Christchurch to Queenstown: A Scenic Drive
April 7, 2026 — Arrived in Christchurch via Auckland, where I met up with friends Alfred, Kat, Michael, and Jessie before we set off toward Hokitika. New Zealand…
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The Journal
Stories, discoveries, and reflections from life’s next chapter.
Showing 28–36 of 39 articles
Queenstown
April 10, 2026 - Queenstown delivered from the moment we arrived. We'd checked into a stunning lakefront 4-bedroom apartment the night before, ready to take on the self-proclaimed…
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Sydney, Australia
Second trip to Sydney and I thought I'd shake things up with a wildlife adventure. The rain had other plans — the Three Sisters played hard to get,…
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Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane - another modern and charming city. Residents are especially excited about the current 50-cent flat fare across trains, buses, trams, and ferries—regardless of distance. We took the…
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Melbourne, Australia
Though we spent just one night in Melbourne, the city made a lasting impression - modern, vibrant, and full of life. Jet lag worked in our favor, giving…
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Cairns, Australia
The weather dashed our hopes of reaching the Great Barrier Reef - the world’s largest coral reef system - leaving us, especially David, disappointed. His afternoon attempt at…
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Darwin, Australia
The highlight of Darwin was seeing saltwater crocodiles. They still give me goosebumps, reminding me of my first encounter nearly three decades ago in Thailand. Another bucket list…
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Creative Arts · Exploration · Travel
Crystal Serenity
My heart was still full even two weeks after our journey on the Crystal Serenity. Beyond the exceptional food and service, what truly stood out were the enriching…
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Bali, Indonesia
We stayed in a villa at the W Hotel in Bali for three nights after our cruise ended. During our time there, we visited many iconic sites, enjoyed…
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