http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.anahaikman.com en-us Mon, 04 May 2026 07:44:40 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/143090/ha-long-bay-cruise/ In the northeast of Vietnam, where the Gulf of Tonkin meets the sky, lies Ha Long Bay, a place where time seems to stand still.Known as "Descending Dragon", this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of an ancient archipelago spanning 1,553 km², home to 1,969 islets carved from limestone over millions of years.Here, nature tells its own stories through:Towering karst formations standing guard over emerald watersCaves, sinkholes, and underground streams shaping a hidden worldEchoes of ... Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post143090 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/143088/hanoi-travel-guide/ Hanoi, the City of Lakes, is a place where ancient traditions and modern vitality collide in the most seamless way.Here, life moves at a hypnotic pace, motorbikes weave through the streets like a synchronised dance, lantern-lit alleyways lead to hidden temples, and the air is rich with aromas of sizzling street food and freshly brewed coffee.Even in the midst of this whirlwind, I spot something familiar, an odd Kiwi sign, a small reminder that no matter how far we travel, connections to home fin... Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post143088 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/142911/silk-threads-siem-reap/ In 1986, I set off on a six-month journey through Nepal and India, carrying a trusty 20kg green canvas pack on my back and a camera in hand.Though I had spent time in Hong Kong in 1979, it was my Himalayan trek and travels through the Asian subcontinent that truly immersed me in the rich cultures and traditions of Eastern South Asia.... Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post142911 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/142913/angkor-temples-archaeology/ Temperature: 35-37°CFeels like the 40s. No humidity. No wind.As I stood in the heart of Angkor, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological sites, memories of my childhood curiosity came rushing back.At 12 or 13 years old, sitting in my Queenstown classroom, I was captivated by the Mayans of Central America—their extraordinary mathematical, astronomical, and architectural achievements. That feeling of wonder and awe never left me.I poured my fascination into a school project on ... Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post142913 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/142711/confronting-vietnam-history/ March 2, 2025 – A caveat before we begin: Today’s journey was a challenging one. Walk gently with me.History is often best understood not through books, but through experience—through standing where others once stood, seeing what they saw, and feeling the weight of their stories.... Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post142711 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/142710/first-steps-vietnam/ March 1, 2025 – My first tour to Vietnam, a land I had only known through distant echoes of history. Growing up in Queenstown, Aotearoa, New Zealand, in the 1960s and early 70s, my world was shaped by the forests of Robins Rd, the vast waters of Lake Wakatipu, and the towering Remarkables and Ben Lomond. Our Wakatipu Basin community felt isolated, surrounded by mountains and rivers that sometimes made travel impossible. Yet, despite that distance, the ripple effects of war found their wa... Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post142710 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/138987/reflection-and-empathy/ There are few moments more fulfilling in life than seeing your children thrive and contribute to the world in ways that embody the values you hold dear. Reading this powerful piece by my son, Dr. Pounamu Jade Aikman, fills me with immense pride. His work as a kaupapa Māori researcher and advocate for the humanities is a profound reflection of the lessons our whānau holds close: the importance of empathy, cultural grounding, and fostering meaningful connections.Pounamu’s insights into the 'fl... Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post138987 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/136280/waiata-woolshed-glenn-colquhoun-anah-aikman/ On October 17, 2024, Anah had the honour of being the MC for Waiata in the Woolshed, an event that provided a unique opportunity to meet author and GP Glenn Colquhoun from the Horowhenua.... Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:26:44 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post136280 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/136278/global-nurses-voices-speaker-series/ In February 2024, I had the privilege of speaking at the Global Nurses' Voices Speaker Series, an innovative outreach by the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health (NIGH). This series brought together nurses, including students and retirees, to share stories advocating for healing, resilience, and collaboration worldwide.... Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post136278 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/post/136277/international-speaking-experience/ I am flying across Moemoea the Qantas wing to my left. East to west. It feels, on this day, a Saturday, the day after my first international speaking opportunity, that the stars have now aligned. Now is the time that big dreams are being realised.  A Korowai of many braids is growing stronger, the pattern bolder and the voice clearer. I have for a very long time known, felt, the puku intuition, in the second brain, in the stomach, that I would be sharing my experiences a... Sat, 09 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anahaikman.com/blog/#post136277