Suzanne's Life and Travel Musings from New Zealand and Beyond
It was 2017. We were celebrating our second year as full-time housesitters in Europe with a "treat" trip to New York on our way to visit folk in NZ for a few weeks. Autumn was starting to take effect in New York, with bracing temperatures that made us walk faster than usual for miles on… Continue reading Serendipitous Pavement Art – New York
A while ago, I decided it was time I joined a tramping group. One that appealed and which had good reviews from other "hikers/trampers" was Pack n Boots. My first one took place in February. This group meets up most Sundays. Beginning with a meeting place either in Papamoa or Tauranga to carpool. Always a… Continue reading Hiking the Whakarewarewa Circuit
This scenic area is my go-to place for executing a reasonably easy 10km fast walk. Until I discovered a few inclines and steps to throw in to keep my heart rate elevated. Though it isn't all about racing around trying to look like an overheated fitness fanatic. It includes enjoying the various birdlife and bush… Continue reading The Waikareao Estuary Walk & Kōrero
Visualise yourself tramping in misty mountains, emerald fjords, ancient fern-cloaked forests, cascading waterfalls and kilometres of half empty black and white sandy beaches. By the way, we call hiking "tramping", down here in New Zealand. One of the main reasons I am writing this post is my personal experience in seeing visitors unprepared for tramping. … Continue reading Want to go Hiking in New Zealand?
My day started with much anticipation, it was due to a nagging thought "Am I fit enough?". "Only time will tell", I repeatedly told myself as I was driven towards the Wairoa River parking area to meet up with other fellow hikers. Once they arrived, we then headed off towards south of Katikati then to… Continue reading Hiking Mt Eliza Mine Loop
It had to be done. I have been telling myself I needed another exercise challenge. Especially now that me and my new tramping boots are rediscovering the New Zealand bush and my leg muscles. Time to take the Mount on once again and make it a regular thing. That is the theory! Whether it is… Continue reading The Climb up Mount Maunganui [Mauao]
The day started with grand ambitions to scale a Mountain, she's a reasonable size towering an impressive 231 metres skywards. These were changed when darkening skies were forming right behind us as we headed towards the start of our walk. Thoughts of a less wet ending to this story might occur if I went around… Continue reading A Walk around Mt Maunganui [Mauao]
