Autumn on the Waikato River Bank
PhotographyAuthor: Denise Irvine
Exploring – Hamilton and Waikato
Book reviews100 amazing adventures
Exciting outdoor adventure suggestions for little ones (and bigger ones too)!! A must for your “what can we do today” box.
Author: Ceana Priest
Place of publication: Hamilton
Publisher: Copyrighted to Outdoor Kid
Date of publication: 2018, 2019 & 2021
Number of pages 153
This amazing little outdoor adventure book is a collection of fun filled walks and other activities book, put together by Ceana Priest. When her child was young she struggled to find outdoor trails around Hamilton and the Waikato which gave access to a stroller. Realising she would not be the only parent of a young /or older children, who was wanting to explore the outdoors in 2018 she published , “ Hamilton and Waikato – 100 amazing adventures” .
This book includes Hamilton, North Waikato Waipa, East Waikato and West Waikato. A total of 108 tracks – a selection of different grades. There are small explanations of each walk with associated information such as how to access, time to walk, availability of toilets, are dogs allowed etc. Providing relevant information on which to base your choice. “Will this activity be ok for my family?”
I found this an amazing little guide book. Definitely value for money. With its inviting layout it tends to motivate “anyone” to get out and enjoy nature.
The Digital Nomad Handbook
Book reviews
Throw the “same old life “ to the winds and embrace adventure instead – become a digital nomad.
In 2020 Lonely Planet published the Digital Nomad handbook. This handbook provides much valuable and entertaining information on taking the great leap forward into a new and exciting life (Or helping you to explore if this life is really for you). It discusses how to be a digital nomad, where to go, what to do, how to prepare and how to exist when you are there. It highlights the importance of networking and connecting with others,
The layout is clear, logical and very informative. A variety of photos featuring those who have already taken the leap. They are all smiling happily. None look home sick but you would wonder if this was completely correct. I have been by myself in foreign countries and while it is exciting and adventurous, there are some days when you just want to pull the blankets over your head. I was on a eight day cycle tour in Provence (which there was no one else on). I got to the midway point which was a rest day sat in my room and cried. Part tiredness. Part loneliness. I guess the point I am making here, is to be prepared in case this may/will happen to you. Effective use of color makes an interesting break in the text
I recommend this book with a 9 out of 10. It showcases a much different life to what you may be living. The downside was, there was little reference to older nomads, who of course are increasing rapidly.
Author: Lonely Planet
Place of publication: China
Publisher: Lonely Planet Global ltd.
Date of publication: April 2020
Number of pages: 184
Other references for Digital Nomads are:
Digital Nomad Tips by Matt Karsten. “Expert Vagabond.”
https://expertvagabond.com/digital-nomads/
Ten Years a Nomad : A travelers journey home. Matthew Kepnes 2019
www.nomadicmatt.com
Memories from Lockdown
New Zealand(17th August 2021)
This COVID lockdown has been so different for me to my last one. I had been working part time as the Telehealth Coordinator at the Waikato District Health Board (Hamilton NZ). With the arrival of COVID my hours were quickly increased to full time. We were frantically trying to support health professionals, working from home, to continue seeing their patients using technology. Working from home was foreign to those of us in NZ so there were problems with connectivity, learning technology etiquette and booking appointments on line. An exciting but very tiring time.
This time is so different. I have the luxury of living at a slower pace. Home looking shiny, gardens manicured within an inch of their lives, new activities trialed such as making a pizza from beginning to end and learning how to video and edit on my phone (first attempts not too successful but can only get better) and the most enjoyable part ,walking each day and having the time to enjoy the beauty of nature. There are three favorite walks from which I can choose, all about an hour and half in length. They are a treat I give myself each day.
An Adventure with the “A” team.
New Zealand
At the mention of an overnight stay, spending time with good friends at Coromandel, I instantly accepted. We were to stay at some cabins close to Coromandel (these sounded very much like basic hiking cabins which I am very used to) and our places for fishing were booked on a mussel barge.
ESCAPING FOR A DAY – DURING WINTER
New ZealandDriving into Tirau, a little township about fifty kms southwest of Hamilton, on my way to explore the Te Waihou walkway, I was greeted by these two amazing corrugated iron creations. (www.corrugatedcreations.co.nz)
There was also a pukeko, flowers and a sassy little minx sitting on top of a rustic building which housed a cafe. These varied corrugated creations set around the town added to the feeling ”I have escaped for the day” as I explored all the fascinating nooks and crannies this little township offered.
Tirau in Maori Language means” place of many cabbage trees” A little town made up of 690 population.
The Travel Writer’s Way
Book reviewsThe Travel Writer’s Way – Turn Your Travels Into Stories by Jonathan Lorie
William Dalrymple has reviewed the above book as “A unique and completely invaluable guide to the dark arts of travel writing” I am not the expert on travel writing that Dalrymple is but I agree. This book is priceless.
Lorie has been a travel writer for over twenty years so the information provided within these pages from both himself and a group of assorted travel writing peers can be used not only by those just starting out, but those who have been crafting stories for many years and want a fresh way to look at them.
Topics written are how to hook the reader in, being honest in reviews of places or accommodation, and to take that leap in travel experiences which can result in an increased richness of adventure.
As mentioned, he uses 40 other assorted “travel experts in their own fields” to add depth to the explanation he gives. e.g .In “ Written Blogs”, he uses Nomadic Matt to share the importance of finding your own niche and deepening it so you become the “go to person” for that particular area. “Writing articles”, finds Isabel Choat, an online travel editor, setting out clearly what she wants from an article. She wants to know what would make people dream of going there.
This book is priceless. A must read for those who are travel writers to expand their knowledge, for those who may be just thinking about starting out or individuals just wanting to document their adventure
THE END OF A VERY SPECIAL ERA
New ZealandBecause of my love of hiking, I wanted to share this enjoyment with each of my four grandchildren. So as each one turned twelve, taking them on one of the great walks was a real joy. Spending six days alone with them was so precious. It allowed me to get to know them as individuals. Hopefully it is an experience they will never forget. The challenge of packs on their backs. The camaraderie in the huts. The breath taking scenery. The delightful taste of dry pita bread, cheese, salami and pickle washed down with warm water from a water bottle which had been in a pack too long. Yum!!!! Yum (I don’t think so).
Samuel was the first. We completed the Milford track A beautiful 55 kms track with majestic mountains being reflected back in the clear mirror like lakes. There were others family members with us so he had quite a lot of company however he still had to carry all his own clothes etc. When reaching each hut, other hikers would include him in card games which was fun for him and gave him a variety of companionship.
Glow worms and amazing formations in the Nikau Cave.
New ZealandThe tree which the cave was named after ( photo from Eden Gardens, Auckland, New Zealand)
With my heart in my mouth, I entered the Nikau Cave. This amazing limestone cave is situated in Waikaretu a farming area of sheep and cattle, out towards Post Waikato. Nine of us, from Auckland, Paeroa and Hamilton had chosen to complete this adventure together. While still at the Nikau café, situated about one kilometre from the cave, helmets and torches were handed out to the group by the owner of the café who was also our guide. Both of these proved to be invaluable. In places the ceiling of the cave was low and because you were focused on where to put your feet on the slippery rocks you sometimes missed seeing the little hard, jutting piece of rock, just at head height. They gave you a nasty shock when your head connected with them. The torch was also imperative. Sloping down many metres underground, the cave was in complete darkness. The walk would not have been possible without these little water proof treasures.
Enjoying the Blue and Green Lakes – Rotorua
New ZealandIt was a clear, crisp spring morning when Heather, Prue and I met Yvonne at the Blue Lake car park – the four of us very excited to be together.
(The Blue and Green Lakes are 12 kms from Rotorua township).
With lots of laughter, packs adjusted, we were off around the Blue Lake, which would later include the Green lake, a brisk wind biting us when we hit exposed areas. Runners passed us frequently as there was a 36 hour endurance event being held. Runners were completing as many circuits of the Blue lake as possible over the specified time. Some looking bright and chirpy and others looking as if they were querying their sanity when they agreed to this. (A feeling I have often experienced!!)