At The Royal Tour, we understand that travel is amazing and paradigm altering. But it isn’t life. Between Sam’s last article two weeks ago and now (both on Nepal), a devastating flood took place, with casualties being severe. So while we hope you enjoy this article, we also would encourage you to donate to organizations…
New Zealand’s North Island doesn’t get the love that the South Island gets when it comes to natural beauty. The region around Auckland especially doesn’t seem to attract too many tourists. Those stay in the city, and leave it for a few special things: a glow worm cave perhaps (amazing experience, by the way, although…
Let’s be honest here. Most people who come to New Zealand don’t do so for the cities. And those who do tend to stay in Auckland. (This makes sense since it is the international gateway and largest city by a considerable margin.) New Zealand’s other cities are seen as pass throughs, or places to be…
Waikenae Memorial Hall is filled to capacity, and then some, when I arrive. This small town along New Zealand’s west coast about an hour north of Wellington has gathered to commemorate, to memorialize, and to remember. Today is April 25, ANZAC Day, and communities all over New Zealand and Australia are doing the same thing,…
As a whole, New Zealand was one of the last land masses in the world to be settled. Ancestors of today’s Maori arrived in the 10th century CE. (Click here to read about the Maori history of New Zealand.) And it wasn’t until 1769 that James Cook “discovered” the islands of New Zealand on behalf…
According to Maori tradition, the demi-god Maui carved a magical fishhook from an ancestor’s jawbone. He and his brothers took their huge waka (canoe) and tried their luck at fishing with the new hook. Maui soon caught something huge! With his brothers’ help, he reeled it to the surface, and they were shocked to find…
Editor’s note: Nepal is a place few have been able to visit, and we are so lucky that TRT writer Sam was one of those so fortunate, and that he’s sharing his experience here with us. Today we have part one, focusing on his time in Kathmandu, the capital and largest city. For more of…
Mark Fry’s small desk is an interesting stop on a tour of the Wētā Workshop in Wellington, New Zealand. Here, he makes models, conceptual ideas for many of the projects Weta works on. He passes around a tower from Warhammer, one he made out of an old yogurt container. Others are built from discarded construction…
The three buildings that make up the majority of New Zealand’s parliamentary offices couldn’t be more different. The most iconic, called the Beehive, holds the offices of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, while the other two host Parliament itself and the official Parliamentary Library. Sitting in a row, it’s a rather odd journey through time…
Editor’s note: This guide from guest writer Mike Still couldn’t come at a better time for me, as I’m getting ready to return to Alaska for the first time since 2005. I’ve taken notes, and I’m sure you will, too! For more of Mike’s writing, click here to visit his index page here at The…