There's a saying in Taranaki - if you can't see the mountain, it's raining and if you can see the mountain, it's about to rain. Mount Taranaki is one the most climbed mountains in New Zealand but changeable weather conditions can make it treacherous.
It's not clear from this angle - but Mount Egmont doubled as Mount Fuji in that well known Tom Cruise film - The Last Samurai
My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford
The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz
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
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
Italy - 10 places not to miss - 10 places you shouldn't miss in Italy
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