Travelogue Archives - Anne Ashby - New Zealand Romance Writer

Visit to Whakatane

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Anne Ashby

Recently Whakatane was named the best city in New Zealand. Why had this town beaten every other in the country? Prior to an annual reunion nearby, we decided to spend a few days in Whakatane. I certainly wanted to find out what was on offer. This area is suffering more than many. The lack of international tourists has adverse effects on many industries and towns in New Zealand. But I believe Whakatane’s suffering is more poignant. A huge portion of … Continue reading →

Fun Reunion

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Anne Ashby

It’s that time of year for our annual fun reunion. These reunions began fifteen years ago. After the death of a friend, some of my husband’s Navy intake pledged to meet once a year. The alternative appeared to be meeting at funerals. So we take turns to organise an event. Every Feb/Mar we travel from around the North Island to somewhere and spend a weekend together. Always a long-anticipated and fun reunion. For this year’s reunion, we congregated at Ohope … Continue reading →

Jetboating The Wairaurahiri River

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Anne Ashby

The idea of jetboating sends an immediate rush of adrenaline through me. I’ve never been a particularly adventurous person. The idea of bungy jumping or bridge swinging fills me with a sickening sense of vertigo. I don’t hanker to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane, or fly though the air attached to a few thin cords. But jetboating? Now there’s a thrill I can enjoy. I found the Wairaurahiri River jet boat service while surfing the net prior to … Continue reading →

Manapouri and Te Anau

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Anne Ashby

I found some lovely images of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau from the South Island trip we did last year and rather than leave them sitting in a folder I thought I would share some. Of course, I admit to being very biased regarding which part of New Zealand is the most beautiful. My southern heritage reigns strong and true even after so many years living in the North Island. Lake Manapouri is pristine on a good day and we … Continue reading →

Travelling Again Soon

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Anne Ashby

Life has taken a turn for the better and we’ll be able to be travelling again soon. With Aucklanders free to travel anywhere around New Zealand, we’ll be staying a little closer to home this time. Come February we’ll be heading to the Bay of Plenty for a couple of weeks. An annual reunion with fellow Navy friends will be at Ohope Beach during this time. I hope to have some stories and photos to share from there. Then in … Continue reading →

Visit to Omaui

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Anne Ashby

Recently I made a visit to Omaui. Months ago my son mentioned Omaui and asked if I’d been ever visited this small seaside area. I was sure I must have, because it is in Southland. Surely I knew all of our lovely southern province like the back of my hand. But the photos he sent didn’t ring any bells. An unexpected visit to Southland occurred last month when my brother in law passed away. A trip to Omaui was definitely … Continue reading →

War Memorial Museum Visit

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Anne Ashby

A visit to the War Memorial Museum in Auckland was long overdue when I ventured there last week. It has been years since I last visited. Within moments I regretted this. What an amazing place full of interesting items. It would have been easy to spend a whole day or even longer there, but the visit was limited to only hours. My visit coincided with the exhibition “Voyage to Aotearoa: Tupaia and the Endeavour”. Most of the afternoon was spent … Continue reading →

Experiencing Bali

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Anne Ashby

Depending on one’s age, experiencing Bali can be a very different exercise in enjoyment. For the fit and healthy For those fit and healthy, probably without graying hair or arthritic joints, experiencing Bali can include great excitement. A trek up Mount Batur – an active volcano – to catch a sunrise might attract you. Although since the recent catastrophic event on Whakaari/White Island in New Zealand, I’d think twice about scaling any volcano. (The volcano unexpected erupted and killed/ dreadfully … Continue reading →

A Romance Writer In Bali

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Anne Ashby

What would a romance writer in Bali find to encourage her imagination and send her fingers flying across a keyboard? Resorts advertise themselves as wedding venues. Often couples choose Bali as a honeymoon retreat. All around there is romance and excitement. What a great place to holiday. What an excellent place to gain ideas and explore the romance all around. Unfortunately while this romance writer was in Bali I found the ambiance of our resorts took away my urge to … Continue reading →

New Year In Ohakune

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Anne Ashby

I never considered New Year in Ohakune as an exciting option to start the year. However, friends visiting from Queensland expressed an interest in revisiting the area. Suddenly New Year in Ohakune became a reality this summer. I wasn’t terribly enthusiastic. Ohakune was close to Waiouru where we lived in the early 1980’s so I had been to the town before. A visit to Ohakune’s supermarket once every few weeks, while a change of routine, never enthralled me to stay. … Continue reading →

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