Travel hits and misses: Elisabeth Easther

Elisabeth Easther retraces her mother's steps in Islands of the Gulf.

HIT

Somewhere along the path of my chequered career, travel writer was added to my CV and, though there is actually quite a bit of work involved, being sent all over the world to explore is the greatest privilege. Considering the adventures I've been on — riding the rails from Darwin to Adelaide aboard The Ghan, cruising Tahiti's remote Marquesas Islands on the freighter ship Aranui, or savouring the delights of The Eagles Nest in Russell or the opulent Pulitzer Hotel in Amsterdam — travelling with a purpose, usually as a guest, is every bit as amazing as you'd imagine. Even after all these years, when I find myself in the Galapagos Islands or up a remote tributary of the Amazon River or engaging with Aotearoa's infinite charms, I still feel enormously grateful.

And if ever I become blase or jaded, I'll hand over the reins and let someone else have a go.

MISS

Travelling to Vietnam recently, checking in at 6am on New Year's Eve, the woman at the counter asked whether I had my son's current passport.

My heart sank. We were heading to Asia for three weeks of adventure and I'd come to the airport with an expired passport. What a dick. My brain raced. How could I turn this disaster around? I called my brother. Waking him up, I gabbled that we were in trouble, and could he rush to my house, let himself in, find the passport then bring it to the airport. Without even pausing for breath he was at my house, calling for instructions.

Back in his car, within 35 minutes I had Theo's passport and we were airside with time to spare — and all thanks to my brother. Richard, I owe you big time.

Elisabeth Easther retraces her mother's steps in Islands of the Gulf, premiering Saturday February 24 at 7pm on TVNZ 1, or stream at TVNZ OnDemand. Read Shirley Maddock's original journey in the book version Islands of the Gulf, available at any good book store.