Tag Archives: not all those who wander are lost

Blessings, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 22

Aloha, ohana!

Its Earth Day today. The 50th anniversary of celebrating this day in fact.

Today’s wandering will take us to a pretty special place on earth. The island of Oahu, Hawaii.

I have had the immense privilege of travelling to Hawaii on five different occasions with some quite wonderful human beings. It never gets old or tiresome.

The nature, the culture, the people, the spirit of the Hawaiian Islands are unique and a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

After five trips there were quite a lot of pics to wade through on this one. Settled on these 20 in the end.

Mahalo for taking this virtual wander with me!

Blessings, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Mindfulness, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 21

The start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from the Mangatepopo Valley side
Mt Ngāuruhoe

Today we are staying in the Tongariro National Park. This time to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – a 19km ish hike through an old glacial valley and up the side of a volcano, along the craters at the top and down the other side.

Mt Taranaki in the distant cloud
Nearly at the top of Mt Tongariro

I have completed the Crossing a number of times since I’ve been in New Zealand. Each time the mood of the mountain is different but each time magical in its own way.

The edge of Red Crater looking towards the Kaimanawa Ranges in the distance
Ngāuruhoe hiding Ruapehu behind him

These are pics from a particularly spectacular trip on a clear May day after some early snows.

Fumes from Red Crater
Looking south from the end of North Crater – along Red Crater to Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu in the distance

More magic and another pure space to be so grateful for!

Fumes from Te Maari Crater seen on the descent towards Ketetahi Carpark and the end of Crossing
Early morning light on Ruapehu from Piper’s Ski Lodge, National Park

Go outside, often, sometimes in wild places. Bring friends or not. Breathe.

Florence Williams

Blessings, Christmas, Family, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Nature, Quiet, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 20

“I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains, and then find somewhere where I can rest… I might find somewhere where I can finish my book. I have thought of a nice ending for it: and he lived happily ever after to the end of his days.”

J R R Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring

Today’s wandering takes us to some very special mountains. The volcanoes of the central plateau in New Zealand’s North Island. I have visited this area many times over the years and experience a different mood each time.

Again, quite a bit of filming around here for Lord of the Rings movies…. it definitely has a Middle Earth magic.

These pics are from a visit to the Chateau Tongariro for family Christmas.

Blessings, Family, Food, Gratitude, Holidays, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 19

Another wandering day in search of Middle Earth…. and another “travels with mom” adventure.

This time we visit Hobbiton in the Shire.

I highly recommend the evening banquet tour. You enjoy a wander through Hobbiton at sun down including a visit to Bag End, Bagshot Row and the Party Tree. Then arrive at the Green Dragon for a fabulous feast fit for Hobbits and finish with a lantern tour back through Hobbiton.

Professor Tolkien’s descriptions of Hobbiton and surrounds leap off the page and you are magically transported to the Shire for a little while.