I've Been to the Land Down Under

April 02, 2016 by Torrie Hazelwood in New Zealand, Travel

Two and a half weeks, five people in a five person car, all of our camping gear and the west coast of New Zealand's South Island to explore. We experienced the beautiful contrasts between the cultivated and wild landscapes, felt dwarfed by the mountains and calmed by crashing waves that lulled us to sleep. We kayaked in the Tasman sea, hiked up mountains, drove (a lot), swam in blue pools, and jumped from bridges (bungees attached...sometimes). We are now left with indescribable moments of awe at what nature has to offer and a hunger to come back and continue exploring. This is an incredibly abbreviated version of our trip and it will take me a while to cull through my memories to choose one to recount here. In the meantime, enjoy these images.

*Sunrise on Te Pukatea, Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand*

*Sunset on Onetahuti, Abel Tasman National Park , New Zealand*

*Catching a water taxi in Awaroa Bay, Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand*

*Car trouble in Hari Hari, New Zealand (our car is not pictured).*

*Gillespies Beach Campground, Fox Glacier, New Zealand*

*Reflection of Mt. Cook at Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, New Zealand*

*Summit of Roys Peak, Wanaka, New Zealand*

*Our trusty car entering Fiordland, New Zealand*

*Sunrise at Cascade Creek Campground, Fiordland, New Zealand*

*Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand*

*Setting up camp near Queenstown, New Zealand*

*(Somewhat successful shot) near Queenstown, New Zealand*

Attn. Chimney Corners Camp: Shangri-La is a Real Place

November 13, 2015 by Torrie Hazelwood in China, Travel

Chimney Corners Camp for Girls had led me to believe that Shangri-La was a make-believe magical land since I was 8. Turns out, it's a real life magical land complete with the rare Black-Neck Crane, thousands of fluttering prayer flags, and some of the most friendly locals I've encountered thus far.

*Thangka Center, Dukezong, Shangri-La, China*

10 Reasons Why Airplane Travel is Sometimes Better with a Friend

October 30, 2015 by Torrie Hazelwood in Travel

Somewhere near the North Pole, Flight from Chicago, Illinois, USA to Shanghai, China — *Somewhere near the North Pole*, *Flight from Chicago, Illinois, USA to Shanghai, China*

While I do not mind traveling on my own, in fact I think traveling by myself was and continues to be a valuable experience, there are moments where I would like to turn to a nearby friend to discuss what I'm seeing (potentiallly meaningful conversation) or just chat with (most likely not very meaningful, often involving my low level theories regarding the actual existence of a wizarding world or crushing on Cara Delevingne's eyebrows). But here are 10 reasons why it's sometimes more fun to travel with a friend.

Someone to get excited about a trip with - it's lovely when people are excited for you, but there's usually an underlying hint of resentment.
You don't feel guilty making them wake up/get up if you need to use the bathroom (holding it until breaking point probably takes years off your life, idk).
A shoulder or lap to sleep (maybe drool) on.
Someone to discuss the airplane food with (and depending on how tired/cranky you are, could lead to mind blowing food critic level reviews (BECOME THE DUCHESSES/DUKES OF AIRLINE FOOD REVIEWS!))
Someone to bounce your million dollar ideas off of (you'll probably be making money by the time you step off the plane).
Someone to help rank the flight attendants based on their announcements (plus other categories - everyone can be a winner).
Theorize what major pop culture shift has occurred since you've been in the air (speculate wildly).
Someone to watch a movie with (or someone who agrees to watch a movie 5 minutes ahead of you so you know when stressful moments are going to happen) and pretend like you're both in the tiniest living room watching a flick (snuggling is encouraged).
Another brain to piece together where to go once you get off the flight (this is particularly salient if you've been traveling for 10+hours).
Not being so bored that you make a list of why airplane travel is more fun with a buddy. I HAVE 9 HOURS OF THIS FLIGHT LEFT!