Like many cities, Melbourne comprises a patchwork of small neighborhoods that once were separate towns. But their layout here is somewhat odder than usual. The streets of the central district or CBD form a grid…
After five hours and two minutes of play, Novak Djokovic sent a cross-court passing shot by Stanislaw Wawrinka to win the fifth set of their tennis match, 12 games to 10. The final game alone…
Actually, Hitch, it’s much more than 39, more like 150 to 200 steps, depending on which way you go. Our home in Wellington sits on the crest of The Terrace, the road astride some of…
The visit here by our family gave us an opportunity to see again some favorite things around Wellington, especially with different twists. (Click here for our post about these.) We also arranged to do some…
With family joining us over the Christmas-New Year’s holiday period, we had to decide what to see and do with them. We chose some favorite things to repeat for their benefit, and selected some options…
Maui, half-man and half-god, is credited in Maori legends with many great feats. He lengthened the day by subduing the sun and slowing its progress through the sky. And he created the land of New…
In 1770, Captain James Cook, the historically inescapable Englishman who first explored New Zealand, sailed past the many fjords, or sounds, of southwestern New Zealand, an area now appropriately called Fjordland. At one of those…
Since before the Europeans started to explore New Zealand, the vast southwest area of the South Island called Fjordland proved quite inhospitable. Captain Cook passed it by; the Spanish lit out for Australia after seeing…
He was a baker of breads and pastries, as was his father before him, and he was talking about Kiwi karma. He first mentioned his sister in England. Over and over again she would call…
Why travel? Sure, Auntie Em, there is no place like home, but the world is full of stunning natural wonders, historic human creations, and exciting cities. Like many inveterate travelers, we hope to see a…