Some might say, "no", but .... let's just stop and talk about this! Rotorua, known for its stunning geothermal wonders, often comes with a side of aroma that could make a skunk reconsider its career choices. While the sulfuric scent wafts through the air like an uninvited guest at a dinner party, there's more to this quirky town than just its "fragrant" reputation. Visitors quickly discover that beneath the pungent surface lies a vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and

I would like to say that 'solo travel' is just that, solo ... but in reality, you meet so many amazing people and enjoy some extremely uniquely shared experiences that it reminds you that, in reality, we are all connected, that there are many vibrant, happy people and places, and that the world really is your oyster! Get out and explore it ..... Travelling alone for the first time can feel overwhelming. Choosing the right destination is key to a smooth, enjoyable experience.

I will never fail to be amazed by the colours, the shapes, the sizes, and the diversity of the Orchidaceae family ... the absolute beauty of them. Orchids in New Zealand. The Power of Attraction Orchids have mastered the art of seduction in the plant world, using their dazzling colors and sweet scents to lure in unsuspecting pollinators. Some even go so far as to mimic the appearance and scent of female insects, creating a floral Tinder profile that’s hard to resist! It’s lik

An ode is a lyric poem that addresses and often celebrates a person, place, thing, or idea. Originating in Ancient Greece where they were originally sung, odes are typically serious, dignified, and formal, though their style, subject, and form can vary ... this is Maureen's ' Ode To WOW 2025. ' Behind the scenes with my blog I have my amazing daughter Jess guiding me with any help that I may need along the way, especially of the moral support kind, and today I want to welcome

WOW (World of Wearable Arts) Show, Wellington, NZ, Part 3: All Things WOW! Part three of our WOW Experience brings the show to life and the fun we had around the whole event. WOW is all about " taking art off the wall and adorning the body " and we jumped onboard ourselves with our own bit of creativity. Creating our own ideas of taking Art off the Wall and Adorning the Body... Planning our trip, I put out the challenge to our group, for whoever felt inspired, to take our exp

Some highlights of a bit of fun to be had in Wellington ... WOW Show 2025 and some highlights of Wellington, NZ ... After our day of train travel down to Wellington on the WOW VIP Train Experience , (also known as the Northern Explorer Train), for the WOW 2025 show, we had plenty of spare time in Wellington to take in the waterfront area, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of NZ, and Wētā Workshops. All thoroughly recommended and if you add on the Crocodile Bikes and scooters you'll be

Join us for some highlights of our WOW Train VIP Experience with Great Journeys NZ , 02 October, 2025. WOW The World of Wearable Arts, Wellington, New Zealand, 2025.. ride the Great Journeys NZ VIP Train Experience with us! On Thursday 02 October 2025, we set out on a unique three-day journey as mum, (aka Maureen), took fourteen of her "girls" to Wellington to attend the WOW (World of Wearable Arts) Show; this reel is some of the highlights from the first part of our trip, on

Riding the WOW Train, Great Journeys NZ Is WOW the Best Art Show in the World? Imagine stepping into a vibrant world where creativity knows no bounds! WOW, the art show that has everyone buzzing, is a kaleidoscope of talent and inspiration that could make even the most serious art critic crack a smile. With its eclectic mix of styles, innovative installations, and interactive experiences, it’s like a carnival for the senses! Artists from around the globe come together, showc

On a blustery day at Big Manly Beach, New Zealand's young sailors head out to sea to compete for the right to be crowned Champ! New Zealand has a proud history of sailing success and it is when you see young sailors heading out in wild conditions to compete for the New Zealand Youth Championship, on days like today, you fully appreciate the tenacity and determination that success takes. You have to have passion to be a success and today showed that. Good luck to them all ...

Bringing life back to my grandparent's garden ... You never know who you will influence when you follow your passions, and the many gardeners that our family have is a testament to the beautiful garden that my grandparents had. Flowers, trees, lawn to run on, a little forest to explore out back, apple trees to pick from, and plants of all kinds; and yet, it was much more than that. It was an area for family and friends to gather and eat and drink and talk and grow up together

"The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies." Gertrude Jekyll, British Horticulturist and Garden Designer. At 89 years of age, my mum has sown a lot of seeds and reaped a lot of harvests, in her garden and her life, and one of the greatest gifts that she has given her family is the love of a garden, and being outside in nature. A gift that, personally, I can't thank her enough for. As well as selling plants and flowers, Mum's won many awards with her floral ar

From Cape Reinga, at the tip of the North Island, to Stewart Island, at the bottom of the South Island, I have hiked, biked, played,...

Zip-lining, Takal National Park, Guatemala. Get involved, have some fun, the better you feel then the better your journey will be, the...

There is always someone who offers to take your photo, so you will always have a great collection of memories to look back upon and...

Don't be afraid to follow your own guidance, at times enjoy your own company and also, mix with others .. there are plenty who want to...

For me, there is not a lot that is more fun than getting on a bike and taking in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of places around the...

Now, let's race into Blo-Karts, ride some Surf and Jump Off Even Higher Things ... Blo-Karting with Bonaire Land Sailing Adventures ,...

First, let's explore some Whitewater Rafting, Snow Sports and Bike (Cycle) Trails, so grab your GoPro and your sense of adventure......

Seeing the best that the world has to offer ... Hiking in Inca country, Peru. I left New Zealand with a single backpack, my camera, an...

My little caravan, nicknamed " Nomad Alice," Queenstown, NZ. You don't need to own a bloke, to own a caravan! I know they do come in handy, (blokes, that is), but when it comes to travelling in a caravan, you can do it as a solo-female with fun, skill and pizzazz! And even get complimented on how well you can back into a parking spot. Thanks dad for teaching me! What is a caravan? You may be familiar with RV, Camper Trailer or Travel Trailer; a non-motorised, solid-walled rec