LATEST TRAVEL BLOG POSTS
7 Things You WON’T Miss When You Move To New Zealand
If you are thinking of moving to New Zealand from the UK (or elsewhere for that matter) and are concerned about a few things you may miss, you are going to really LOVE this show!
Last week, Brian and went on holiday. We stayed in a suburb of Dunedin called Port Chalmers. We loved it. Not only were we are away from the kids that never stop eating and the lawn that never stops growing, but we were able to explore one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand.
It was during this time in the South Island, that we realised there were some things, things that we’d been longing for these past twelve years, were right here under our noses. Imagine that.
Ready to find out what they are? Let’s go!
2021 What a Year… Behind The Scenes With Liz & Brian
This is the last podcast of the year and we wanted to make it personal. So here we are! Behind the Scenes. In the bedroom.
To be honest, we could have made this podcast very easy. We could have just sat there and said thank you over and over again. That would have summed up our feelings for you right now. But because we like to natter over cherries we also go into the things that scared us the most this year, how we tackled them and where we are now.
Wherever you are in the world Brian and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. So very, very much. Without you, we wouldn’t keep going. You are a star. You are amazing.
Is Christmas in New Zealand Better? (Or Will it Always Feel Weird.)
If you live in the US or the UK I am guessing that at some time in your life you will have dreamed of spending Christmas down under. But is Christmas in New Zealand better or will you spend the holiday season pining for the snow like a pig in a blanket?
Let’s explore six major differences between a New Zealand Christmas and those in the US.
Enjoy!
A (Totally Honest) Night Zookeeper Review For Homeschoolers
I am guessing that if you are reading a Night Zookeeper review, then you are considering homeschooling. Yes? I hope so. It's always nice to meet someone with the same interests as you. I have been homeschooling my kids for the past ten years. We started when my son...
Living in Taranaki, New Zealand. 8 (Brutally Honest) Pros & Cons
In 2017, Taranaki, New Zealand was voted by The Lonely Planet as being the 2nd best region in the world to visit.
Wow. That’s a pretty big label—a lot to live up to.
My family and I have lived in this region for twelve years and now consider ourselves Naki locals. As you can imagine, New Zealand has a lot of pros and cons and Taranaki is no different.
Join Brian and I talk as we talk about what Taranaki is REALLY like,
Enjoy!
Lame or Lush? The Truth About New Zealand Food
New Zealand food. Not exactly the most talked about cuisine in the world.
Why? Is it because the kiwis are ashamed of their national nosh or are they hiding something from the rest of the world?
When we made our move to New Zealand from the UK twelve years ago, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of food. Maybe a few lamb chops and a packet of butter. A glass of milk at a push.
How wrong I was…
Revealed. What Are New Zealand Teenagers (Really) Like?
If you have ever wondered what New Zealand Teenagers are like then you will love this show.
Today I had the pleasure of talking with Tyrese. Tyrese is seventeen years old high school student who went from feeling angry and frustrated with school to managing his own curriculum and running his own successful radio station.
If you are after an inspiring story or a sneak peek into what living in New Zealand is like for a teenager then sit back and enjoy!
Warning. Do NOT Say This in New Zealand!!
Regardless of whether you are moving to New Zealand or planning to visit when the borders open, there are a few crucial things you should know. Like what NOT to say in New Zealand.
Brian and I thought it would be fun to share seven kiwi BIG no-no’s in this week’s show. That way, when you eventually get off the plane in Aotearoa, you can get on with the good stuff. Like making friends with hobbits and climbing snow-peaked mountains.
Enjoy!
France, UK or New Zealand? How To Choose.
If you had to choose between raising your family in France, UK or New Zealand, which would you choose?
Today you are about to meet Benjamin. We met Benjamin when he joined our private New Zealand community. We have had the pleasure of watching and helping for almost a year as he and his young family made the big move to New Zealand.
But was it easy?
And how on earth do you decide between three countries that all offer you equally wonderful things?
Let’s find out…
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!
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.
Want to know the secret of a successful trip to Japan? Familiarise yourself with a few culture facts about Japan before you arrive in the country. Do your homework– that way you will be one step ahead of the rest while you are there. By brushing up on your...
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...
Backpacking in Japan. How You Can Still Be Posh On a Budget
he word backpacking and Japan are not often used in the same sentence. It is assumed that the country is far too expensive to accommodate the lowly backpacker. But it's not true. Backpacking Japan is the best and very, very do-able on a limited...