The Travel Diaries – Northward Bound

The most indirect trip, because I can!

So it can be sunny in Auckland

After leaving Wellington it was time to continue my journey towards Auckland in the search for work. Along my way I had some stops planned out as well as a meeting that would end up shaping the next part of my life journey. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – Northward Bound”

The Travel Diaries – The Windy City

Returning to Wellington after 9 years

Wellington in its natural state

And of course things haven’t really changed at all. NZ has the habit of remaining relatively the same over long periods of time with only small changes appearing, a stark contrast to a city like Seoul which is constantly changing and changing fast. But this is also why it is great to be back in NZ, things are still familiar even after being away for so long. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – The Windy City”

The Travel Diaries – New Journey

It begins again as we move to level 1

Looking out towards Wakefield

Welcome to a covid free New Zealand, well at least in theory, and hello to level 1. And this means we will be mostly back to life as normal here while the rest of the world still basks in the chaos and our boarders remained closed off. Luckily for me is that I can move freely around the country and start looking for a job. This means, a road trip back up to Auckland! Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – New Journey”

The Travel Diaries – 9. Return of the Maori

Aotearoa never looked so good

Sunrise flying into NZ

After travelling from the other side of the world, I finally touched down in Auckland, albeit, 2 months earlier than planned but at least I got back. 20,000 km traveled in a week from Berlin – London – Seoul – Tokyo – Auckland. It was a hell of a trip and definitely a story to tell once the world settles down (or you can just go back and read my travel diary which covers it in detail!) Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 9. Return of the Maori”

The Travel Diaries – 8. Full Circle

Back to where it began, only to keep on moving

Getting ready for the final phase

With my wait in London finally over, it was time to go back to Korea and then onward to NZ. I sure didn’t expect to see myself back in Korea again so soon. I also almost didn’t make it. With Korea’s current restrictions, after arriving I would have to wait 14 days until I could travel again which would mean I wouldn’t be allowed to board my flight leaving a few days after arrival. Luckily with some help from the lovely airport staff and a call to immigration, I was cleared to travel back. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 8. Full Circle”

The Travel Diaries – 6. I was in Berlin when the world started to fall

Trip cancelled, now the second great escape begins

A clear day over Berlin

Welcome to Berlin, this was meant to be one of my resting stops mixed with a ton of history in a city well known for many things. I had a ton of exploring planned out, some possible day trips and other things planned. I had a great little Airbnb sorted that was a small apartment to myself. The set up was perfect, but alas, everything went to shit overnight. I woke up that Saturday morning in Hamburg ready to go to Berlin and woke to a world suddenly in chaos. So once I arrived in Berlin, I ended up spending most of my time there trying to cancel my trip, on the phone to airlines and then staying in the apartment avoiding people as much as possible. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 6. I was in Berlin when the world started to fall”

The Travel Diaries – 4. The Alpha City of Amsterdam

A city where you can live your wildest dreams… within reason of course

Need a big fluffy friend to keep warm

Welcome to Amsterdam! One of the most carefree cities in the world. A city that doesn’t get hung up on the bullshit and one that was basically founded by entrepreneurs and with the motto, let’s make money! From this, it has grown into one of the the primary cities in the global economy. Now tour guides have mentioned this, and I believe it, it seems in this area of Europe, it rains, a lot, like every other day and of course on arrival, it was raining, oh to be wet… Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 4. The Alpha City of Amsterdam”

The Travel Diaries – 3. The Comic City of Brussels

Beer, Chocolate, Churches and Comics, that’s a hell of a combination!

Ready to take on the city

Welcome to Belgium and the great city of Brussels. Home to Beer and Chocolate! Not exactly a city geared towards healthy eating but that aside, the beer and food was great. Fries and waffles also for the win! Food aside, Brussels is another city with a lot of history and some hidden gems tucked away in a city that plays home to the power of the European union. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 3. The Comic City of Brussels”

The Travel Diaries – 2. The Royal city of London

Rain, construction, traffic jams and home to the Queen

Playing detective while on the move in London

London! Home to the Royals and a shit ton of history! Like literally, the amount of history in this city is insane. You could spend years here learning all there is to learn about this place but for me, I get just under a week to cram as much in as possible. While I have never been a fan of the Monarch and British Empire for obvious reasons, it is still easy to get swept up in the ‘grandeur’ that is London. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 2. The Royal city of London”

The Travel Diaries – 1. The Great Escape

From Seoul to London and escaping the virus

Waiting for the train, got my friend to disinfect the carriage for me

Most travels are meant to be met with excitement and anticipation, they are meant to be a great time, stress free and magical journeys to unknown lands blah blah blah. Well while this trip of mine was indeed meant to be all these things, a little spanner was thrown into the works know as the Corona virus. Suddenly, my great travel plans were at risk because of this shitty little virus that decided to take the world by storm. Now this has affected many thousands of people worldwide and while my problems with it might seem trivial, I guarantee there are hundreds who are in the exact situation I was. Continue reading “The Travel Diaries – 1. The Great Escape”