A Pair of Boots and a Backpack | Journals

KristinsTravels used to be a personal blog that I used to keep my family and friends up to date when I was traveling or living as an expat in Australia. I wrote on it during some big highs and lows in my life and I couldn't bear to get rid of it, so I've decided to keep these entries in journal format.

On future extended trips, I plan on using this space to write quick journal entries as I go for those times that I don't have time to write a full blog post. Plus, this means that I'll be able to keep my parents up to date so they know I haven't gone missing or done something else daft!

This is the story of my three months tramping around the South Island of New Zealand. I spent nearly three weeks walking in the backcountry and fell even more in love with the country in the process. When I wasn't walking, I was giving my parents heart attacks by being reported missing to the New Zealand police or by jumping off of cliffs with a parachute attached to my back!

Latest Posts:

The American SpiritOctober 11, 2011

On finding a town full of American pride...which also happened to be the capital of New Zealand!
The Massive Photo PostMay 4, 2008

Linking to many albums of photos uploaded after finishing my journey around NZ.
Relaxing in Hanmer Springs & Business ClassApril 1, 2008

On relaxing in hot springs and visiting business class on my way out of New Zealand.
Mucking About on Quad BikesMarch 27, 2008
Ice Climbing on FranzMarch 26, 2008

More Entries

I was lucky enough to get a job in Perth through my company in the US, so after going through a long visa application process, I moved to Western Australia for my first experience as an expat. It was a difficult time -- I went through a hard breakup and was in an accident that wrote off my car and gave me major whiplash. It was a huge learning experience that culminated in me quitting my job and moving to Brisbane five months later.

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