LATEST TRAVEL BLOG POSTS
Life in NZ vs The UK. A Kiwi Who’s Tried Both
This week’s podcast is a little bit different. We have a real New Zealand guest.
Jen is one of those New Zealand people that you are going to fall in love with.
Just as her British boyfriend did.
Moving To New Zealand. 5 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Making
We moved to New Zealand with kids (age 8 and 5) from the UK twelve years ago.
To say that we were wet behind the ears is an understatement. Rather we were sodding drenched.
We emigrated to New Zealand from the UK and within the first year of being in the country, we had made more mistakes than we had in our entire lives combined.
Living in New Zealand. Why (Some) Immigrants Can’t Settle
We have been living in New Zealand for twelve years.
We arrived from the UK where we had a comfortable home, my husband was on a good wage and both of my kids were at school.
Within a year of moving to New Zealand, we were living in a rented house and my husband was on half the wage.
Did I want to go home? At times, yes. But we were so determined to make New Zealand work that we did everything in our power to make it happen.
Typical Brit! 12 (Annoying) British Habits
She’s a typical Brit. I’ve heard that saying more times than I’ve had hot dinners in the past twelve years.
And right there is a perfect example of typical British ways. Right up there in that first sentence.
Being British is fab. It’s brill. You can say things that make no sense at all to the rest of the world and every other British person understands what you are saying.
British Culture Habits
In this podcast episode (which also has a video to watch should you so wish!), we talked about 12 of the most typical British ways that the world finds both confusing (and often infuriating!)
Get a nice cup of tea and enjoy!
When Your Child Leaves Home (& You Fall Apart)
My son is leaving home. In two weeks time my boy, my firstborn, Sonny, who I adore more than life itself is leaving our home and going to live in a flat with two other guys. To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement. Every day, for the past two weeks I have...
Americans in New Zealand. Will They (Ever) Feel At Home?
How do Americans in New Zealand settle? Will New Zealand feel familiar in any ways?
If you are moving to New Zealand from America and wondering what your new life will be like then you will love what we are about to share.
Living in New Zealand (As an Expat)
In this podcast episode (which also has a video to watch should you so wish!), we explored 3 (very similar) things that New Zealand and America share a love for!
My family and I have been living in New Zealand twelve years ago from the UK and it was the BEST thing we ever did.
Of course, as with any country, there are pros and cons of living in New Zealand here, but in general, the New Zealand food is divine and the scenery is to die for and the kiwi people are super welcoming.
If you are from the US and are asking Is New Zealand for me then hopefully this video podcast will help you feel right at home!
The Truth About What New Zealand People Are (Really) Like
Wondering about New Zealand culture? Well. My family and I have been living in New Zealand for almost twelve years.
And in that time we have got to know many New Zealanders. (Or if we are going to use New Zealand slang, Kiwis).
So in this week’s New Zealand podcast, we thought it would be interesting to talk about New Zealand culture; most importantly the things that New Zealand people are known for. Tell you our opinion on whether we think those labels are right.
New Zealand School System Vs The US. Who Wins?
The education system in New Zealand receives an unfair amount of flack.
When we were planning on moving to New Zealand twelve years ago, the school system was one of the things that people always brought up.
“Ohhh… you know schools aren’t that good over there don’t you?” said the people who had never crossed the Atlantic in their lives. “And apparently, you can’t get decent bacon”.
You know my thoughts on this. Tosh. That’s what.
I’ve had plenty of decent bacon butties in New Zealand.
7 Things That Scared Us Most About Moving To New Zealand
Moving to New Zealand is a BIG scary decision and no matter how much stuff you research on the internet, your fears will never be totally soothed.
Not until you arrive on kiwi soil, learn a bit of New Zealand slang and start getting on with your life.
In this week’s podcast episode Brian and I discuss what we worried about most about leaving the UK to live in New Zealand (& reveal whether those fears were justified).
HELLO THERE!
I am Liz, a travel and lifestyle blogger! I met the love of my life, Brian, in the late 80’s. We spent our first 10 years together wearing very large shoulder pads, saying “rad”
As tends to happen, we grew into adults (sort of), got a mortgage (boo hoo) and started a family (yay!). We still continued to travel the world with our little children but our itchy feet were never far away and we decided that rather than mess about with holidays, we’d go all out and emigrate instead. And anyway, British wine is rubbish.
So, we emigrated to New Zealand. Once there, our lifestyle changed dramatically. We are currently backpacking the world with our two teenagers, trying to regain our youth (joke. Sort of) whilst trying to conceal the amount of wine we drink each night (truth). We would love you to join our journey on this honest (a bit too honest) blog as we try to discover ways to make this lifestyle achievable, not just for us, but for you too!
I am Liz, a travel and lifestyle blogger! I met the love of my life, Brian, in the late 80’s. We spent our first 10 years together wearing very large shoulder pads, saying rad alot, and travelling around the world. It was within those ten years that we discovered our mutual passion for travel, adventure, food and wine. And chocolate peanut M&Ms.
As tends to happen, we grew into adults (sort of), got a mortgage (boo hoo) and started a family (yay!) We still continued to travel the world with our little children but our itchy feet were never far away and we decided that rather than mess about with holidays, we’d go all out and emigrate instead.
In 2009, we took our family and emigrated to New Zealand. Once there, our lifestyle changed dramatically. We are currently backpacking the world with our two teenagers, trying to regain our youth (joke) whilst trying to conceal the amount of wine we drink each night (truth). We would love you to join our journey on this honest (a bit too much sometimes) blog as we try to discover ways to make this lifestyle achievable, not just for us, but for you too!
OUR MOST POPULAR TRAVEL BLOG POSTS!
The Travel Bog Diaries. Thrown Out Of A Yoga Class In India
y desire to indulge in some yoga came out after I witnessed the perfect family in India. Perfect kids, perfect Mother. I concluded that this must surely be a result of partaking in either a) dancing around the full moon naked, b) drinking lots of...
Japanese Culture. 10 Things You (Probably) Should Know. Podcast #15
In this week’s podcast, Sonny and Liz talk about the culture of Japan and a few things you need to be aware of before you go.
Life in Japan is very easy to adjust to and the Japanese people are amongst the most generous and welcoming folk in the world.
But.
The Japanese do have one tiny downside…
Japan. 39 Things You Probably Should Know (BEFORE) You Turn up.
ant to know the secret of a successful trip to Japan? Familiarise yourself with a few culture facts about Japan before you arrive in...
Bloody Hell. Travelling in India by Sleeper Bus. Podcast #11
I love you India, I really do.
I dedicated an entire India podcast on what it was like travelling in India for the first time.
No matter what time of day you ask me – regardless of whether my hormones are playing up or not. I will always tell anyone I meet that travelling in India for seven weeks – backpacking across your beautiful land with my kids was one of the best experiences of my life.
But bloody hell.
India. Is it as scary as everyone says it is? PODCAST # 010
After spending seven weeks backpacking around India with my kids (teenagers age 16 and 13) I thought we should do a podcast on the country (and put to bed the silly myths that surround visiting India).
When I told people that we were planning a trip to India the response was…let’s say colourful.
Some (mostly those who were born before the 1960s and had spent their youth discovering Asia on a couple of quid) encouraged us: ‘you’ll love it’ they said and went on to talk about the beautiful Indian beaches or the temples in Hampi.
But others weren’t so encouraging.
Sri Lanka Villas. A Review On This Slice Of Paradise.
ho doesn't love a bargain? But the trouble with bargains is they usually came at a cost. There always seems to be a catch. That's why you are going to love me for this blog post on where to stay in Sri Lanka. I have for you the ultimate find...
28 Things NOT To Do In Japan (so’s not to look like a complete wally)
e careful in Japan. It can catch you out. My family and I spent a month backpacking around Japan and we learned a lot about the things not to do in Japan. It might help to brush up on some culture facts about Japan before you arrive. Especially if...
5 Things To Do in Japan (That Won’t Leave You Broke)
You cannot visit Japan and do what every other tourist does. You just can't. It's against the law and I won't let you. If you are looking for cheap or inexpensive things to do in Japan, you have a sense of adventure, don't mind heights and want to experience a...
Things To Do In Ella Sri Lanka (And One Thing Definitely NOT To Do)
lla in Sri Lanka was nothing as I'd imagined it to be. We took the train from Colombo to Kandy and from there we took the most beautiful train ride of our lives and travelled from Kandy to Ella. If you are looking for tips on where to stay and...