Huka Falls wasn't a priority on our list of places to visit. Rather, it was in the category of "something to stop at while driving by". Well, I sure am glad that we did. I have never seen such gorgeous ice-blue color before, coupled with absolutely momentous flow of water.

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Waimangu geothermal ecosystem is the youngest geothermal ecosystem created in the world! It is also the only one, directly formed as a result of volcanic eruption. The date was June 10, 1886. The land was split 17kms from here to the far end of the mountain. 22 craters were erupting. All life was extinguished. Fast forward mere 130 years and before ( Read more... )

Wai-O-Tapu has the largest area of surface thermal activity in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. While it is covering 18 sq km, visitors get to see only a small part of it. But even on that small part, about a 1.5 - 2 hour walk, we got to see some of the most vibrant colors in the world:

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Lake Serene is one of those hikes in Washington state, that the locals do many-many times and still find it absolutely enchanting. It's not an easy walk: despite the easy-looking 2000-feet elevation gain, going up to the lake is a grind at times. But, quoting the words of encouragement I received on the way up: "The lake is worth every step".

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Maori were the first New Zealand settlers. The word "maori" means "local people", or "the original people", in contrast with "pakeha" - white European settlers. We got to find out a bit about the Maori culture in Te Puia geothermal valley.


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Waitomo Caves is a cave system in the middle of New Zealand's North Island that is open for tourist visits. It is also the location of world-famous black-water rafting. Instead of trying our fate in the narrow filled with water corridors of the caves during black-water rafting, we have opted for a leisurely exploration of the caves as part of the ( Read more... )

No visit to New Zealand is complete without an adrenaline-filled adventure. On the North Island, we have chosen to try zorbing - an activity invented in New Zealand ( Read more... )

When traveling through New Zealand, we got an amazing opportunity to visit Hobbiton - the place where the hobbit village from Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies was filmed.

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We're back from the most exciting adventure of our lives! 18 days, 2 islands, thousands of kms of driving, tens of kms of hiking and biking - all in one of the most beautiful countries in the world - New Zealand!!! :D

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Near Pittsburgh's Science Center, in the waters of the Ohio River a real submarine is docked - U.S.S Requin. It is not a noble battle submarine - by no fault of it's own - it was launched in 1945 and about to sail into combat when the Japanese surrendered. The Requin was then turned into a Cold War sub and has been spying and tracking enemy ships ( Read more... )