Welcome to Malé, my New York Says Shehe our local host as we approach the skyline of Malé, capital of the Maldives. It’s a 5 minute speedboat ride from the airport to one of the world’s most congested islands.…
Travelpilz gets a facelift, a new name and a new website!
Hi there, it’s been a long time since you’ve heard from TravelPilz and there’s a reason for that. I took a long hard look at my long-term goals and decided that while I’ll always love writing and traveling, a travel…
5 things cyclone Yasi taught me about life (and death)
February 2nd, 2016 marks five years since category 5 cyclone Yasi ripped through the quiet beach town of Mission Beach, making a giant mess of our World Heritage listed rainforest, our homes, gardens and lives. It was a picture…
Why I love Christmas in Germany
It’s that time of the year again when monsoonal troughs hover over the coast of Far North Queensland, when cyclones begin to build and the air feels like a prickly woolen jumper several sizes too small. It’s one of the…
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu makes barefoot luxury affordable
“My feet get a lot of attention,” says our barefoot pilot as we say goodbye with one last photo after a scenic 30 minute seaplane ride that has taken us from Male international airport north to Baa atoll. A traditional…
Big Mama Sailing, how to be a nomad at sea
Going to the Great Barrier Reef on Big Mama Sailing After a year on the road, my house and garden need a lot of love. Last Friday I skipped the domestic chores, put the “Gone Sailing” sign up and…
6 ways to keep fit while travelling
Travel is a wonderful way to grow, in every sense. But it comes with a downside. It’s that moment when you look in the mirror to find undeniable evidence that being away from your routine and shamelessly eating…
Why you should travel to a Muslim country
The dreadful events in Paris and the State of Emergency following it, have put the world on high alert. The USA have issued a worldwide travel alert. A friend spoke to me of her embarrassment for feeling uncomfortable, even scared,…
Australian Volunteers for International Development, the nuts and bolts of it
In a recent post I shared with you why it’s a fantastic idea to live and work overseas with the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID). Here are the nuts and bolts of how it works and what to expect.…
Discover Maldives off the beaten track at Holiday Home Kelaa
Since the first guesthouse opened its doors on Maafushi Island close to Male’ in 2010, you can now have a tropical budget holiday on a local island in just about every one of the 26 atolls across the Maldivian archipelago.…
7 reasons why volunteering overseas is a great idea
I lived in the world’s most populated capital city for the last 10 months. It was crowded and hot, very hot, and a beautiful mess. The turquoise lagoons of the Maldives hovered over a political abyss for most of my…
