Moving to Queenstown for the Winter

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, New Zealand, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Moving to Queenstown for the Winter

New Zealand implemented a 4 tiered level system to denote what citizens could and could not do in each level and to expectation set during the pandemic. Honestly, auntie Cindy and her crew really freaking nailed it. Level 3 said people could expand their bubbles by 2 and you could move one direction. Meaning if…

Read More

Bungee Jumping Queenstown’s AJ Hackett Bridge (+gallery & vlog)

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, , Leave a Comment on Bungee Jumping Queenstown’s AJ Hackett Bridge (+gallery & vlog)

Pretty much as soon as, like literally the day Queenstown went to Level 2, we went bungee jumping. Bungee Jumping had been on my bucket list since the first one I ever made when I watched the namesake movie. The godfather of bungee jumping, Aj Hackett left a mark on New Zealand. Even though technically…

Read More

Moke Lake, Jacks Point, and the many birds of New Zealand (gallery)

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, New Zealand, Photography, Wanderlust, Wilderness, Wildlife, , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Moke Lake, Jacks Point, and the many birds of New Zealand (gallery)
Read More

Sunrise Hike of Ben Lomond, Queenstown Photo Gallery (+vlog)

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, New Zealand, Photography, Wanderlust, Wilderness, , , , , , , , , 1 Comment on Sunrise Hike of Ben Lomond, Queenstown Photo Gallery (+vlog)
Read More

Rainy Day Hike in Sunshine Bay, Queenstown New Zealand

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, New Zealand, , , , Leave a Comment on Rainy Day Hike in Sunshine Bay, Queenstown New Zealand

Entertaining ourselves during lockdown in New Zealand. Nature walks were still allowed so we didn’t let rain stop us and got out around Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. We were pretty lucky to have the trailhead at the end of our block. It’s nothing special but it reminds me of the little things that became big…

Read More

A narrow escape to New Zealand: How we made it to the best possible country just in time for lock-down

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, New Zealand, , , , , , , Leave a Comment on A narrow escape to New Zealand: How we made it to the best possible country just in time for lock-down

In October of 2019, when my then boyfriend – now husband, convinced me to quit my job and go traveling around the world with him and to apply for a New Zealand visa before I turned 30, I didn’t realize he had encouraged me to make one of the best decisions of my life. Five…

Read More

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival & our final days in Tokyo

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, Japan, , , Leave a Comment on The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival & our final days in Tokyo

Sadly this post is short and bitter. In true Joli Murphy fashion they cancelled the festival right before we arrived. We thought strolling near the river with the smell of sweet cherry blossoms was still going to be perfect…. …but of course the night we arrived in Kawazu a massive wind storm blew in… and…

Read More

Kyoto to Mount Fuji: The long way round through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Nachi Falls, and Hamamatsu Gardens

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, Japan, , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Kyoto to Mount Fuji: The long way round through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Nachi Falls, and Hamamatsu Gardens

I know that title is a doozy, but we really packed a punch into 8 days. After crossing eating toxic fugu off our bucket list, the next items were seeing Mount Fuji and getting some thrills at Fuji Q Highland. We were killing time trying to time the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival just right and…

Read More

Rest & Relaxation – Susami River Home & Staying with a Monk

By: Wilderwomen
Blog, Japan, , , , , Leave a Comment on Rest & Relaxation – Susami River Home & Staying with a Monk

After pushing it hard in Kyoto to do all the things, we desperately needed a break. That much needed break came in the form of a riverside home, spring weather, and staying with a wonderful Monk named Tomi. Our first Airbnb by the river, was a breath of fresh air out of the city and…

Read More