open mind, empty stomach

travel, food, and fun

recent posts

about

Author: open mind, empty stomach

  • Launceston

    When I arrived in Australia, Tasmania wasn’t on my radar. The place has always fascinated me – with its devils and duck billed platypus – but I didn’t think I would make it there. Shortly before leaving Honolulu, I randomly met a Sydney based travel/food writer. Edwina is AMAZING! She met up with me in…

  • Melbourne

    Sydney was pretty cool and I didn’t really care for Cairns. I had a great time in New Zealand and wasn’t in a rush to get back to Oz, but thought it would be neat to spend my birthday in Tasmania. I ended up deciding to do a 3 day 4 night layover in Melbourne…

  • 30

    Birthdays and holidays don’t mean very much to me; I like to think of every day as special. Age, too, isn’t that big of a deal to me. Maybe this will change when I’m older? I don’t feel profoundly different today than I did yesterday, or last year. That being said, 30 is kind of…

  • New Zealand

    It’s hard to compare countries. I love Italy. I love Laos. I love New Zealand. The three countries are totally different as are the reasons that earned them a special place in my heart. More than any place I’ve ever been, New Zealand reminds me of Hawai’i (minus the whole freezing cold thing). The similarities…

  • Milford Sound

    Where is the most beautiful place in the world? I’m not a fan of superlatives, but I’ve certainly been to a few contenders. Milford Sound ranks right up there with the best of them. Technically, it’s not a sound at all, but a fiord, formed by glacial movement over several ice ages. There are a…

  • Queenstown

    Queenstown reminded me a lot of Lake Tahoe. They are both beautiful, charming little towns located on large lakes, surrounded by mountains. Like Tahoe, Queenstown is a mecca for winter sports and this was peak season. In addition to snowboarding and skiing, Queenstown gives you the opportunity to live out a Mountain Dew commercial. They…

  • Arthur’s Pass

    One of the few things I really wanted to do in New Zealand was visit a glacier. I hoped to check out the Franz Josef Glacier after Christchurch and before Queenstown. Outdoor activities in New Zealand are weather dependent, especially in the winter, and, this time, the weather did not cooperate. I was forced to…

  • Christchurch

    Last year I met a wonderful couple from Christchurch while staying in one of my favorite places in the world, Don Khon, 4,000 Islands, Laos. Kev and Jo were great company and invited me to stay at their place if I ever visit New Zealand. I took them up on their offer and ended up…

  • Abel Tasman Coastal Track

    There are 9 “Great Walks of New Zealand” and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is one of them. The 54 km walk is not very difficult and takes 2-5 days. It’s extremely popular in summer, but practically desserted during the winter. Burt and Hilary, my wonderful hosts in Waikanae, told me about the Track and…

  • Wellington

    Wellington couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. My second day – especially the morning – was much more subdued. I spent the morning retracing my steps from the day before. I returned to the gourmet food store Burt had shown me and spent more time drooling over the amazing food selection, then returned…