Bula from Fiji!

It has been a busy and exciting three weeks for me, as I have been working with Nicholas alongside the staff and volunteers at Projects Abroad shark conservation project in Viti Levu, Fiji. I had been looking forward to visiting Fiji and, despite the utter lack of sunshine, it has been a wonderful experience.The Fijians are kind, friendly and welcoming people who offer bright smiles and greetings whenever you see them, even in the cities such as Suva. The island itself is covered with lush jungle greenery and is of course fringed by beautiful tropical beaches and the coconut palms that Fiji is known for. The river banks are home to mangrove forests, which are a vital ecosystem for the health of the oceans and many species of animal. I was fascinated to learn about the importance of mangroves during my time on Fiji and thoroughly enjoyed a day of mangrove reforestation - during which we planted 7000 mangroves! 

 It is our final two days on Fiji now before we begin a long journey to Kuala Lumpur that will fly via Melbourne, Auckland, Hong Kong and Singapore. I can't say I am looking forward to that many flights in one go but it'll be worth it when we reach Kuala Lumpur, where we intend to enjoy a week of sampling the city that is known for its fantastic cuisine.

Writerly Wednesdays

What's not to love about a blog that promises Monster Mondays, Tips Tuesdays, Writerly Wednesdays, Thinky Thursdays, Fan Fridays, book review and more?! Welcome to the world of Tasha's Thinkings!Tasha Duncan-Drake is an author who also runs her own small publishing company Wittegenpress with her twin sister and she recently invited me to be interviewed about my biography No Damage. I really enjoyed discovering Tasha's website and answering her questions. Especially this great question:'Do you have any odd (writing) habits?' Read on to enjoy our interview and discover more about my one odd habit...the pink writing hat, ahem:http://tashasthinkings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/interview-kathryn-hodgson.html

Author Interview: Pukah Works

It has been a busy and exciting few weeks since I last blogged and that time has seen me say farewell to New Zealand and hello to sunny Melbourne, where I am currently based as part of our Friends for Sharks world tour. I have really enjoyed our time in Melbourne so far and have been teaching at Kunyung School in Mount Eliza, Melbourne and completed our 80th shark conservation event with SEA LIFE Melbourne. That fantastic event was an evening with Friends for Sharks and included champagne, canapes, our lecture and a  Q&A session in front of the shark tank. We really enjoyed our evening and it was staggering to think we had come to the other side of the world to be there (via various countries and 79 other events since January 2015). What a milestone for us. [gallery link="file" ids="371,372,373,374,375,376,377,378,379,380"]

I'd like to take a moment away from my travels though to introduce you to my latest author interview, which is with the author K.Caffee from Pukah Works. The questions for this interview were great fun to answer and very thought provoking. Read on to find out how I balance my writing with other activities, how No Damage came about, the books that have inspired me through life and more:https://pukahworks.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/author-interview-kathryn-hodgson/

 

Diving the Poor Knights

I had no idea the marine life of New Zealand could be so diverse and colourful until I saw these photographs from Nicholas's recent day of diving the Poor Knights marine reserve. They left me speechless! This is one of the world's top dive sites and Nicholas's experiences there with Dive! Tutukaka certainly did that title justice. This site is one for the bucket list and it also demonstrates the importance of marine reserves for the health of our oceans and fish stocks. Read on to find out more:http://www.friendsforsharks.com/02/09/2015/blog/diving-the-poor-knights/

To the top of New Zealand

We made it to the top of New Zealand! After almost six months of travel in our Wendekreisen Travel Ltd campervan and 66 shark conservation events we reached the very top of the North Island. It was an epic moment when we realised just how far we have come; both literally and with Friends for Sharks. I hope you enjoy the stunning photography of Nicholas's, which really demonstrates how beautiful the sub-tropical Northlands are. Onwards we go into our final week in Auckland and then Australia.http://www.friendsforsharks.com/01/09/2015/blog/hello-from-the-top-of-new-zealand/

West Coast Wanderings

Back online after a busy and fun-filled few weeks traveling the West Coast and Northland of New Zealand whilst providing our Friends for Sharks conservation events. It was wonderful exploring the rugged scenery of surf hotspot Raglan and we stayed at an eco-retreat called Solscape. It was a unique and inspiring place to recharge our batteries and that of our campervan home! We have been traveling New Zealand for almost six months now with our marine conservation cause and trusty Wendekreisen Travel Ltd campervan Bertha. We also took time out to visit Hamilton Gardens and Nicholas's photography of the themed gardens in this blog are stunning:http://www.friendsforsharks.com/31/08/2015/blog/west-coast-wanderings      

Memoir Reviews

I have been featured on Jackie Parry's blog with a review of my memoir No Damage. Jackie is a hero in my mind and someone that inspires me a great deal. She has sailed around the globe with minimal prior experience, explored far flung destinations and written memoirs including an inspiring adventure travel memoir Of Foreign Build: From Corporate Girl to Sea Gypsy Woman.She has also trekked the Australian bush with five horses, detailed in her latest book A Standard Journey, and is currently traveling through Europe on her dutch barge. Her blog and books are an adventure in themselves and well worth reading. Here's the link to her blog:http://jackieparry.com/2015/07/15/memoir-reviews/   

Top 15 Alternative Places to Shout 'View!' in New Zealand

My third guest article recently has been for Not Australia with my article Top 15 Alternative Places to Shout 'View!' in New Zealand. I really enjoyed revisiting our highlights of Aotearoa and it certainly reminded Nicholas and I of why we have applied for residency in New Zealand.http://www.not-australia.co.nz/top-15-alternative-places-to-shout-view-in-new-zealand/

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Highs, Lows and Campervan Laughter

I have been featured in nzmotorhol.com with my article Highs, Lows and Campervan Laughter. I hope you enjoy this insight into our six month tour of New Zealand with Wendekreisen Travel Ltd.http://nzmotorhol.com/highs-lows-and-campervan-laughter.php 

Poms Away!

I have been featured in 'Poms Away! A British Immigrant's View of New Zealand' this week, with a guest blog post. Read on to find out what it is about living in New Zealand that has left a lasting impression with me. It won't be the things you'd expect!

~https://pomsawaydownunder.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/another-british-immigrants-view-of-new-zealand-a-guest-post-by-kathryn-hodgson/

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