"New Zealand" a New Zealand Travel Page by Brighterstar

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Land of the Long White Cloud

New Zealand is a country of great natural beauty. The lakes are blue and mountains stunning. Charming.

SOUTH ISLAND:

If you're going to South Island, take a cruise of Milford Sound,which is a must. It's a beautiful fiord nestled with mountain peaks overhead and spectacular waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into the sea. You will be able to see dolphins swimming naturally around you. Buffet lunch on board is included in the ticket.

Many outdoor activities can be found in Queenstown, South Island. Not to be missed is the shotovers jet boat rides. They looked dangerous but are actually thrilling under the skilful drivers. Don't think that they are for the young and strong only as I met people as young as 4 years old and as old as 65 taking it.Experience the 360 degree turn in thrill. The bungy jump and rafting can be is found here although that may only suits certain people.

If the weather is right, you can have a helicopter ride up the the highest mountain Mt Cook in South Island, but even if not, the scene below is worth the visit. The trip alone to Mt Cook is especially scenic as you pass by snow covered mountains, the snow looks literally just in front of you. The mountains here are as beautiful as the Swiss except you don't find houses up there.

You should also have a farm stay be it just for a day. You can feed the lambs and other animals, see a professional shearer shave a sheep in less than two minutes or even try hands on. Watch how dutiful and clever sheepdogs work. You will be eating with the host right in their homes and stayed with them for the night. Remember to bring a personal gift to the host. If you are asked if you need a coffee or snack, do say so, as I experienced, dinner can be late and they would not ask again!

Sheepdogs in NZ are so helpful and close to farmers there that a bronze memorial to the sheepdog was built
at Lake Tekapo.

Lake Tekapo is beautiful too and you should visit the Church of Good Shepherd, a very small unique church on the shore of the Lake built from the lake side stones. There are many farm-stays around the area Fairie.

There is a town called Arrowtown where it is an old goldmine. There's this row of shop houses which show you how shops are like of old. You can buy souvenirs here. Opal is one of the souvenirs you can get in NZ.

I travelled to Queenstown from Christchurch via Dunedin and Te-anau. In Dunedin you can see some fine architectures here including Universtiy of Otago which resembles a castle, the railway station, houses on the hills.

Take a cruise round the Peninsula of Otago and you can see wildlife in natural surroundings. On the way I visited Larnach Castle, said to be the only castle in NZ with his many stories.

If you travel from Christchurch to Queenstown, you may have to stop at Te-anau for the night,which you should. I stayed at Quality Hotel which is set along the shore of Lake Te-anau. To me, the beauty of the South Island starts here with its breath taking nature beauty that you will remember for a long long time. Although there are few restaurants but they serve good food. I was told that the whole of Te-anau has not more than 200 people and you don't see people as much as you see sheep.

NORTH ISLAND

I think Whakarewarewa of Rotorua is a most see in North Island. With its many erupting geysters, the hot bubbling mud pools and hot spring shooting into the air, you can also explore their Maori village.

But what's most memorable for me at Whakarewarewa was in the evening, where we watch the Maori Concert together with traditional Hangi meal. You can join in their cultural dance amid their vibrant warrior songs. And of course, you are greeted by their traditional gesture, not a hand-shake, but by rubbing your nose!

Waitomo Caves have thousands of Glow-Worms and natural stalactites and stalagmites. The glow worms twinkles above the caves like tiny stars.

A word on kiwi - the bird of NZ; you won't find them abundant everywhere. They are mostly found in zoos and as far as I know are scared of brightness.