http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.robinkermode.nz en-us Mon, 04 May 2026 04:53:11 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/147619/praia-del-rey-Obidos-and-peniche/ We are off for 3 more nights at a golf resort north of Lisbon.  Because we have work to catch up on, and we need to hit some golf balls. ... Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:26:09 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post147619 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/147549/2025-second-leg-the-algarve--as-cascatas-golf-resort-and-carvoeiro/ We went from Lisbon to Vilamoura in the Algarve by bus - Rede Expressos, the Portugese national bus operator. ... Thu, 19 Jun 2025 22:16:44 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post147549 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/146473/2025-portugal--first-week-lisbon-and-sintra/ We flew Emirates for the first time, because they had the just one stop to Lisbon route.  On the first leg from Auckland to Dubai, a 17 hour flight, Bill saw there was a deal going so we went Business Class. I have never flown Business Class before. I am not sure I could go back to Premium Economy!  In Business Class Emirates have a small lounge. The toilets are at the far end of the lounge. At the time I went, there was a queue.  The guy behind me gave me the best pick up line ev... Tue, 03 Jun 2025 02:38:13 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post146473 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/139629/day-3-and-4-lake-como-and-travelling-to-cinque-terre/ Lachie and Chiara are planning. We are enjoying Lake Como.I wake up early and get croissants from our 'local'. This below is early morning 40m from our apartment.... Sat, 04 Jan 2025 05:13:33 +1300 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post139629 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/139621/lachie-and-chiaras-wedding-in-italy-day-1--2--auckland-to-lake-como/ We are going to Italy for two weeks for Lachie and Chiara's wedding on January 11th.  It will be in Chiara's home town of Reggio Emilia.  We are travelling with Daniel and Mahkaila, and Anna and Harry.  Lachie and Chiara will join us for our first few days at Lake Como.  Then we have a few days at Monterosso, one of the five villages in the Cinque Terre, then we go to Reggio Emilia for the wedding. The New Zealand crew leave Auckland.... Thu, 02 Jan 2025 22:32:56 +1300 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post139621 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/139256/exploring-marine-magic-to-inspire-restoration-conservation-leaders/ I believe this topic can revolutionise our education system. Inspired by a global organization called the Foundation for Climate Restoration, I asked Peter Kaiser if I could trial a class in a created programme based on what the Foundation teaches.I was privileged to be given Room One and we have been engaged in a climate and self restoration program for 11 weeks. On the last day of those weeks we all did a day trip with Explore Ferry Group to see marine mammals and visit Rotoroa Island.  T... Sun, 15 Dec 2024 20:02:31 +1300 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post139256 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/132938/berlin-city-bike-tour/ We generally try to when we visit a city for the first time, go on a city bike tour. It is the first thing we do and so we did in  Berlin.  This tour is 6 hours, Nick is our guide. He is English and loves Berlin. I did history at school and learnt a drop in the ocean. After this tour I learnt  a few more drops. We met at the Fat Tires tour office, at Alexanderplatz, just under the TV Tower.... Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:28:22 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post132938 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/133086/santa-magdalena-in-the-dolomites-south-tyrol-italy/ Santa Magdalena is a small village (population 340) in the Dolomites of Italy.  Chiara's Ficarelli family have been here before and it is one of their favorite places, so they had recommended we all meet up and holiday together. Where is Santa Magdalena on the map?... Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post133086 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/131135/palio-june-29th--july-4th/ Ciao! This is the Palio for the second time for us. This time we are with friends Richard and Pip Lawrence. We will have five days in Siena together.  Bill and I have a pact to do no comparisons with the first time. We arrive by Flix bus. Then we get a local bus up to the old city where we are staying. The Lawrences arrive by train a bit later.... Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post131135 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/post/130691/vienna-june-23rd--29th/ This is Bill's photo - of Lachie and of Vienna. He went into the hills above Vienna with Lachie one evening on a drinks invitation from Lachie's Institute friends.  I stayed back in our Airbnb as I chose to do a course.  I didn't get the course time clear. I had a clash and tried to sleaze my way out of the course like a slippery eel after I registered.  I didn't tell Bill, I didn't get a time flat in plenty of time but then knew I wanted to do it. The course is all about having y... Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.robinkermode.nz/blog/#post130691