Why the Abel Tasman Track Belongs on Your Bucketlist
I have had wanderlust for as long as I can remember, and for just as long I have had a picture of the Abel Tasman Track beaches fueling that wanderlust. This last week I was able to check that beauty off the bucketlist and now I get to spread the gospel of why everyone should…
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Swimming with Hector’s Dolphins in Akaroa, New Zealand (+vlog)
Some experiences I struggle to put words to so I make a video instead. I love to relive trips this way, moments, and bucket list experiences. Swimming with wild dolphins in Akaroa was one of those experiences. We booked our trip with Black Cat Cruises, as they came highly recommended by every travel blogger that…
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Penguin Safari at Pohatu Marine Reserve
After finally scratching our wine tasting itch, the winds died down and we booked a wildlife kayak tour. Pohatu Penguins had a personal connection with the family that keeps after the Pohatu Marine Reserve and we had the unique opportunity to observe a penguin up-close incubating an egg, witness rafting penguins in the open sea,…
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Photography
Capturing the perfect shot that can transport me back to a memory or convinces you that you could step right into the photo has turned from hobby to passion to something I can now no longer control. Anyone who knows me knows that my Canon is usually attached to my right hand, though I do…
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I am Jess…
… and this is my partner Oli. I am a proud Seattlite and in his own words he is from bang in the middle of the UK in Leicestershire. In the summer of 2019, as fate would have it, we met on a polar bear expedition at 78 ° North in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. After…
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Cinematography
Capturing the perfect shot and throwing some music behind it, is one of my absolute favorite things to do while I travel. I wouldn’t say I’m a complete amatuer, but I certainly wing most of it and my style is always changing. Figuring out GoPro’s on the fly has become second nature, my right hand…
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Landscapes of New Zealand Photo Gallery
What I Mean When I Say I Live in NZ (vlog)
Murchison Rafting, Westport Birthday, & Blackwater Rafting
Now that it is pretty obvious that I am behind on writing, I’m going to list some of my favorite memories of my birthday back in Murchison, Westport, and Charleston Glowworm Caves. Once we set off from Nelson Lakes, we headed to Westport for some surfing. We had a stop off at an awesome waterfall…
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Why the Abel Tasman Track Belongs on Your Bucketlist
I have had wanderlust for as long as I can remember, and for just as long I have had a picture of the Abel Tasman Track beaches fueling that wanderlust. This last week I was able to check that beauty off the bucketlist and now I get to spread the gospel of why everyone should…
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Rakiura Track, Stewart Island (+vlog)
The Rakiura Track located on the southern banks of Stewart Island, is one of the Great Walks of New Zealand with good reason. Commitment is the first step in completing this track, as a foot ferry is the only access to the island and often the seas are treacherous at 47 degrees south. Luckily trekking…
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Les 3 Vallées & A Heli Transfer to Grand Massif
The Joys of Navigating a New Country When we landed in France, we immediately headed straight for the mountains thinking it would be fine to get to the Airbnb and bit late. What we didn’t realize was not only how long of a drive it was but also that Google does not operate the same…
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The Canary Islands in Tenerife, Spain – of dolphins and the slow life (+vlog)
Slow Life 80 miles off the coast of Africa lies the stunning Canary Islands. Even the name draws images of tropics, luxury, and a little bit of adventure. After spending 4 different Christmas’ with different parts of our family and spanning from Seattle to the UK, we desperately needed a slow down. With a few…
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Happy Memories Christmas & New Years in Glenorchy
We were lucky enough to make a few good friends along our travels and we spent an orphans Christmas at a beautiful cabin in Glenorchy followed by some fun camping in the rain for new years. No fun was had, the company was terrible, the food that I cooked was sickening, I’d like to speak…
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Stewart Island, New Zealand Photo Gallery
Stewart Island – Wild Kiwis and Cold Diving
Stewart Island was a week full of first times. It was the closest I have been to Antarctica, my first time seeing a wild kiwi, my first time seeing a carpet shark or an octopus in the wild, and my first time using my new GoPro, which ended up with some very tripping free diving…
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The Catlins – Waterfalls, Hikes, & Cathedral Caves
The Catlins is a once forgotten area along the Southern Scenic Highway, that offers a tucked away experience off the beaten track. There is so much to do in this area, you have to intentionally take your time. We however packed it all into a single day, we did 5-hikes, saw two waterfalls, were up…
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Royal Albatross Colony of Dunedin
Outside the city limits of Dunedin, New Zealand on the tip of the Otago Peninsula lies the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross in the world! Ever since I saw David Attenborough sitting only feet away from these majestic creatures, I have wanted to witness the adorable courtship of the Royal Albatross for myself,…
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Wandering Wild 