Tag Archive: The Imagination Trail

Why you should take the ferry between New Zealand’s North and South Islands

New Zealand ferry between North and South Island in dock at Picton viewed from the cliff

I’m a big fan of boats, and, beyond that moment of excitement of the plane speeding up and taking off, not the biggest fan of flying. So whenever I need to make a journey that involves crossing a body of…
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In search of New Zealand’s volcanoes: Auckland, Rotorua and Taupo

Kuirau Park Rotorua geothermal park volcanoes New Zealand North Island

When I told people that I was going to visit New Zealand on my way home from Australia, they all told me to head straight to the South Island for its stunning scenery. However, the thing that had drawn me…
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Architecture, history, and plenty of rain: 24 hours in Krakow, Poland

Wawel Castle Krakow Old Town Poland

Regular readers may be wondering what happened to New Zealand; after taking you through my two years in Australia I left you at Brisbane airport, on the way to Auckland, and now we’re suddenly in Poland! I am working on…
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Why visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau isn’t just something to tick off a list

Auschwitz-Birkenau Poland not tourist attraction solo female travel

I’ve always tried to visit historical sites of trauma when I find myself in a region where something terrible happened. Not because I have some weird fascination with death and destruction, as some people might think, but because I believe…
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Seven days in Cairns: the Daintree, Port Douglas, and the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns Daintree Rainforest Cape Tribulation Port Douglas Queensland Great Barrier Reef Australia solo female travel

After my last-minute decision to stop off in Townsville and go looking for koalas on Magnetic Island, it was time to board the northbound Greyhound bus one last time, for the final leg of my journey up the Queensland coast….
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In search of koalas: Townsville and Magnetic Island

Townsville Magnetic Island Queensland Australia

I was never intending to stop off in Townsville. I was running out of time before my Working Holiday Visa expired and I had to leave Australia, and I was keen to get to Cairns and explore the rainforest and…
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White sands and boat life: Airlie Beach and sailing the Whitsundays

Whitehaven Whitsundays Airlie Beach Queensland Australia

After ticking learning to surf off my bucket list, and enjoying the tranquil beachside life of Agnes Water for a few days, it was time to re-board the north-bound Greyhound bus. Next up was the popular backpacker town of Airlie…
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