International Travel

After I got back from China people kept asking, 'So how was it on the train?' I went by rail from Shanghai to Beijing. One of the world's fastest, the train rips along at around 300kph though is capable of even more.

In May this year I attended the opening of the Hauraki Rail Trail, part of Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Luxury Supporters Tour Enjoying the Best South Africa has to Offer

Sunday 1 June 2012 was a significant date for the Sunshine Coast as NZ 769 touched down after its inaugural flight from Auckland.

We arrived in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, on time, and quickly transferred to Viking Njord (for only its 5th trip since being launched in April 2012) to drop our bags and go exploring.

Last week I decided to book a flight to Melbourne to give my support to Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic during their final against Vixens at Hisense Arena in Melbourne.

At Easter we decided to catch up with relatives and check out New Plymouth. We took our bikes to enable us to explore the Coastal Walkway.

Do you think of huge, bustling Beijing as a city with eco lodges at its doorstep?

You know you're in for a different sort of dining experience when the place supplies disposable plastic gloves. We've come up steep, narrow stairs to a tiny box of a restaurant lined with white plastic walls.

Best to take a half-empty suitcase if you visit Shanghai. The shopping is vast and varied, from to the very best brands in the world to fake knock-offs you can bargain hard for.