Places where history changed

Corner where Archduke Ferdinand was shot in 1914

Today 28 June we have heard much of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo 100 years ago; the event that sparked the beginning of the first World War. I was lucky enough to visit Sarejevo last year and of course the first place I visited was that corner. However it was the more recent events of the 4 year siege 1992 to 1995 and the massacres in Srebenica, where 8000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed, that had a very strong impact on me. These were not in far gone days but only 20 or so years ago.

What I like about New Zealand.

Sunset on Auckland Harbour

When I think of images of my trip to the North Island of New Zealand what comes to mind? Green farmland, cows, sheep, mountains which are active volcanoes, the sea.

New Zealand’s Northern Explorer

Northern Explorer

If you are into excellent customer service this is the trip for you. I travelled on the Northern Explorer from Auckland to National Park, about half way to Wellington, on the central plateau and then from Wellington to Auckland on this great journey.