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The Pancake Rocks

Discover New Zealand’s Pancake Rocks and Punakaiki blowholes—stunning layered limestone formations on the rugged West Coast. A must-visit South Island stop.

The Road to Milford Sound from Te Anau, Awesomeness Galore! 

Milford Sound is perhaps one of the most spectacular and most visited places in New Zealand. The journey to Milford Sound—known as State Highway 94 or the Milford Road—stretches 119 km (74 miles) from Te Anau and is every bit as breathtaking as the destination itself. It was on our absolute must-visit list this time…

The Great South Island Pivot: Blame the New Zealand Weather

After our glorious swim with dolphins in Kaikōura, we had a plan: cross the Lewis Pass to reach the West Coast of the South Island, continue south along that rugged coastline, and then cut back east somewhere further south. While we were resting in Kaikōura the night before our dolphin swim, we checked the weather…

Swimming With Dolphins in Kaikoura, New Zealand

It was at the very top of our “must do again” list when we revisited New Zealand in March 2025. Almost exactly 20 years had passed since we last swam with the large pods of dolphins off the coast of Kaikoura, on the South Island. This time, it was the very first thing we pre-booked…

Hello, New Zealand!

Yes, we did go to New Zealand after our epic Tasmanian adventure! We are on the brink of starting up writing about all our big and small epic experiences from Aotearoa. Keep your eyes peeled for Lord Of The Rings locations, dolphin swimming, mountain hiking and lots of shenaningans from the two of us! Roadtripping…

A Short Stop in Melbourne With Dinner at Vue De Monde

En route to Tasmania, we stopped for a few days in Melbourne. Mainly because Turkish Airlines was our carrier, and their flights ended there—but also to shake off some jet lag. The second reason? We’re massive MasterChef Australia fans, and we couldn’t miss the chance to dine at Vue De Monde, the acclaimed restaurant founded…

15-Day Itinerary of Our Road Trip in Tasmania

After many separate posts about our epic Tasmanian adventure in February–March 2025, it’s finally time to reveal our full itinerary. We learned plenty along the way—and would probably do a few things differently had we known certain details in advance. That’s the beauty of traveling: you can research your heart out before a trip, but…

Tasmanian Moments, Motels And Snack Breaks

Every roadtrip consists of epic moments, worthy of an essay but also a lot of minor moments, that actually makes a jouney into an adventure. From strange encounters, to weird food, awkward motel rooms and side quests that amount to nothing more than a shrug of the shoulders. So, here is a collection of Tasmanian…

A Morning on The Nut – Stanley, Tasmania

Tanja and I started our day in the charming little town of Stanley, with its quaint cottages, fishing boats, and that striking flat-topped volcanic plug rising above it all – The Nut. Instead of hiking the steep track up, we decided to take the chairlift, gliding quietly over green slopes with the ocean stretching out…

What is it like to drive around in Tasmania?

The easy answer? Absolutely fabulous! The more truthful answer? Still absolutely fabulous—with a hint of angst and the occasional fear of driving off the road into the scenery itself. If you ask AI, it sums it up rather well: “Most major highways are sealed and in good condition, but many secondary and rural roads are…

A Weekend In Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart is Australia’s southernmost capital, located at Sullivans Cove and framed by kunanyi/Mount Wellington to the west and the River Derwent. Founded in 1804, Hobart was named after Robert Hobart and grew from its origins as a deep-water seaport with industries like whaling and manufacturing into a vibrant cultural hub. The Indigenous name for the…

Street Eats @Franko, Hobart, Tasmania

Street Eats @ Franko is a beloved weekly street-food night market in Hobart’s Franklin Square, running each Friday evening during the warmer months, typically from December through April, between 4:30 pm and 9:00 pm.  A slightly more chilled and with more locals than the Salamanca Market, this is the perfect place to eat, drink and…

One Market to Rule Them All: The Salamanca Market in Hobart, Tasmania

Since its modest beginnings in the early 1970s, Salamanca Market has grown into Tasmania’s most visited tourist attraction, drawing between 25,000 and 40,000 visitors every Saturday. Held rain or shine, the market runs every Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm along the historic stretch of Salamanca Place, framed by charming Georgian sandstone warehouses. We…

Bruny Island, the Magic Microcosm of Tasmania

Bruny Island is a beautiful island off the southeastern coast of Tasmania, Australia, known for its wild landscapes, rich wildlife, gourmet produce, and cultural heritage. Often described as a microcosm of Tasmania, Bruny combines wilderness, wildlife, and gourmet experiences in a relatively compact area. It’s a mix of remote wilderness and boutique indulgence, and it…

What is the furthest south you can drive in Tasmania?

We asked this question to a search engine before going to Tasmania, and this is the answer we got: The furthest south you can drive in Tasmania is to Cockle Creek, located on Recherche Bay. It’s the literal end of the road in Australia and sits at the edge of the Southwest National Park and…

A short walk in Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania

Narawntapu National Park, nestled along Tasmania’s northern coast between Port Sorell and the mouth of the Tamar River, offers a remarkable blend of wildlife, coastal scenery, and varied ecosystems.  Often dubbed the “Serengeti of Tasmania,” Narawntapu is famed for its abundant marsupial populations—Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, pademelons, and wombats roam freely in the grassy areas, we…

A short stop in Launceston, Tasmania

There are two cities in Tasmania, that both are of some substance city wise, Hobart and Launceston. Founded in 1806, Launceston is one of the oldest cities in Australia. It was the first city in Australia to be lit by hydroelectricity. It’s located in the Tamar Valley, one of Tasmania’s premier wine regions, especially known…

Lunch at The Possum Shed Cafe, Tasmania

Tasmania is filled with cool, quirky, bohemian and lots of simply amazing cafes. We must have stopped by dozens on our way around the island. We will probably highlight a few more but we will start with one of our absolute favourites, The Possum Shed Cafe in Westerway, on the road and not far from…

The Tall Trees Walk, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania

This is another one of Tasmanias 60 great short walks, and we combined the Tall Trees Walk with the Russel Falls and Horseshoe Falls walk. From Horseshoe Falls we continued on the nice trail, up stairs, across small wooden bridges up to the Tall Trees walk doing it as a loop.  You can also do…

Driving The Higland Lakes Road, Tasmania

Stretching through Tasmania’s Central Highlands, the Highland Lakes Road (Route A5) offers one of the island’s most scenic—and least‑traveled—north‑to‑south routes. We have always been prone to taking the roads less travelled and the A5 looked like a great way to travel from the Cradle Mountain area and towards the south of Tasmania.  From Deloraine to New…

Dinner at Lobster Shack Tasmania

We are both huge fans of crabs, shrimps and lobster, so we had to stop by the Lobster Shack in Bicheno when we roadtripped around Tasmania. The Tasmanian lobster has a reputation of being the finest crustacean to eat and it was high on our wish list before we headed to Australia. The Lobster Shack…

Where to find the elusive platypus in Tasmania?

One of our absolutely biggest goals when visiting Tasmania, was to see wild platypuses. Perhaps the weirdest animal in existence today, at least we think so. A platypus is a unique, semi-aquatic mammal native to eastern Australia, including Tasmania, it is found in freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams. It’s best known for its unusual mix…

Exploring Cradle Mountain National Park: A Hiker’s Paradise in Tasmania

Nestled in the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness, Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park is a dream destination for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. With its rugged mountain peaks, ancient rainforests, glacial lakes, and abundant wildlife, the park offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Australia. Whether you’re seeking a gentle stroll or…

Discovering the Magic of the Bay of Fires: Tasmania’s Fiery Gem

Nestled along Tasmanias northeastern coast lies a stretch of coastline so striking, so vividly colorful, that it almost feels otherworldly. Welcome to the Bay of Fires — a destination that deserves a top spot on any traveler’s itinerary. The Bay of Fires isn’t named for actual flames, but for the brilliant orange lichen that blankets…

A Day in Paradise: Exploring Maria Island, Tasmania

Tasmania has no shortage of breathtaking spots, but few places capture its magic quite like Maria Island. Recently, my wife and I spent a day exploring this wild and serene haven off Tasmania’s east coast—and it’s safe to say it left a lasting impression. First Impressions: A Step Back in Time Maria Island feels like…

How we did an epic short visit to Yellowstone National Park

The mother of all national parks, the grand old lady, the last wilderness, Yellowstone National Park is a true icon. What a dream come true to finally be able to visit this wildlife haven, a dreamlike space filled with animals brought back from the edge of extinction and the most awesome unspoilt pristine nature to…

Norwegian Music Noir, perfect moody music!

Can you name a Norwegian band, except A-ha? Probably not. Norway is not what you can call a prolific maker of Billboard hits. Compared with our neighbour Sweden, our escapades in the world of music is bleak at best. I will not try to explain why this is, the numbers speak their own language. Norway…

The short El Paso loop, 3 epic days motorbiking in Texas and New Mexico via white deserts, Billy the kid shootouts and alien encounters.

From El Paso, Texas via White Sands National Park- Cloudcroft- Alamogordo- Three Rivers Petroglyphs- Valley Of Fires- Lincoln- Roswell- Carlsbad Caverns- Guadalupe Mountains and back to El Paso This is a nice 3 days and 2 nights loop starting in El Paso, Texas, going into southern New Mexico then back into Texas again. We took…

The best bits of Route 66, The Mother Road!

Riding the western parts of Historic Route 66 in USA. It’s THE American dream, it’s the backbone of the world’s popular biker culture. Its embedded in the minds of every Harley rider across the globe. The mighty Route 66, running from Chicago to Los Angeles. The highway, which is of the most famous roads in…

A very short stop and visit to Toledo, Spain

Toledo, Spain, often called the “City of the Three Cultures,” is a historic city in central Spain, located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Madrid. Since we flew into Madrid for our roadtrip around south-west Spain, this was a nice lunch stop on our way south the first day of our trip. This UNESCO…

Siena, a short and wet visit to a Tuscan city

Siena is a historic city located in the Tuscany region of central Italy, renowned for its medieval charm, well-preserved architecture, and vibrant cultural traditions. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Siena flourished as an independent city-state. It rivaled Florence in wealth and power. The city reached its cultural peak during the Gothic period, evident in…

Córdoba, a short visit to a city filled with history

The historic center of Córdoba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including landmarks like the Mezquita-Catedral (Mosque-Cathedral), the Roman Bridge, and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. Córdoba was one of the most important cities in the Islamic world during the Middle Ages. It served as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate in Al-Andalus and…

A short visit to The Córdoba Cathedral

The Córdoba Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is a significant landmark located in Córdoba, Spain. It is part of the larger UNESCO World Heritage site of the Historic Centre of Córdoba and is renowned for its remarkable history, architecture, and religious significance. Millions of people visit this unique…

A short visit to Seville, a new favourite Spanish city!

Seville (Sevilla in Spanish) is the capital of the Andalusian region in southern Spain. Known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning architecture, Seville is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Spanish experience.  We fell in love with Seville, the whole vibe of the city was very cool. There are of course…

A short visit to the Cathedral of Seville

The Cathedral of Seville, officially known as the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, is one of the most remarkable and historically significant landmarks in Spain. It is located in the heart of Seville, the capital of the Andalusia region, and is renowned for its impressive Gothic architecture and immense historical value. It is…

A short visit to The Alcázar of Seville

The Alcázar of Seville is one of the most iconic landmarks in Spain and a masterpiece of Mudejar architecture, combining Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Located in the heart of Seville, it is a royal palace originally developed by Moorish Muslim kings. Today, it serves as one of the oldest royal palaces in Europe…

A short epic stop at Himeji Samurai Castle

As a part of our Japan In 9 Days trip, we decided to stop at one of the best surviving examples of a samurai castle in Japan. It was simply stunning! Why Himeji? The nerdy reason is that the Himeji Samurai Castle is a wonder in the game Civilization, so I did some research, and…

A short stop in Kyoto! The Philosopher’s Path, Fushimi Inari Temple and the Golden Pavillion are just a few good reasons to see the ancient capital of Japan!

Kyoto is one of the best-preserved Japanese cities, due to not being fire-bombed like so many other Japanese cities in WW2. Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan, and a major tourist destination. It has a plethora of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens. On arrival we checked in to our hotel in…

A short adventure on horseback in Bryce Canyon!

While visiting Bryce Canyon we felt like doing something a bit different and out of our comfort zone. So why not do something we have never done before, horseback riding! There is one official operator that does horseback rides into the amphitheatre of Bryce Canyon. At Canyonrides you can go on rides between April and…

A short visit to the amazing Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

When it comes to jaw-dropping natural beauty, Bryce Canyon National Park takes the cake. Situated in the heart of Utah, this geological wonderland is a must-see for any avid traveler or nature enthusiast. From the moment you step onto the rim and catch your first glimpse of the hoodoos, you’ll be left speechless. The otherworldly…

Go to Karpathos! Our favourite Greek island!

Some years ago we went to a travel fair in Oslo, it is always nice to talk to the different people at different stands, get some gossip on where to go and what destinations are up and coming. And since Ørjan was in the industry back then, it was a place to meet new contacts…

Japan Rail Pass, A Short Guide

On our Japan In 9 Days trip we booked a 7-day Green (first class) rail pass for 2. It may seem a bit daunting to find out if you should buy one or not, and there are plenty of advice on YouTube and online, explaining pros and cons. In short and in our experience, if…

A short stop at The Belly of the Dragon, Utah

A fun little stop for the whole family south of Mt Carmel Junction on highway 89 in Utah, is the Belly of the Dragon. It is a man made culvert under the road, made to drain water during rainstorms, nothing more than that but still a fun stop. There is parking at the western end…

A total random short stop in Plasencia for lunch. 

Why did we stop in Plasencia? It was half past noon, way past monsoon, en route between Merida and Avila in Spains Cáceres region. We needed food, and to avoid hangryness, we took a chance at Plasencia.  We did not know anything about the city. From the parking there was an elevator and some escalators…

Walking the medieval walls of Ávila, Spain

The Walls of Ávila, located in the town of Ávila in central Spain, about an hours drive north-west of Madrid, are among the most impressive and well-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. Constructed primarily between the 11th and 14th centuries, the walls were built to protect the city from potential invaders, primarily during the time of…

New Zealand, we are coming back!

Yes! It is happening! 20 years more or less to the day since the last time we visited the south and north island of New Zealand, we are going back. March/April 2025 we will spend 5 weeks driving around, revisiting old favourites, and seeing new cool places. Research has started in earnest, if there are…

Tasmania! We are coming!

So, this is now happening, we will be travelling to Tasmania in February 2025! We are so stoked that we finally are able to see this fabled island off the coast of Australia. We have started our research, and there are some obvious places, sights and walks we will and must do but we would…

Our first visit to New York, November 2000

It was our first visit to the most enthralling cities of them all, New York. It was a dream come true. To visit that most magical of big cities, we had seen it in countless movies, tv shows and on album covers. The home of the skyscraper, CBGBs, the Ramones, Taxi Driver, the Godfather, Seinfeld,…

Masai Mara, Kenya, the perfect safari destination!

We have been so lucky that we have had the opportunity of going to Africa twice. Two very different places, and two very different vibes. It was a dream for the both of us to see all those animals that David Attenborough had shown us on countless programs from the savanna. To experience live a…


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