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The Perils of Forgetting Movies Use Special Effects: A Traveler's Tale

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 Have you ever visited a place you saw in a movie and felt... underwhelmed? Like the majestic mountain range looked more like a gentle hill, or the bustling city street felt more like your average Tuesday afternoon? If so, you've probably fallen victim to the oldest trick in Hollywood's book: special effects. Movies are masters of illusion. They can turn a regular beach into a tropical paradise with a bit of clever lighting and some well-placed extras. They can make a small town look like a sprawling metropolis with some CGI magic. And they can certainly make a place seem more dangerous, exciting, or beautiful than it is in reality. This can lead to some serious disappointment when we finally visit these places for ourselves. Something I witnessed several travelers experience first hand on a work trip to New Zealand. I was here for adventure, I was here to learn about a destination, and I was here to explore film locations from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (fulfilling a 15+ ye...
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A Day Hike to the Cliffs of Moher: Creating Memories with My Son

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Doolin.  The name itself conjures images of traditional Irish music, cozy pubs, and windswept coastlines. It's a charming village, a perfect base for exploring the wild beauty of County Clare. My son, Desmond, and I found ourselves there, ready to tackle a challenge: hiking the Doolin Cliff Walk to the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Desmond, 10 at the time, was at that age where adventures mostly involve video games. I, on the other hand, crave the outdoors and the quiet satisfaction of conquering a good hike. This trip was a compromise – a chance to connect, enjoy some stunning scenery, and hopefully, create a memory that wouldn't involve screen time. The Doolin Cliff Walk is a 5 mile trail that hugs the coastline, offering unparalleled views of the Aran Islands and the dramatic cliffs themselves. It's not a stroll in the park; it's a moderate hike with some uphill climbs and uneven terrain. I’d envisioned us chatting, Desmond suddenly deciding he loved nature more than ...
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Location: Doolin, Co. Clare, Ireland
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Te Puia: Where Earth's Energy Meets Māori Spirit

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Not long ago I had the great pleasure of visiting Te Puia within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, on the edge of Rotorua on the North Island of New Zealand. Te Puia is home to the world famous Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs, silica formations,  and the native Kiwi bird. However, it is also the home of the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. Te Puia have shared these treasures with visitors for over 170 years and I was lucky enough to get to experience it myself.     I’ll be honest. I had no idea what I was walking into when my personal guide Sean picked me up. I thought I would be simply viewing a demonstration of the native culture’s songs and dance. While I did get to enjoy these traditions, what I experienced was so much more. First I was led on a tour of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. By the 1920s the culture and traditions of Māori were in serious danger of being lost forever. NZMACI was est...
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The Magic of Doubtful Sound: A New Zealand Odyssey

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I woke and dressed in the dark trying not to disturb the peaceful slumber of my companions. Today I was heading out on an all day journey to Fiordland to explore the hard to reach Doubtful Sound. After a quick stop into Mrs. Ferg Gelateria for a coffee, I set out on the two hour drive to Manapouri. By this point in my journey I’ve grown comfortable driving on the left hand side of the road, though I’ve never driven in the dark. The roads are empty and I take it slow as I sip on my coffee still waking up. I drive in the dark, winding around the mountain roads lining Lake Wakatipu listening to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtrack.   As light begins to break I pause for a few minutes, pulling off the road into a viewing point at Devil’s Staircase looking back from where I came at the sun rising behind the Bayonet Peaks.   I could stay here longer but I must press on. Leaving the lake behind me I drive through green fields until I reach Real Journeys’ Visitor Center in Manap...
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Location: Doubtful Sound / Patea, Southland, New Zealand
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