road trip is not complete, my team of adventurers continued on without me having dropped me off at the Las Vegas International Airport.

Grand Canyon

Usually when one of my adventures comes to a close, I find my travel addiction sated even if just for a moment and I can focus once again, free of the incessant panging in my soul to find myself rushing back towards the unknown. However, this time the opposite is true and in place of that usual satisfaction is a longing greater than before to go somewhere, see something, and be on an adventure. Sitting on the flight back from Las Vegas, looking out of my window upon a tremendous sight that my camera can barely begin to share with your eyes, my good luck had not yet worn off.  Peering out from my left side window seat, crystal clear blue ruling the sky, I was able to see the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. An absolutely epic close to an unforgettable adventure! With this beautiful vision embedded in my mind I soon nodded off to sleep and dream of having my own wings to soar above and explore free from airports and taxi ranks.

A slight bump of turbulence brought me back to life and I glanced out my window expecting to be faced with an empty black night, however, I was astonished by what I saw before me. Have you ever looked down on a major city at night? Cars drive along polka-dotted highways and neighborhoods transform into glowing golden mazes. From the air you experience an aerial view of an expansive metropolitan area and then watch it disappear out of sight behind you. There I was staring wide eyed through my window, looking down on the occasional city lights twinkling below. Glimmering towns disappearing off into the horizon, they are met by the blackness of the night. However, there in front of me, just above the curve of the earth was a tremendous lightning storm, one third of my visible horizon. The invisible clouds became illuminated by bolts of lightning jiving through them. Bolts so great in number, the whole cloud became visible for moments at a time as the strikes appeared throughout the cloud at an unfathomable rate.  Raising my

eyes from the tumultuous storm I suddenly became aware of the ocean of stars blanketing the sky above. More constellations then I have ever beheld before me, eyes  torn between the peaceful skies above and the tremendous storm below them. Eyes transfixed out my window I only tore them away to prepare for the descent as we were approaching Houston. Once again soaring over a glowing maze of city life, we came in for a gentle landing and I was soon walking through my home away from home that most people call an airport. 

Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon