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rivers

A beautiful waterfall surrounded by green nature, Rainbow Falls, the Big Island Hawaii
The United States

Day 166: Time well spent in paradise

June 9, 2014

Today was filled with a multitude of activities in and around Hilo. Due to the uncomfortable night, I woke up earlier than planned. By 4:40 am, I departed from the campsite and headed back towards the visitor center, a 15-minute drive from there to the Kilauea crater. Although the weather wasn’t rainy, a persistent drizzle persisted. However, what truly frustrated me was the poor visibility caused by thick clouds obscuring the scenery. Upon reaching the crater, I attempted to capture some photos, but unfortunately, they all turned out blurry. The combination of fog and low light proved too challenging…

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by Maarten
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Fiji

Day 154: Fiji’s Coral Coast, Pacific Harbour

May 29, 2014

Today’s adventure involves a journey along Fiji’s picturesque Coral Coast, leading me towards the captivating Pacific Harbour. I beat my alarm to the punch, rising at 8 am. Swiftly checking out and stowing my bag, I headed to the restaurant to order breakfast. The previous night, amidst laundry duties, I gathered all the travel intel I needed at Smugglers Cove’s information desk. Today’s bus ride promised a leisurely three-hour journey. Post-breakfast, attempting to tackle some blog reports, my motivation dwindled. I resolved to resume work at my next stop, expecting a fresh burst of productivity. At around 8:15 am…

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by Maarten
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The Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
New-Zealand

Day 142: Colors and steam

May 17, 2014

Today, I planned to explore Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua—a mesmerizing thermal park boasting numerous spectacular geothermal features. What an extraordinary day it promised to be! I awoke at approximately 9:00 am and kicked off my day. After a refreshing shower and teeth brushing routine, I ventured to the outside terrace on the first floor of the dorm. While the hostel was satisfactory, the bathroom didn’t quite meet my cleanliness expectations, but I shrugged it off. Swiftly departing from Lake Taupo, I cruised down the Thermal Highway (I do appreciate these straightforward highway names, haha). The weather was…

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by Maarten
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New-Zealand

Day 134: Abel National Park part II

May 9, 2014

Today, my plan is to trek through Abel Tasman National Park by taking a water taxi to a beach, where I’ll embark on a walk to another beach for pick-up. I woke up at 8 am thanks to my reliable alarm. After resetting it for 8:30 am, I caught a bit more sleep. Once it signaled the new wake-up time, I promptly brushed my teeth and used the restroom. Exiting the campsite, I headed towards the harbor, conveniently located just 50 meters away. Kaiteriteri was indeed a small village.The day began beautifully with bright sunshine, clear blue skies, and…

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by Maarten
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New-Zealand

Day 132: New Zealand’s longest swing bridge

May 7, 2014

Today, my plan was to explore the Buller Gorge Swing Bridge, and despite my initial skepticism, the experience proved to be quite enjoyable for the 5 NZD admission fee. I woke up at 9 am, stepped out of the car, and plugged my laptop into the power socket at the hostel. The common area of the hostel was sheltered under plastic panes, resembling a small barn. Accessibility was convenient for me with a door right beside the car park. This arrangement made reaching the toilets a breeze—just a short 10-meter walk, as opposed to circling the building for 30…

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by Maarten
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New-Zealand

Day 129: Reaching Fox Glacier

May 4, 2014

Today’s escapade would guide me to Fox Glacier. Rising with the sun at the Boundary Creek Campsite, a cozy spot nestled 30 kilometers north of the serene Lake Wanaka, I relished in a night of rejuvenating sleep. The campsite, a hidden gem, was blissfully free of the usual morning hustle. Venturing towards the toilet block, I was pleasantly surprised to find it not only clean but boasting the luxury of flushing toilets – a camper’s dream. Now, I’ve endured seven months working on a neurology ward, facing odors that could make a skunk blush. Yet, the open-air toilets I’ve encountered take…

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by Maarten
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New-Zealand

Day 126: The Chasm and The Divide

May 1, 2014

Today’s agenda included a visit to The Chasm and The Divide near Milford Sound. The alarm went off at 9:30 am, prompting me to get up and head to the toilet block for teeth brushing. Yvette was also awake and preparing to leave bed. I noticed I was much quicker, getting ready by 9:45 am while she went, presumably, to the toilets. Check-out time was before 10 am, and as I held my pillowcase, the cleaning lady directed me to dispose of it in a bin nearby our dormitory. She expressed gratitude, as if it were the kindest…

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New-Zealand

Day 125: A road trip towards Milford Sound, followed by a cruise

April 30, 2014

Today, I would visit Milford Sound—a long-awaited moment. It promised a remarkable day, likely yielding the most breathtaking pictures I’ve captured thus far. With over 800 shots taken, the experience was truly wonderful. The beauty of this country is simply astounding. Let’s begin at the start. As planned, I roused myself at 5:30 am, feeling a bit groggy and exhausted. Despite the weariness, I pushed myself to wake up. Yvette was also up, prompted by the alarm. I informed her that I would be waiting in front of the hostel with the car in 10 minutes.Heading towards the…

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New-Zealand

Day 124: Arrow River and Queenstown

April 29, 2014

I woke up early around 8:30 am in the chilly morning, knowing that a visit to the breathtaking Arrow River and Queenstown awaited me. The night had been rough; it was bitterly cold. I regretted not heating up the car before going to sleep last night; the cold woke me up four times. Each time I was awake, I started the engine and turned on the heater. While waiting for the car to warm up, I rolled up my sleeping bag and took a moment for a quick bathroom break. I left immediately, planning to brush my teeth later…

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by Maarten
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New-Zealand

Day 123: Through the lands of Rohan

April 28, 2014

Today I would visit Lord of the Rings land of Rohan near Poolburn dam. I initially woke up at 8:30 am but decided to reset my alarm for 9:30 am. At the designated time, I roused myself and headed to the toilet block with my laptop and phone. Plugging them into a power socket, I took my time there, attending to various morning rituals such as peeing, brushing my teeth, and styling my hair with some gel. Following that, I returned to my car to fetch some soup. Carrying my belongings, including recharging my devices, I made my…

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by Maarten
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