Having arranged my flights into and out of New Zealand before I had decided upon a full itinerary—departing from Wellington rather than an airport further south—meant I had little time to really explore the South Island.
Before the tan disappears I’d like to record my short journey across New Zealand and Australia. There is much to say, so over the next few days, I shall try to describe how I ended the previous decade down-under.
I’ve long held two ambitions. The first: to return to Australia before this decade is out. The second: to welcome in a New Year on Sydney Harbour before I turn 30.
For anyone coming to Brasilia for its modernist architecture, no visit would be complete without a stay at this hotel. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 1958, it hosted dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth and Che Guevara before being devastated by fire in 1978. After facing decades of abandonment and neglect, it was modernised and reopened in 2006.
Since visiting Sydney in 2003 I’ve been longing to return. In the intervening years I’ve visited more cities and for a time considered Chicago to be my new favourite—understandable given my love of architecture. As I flew over Sydney Harbour I quickly realised I was wrong.