Modern Māori Indigenous Tourism: An Aotearoa Awakening
∞ Originally published on Whywanderlust.ca on February, 6, 2021. ∞ Joe Waide emerges from the forest onto the Lake Wanaka beach, bare chested, pale fall New Zealand sun glinting off of his ceremonial wood taiaha staff, his features ringed in intricate ta moko...
Wellness in the Wilderness: New Zealand’s luxury lodges offer ecology, gastronomy and serenity
∞ Originally published in the Vancouver Sun, June 7, 2020. ∞ New Zealand is the kind of place you go when you don’t want the world to follow. The country’s remote wilderness and pristine wellness retreats are so far removed from reality they seem to melt modern...
Bali bliss: Enjoy wellness, ritual and ethical travel on this exotic Indonesian Island
∞ Originally published in the Vancouver Sun, September 18, 2019. ∞ In Bali beauty and blessings are an industry. Hotels advertise “meditation area” on road signs, shoppers visit Reborn Gifts, graffiti is simply “KARMA” spray-painted in capitals. Its allure is obvious...
In search of the sublime on New Zealand’s South Island
∞ Originally published in the Vancouver Sun November 30, 2019. ∞ “This is the oldest thing your eyes will ever see.” I squint into a telescope at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Observatory on New Zealand’s South Island and my mind bends around the sight of a 13...
Stories from the Shuswap: Salmon runs, savory food and wine and soaking up Indigenous tourism
∞ Originally published in the Vancouver Sun, August 20, 2019 ∞ Adrian Lewis circles a hill in the fading forest light on the shores of Little Shuswap Lake and for a moment it seems like the First Nations guide disappears into the crisp fall air. Instead, he slips...
About me
Elaine O'Connor
I’m a different kind of travel writer. I craft long-form, cover-worthy feature-length travel articles with style and substance. I tell travellers not just what to do, but why. Find out how to work with me.