My name is Allison, and I met my husband Matt through our mutual travel cravings. We had both traveled extensively before meeting, yet found that our need to keep exploring intensified along with our relationship. We’ve now been together almost 9 years, and have been to over 50 countries together.
I hope to use this space to tell stories, as well as convey some of our favorite travel destinations and tips. I thought my first post should encapsulate my overall travel philosophy: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Some of my exceedingly stupid decisions have ultimately led to some of my more memorable escapades. I call this post:
And I’m still alive!
Australia is a tricky place to “study” abroad- I did learn a great deal from my time in Oz, but little of it in classrooms. For my final 2 weeks before returning to the states, I decided to tour the North Island of New Zealand by backpacker bus. The final hurrah? Skydiving for the first time over the gorgeous Lake Taupo, taking photos the whole 15,000 foot freefall.
My compatriots and I went to celebrate our bravery/stupidity with a night at Taupo’s classiest Irish pub (read, only) Finn MacCuhal’s. Because the bus was hop-on/hop-off, my closest friend at the time was the bus driver, who had been with me since I boarded in Auckland. He was so proud of my death-defying drop that he challenged me to a kiwi duel- “ski runs” at the bar. A “ski run” consists of 3 shots done in quick succession; 1) Chartreuse 2) Yellow Sambuca and 3) ….Something else. Now, I cannot tell you what the other thing was anymore because I did about 5 runs, cleansing the palette with Irish car bombs in between each.
I didn’t mention that the bus driver was a 6’7” Maori warrior who challenged little girls like me every loop of the island. I was a 20 year old backpacker, living on fruit cups and free PB&Js at the hostel. He definitely won that night. I woke up at 4am, curled under a bush in the local park, with vague memories of doing the Haka. I collapsed into one hour of beautiful sleep before having to wake up to hike the Tongariro Crossing- I had a pudding cup, got on the bus, and began the 7 hour journey.
All of my skydiving photos were deleted in the drunken debauchery, but there are some mental pictures that last a lifetime.
