“It’s really got me worried, I’m going nowhere and I’m in a hurry…you know the last plane out of Sydney’s almost gone” *

Posted on October 24, 2010October 30, 2012 by Jonny Blair

I probably couldn’t have left Sydney in any worse a state, but in many ways I was better off for it. Thanks to Hannah Wicks I got a lift home to my flat in Parramatta around midnight, with my flight in 10 hours time, I was feeling a wee bit worse for wear, but had Read more about “It’s really got me worried, I’m going nowhere and I’m in a hurry…you know the last plane out of Sydney’s almost gone” *[…]

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

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Jonny Blair

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: An Hour In Huntly

Posted on January 13, 2009July 26, 2015 by Jonny Blair

Every time I think of happiness, my short time in New Zealand always comes to mind. I didn’t see a lot of New Zealand in my 14 days there in 2007, but I did a lot, and I didn’t get much sleep, in order to make the most of it. Apart from Sky Diving, Bungy Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: An Hour In Huntly[…]

Backpacking in New Zealand: Jumping off Auckland Harbour Bridge

Posted on June 30, 2008July 28, 2015 by Jonny Blair

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🇳🇿

Posted on March 25, 2008October 18, 2024 by Jonny Blair

“Hey you, up in the sky, learning to fly. Tell me how high will you go before you start falling” – Noel Gallagher. 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 Read more about “That’s me, Up In The Sky”: Sky Diving🪂Over Lake Taupo, New Zealand🇳🇿[…]

Zorbing in Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand

Posted on March 11, 2008May 1, 2013 by Jonny Blair

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

Posted on September 3, 2007July 18, 2015 by Jonny Blair

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

Posted on September 2, 2007January 10, 2021 by Jonny Blair

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[…]