I guess that it depends on your personal situation.
There are six barbers in my local "village". I frequent the barber that cuts my hair the way that I like and who also charges me less than the barber with the fancy advertising.
I was amused when I was in downtown Melbourne last year to...
I was back at "my" beach house at Anawhata on Auckland's West Coast last week and got some great photos including a post sunset shot where I am not sure if I captured the afterglow of the sunset or the Southern Lights. We don't often see the Southern Lights this far north but last week's sun...
I read this very well written article about growing up in New York City versus other places.
Of course Auckland is not NYC but I think that similar concepts apply.
Where’s the best place to raise a small child: New York City, or literally anywhere else...
I, on the other hand, love living in a vibrant city situated between two beautiful harbours that has everything that I enjoy within very easy reach.
In my mind Auckland is the most Pasifika area of Aotearoa New Zealand and what sets Auckland apart are the islands and animals of the Waitemata...
I think that it was a Kererū. A native bird that is called a pigeon by some. They are very large for a non-predatory flying bird and seem to be on the edge of an evolutionary change where they, perhaps, lose the ability to fly.
They are so heavy, especially after a meal, that they fly below the...
You are the exception that proves the rule. Most people from outside Auckland call us JAFAs (Just another "friendly" Aucklander)😉
I have also lived in Wellington and it has its charms. Wellington on a good day is brilliant! Unfortunately there aren't many good days 😔
Wellington has great...
It did get the lungs working a bit but I think that the expression in the group of three people is more quizzical than tiredness. There was something happening behind me and I took that opportunity to take a photo.
Mt Tamahunga at 463m is one of the higher hills in the Auckland region. This tramp follows a ridgeline straight up, lunch at the top and then straight back down again.
A bit of mud, because it is Autumn, but not too much. Lots of tree roots to help with the very steep parts but not too many of...
My oldest grandson turns 10 in a couple of days and when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said "I want to go fishing with you" and so that is what we did ❤️.
Repeating a visit probably means that you are going to have preset expectations about a place.
My biggest disappointments in life have always followed my expectations.
I don't want to divert this thread but I do want to address an issue raised by @good_old_shoes .
The things that I want to address are not a "truth". The most effective way for me to discuss this issue is to relate it to my own experience. That doesn't mean that I want this to be about me but...
The Camino isn't off in some magic kingdom somewhere it sits within everyday life.
Things that happen in everyday life will also happen on a Camino. Sometimes there are a few more nice things and often some people will be more open than at other times but basically expect your Camino to reflect...
My advice is to start this way rather than it being the default towards the end.
That way you will have much better footing. I have seen some bad falls from people trying to avoid getting their feet or shoes wet.
You shoes will get wet anyway. Accept that and ensure that you have a good...
You may not be walking upright.
In my experience, shin splints occur when I lean slightly forward as I walk.
This, in turn, is usually because my backpack is incorrectly adjusted and the weight is not being carried on my hips.
Once I adjust my backpack correctly and concentrate on lifting my...
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