Search Articles
Browse Categories
Discover New Zealand!
By Deborah Johansen
As you all know, getting to New Zealand isn’t exactly a quick trip! After a long international flight, we arrived safe and sound in the land of the Kiwis.
Once in Auckland, our adventure began in earnest. Driving on the left while semi-awake in the pre-dawn darkness in a light rain and without proper directions is not for the faint of heart! Luckily we got the hang of driving on “the wrong side of the road” in a couple of days and were able to explore several cities on the North Island.
Our travels around the north island of New Zealand included the cities of Whangarei, Rotorua, MataMata, and Auckland. Although August is a winter month there, we were greeted by endless green volcanic hills so nicely cropped by the 40 million sheep and 5 million cattle that call New Zealand home. And since New Zealand is comprised of three main islands, there are plenty of pristine seascapes to enjoy as well. Simply put, New Zealand is a very beautiful country. We thoroughly regret that we were unable to visit the Southern Island with its massive Southern Alps and breath taking glaciers and fiords.
One of the highlights of our adventure was a trip to MataMata. Here we visited the original Hobbiton village from The Lord of the Rings movie Trilogy. The Hobbiton movie set, which has been returned to its natural state, is located on the picturesque 1,250 acre Alexander family farm where there are 12,000 sheep and 300 beef cattle on the property. Many hobbit holes and some structures from the film are still present.
In Rotorua, we enjoyed a wonderful cultural experience when we visited a traditional Maori Village known as Mitai. “Aotearoa”, the Maori name for New Zealand, means “Land of the Long White Cloud”. Rotorua’s Maori population can trace its ancestry back to the great Polynesian migration of the 14th century. At Mitai, we enjoyed a hangi (ground cooked) meal, a cultural performance complete with Maori warriors, and discovered glow worms near the sacred freshwater spring. On the evening we visited, fifteen nations were represented by guests such as ourselves.
On the drive north to Whangarei, we watched the landscape rise from gentle rolling hills to the dramatic volcanic peaks of Whangarei Heads. At the Heads are white sand beaches and coves. We stopped awhile and took in the beauty of Ocean Beach. Ocean beach is a summer favorite of surfers, dolphins and whales. There are many great restaurants and a variety of places to stay in Whangarei. This northern get-a-way has it all!
And last but not least, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Auckland! Auckland is a vibrant, clean, bustling city with a very diverse population. If you are an adrenaline junky, this is the city for you! At the Sky Tower (1082 feet in height) in downtown Auckland you can Vertigo Climb ($145 NZ) up inside the mast of the tower (by way of a ladder) to emerge at the crow’s nest 1000 feet up and then leap off the 630 foot Sky Tower Observation Deck ($195 NZ), and hurtle yourself toward earth at approximately 53 mph for around 11 seconds before slowing in the last few meters to land gently. It was a sight to behold!
Even if you are not an adrenaline junky, this city has something for everyone including great restaurants, museums, cafes, parks and more. New Zealanders are passionate about their All Black rugby team, so much so, that there’s a huge electronic clock in downtown Auckland ticking away the seconds until the 2008 World Rugby Championship!
We whole heartedly recommend visiting New Zealand as a vacation destination. The people are friendly and helpful, the language is English, the country is beautiful and the exchange rate is favorable! What are you waiting for?
Deborah Johansen
Please feel free to contact Deborah Johansen at (877) 850-8240.
Rating:
Comments
- No Comments Found. Submit Comment
|
Article Options |
Share your Opinion and WIN!
Take our quick survey & enter to WIN a gift certificate.