Destinations, New Zealand, Stories

A Bowl Of Potato Soup In Rotorua

“What are you cooking?” “It’s like a potato soup thing.” “Is that like, a German thing?” “Yeah.” She had a pretty smile. Really straight teeth, too. I always liked girls with straight teeth. I turned back to my chicken, steaming slowly in my pan. Hostel kitchens are always interesting. Everyone’s trying to cook something healthy, …

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Destinations, New Zealand, Stories

I Found New Zealand In Ahipara

I still remember my first surf class. I wriggled into a wetsuit, lathered my face up with super thick sunscreen and walked down to the beach feeling like Aquaman in my spongy suit with a rocket ship tied to my leg. They say Kiwis love to surf, but at 28 I’d never touched a surfboard …

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Destinations, Stories, UK

A Diary: Five Days In London

I wake up to the clanging of dishes in the kitchen. Someone’s up. Not me, though. I lie huddled under blankets on the couch, awake, but still. I’m guessing it’s George – she told me she’d be getting up early. After five minutes of dozing I peel myself off the couch and put on some …

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Destinations, France, Stories

Melancholic In Montpellier

“So, are you starting to feel melancholic about leaving Montpellier?” Moritz asked. I took another bite from my pizza slice and smiled. It’s interesting talking to people who speak English as a second language – they tend to come up with funny ways of saying things. Moritz, my youngest classmate at 19, had become my …

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Destinations, Stories, Turkey

A Night At The Border

It’s Wednesday in Cannakale. I’ve been in Turkey six days and still have so much to see, but I’m already gunning to leave. It’s just not my kind of place. I decide today’s the day I’m getting my bus to Bulgaria. I jump out of bed and head to the Metro Turizm office around the …

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Australia, Destinations, Stories

Better Luck Next Time, Sydney Airport

The plane hits the pavement. I look at the clock. 10:51. Check-in for my next flight closes at 11:45. I do the math slowly in my head. 54 minutes to get through customs, collect my bags, and make it upstairs to check-in. Easy peasy. Well, it should be easy peasy, except for one problem – …

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Destinations, Stories, The Philippines

Inside Manila: A Walk Through The Slums Of The Philippine Capital

The mud is black. There’s trash everywhere. And the smell is…well…the smell is like a mixture of wet clothes and rotten wood. It’s not necessarily unpleasant, but definitely distinct. I look around at the kids running through the alleys, the women selling ‘useful trash’ such as plastic bags and recycled paper, and the elderly lounging …

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Destinations, Stories, USA

A Walk On Wall Street

Isn’t it funny, how dreams can change. It was by complete accident that I ended up in New York City. In fact, I had never planned on entering the United States at all. But some horrendous travel planning and a few last minute changes was all it took to shake things up and land me …

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