Nicole Hodgson

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Archery in the Haa Valley

Archery in the Haa Valley

Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and we finally got the opportunity to try the simple traditional bow and arrows on a much shortened version of the range, marked by colourful flags.  Tim also tried the darts, to great success and much acclaim from our host and...

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Reason #47 why libertarians would hate Bhutan

Reason #47 why libertarians would hate Bhutan

There is so much that is so intriguing about the culture, society and politics of Bhutan and so much I want to write about.  (And so much of it that I think would be appalling and infuriating for a right wing libertarian). But in the meantime please enjoy these...

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Jetlagged in Bhutan

Jetlagged in Bhutan

You know you are in for something special while flying into Bhutan. The airport in Paro is at one end of the long valley and our plane, after flying up up up into the mountains from sea level Dhaka, had to make a sharp banking turn to slot into the valley so the plane...

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Bellissima Sicilia

Bellissima Sicilia

It was raining when we left the Agriturismo and caught a train from the grim stazione of Gioia Torre. There were many hours of travel ahead of us and so our expectations for the day were low. We had a couple of hours to kill in the port of Villa San Giovanni on a grey...

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Molto mangiando molto a piedi

Molto mangiando molto a piedi

Reykjavik to Napoli felt like a good natured slap to the face. From Nordic reserve and order to Southern Mediterranean chaos in just a few hours. We imagined that for an Icelander, coming to Southern Italy must be the equivalent of an Australian going to SE Asia. And...

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When can we go back?

When can we go back?

I have been wondering if we had initially over-reacted to Iceland. Wondering if we were so astonished by it all because we had that wide eyed wonder of the jetlagged and the newly left home. But looking through photos again a week later I think our overblown...

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Australia House in Flateyri, Westfjords

Australia House in Flateyri, Westfjords

It was a long long drive out to the remote Westfjords from Blonduos so it was kind of OK that it was the coldest day we had experienced, made even worse by a biting cruel wind. We witnessed the incredible fjordur scenery from the warmth of the car. Except...

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Most used phrases in Iceland

Most used phrases in Iceland

Phrases most often heard between us in Iceland: 1. WOW! 2. Look where we are! 3. Look at those colours! 4. It is geology in action! 5. Will we break the camera if we use it too much? 6. I don't think that photo remotely captured that scene. I think Iceland is...

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A Guide to the Horses of Iceland

A Guide to the Horses of Iceland

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Where to even begin? Seven days in Iceland and my mind is so full to the brim with wonder and splendour that I am feeling a little befuddled. This seems like a good start. This tourist book was in our accommodation in Reykjavik. The...

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