Nat. Geo. Traveler: Ideas, Tips from 2006, Still Good?

From National Geographic Traveler. March 2006, Vol. 23 Issue 2, pages 61-79., they have this cover story headline: "28 Kiwi ways to discover the real New Zealand" with lots of pictures in this story by Carrie Miller. I discovered this magazine copy at home and looked up its electronic version through our library Ebscohost data base. Don't worry that I had to re-type all of these key highlights. Lots of interesting items, tips, ideas, etc. Even if written in 2006, most all of these seem very good to consider for 2014.

Here is the basic summary on this profile: "The article looks at the scenic spots in New Zealand. Blazing onto the world stage in 2001 with the Lord of the Rings movies, followed in 2005 by King Kong, this island nation surged to the top of travel lists as word of its epic scenery, high-test adventure sports, award-winning winse, innovative art scene got out. New Zealand, about the size of Colorado, comprises two main islands: urban, volcano-strewn North Island, where more than 70 percent of Kiwis live, many in the booming cities of Auckland and Wellington, and mountainous, lake-dappled South Island. The jaw-dropping landscapes in The Lord of the Rings put New Zealand on travel itineraries. Keeping it there: outdoor adventures, world-class wineries, and Kiwi good cheer."

Here are some more cute, interesting items, impressions, secrets on NZ: " 'New Zealand is the most beautiful country in the world,' says actor Grant Roa, who plays Uncle Rawiri in the film Whale Rider. 'It has spiritual places where you can get away from civilization, including beaches without roads or cell phone coverage.' With almost twice as much coastline as Italy, and no point on land more than 70 miles from ocean or sea, the country has a strong maritime tradition that includes two America's Cup victories. At the same time, volcanoes on the North Island (volcanic Tongariro National Park was the setting for the dark land of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings) and the glacier-topped Southern Alps on the South Island have fostered a hiking, kayaking, and mountaineering culture. Then there are the wineries, more than 250 of them, which are turning out a full range of top vintages. With so much for first-time visitors to see, it has been easy for Kiwis to save their New Zealand for themselves. 'Some places I keep quiet about,' says Anthony Norris, of the adventure-travel company Tamarillo, 'like beaches where I can light a fire, sit back, and watch the sunset. When I'm overseas, I think about these landscapes- with such longing.' "

The center-piece of this article is 28 "Kiwi ways" to discover what they call the "real New Zealand", based on comments and insights from their on-site experts. That was 2006 when this was written, but for us in 2014, some of these items seem very relevant and of value. Here are a few of those top 28 items that might be of most interesting to us.

Indulge in eclecticism: "Wellington's Cuba Street [http://www.cubastreet.co.nz] is all about attitude," says Guy Coney, founder of the rebelliously stylish Alcoholic Clothing label, when asked about this neighborhood known for funky shops and feisty nightlife. "It isn't populated by suits or big business, so places like Fidel's Café [at 234 Cuba St.] can afford to open here. It's everything right about fashion and music, but everyone else is afraid to do it."

Go wild for wildlife (South Island): The Otago Peninsula (http://www.otago-peninsula.co.nz), an easy drive from the city of Dunedin, is the most accessible wildlife area on the South Island. "You will find unique opportunities to view a remarkable range of wildlife, including fur seals, Hooker's sea lions, royal albatrosses, yellow-eyed penguins, and rare birds," says Shirley Thornbury, who has lived on the peninsula for close to 40 years and is operations manager at the Royal Albatross Colony (http://www.albatross.org.nz), the world's only mainland breeding ground of these rare birds. The Otago Peninsula offers endless opportunities to experience this wildlife, whether by hiking, biking, diving, kayaking--or simply driving. http://www.natureguidesotago.co.nz

Explore French-flavored Akaroa (South Island) Peter Pexton was so passionate about New Zealand and the Kiwi way of life that he decided to become a tour guide. One of his recommendations: Akaroa ("long harbor" in Maori; http://www.akaroa.com), a picturesque fishing town on Banks Peninsula that was settled by French whalers in the 1840s. "Akaroa's settlement by the French shows in the street names--like Rue Lavaud--and in the town's tricolor flag, often seen fluttering in the breeze," Pexton says. Walking tours take visitors to the Langlois-Eteveneaux Cottage, one of the oldest houses in New Zealand, and to the old Town Hall and Custom House. Akaroa Harbour, formed when the sea broke through the crater wall of an extinct volcano, is home to one of New Zealand's treasures: the Hector's dolphin, one of the world's rarest mammals and New Zealand's only native dolphin. Not much was known about these dolphins until the 1980s, when New Zealand created a mammal sanctuary around Banks Peninsula.

Go west (North Island) Over to New Zealand's wild west coast, that is. A 40-minute drive west of Auckland lies Bethells Beach (http://www.bethellsbeach.com), a place treasured by locals. "Bethells Beach--Te Henga, in Maori--is dark and moody, with black sand and enormous messy surf," says Karen Walker, an Auckland native and one of Australasia's leading fashion designers (http://www.karenwalker.com).

Soar over Milford Sound (South Island) "My favorite activity is flying," says Aaron Duff, a pilot with Milford Sound Scenic Flights (http://www.milfordflights.co.nz). The place he most likes to fly over is the arresting fjord of Milford Sound, a highlight in Fiordland National Park (http://www.fiordland.org.nz). Ten miles long, with sheer 4,000-foot-high rock walls, Milford Sound is on every New Zealand must-see list. Still, temperamental weather (including more than 20 feet of rainfall annually) and terrain that can be difficult to explore on foot present challenges. These are easily solved by viewing the area from the air.

These items and examples do help to build up our "excitement" and interest about New Zealand. The more you read, the more you love it!!

Not sure if this web link to this full article will work for others, but you can try:

http://web.ebscohost.com.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=4&sid=d281c0f1-201f-4e82-83ad-31d881c8605b%40sessionmgr198&hid=121&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=f5h&AN=19823380

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at 7,648 views for this shorter version of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

In Auckland we did an excellent tour with Coast2Coast - great tour across to the west coast from AKL. Several stops at great locations. Last stop is at the owner's home where we toured the sheep operation and then had afternoon tea of NZ goodies home prepared. Owner drives the van and does the narration.

Looking forward to your pictures from this trip.

Just for reference, when I researched NZ before our road trip 7 years ago, I found some travelogues at the public library dating back to the 80's. About two thirds were still time appropriate and several were not readily marketed, but still in existence. One for instance was the Picton mail run. We enjoyed the hi speed delivery boat ride around the area where some interesting people lived. NO cars no roads just boats. Very scenic Plus it was inexpensive.