VIDEO: Walking On a Volcano – White Island NZ

VIDEO: Walking On a Volcano – White Island NZ

Update 9 December 2019: there has been an eruption on White Island with more than 5 people losing their lives. Among them Hayden, our lovely guide who showed us the island. RIP Hayden and condolences to Hayden’s family, friends and colleagues and all other people who lost their life.

Have you ever wanted to walk on an active volcano? White Island might be the place for you! If you don’t mind going to New Zealand 😉

A few weeks ago, my New Years Eve plans were messed up by the extreme cold in Canada. I was stuck in my Airbnb and couldn’t get to my location. Every year I try to do something different on the last day of the year.

In 2015 I found myself motorbiking the NZ South Island and in 2014 I had the weirdest, alcohol-less New Year’s Eve in the Maldives. This year it was clear that life doesn’t always the way you want it.

Luckily the year before was still fresh in my head, because I WALKED ON AN ACTIVE VOLCANO.

I spent the day on the volcano, in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. First I took the boat with White Island Tours out there, seeing lots of dolphins, and then I walked in the inner crater of White Island – while the steam was getting out!

I also tasted the volcano… don’t ask me why 🙂

Here’s the White Island video!

As you can see, it was a beautiful day out. For more information on the trip, read my detailed volcano blogpost HERE.

Have you walked on a volcano?

Meet the world’s smallest penguin!

Meet the world’s smallest penguin!

New Zealand is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world, but did you know it is struggling to protect it? The kiwi, kea, Kakapo and the Maui dolphin are only a few of the animals in need, and the little blue penguins are on the list too.

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Skippers Canyon Adventures

Skippers Canyon Adventures

I feel like sharing a secret today. I’m a wimp. Some of you might already know this, some of you might not. I travel to a lot of countries, do crazy stuff like the Yosemite Swing; flying in a tiny plane; the Nevis Swing etc, but all of that with a TINY heart. Adventures with me happen with a lot of screams, nervous giggles and now and then some swear words…

That was also the case when I visited Skippers Canyon in Queenstown. It’s an impressive canyon with a small gravel road. My heart already missed a few beats when driving so close to the edge of the road, and I was just the passenger. Luckily, ’cause I don’t think driving with your eyes closed would work.

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VIDEO: Discover Christchurch

VIDEO: Discover Christchurch

Update 2018: Unfortunately the container mall doesn’t exist anymore. The mall was only temporary and is being replaced by new buildings now. 

In 2011 almost 80% of the Christchurch’s city center was damaged after an earthquake. Most of it got demolished – which left Christchurch empty and a little bit dead. Five years later there are still many empty spaces (turned into car parks) and abandoned buildings in town, which doesn’t always make the city look very attractive in tourists’ eyes.

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VIDEO: Wildlife in Dunedin

VIDEO: Wildlife in Dunedin

Almost two weeks ago I went down south. No huge mountains this time, but a lot of nature, ocean and wildlife. You might know I have a soft spot for native birds, especially the kiwi bird.  But I shamefully admit that I don’t know much about other New Zealand wildlife.

Lucky me when I got invited to a Nature Frother Instameet. I can already see you raising your eyebrows. Nature frothers? What is that? I had the same reaction at first. A nature frother is someone who gets so excited about encountering the wonders of nature that they could start frothing at the mouth any moment. Yep, sounds like me! Sign me up!

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VIDEO: Walking Abel Tasman Coast Track

VIDEO: Walking Abel Tasman Coast Track

One of my favourite things about New Zealand is that the scenery is so diverse. You have the impressive mountains, clear blue lakes, lush native forest and golden beaches. I was a bit surprised about the latter when I first arrived in New Zealand. There are nice golden beaches? Little did I know that they weren’t just there – but that they were also crazy beautiful. A perfect example is Abel Tasman National Park.

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