After a whirlwind few months full of movement, travel and very little relaxation, this month I finally found time to stop. …And you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I stopped in Chiang Mai, somewhere I’ve lived three times in the last three years — I just can’t seem to keep away! It was never in my plans to go to Chiang Mai, my original plan was to spend this month... 
My forehead rattled violently against the cool pane of the scratched and dusty bus window. I stared blankly out at the passing landscape in silence. Ominous-looking storm clouds clung to the distant mountains, occasional breaks illuminating the volcanic ash on the ground. I rummaged through my bag for the twentieth time that morning, checking off all the items I’d need for the day ahead of me... 
After spending some time in Raglan, on the west coast of the North Island, and falling in love with it within seconds of arriving, I couldn’t wait to explore more of New Zealand’s beach towns. Mount Maunganui, located in the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the country, looked absolutely gorgeous from the photos I’d seen online — I couldn’t wait to relax on the white sand... 
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary Huka Falls Jetboat ride thanks to my partnership with Tourism New Zealand. All opinions expressed in this article are my own. When I agreed to join Dave and Dustin on a half-hour jetboat ride, I genuinely had no idea what this would entail. I mean, I had never even heard of a jetboat. … And after being told it was just a reasonably fast boat that... 
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary walk and boat cruise of Waimangu Volcanic Valley through my partnership with the New Zealand tourism board. All opinions expressed in this article are my own. “Ughhh… seriously, Lauren? You really want to go there?” Dave groaned loudly from the bed below mine, sounding like it was the last thing he wanted to do. “You know it’s... 
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary Ruakuri Cave Walk and Glowworm Boat Tour thanks to my partnership with Tourism New Zealand. All opinions expressed in this article are my own. Before coming to New Zealand, the one thing that was right at the top of my list was seeing the glowworms in Waitomo. I had seen hundreds of incredible photos online showing people surrounded by magical-looking, glowing... 
After a crazy three months in Australia and New Zealand, this month was all about slowing down, taking it easy and catching up on work. And yet, having said that, the start of the month included one of my most stressful travel moments… You know, that time when I realised I’d forgotten to apply for an Australian visa 12 hours before I was due to fly to Melbourne? Yep. An Australian visa is... 
Of the 40 places I visited in New Zealand, Raglan was by far my favourite. After thoroughly exhausting myself with my hike in Paihia, I needed somewhere to recuperate and this was the perfect place to do so. Raglan is a chilled-out surf town on the west coast of the North Island and is one of those places where, within seconds of arriving, I felt the most relaxed I have in weeks — and promptly began... 
If you’ve been reading my recent posts about Australia, you’ll know that I’m currently trying to rebrand myself as a hiker. As I recalled in an earlier post: Back in July, Dave and I were strolling through the streets of Prague when, ten minutes into our walk, I had to stop. I was out of breath, I had a stitch and I felt like I was about to vomit. I couldn’t bring myself to walk any... 
I bought an iPhone 5 with a broken camera while I was in Australia. I didn’t realise the camera was broken until I got to New Zealand. New Zealand does not have an Apple Store. A week into my two months in New Zealand, I dropped my camera: And that was how I found myself in one of the most beautiful countries in the world with very limited options for taking photos of it. I did manage to find ways... 
In July 2011 I left England for what was supposed to be a one year trip around the world. Within a few months of leaving I knew that a year would never be enough. I now work online and travel permanently, seeking misadventures in unique, beautiful and fascinating places. Read more.
I'm here to show you how not to travel. Since I've been on the road I've been "poked" during a massage in Bangkok, punched a scammer in Shanghai, been attacked by monkeys in Bali, sat next to a dead woman on a boat in Laos and so much more. I call these The Incidents and you can see a full list of them here.
