Views en Route
Archive for May 2012
Culture Shock in Samoa
When I was in New Zealand I met a girl who wanted to visit the pacific islands. She asked me if I wanted to go with her to Samoa and I instantly said yes. This was not part of my plan at all. I didn’t know anything about this Samoa or even where it was. I … Continue reading
Where the Spirits Leap into the Underworld
According to Maori myth, when a person dies their spirit will travel all the way to Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) and then leap off into the underworld. This is the reason why this place is the most sacred of all in the country for the Maori people. This is also the reason why you shouldn’t … Continue reading
Around Derry… or is it Londonderry?
To understand the dispute of the name of this city you have to dig into the history. Originally the city was named Derry which is the Anglicisation of the Irish name Doire. In 1613 it was renamed Londonderry in honour of the association with the London Guilds. Today, an endless debate continues about the name. The … Continue reading
On the Top of Mount Sunday
Okay, I admit it. I’m a bit of a Lord of the Rings geek. Well, I like the movies more than the books to be honest. And why? Besides the story and great CGI, the landscape in the movies is gorgeous. And having visited several filming locations around New Zealand, like the ones around Queenstown … Continue reading
Pictures from the Ring of Kerry
Around this time last year I went to Ireland. One of the things I did in this lovely green country was doing the Ring of Kerry, which is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Ireland. It makes a great day tour from Killarney. The route goes all around the peninsula and passes … Continue reading
Not Just a Theatre
The rugged Cornish coast is where you will find the Minack Theatre. The word “minack” means “rocky place” in Cornish and is very fitting for this beautiful open-air theatre, which has been constructed into the cliffs with the coast and sea as the background. Unlike the many theatres that are found around Europe, this one … Continue reading
The Best Way to Roll Down a Hill
Zorbing is a somewhat bizarre New Zealand invention. Basically, you take a giant plastic sphere, stick in a person or two, maybe add some water and then push it downhill. Sounds fun? The first Zorbing site opened in Rotorua, New Zealand in 1995 and since then it’s become a popular attraction for all visitors (and … Continue reading
The Village Lost in Time
Lacock of Wiltshire is a bit of a special village. What makes it special is that the majority it is owned by the National Trust, a conservation organisation in England. It’s not allowed to hang up a satellite dish on any of the houses nor make any modernistic changes to them, and except from all … Continue reading
The Birthplace of Titanic
When my mum and step dad came to visit me in Belfast 2 years ago, I went with them to the docks where Titanic was built. There was practically nothing to see and the café/shop was very disappointing. I mean, Titanic is one of the most famous ships in this world. At least it deserves … Continue reading
Why Not Jump off a Bridge?
I went down to the cafe to get breakfast and read my book. I had been stuck in Queenstown for about a week. Well, not really stuck. But it had been raining constantly for about a week and I had decided to wait it out and relax. I mean, it had to clear up eventually … Continue reading
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