Boots, Bikes and Border Crossings
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Vampire Bats
Another rather unexpected problem here at the ranch — vampire bats! Every year, the ranch has quite a few lambs that require bottle-feeding, and apparently the vampire bats are part of the reason. They make a small cut in the ewe’s skin and lap up the blood. Their saliva contains an anticoagulant, so the wound…
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A Full Moon, a Future Café and a Quiet Night
Yesterday was another fantastic day. Kirsten and I headed into town for lunch with Jerome, who I met for the first time yesterday. Jerome had been a Workaway volunteer at Iparoma Ranch for about six months before I arrived and now lives in Filadelfia. The two are planning something exciting too — on Halloween they…
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Who Knew Male Mosquitoes Don’t Bite?
Well, you learn something new every day in Paraguay! One thing I’ve noticed here in Filadelfia is the extraordinary number of mosquitoes. They seem to have appointed themselves as my personal welcoming committee. They swarm around my face, buzz around my ears and investigate my hands with great enthusiasm. But here’s the strange part… they…
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A Machete, a Mushroom and a Numb Tongue
Well, today brought another collection of surprises — although by now I am beginning to realise that this is probably just life at the ranch! The daily routine is settling in nicely. First, feed Pancho, then get on with the sewing and help out wherever I can. Today that included preparing the dehydrator with marigolds.…
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A Little Sewing, A Lot of Wildlife
Yesterday was a fantastic day! After feeding Pancho at 7am, then I settled into a large pile of mending. Everything from mosquito-net doors and towels to making covers for the tops of freezers. Then, over lunch of delicious local piranha fish, Marilyn casually asked if I’d like to join her on one of her tours…
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The Day I Met Pancho
Finally… we made it to the ranch! What a journey. The roads were more mud than road, and along the way we shared the adventure with three enormous double-trailer trucks heading off to the abattoirs, a family of five capybaras, one very dead snake, and plenty of friendly Paraguayan chatter. And then there was Hotel…
Visited Countries
Interactive World Map
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Route Plan (Eastern Europe)
Here’s the planned route PDF. Download below.
Route Map
About Me
Happy, grateful, and full of joy – that’s how I see my life. Growing up in the small country town of Karaka, New Zealand, I was a curious little girl who dreamed of seeing the world. At 14, I took my first trip overseas to Fiji, and since then I’ve explored 66 countries, each adventure filling me with wonder at new cultures, unexpected moments, and the thrill of discovery.
I’ve leapt from planes, dived into unseen depths of the ocean, pedaled across borders, and roared through deserts on motorbikes. From crossing the Gobi Desert on two wheels to cruising down to Antarctica, from riding through roads less traveled to moments that took my breath away, I collect memories, not possessions.
Contact Me
Have a question or want to collaborate? Drop me a line.