For the 2009 / 2010 Christmas and New Years period, we will be visiting New Zealand for around two weeks. The first week or so in will be in Taranaki visiting family and possibly visiting the Hawkes Bay area.
Hawkes Bay is best known for the Art Deco cities of Napier and Hastings and wine production. I'm not a big fan of Art Deco, but the wine I have had from the region is pretty good.
At Cape Kidnappers, there's a Gannet Colony, a Department of Conservation managed area for the purpose of protecting the Gannet.
European tourism and rail organisations - a quick reference - A reference guide to European tourism and rail organisations
Why chase solar eclipses? - Why I chase total solar eclipse all over the world
Lucerne - a short history of The Lion Monument - A brief history of the Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne - 7 things not to miss - What not to miss in Lucerne
Lucerne - getting around - How to get around Lucerne in central Switzerland
Berne Münster (Cathedral) - a brief history - A brief history of the Cathedral in the UNESCO-protected old town of Berne
Zürich - a brief history of Grossmünster - A brief history of the distinctive twin-spired Grossmünster in Zürich
Eclipse Websites - A selection of websites with information about total solar eclipses
Italy - 10 places not to miss - 10 places you shouldn't miss in Italy
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook