Gap Year Diaries
Two best friends relive their ’Gap Year’ travelling the world in 2010, by re-reading and reflecting on the hilariously misguided blog diary they kept along the way. Just prior to smart-phones and social media taking over our travel habits, these two wide-eyed 18 year olds set off with nothing but digital cameras and a trusty blog to document their trip. From lost passports to inaccessible bank accounts, jumping out of planes and into gorges, this is a nostalgic exploration of first-time travel and all its hilarious twists and turns.
Episodes
68 episodes since 2021
S4E25: New Zealand - 'Hot dates, scenic strolls and street daredevils'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel take a nostalgic look back at their last day in beautiful Queenstown, NZ, a day they spent soaking in the unequalled lakeside views, watching a street entertainer set fire to his own hair, and enjoying concurre...
September 04, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 25
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49:34
S4E24: New Zealand - 'Drag queens, dodgeball and a new friend'
In this week's episode, we hear of more Winterfest fun in ever-plummeting temperatures, featuring a high-octane drag race, Pink Floyd tribute band and a new NZ friend with an interesting proposition.
August 21, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 24
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44:28
S4E23: New Zealand - 'Snowboarders, drinking games and a single dreadlock'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily journey back by rereading their blog entries to some more Queenstown memories, this time involving a pair of Australian snowboarders, a whole baked salmon, the 'car of death' and some drunken hairstyling. ...
May 29, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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42:46
S4E22: New Zealand - 'Mini-golf, hostel hunting and a cabin in the woods'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel read back over their blog entries from more Queenstown adventures, including a startlingly creative mini golf course, a desperate search for hostel accommodation, and Rachel being struck down by a mysterious il...
May 15, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 22
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49:50
S4E21: New Zealand - 'Disastrous hikes, dining out and tearful farewells'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel read back over their blog entry from the day they spent in NZ's Queenstown recovering from their hangovers, being plunged further into financial turmoil on an otherwise tranquil hike, and waving off their good ...
May 01, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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46:45
S4E20: New Zealand - 'Canyon swings, revelations and birthday fun'
In this very special episode, Rachel and Emily look back at the day of Rachel's 19th birthday, celebrated in Queenstown NZ. Among other things we hear, in great detail, about Rachel undertaking the town's infamous Canyon Swing, the...
April 17, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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48:58
S4E19: New Zealand - 'Unhinged bus drivers, Milford Sound and sub-optimal weather'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily remember the unfortunate day they spent exploring New Zealand's glorious Milford Sound, featuring a highly theatrical bus driver, close encounters with local wildlife, and the most inefficient checking of a wea...
April 03, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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37:53
S4E18: New Zealand - 'Queenstown, optical illusions, and cocktail fails'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily re-read the blog entry from their time spent at renowned NZ attraction Puzzling World. Among other things, we hear of the pair experiencing anti-gravity whilst horrendously hungover and getting hopelessly lost ...
March 20, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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44:03
S4E17: New Zealand - 'Lakeside views, human pyramids and attempts at romance'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel read back over the blog entry documenting their lengthy journey through stunning scenery to NZ's lakeside town of Wanaka. Among other things, we hear of greenscreen style landscapes, chaotic hostel...
March 06, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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47:15
S4E16: New Zealand - 'Glaciers, stalagmites and sexy tour-guides'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily recount and relive the blissful day they spent hiking around on New Zealand's famed Fox Glacier, led along the way by a particularly chiselled tour-guide.Among other things we hear of the stupendous bea...
February 21, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 16
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52:22
S4E15: New Zealand - 'Possums, bearded bushmen and reflective lakes'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel recount their experiences of a day spent learning about New Zealand's possum pest-control methods, and travelling onwards to the country's stunning Franz Josef glacier. Among other things, we hear of the eminen...
February 07, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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54:38
S4E14: New Zealand - 'Partying, painting and costume design triumph'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily recount the day of the Kiwi Bus' infamous 'Poo Party' on the beautiful Lake Mahinapua, where they finally get to showcase their incredible craft prowess and take the swinging 60s fancy-dress costumes for a spin...
January 24, 2024
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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53:06
S4E13: New Zealand - 'Bus mates, rugby and fancy dress production'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily look back fondly over a frantic 24 hours spent procuring and constructing some wildly ambitious fancy dress costumes ahead of the Kiwi bus institution - the Lake Mahinapua 'poo party'. Among other ...
December 20, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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42:11
S4E12: New Zealand - 'Hiking, hire cars and aquatic slow jams'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel journey back and relive the blissful day they spent exploring NZ's Abel Tasman National Park. Among other things, we hear of the water taxi driver and the obsession with mid 2000s RnB he was so proud to share w...
December 06, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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49:58
S4E11: New Zealand - 'Ferry crossings, landmarks and super noodles'
In this episode, we are treated to a full recount of Rachel and Emily's adventure on the high seas, as they set sail to cross from the heady pursuits of New Zealand's north island to the chilly climes of its south. The pair relive ...
November 15, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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45:09
S4E10: New Zealand - 'Arguments, home comforts and embassy hell'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily look back fondly at yet another chapter of embassy nightmares as they continue to relive their time spent in NZ's capital city, Wellington. Among other things we hear of a spicy altercation, passpo...
November 01, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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48:23
S4E9: New Zealand - 'City exploring, giant squid and goon'
In this episode, Rachel and Emily read back over the bizarre blog entry from their first day in New Zealand's lively and windy capital city, Wellington. Among other things, we hear of an accident involving dried fruit in a local su...
October 11, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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45:54
S4E8 - New Zealand: ‘Waterfalls, skydiving and head-banging trauma’
In this episode, Emily and Rachel reopen some old wounds and relive the trauma of the day they spent attempting to skydive over New Zealand's beautiful Lake Taupo, reading back over the blog they wrote on the day. We hear of the deeply stressfu...
September 27, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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58:26
S4E7: New Zealand - 'Cow milking, black water caving and rugby hooligans'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel reread and relive their time in the NZ village of Waitomo, famous for its glow-worm bedazzled underwater caves. Amongst the usual mindless content, we hear of the formative time Rachel spent at a rural farm sho...
September 13, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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1:04:40
S4E6: New Zealand - 'Scenic views, awkward interactions and geothermal activity'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel continue to read back over and reminisce on their time spent in the geothermal hot spot of Rotorua, New Zealand. We hear of a bonding trip to a local spa, a narrow escape from an incredibly inappropriate situat...
March 29, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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35:48
S4E5: New Zealand - 'Maori villages, extreme luging and Glee Club'
In this episode, Emily and Rachel read back over their blog documenting the first day they spent in the geothermal New Zealand town of Rotorua. Among many other stunningly banal details, we hear of their time learning about Maori c...
March 15, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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46:24
S4E4: New Zealand - 'Incessant rain, Mercury Bay and crazy pool'
In the fourth episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel reread the blog entry from their, in all honesty, fairly uneventful visit to New Zealand's Mercury Bay, viewing its highlights through unceasing drizzle.As well as this, we hear of wet...
February 15, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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36:57
S4E3: New Zealand - 'Dolphin watching, island hikes and 'bread-gate''
In the third episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel continue reliving their time travelling around New Zealand's beautiful north coast, by rereading the blog diary from their second day in Paihia. Among other things, we hear of a margina...
February 01, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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50:36
S4E2: New Zealand- 'Kiwi bussing, hostel hot tubs and the Bay of Islands'
In the second episode of series 4, Emily and Rachel continue to recount stories of their time travelling through New Zealand, as they begin the odyssey travelling north from the bustling city of Auckland to the country's beautiful north coast. ...
January 18, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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42:16
S4E1: New Zealand - 'Unpleasant flights, hostel bars and binocular hands'
In the first episode of series four, Emily and Rachel read back over the blog entries from their first few days in New Zealand, as they land, after an unfortunate flight, in the buzzing north island city of Auckland and struggle to adjust to th...
December 07, 2022
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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50:57