a prairie girl who collects passport stamps.
Admittedly, I had pretty low expectations prior to visiting Australia's capital city. With the exception of politicians, ardent museum goers, and city planners, Canberra is seldom considered a destination. However, when Nick suggested a day trip to Canberra from Southwest Sydney, I was more than happy to oblige. After all, we have somewhat unique tastes when it comes to [...]
I was over the moon when my flatmate, Mel asked if I'd like to join her on a roadtrip to Wanaka. Apart from a pitstop a few years back, I had yet to explore this year-round resort town. The drive alone was worth the trip as we were rewarded with stunning, constantly changing scenery. Mel kindly [...]
The city I experienced as a tourist in 2009/2010 is vastly different from the Christchurch that exists today. The old Christchurch was beautiful and Victorian, and a wee bit stuffy. The city today is more intriguing because it's anyone and everyone's city. While many urban centres are oversaturated, Christchurch is still in need of fresh ideas and residents [...]
What is New Zealand most commonly known for? Its rugged beauty and The Lord of the Rings, of course. But after that? Probably rugby. The All Blacks have been dominating the international rugby scene for longer than I can remember. Living in Auckland, the colour black also dominated the wardrobes of many students and young [...]
It's crazy to think January is more than halfway over. I've been feeling a bit uninspired and homesick lately, like I'm stuck in limbo. I haven't felt compelled to talk about it for fear of sounding ungrateful or as though I regret my decision to move overseas. Also, Nick has really found his groove in Christchurch; [...]
Ho Chi Minh City is quickly modernizing and now is the time to visit as buildings that are here today will be gone tomorrow! Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi (see city guide here) couldn't be more different. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, retains much of its old world charm whereas HCMC (formerly Saigon) is fast-paced and racier. Just [...]
What hasn't been said about New York City? I've even written about it on this blog before. What I find most impressive about this city is that there's something new to discover with every visit; whether sticking to one neighbourhood or venturing to each of the five boroughs. Soho has received a lot of blogger attention due to its [...]
You'll never be wanting for things to do in Sydney. There are plenty of incredible beaches, jaw dropping sights and excellent cuisine. If you're looking to experience a more local side of Sydney, I suggest spending a day in Surry Hills. One of the city's hippest neighbourhoods, Surry Hills is only a short walk from Central Station. On my most recent visit, [...]
When Nick surprised me with a weekend away in Akaroa, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew very little about the only New Zealand town colonized by the French. Located on Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is approximately an hour and a half from Christchurch depending on traffic and how accustomed you are to New Zealand roads. My [...]
I debated how to title this entry for a solid five minutes, then re-considered this post altogether. I've felt this way for much of 2015 and I hope 2016 brings about some clarity. It's been a confusing year with high highs and low lows. In many ways, I've aged a lot this year. I turned 27 two weeks [...]
prairie girl musings 