“Your instinct can’t be wrong…” – one man’s love of Crowded House

It seems a bit bizarre that it has taken me until now to write about this band – one of my all time favourites, sometimes I could just listen to them for hours on end and be quite content. The band come from New Zealand. The band is called Crowded House. They have had some Read more about “Your instinct can’t be wrong…” – one man’s love of Crowded House[…]

Backpacking in New Zealand: Jumping off Auckland Harbour Bridge

Its the last day of June 2008, and this time last year I was embarking on a 19 country world tour. During the first month, I found myself in New Zealand and in its capital city of Auckland. It is hard to believe that almost 12 months ago I jumped off Auckland harbour bridge one Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Jumping off Auckland Harbour Bridge[…]

“That’s me, Up In The Sky”: Sky Diving Over Lake Taupo, New Zealand

It was never an ambition to do a Sky Dive. It was too scary for me. Imagine jumping out of a plane from thousands of feet up in the air and relying on a parachute to open, before floating past seagulls and landing back on the old terracotta. Well as part of the madness which Read more about “That’s me, Up In The Sky”: Sky Diving Over Lake Taupo, New Zealand[…]

Jonny Blair zorbing in New Zealand

Zorbing in Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand

While in Los Angeles, USA on my round the world trip in 2007, I met a young Irish lady from Donegal, Emma McDaid. We enjoyed a very short evening of drinks and chat in the Venice Beach Cotel Hostel the night before my 14 hour flight to New Zealand. As it happened, Emma had just Read more about Zorbing in Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand[…]

I Left my Dreams in Taupo, New Zealand

The bus journey from Rotorua to Lake Taupo passed by really fast, again fab countryside. I think it took about an hour. I also love the way in New Zealand ordinary bus drivers just talk away to you. In England they can be very rude and ignorant!  Before I left Rotorua, I had a quick Read more about I Left my Dreams in Taupo, New Zealand[…]

Backpacking in New Zealand: Relaxing in Hamilton, North Island

After the madness of Rotorua and Lake Taupo, I decided to stay in Hamilton, which is a bigger city, and less touristy. It was an ideal place to relax, chill out and meet some cool people. I stayed in J’s Hostel near Hamilton Gardens, with two decent pubs nearby. Beck from J’s Hostel even picked Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Relaxing in Hamilton, North Island[…]

Backpacking in New Zealand: Is this the way to Rotorua?

I decided I should head south of Auckland and explore some more of the North Island. Obviously in the short time I was spending in New Zealand, it would be hard to see both islands, so I decided pretty swiftly I would leave the South Island out and do a mini tour of the North Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Is this the way to Rotorua?[…]