Sunday Star-Times Jan 25, 2020 Peru Navidad Marden was ashen, it was obvious that the poison was starting to take effect. I knew what would happen next – the toxins making their way...
New Zealand Herald Oct 12, 2019 Barcelona Nights “Li-ber-tat! Li-ber-tat!” The chant was sweeping across the square like a Catalan wave. The crowd ignored the soaring heat to remind the...
New Zealand Herald Aug 20, 2019 Disappointing a Nun Vasillia gently touched my arm and leant in. “You are an Orthodox at heart,” she whispered, her eyes lighting up. “Yes, yes, I can see it...
New Zealand Herald Dec 11, 2018 Kenya's Lion Warriors "Um, aren’t we a little low?!” shouted my fellow passenger over the Cessna’s engine. She was right of course, we were only 50 metres...
Get Lost Magazine Apr 6, 2018 Colour in The Streets I was warned about getting shot in Colombia. The balaclava, reflective sunglasses and combat fatigues in the southern city of Pasto were...
Sunday Star-Times Feb 24, 2018 When Two Worlds Collide “Smash it on the head” yelled Geranio, our guide. “Quick!” The freshly caught piranha was flip-flopping in a desperate attempt to get...
New Zealand Herald Oct 24, 2017 The Mentawai of Indonesia “Hold on, I just need to scrape something off…” My guide had removed his gumboot and was reaching for a knife. Slowly he sliced the blade...
New Zealand Herald May 9, 2017 Guiding Principles Even the most ardent solo traveller at some stage will need a guide - someone who knows their cantons from their arrondissements better...
New Zealand Herald May 2, 2017 Where the Ocean meets the Sky “In the olden days,” began Apinelu, a tone of longing in his voice, “it was never this hot. Never. Now everything has changed, not just...
New Zealand Herald May 3, 2016 Deep in the Heart of Texas “Y’all not from round here, are ya? Ain’t nobody drinks Buuuud. This is Shiner Bock country, sir.” And with that the barman passed over a...