Boots, Bikes and Border Crossings
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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…
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A Journey of Faith and Survival
Today I learnt a little of Marilyn’s family history — and suddenly Filadelfia felt like so much more than a town. The Mennonites began in the Netherlands more than 500 years ago. Their beliefs included living peacefully and traditionally refusing to participate in war. Religious persecution eventually forced many to leave, first settling in Poland…
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Five-Star Dreams on a 100,000 PYG Budget
The room cost 100,000 PYG — about AUD $24.00 — and apparently toilet paper is a luxury extra, adding another 3,000 PYG to the bill. 😂 If you don’t specifically ask for a towel or blanket… you don’t get one. Thankfully, when I asked, I was presented with a rather fetching microfibre blanket decorated with…
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The Long Road to Filadelfia
Paraguay’s weather seems to be having a little identity crisis. My first few days were beautiful—sunshine and temperatures happily sitting in the high 20s to 35°C. Then yesterday arrived, and suddenly summer disappeared. The temperature struggled to reach 23°C and the skies opened up, producing heavy, steady rain throughout the night. Thankfully, it eased this…
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Asunción: Colours, Crafts & Culture
A little collection of Asunción — colourful streets, historic buildings, local life and some beautiful textiles and crafts from local artists at the cultural centre.The handmade work really caught my eye, with bright colours, traditional patterns and plenty of Paraguayan character. Sometimes there isn’t much to say — just let the photographs tell the story.…
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Behind the Smile: The Other Side of Paraguay
Paraguay has surprised me. To a traveller carrying foreign currency, it can feel inexpensive — but for Paraguayans earning local wages, the picture is rather different. The minimum wage is around ₲3.04 million a month, roughly ₲702,000 a week (US$116) or ₲36.5 million a year (about US$6,050). An average salary in Asunción is estimated at…
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
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