Tahiti instantly conjures up images of an exotic tropical paradise. For us, it was a cruise port that I could hardly wait to reach as we crossed the Pacific. Sailing first from Los Angeles to Tahiti and then home to New Zealand, French Polynesia was to be one of the highlights of our three weeks …
Our Travels to Oceania including:
- Australia
- Pacific Islands (American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Samoa)
- New Zealand (Our home country and its own tab on the menu bar)
Choose your region or look below for the latest articles from Oceania:
Visiting American Samoa: Home to a Tropical US National Park
American Samoa is a tropical paradise waiting to be discovered. Situated in the southern Pacific Ocean just east of the dateline, it’s a small unincorporated US territory that many people don’t even know exists. For me, it is the lush green hills, warm turquoise waters, and a blend of traditional Samoan culture with modern American …
Sheraton’s Cursed Derelict Buildings on Rarotonga
Not your typical tourist attraction, the ruins of the never completed $80 million Sheraton Resort are a series of derelict buildings on the tiny tropical island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. While there are plenty of beaches to visit, hiking, watersports and other things to do on the island, we found ourselves strangely drawn …
Capturing Rarotonga Snorkelling on the Olympus TG-5
Rarotonga snorkelling is like swimming in a crystal clear tepid aquarium. Large and small, the colourful tropical fish glide in and out of coral beds, and sometimes appear to pose for our compact underwater camera. Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands. It’s a tropical paradise surrounded by a reef that creates protected Rarotonga …
26 Things to Do in Rarotonga Aside from the Beach
Tropical Rarotonga. If you’re from New Zealand you probably already have a vision of this island paradise with its white sandy beaches, and water so crystal clear you have to wonder if it is there until a gentle wave brushes up against your toes. If you’re from North America, you may be about to discover …
Highlights of our Great Ocean Road Self Drive in Australia
Billed as one of the world’s most spectacular road trips, the Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford along the southern coast of Australia in the state of Victoria. Despite its name and impressive coastal views, much of the drive is inland through temperate rainforest, offering wildlife spotting opportunities. Unlike many of the long stretches of …
Explore Melbourne Street Art and Graffiti Laneways
Melbourne street art is amongst the best in the world. An ever-changing, dynamic and colourful collection of Melbourne graffiti laneways, the street graffiti found here is, in fact, works of art. The street artists are talented professionals, some already famous, others on their way. It’s one of my favourite cities for a getaway, so much so …
Kangaroo, Koala, Platypus and Other Australian Animals
Our recent trip nearly circumnavigating Australia (Melbourne to Perth over the top) was our fifth visit to this diverse island nation. Living in New Zealand, it’s only a 3-hour flight from Auckland to Sydney. While I typically share photos of the dramatic landscape, seascapes, and architecture, today’s post is about the Australian animals that we …
Grampians to Melbourne: Kangaroos, Skinks, Waterfalls and More
Waterfalls and wildlife, our days in the Grampians region were filled with natural beauty. Inland from Victoria’s southern Australian coast, Grampian National Park is a perfect base for exploration. Best shared in photos: Read Next: Kangaroo, Koala, Platypus and Other Australian Animals Practical Information: The Grampians National Park is located in Victoria and is comprised …
J-Ward: Inside a Lunatic Asylum for the Criminally Insane
I could feel a chill run down my spine as I walked through the corridors of J-Ward, a former gaol (jail), later transformed to J- Ward lunatic asylum for the criminally insane. Nestled in the small town of Ararat in Victoria Australia, J-Ward closed in 1991, and many former employees and patients still live nearby. Our guide …
A Convent Turned Luxury Hotel: Explore Australia’s Great Ocean Road (Part 3)
Looking up at the words “Convent of St. Patrick” in the stained glass over the entry door, I had to wonder what I was doing here. In truth, my confusion began as we turned onto the drive and I looked up at the classic architecture while hubby announced, “this is where we are staying tonight.” …
Discovering Street Art in Perth, Australia
It is the enormity of the street art in Perth that turned my head. Massive works of art appear on seemingly random buildings, mostly in laneways and alleyways. Unlike Melbourne street art that filled up every inch of the laneways it covered, the street art in Perth seems to focus on one image at a …
Inside the Sydney Opera House: Our Tour of an Australian Icon
There is something magical about the Sydney Opera House on a sunny day with its sail tiles glistening against a blue sky. This was our third trip to Sydney Australia, and the first time we went inside the Opera House. It wasn’t to see a show, although we were quite tempted to see My Fair …
Cruising on the Swan River to Artistic Fremantle, Australia
Black swans dot the banks and give the Swan River her name according to the commentary on board the hour-long Captain Cook cruise from Perth to Fremantle in Western Australia (WA). It was a late spring day with a light breeze. The river sailing was smooth and the commentary identified key sights like the Royal …
Photos of Kings Park and Botanic Gardens in Perth Australia
Western Australia (WA) is quite different from the cities in the east we travelled to on our loop over the top of Australia. WA is home to half of Australia’s plant species, and most are endemic to the region. Located in Kings Park, the Western Australia Botanic Gardens is a living research centre. It’s a peaceful …
