March, 2017 Archives

Notes From Down Under: Hot Water Beach

March 5th, 2017

What lurks beneath a sandy New Zealand beach

The rain steadily pours down outside our cute, cozy, cottage and life is calm, peaceful and smooth. So it seems insane that we’re about to go outside into the downpour, dig a hole and crawl into it. Read More…

Notes From Down Under: Hobbiton

March 5th, 2017

That time I slept in a Hobbit hole

I’m taking a shower in a Hobbit hole. That’s the lead I came up with as the warm, delicious water washed a day of caves off me. Contenders were The hobbit hole has heated blankets or No wifi in Baggin’s place. The one ring to rule them all is embedded in our bed and I look forward to falling asleep in Middle Earth, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Read More…

Notes From Down Under: Kerosene Creek

March 5th, 2017

It looks like any other cool-running brook, but …

A babbling brook on a hot summer’s day turns out to be a 100 degree geothermal creek. Mud bubbles up into pools with the smell of either bean and bacon soup or, more succinctly, farts — as the ladies say. These cracks in our perception of the way the earth should be are magical and meaningful. Welcome to Rotorua. Read More…

Notes From Down Under: Wild Horses & Strawberry

March 5th, 2017

A horse of a different color

Black sand beaches. Just the name sounds exotic. I’ve always wanted to see one and visiting the so-hot-it’s-cool Pacific Ring of Fire, I knew I’d have a chance. Read More…