自我介绍

I would love to welcome you to my home, for me the most beautiful place in the world. I have been to many places and looked after many travellers as a tour manager for many years. I love travelling myself and totally understand people who do too! I will give you all the privacy you want and need, but am here to offer advice if you have any questions. And if you'd like to chat, you are welcome to do so! If you have time and want to read more about me and my experiences, here I go! Who am I? Pakeha, European New Zealander, Kiwi, male, baby-boomer; educated in the Wairarapa (“land of the shining waters”) and at Auckland and Wellington Universities; a Catholic monk for several years. Overland to Munich via the “Hippy Trail” in 1972; seven Oktoberfests later I left Bavaria, regretfully. Besides indulging in beer, I also taught English in a Hauptschule and studied Philosophy of Science at Ludwig-Maximilian University. Became a “Courier” and began to lead bus tours throughout Europe. Skied all over the Northern Alps; one season as a ski-rep in Liechtenstein. At a Belgian Beerfest (for a change) a guy gave me cheek in an elevator, I cheeked him back and then he walloped me on the chin. Next day I heard he was a UK Post Office robber on parole (Roger Daltrey starred in the movie “McVicar” -I didn’t). More travelling: three times hitch-hiked through the Sahara; opened an African handicraft outlet called “Le Gris-Gris” in Weggis, Switzerland; journeyed the Trans-Siberian three times also. In-between travels was butler for the Royal family, at Ayton Castle in Scotland; a roof-worker in Munich; a theatre bar attendant in London; a silver-service waiter at Vierjahreszeiten Hotel in Munich; but then the road called again. By cruise ship to Antarctica and to Spitzbergen in the Arctic; also cruised the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa, the Nile; up the Amazon but then by motorised canoe. Up the Rejang River (Borneo) for Dayak Day and to purchase a Raphia ikate, a proud possession these days. Lived for nine months in Taipei and learnt to love Chinese; spent a total of two years in the Republic of China and two tours of Tibet. Ran the Great Wall and was (almost) held hostage in Canton. Was a non-paying guest of the “Bangkok Hilton” (Immigration Police Prison)(Bangkok, Thailand) for a day (ironically it was 4 July). Travel called once more and off to South Africa and Namibia I went; to Tahiti and Easter Island; to all the other usual suspects. One of the greatest wonders of our world is the Galapagos Islands group; also the Grand Canyon, which I walked and loved. Back in New Zealand off and on: I climbed our iconic mountains except one or more; abseiled the second deepest tomo in the world (Harwood’s Hole); drove the 90 Mile Beach many times; sailed the Bay of Islands; tramped Stewart Island; drove every byway; let the beauty sink in. Drove all over the USA and across Canada; biked the Burgundian Canal Towpath; walked Hadrian’s Wall; around Land’s End in UK; biked over half of Bavaria; and finally I am still adding things-to-do to my bucket-list. What a beautiful world! But you’ll still hear me declaring that where I am now (Whangaroa) is the most beautiful place in the world and my land is, by all accounts, the most beautiful land on this natural harbour. Come Enjoy! You’ll be made very Welcome!