About Me



Hi, I’m Tristan and I love an adventure
Hi, I’m Tristan – a New Zealander who has spent the better part of the last decade abroad, chasing the kind of travel that doesn’t fit neatly on a postcard. I’m a travel-bug, a wanderluster, or whatever you call someone who’d rather be halfway up a mountain in Nepal than sitting in a cubicle.
It started, as these things tend to, with one trip that was only ever meant to last a few months. Forty-seven countries and six continents later, I’m still going. I’ve walked ancient pilgrimage trails in Japan, summited Kilimanjaro, run on kava time in Vanuatu, and made a genuinely impressive number of mistakes along the way – missed flights, a lost passport, a scooter I should never have rented, and one memorable rabies scare in India.
This blog is where I write it all down properly. Not the highlight-reel version, but the useful stuff: where to actually stay, what things really cost, which hike is worth the early start, and what I wish I’d known before I went. I’d rather cover a handful of places deeply than the whole world thinly, so you’ll find far more Vanuatu, Kumano Kodo and Kilimanjaro here than you will Paris.
When I’m not writing I’m usually behind a camera, on a trail, or plotting the next trip from home base in Tauranga, New Zealand. If that sounds like your kind of travel, stick around – I write these guides so you can get lost, and have the adventure of a lifetime (or a lifetime of adventure).
Happy Travels, Tristan
Where I’ve Been
47 countries, 6 continents, and counting
Ten years of chasing the good stuff – remote trails, island villages, food markets and the odd rabies scare. Here’s the map so far.
Start here
Where to next?
Read the blog
In-depth guides from 47 countries – where to stay, what to eat, how to plan it.
Explore ›Hikes I’ve done
Multi-day tramps, volcano summits and jungle pilgrimages, each with a full guide.
Explore ›My gear & resources
The exact tools, packs and camera kit I use and trust on the road.
Explore ›Planning kits
Done-for-you planning kits for the Kumano Kodo and climbing Kilimanjaro.
Explore ›Where I’ve been featured.
My writing and photography has been featured in other well known publications including the following;
Lonely Planet – New Zealand’s Best Wild Swimming Spots, The Benefits of Camping
New Zealand Herald – Travelling Through New Zealand History, Tauranga Spring Adventures
Otago Daily Times (Photo Credit) – Victoria To Build 800k Homes
Huffington Post – Sunday Table
Best Bits (NZ Jane) – Mount Tauhara Hike

On foot
Some of my favourite hikes
From New Zealand’s Great Walks to volcano summits and jungle pilgrimages – I’ve pulled every walk worth doing into one place, each with a full guide and a photo to prove I actually did it.
See all my hikes ›Get more inspiration
New guides, honest travel tips and the occasional money-saving hack, straight to your inbox. No spam, just the good stuff.
Where to Stay in Kathmandu: Best Areas & Hotels (2026)
The best areas and hotels to stay in Kathmandu – Thamel, Boudha, Patan and Lazimpat – with my picks for every budget.
What To Do In Kyoto | 2-Day Itinerary (With Map!)
I get strange looks from people when I tell them I didn’t really rate Japan (I didn’t realise this…
Samaria Gorge Hike: My Complete Guide From Chania
My experience hiking Samaria Gorge from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli, including the Chania tour, trail, beach, ferry and current logistics.
Brewster Glacier Hike (1 Day vs. Overnight)
My one-day hike from Fantail Falls to Brewster Hut and beyond towards Brewster Glacier, including the river crossing, route and overnight option.
Bitten by a Dog in India: My Rabies Treatment Story
I was bitten by a street dog in Leh, then chased rabies treatment through Delhi, Bali and Munich. Here is what happened and what travellers need to do.
Do You Need Diamox for Kilimanjaro? What I Did
I carried Diamox up Kilimanjaro but did not take it. Then Everest Base Camp changed my view. Here is my experience and the current medical advice.
Best Dive School in Koh Phangan: The 3 I Used
My guide to diving Koh Phangan, based on learning with Sail Rock Divers and diving with Chaloklum Diving and Haad Yao Divers.
Lake Waikaremoana Track: My 3-Day Route After Hiking It Twice
My three-day Lake Waikaremoana Track route via Waiopaoa and Marauiti, including the Hopuruahine finish, water taxis, road access and why the roughness is part of it.
Paparoa Track Guide: My 4-Day Route
My four-day Paparoa Track route via Ces Clark, Moonlight Tops and Pororari huts, including Pike29, transport, hut costs and the best swim.
How Much Does It Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro? (Full Breakdown)
A full breakdown of what Kilimanjaro actually costs – operator fees, park fees, tips, gear, flights, and the extras nobody warns you about.
Where to Stay in Kii-Tanabe Before the Kumano Kodo
The best places to stay near Kii-Tanabe Station before the Kumano Kodo, from a modern private room to cheap hostels and character guesthouses.
- Activities | Destinations | Hiking | Japan
The Best Time to Walk The Kumano Kodo (And When NOT To Go!)
The Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage route in Japan, which has increasingly gained popularity among hikers and travelers…
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