It's one of my favorites walk. You have to go to Mount Cook and then go for a 20-minute walk only to face this fantastic view. Part of the movie Lord of the Rings was shot here!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Mount Cook Walk I
It's one of my favorites walk. You have to go to Mount Cook and then go for a 20-minute walk only to face this fantastic view. Part of the movie Lord of the Rings was shot here!
Albatross
For the ones who have never seen an albatross....here it is! It's an spectacular bird, specially when it's flying!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Waitomo Caves IV
Sometimes this tiny little drop doesn't go all the way to the floor. It gets attached to the pillar (stalactite). Did you know that it takes on average about 100 years for a stalactite to grow only 1 centimetre?
Waitomo Caves III
Here you can see the way out. The last 10 minutes of tour take place on a boat to see the glowworms!
Waitomo Caves II
This part of the caves is called "The Cathedral". It's the highest area in the caves and it's quiet common for people who live nearby to get together for an 'opera' section. The acoustics is simply perfect! We've also had weddings celebrations in the cathedral.
Waitomo Caves I
I have talked about the Waitomo Caves in my previous posts so it's about time for me to post a few pictures of the caves now. This is at the entrance of the caves.
Day off
I'm having a relaxing day today.
I went to Rotorua yesterday taking with me a couple from Australia and a Korean girl. It was almost like a private tour. It's still low season and a bit cold. That's the reason why we don't have many Europeans in New Zealand at the moment. And we can't forget that's summer in Europe!
The tour was great and they loved it. From the tourists point of view it's better going on a trip if you have a small group, which means they get to ask you lot's of questions and make the most of it! I also enjoy small groups and the main reason is that you can give a more personalized service, interacting more with the passengers.
Afer we left Rotorua the couple decided to do the Glowworm Caves while the Korean went to the Museum of the Caves. They've loved it!
I went to Rotorua yesterday taking with me a couple from Australia and a Korean girl. It was almost like a private tour. It's still low season and a bit cold. That's the reason why we don't have many Europeans in New Zealand at the moment. And we can't forget that's summer in Europe!
The tour was great and they loved it. From the tourists point of view it's better going on a trip if you have a small group, which means they get to ask you lot's of questions and make the most of it! I also enjoy small groups and the main reason is that you can give a more personalized service, interacting more with the passengers.
Afer we left Rotorua the couple decided to do the Glowworm Caves while the Korean went to the Museum of the Caves. They've loved it!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
An interesting story...
One of my drivers has this story to tell:
You know when you get a group of people that are just so much fun to do the tour with that really to get paid for the job on top of it is amazing. Anyway I did have many of those tours by now, but this one is a special one. I had three people for the tour - one couple from Australia and one lady from Tahiti. First a bit more about the couple from Australia - the girlfriend had organised a surprise trip for her partners birthday including 3 nights in a really nice hotel in Auckland and the day trip to Rotorua. It was his birthday on the day of the tour. Yes I am a bit of a romantic and they were a really nice couple too. The lady from Tahiti was a cop - which made also for very interesting conversation - especially as we started the trip off with breath testing in Auckland - luckily I passed :) ... drinking on the job would not have been a good look especially when it is only 6.45am. We had a lot of interesting conversations on the way and I always enjoy finding out more about other people and their way of living.
On the way back from the Waitomo Caves - and they all enjoyed that very much, while we were again deep in conversation we ended up following this very strange driver. Going really slow on the straight - so in a 100km zone he would slow down to 40km, then around corners he would speed up and nearly hit 100km and yes you guessed correct he did not stay in his lane either. In short he was surely very drunk. This was about 5.30pm in the afternoon. So really a little early to be drunk. The group also noticed his driving behaviour and we made sure to keep a lot of distance. And unfortunately with a van it is not so easy to overtake so we were stuck behind him. But when he ended up taking some road posts out the whole group decided it was time to call the police and get this guy of the road. So yes we had our own little cop story - on the phone to the police while following this guy and giving the location of where he was going best as we could. Luckily he did turn off - as it looked like a very small street it probably was his home and we were all save.
But as you can see it made for an interesting trip.
You know when you get a group of people that are just so much fun to do the tour with that really to get paid for the job on top of it is amazing. Anyway I did have many of those tours by now, but this one is a special one. I had three people for the tour - one couple from Australia and one lady from Tahiti. First a bit more about the couple from Australia - the girlfriend had organised a surprise trip for her partners birthday including 3 nights in a really nice hotel in Auckland and the day trip to Rotorua. It was his birthday on the day of the tour. Yes I am a bit of a romantic and they were a really nice couple too. The lady from Tahiti was a cop - which made also for very interesting conversation - especially as we started the trip off with breath testing in Auckland - luckily I passed :) ... drinking on the job would not have been a good look especially when it is only 6.45am. We had a lot of interesting conversations on the way and I always enjoy finding out more about other people and their way of living.
On the way back from the Waitomo Caves - and they all enjoyed that very much, while we were again deep in conversation we ended up following this very strange driver. Going really slow on the straight - so in a 100km zone he would slow down to 40km, then around corners he would speed up and nearly hit 100km and yes you guessed correct he did not stay in his lane either. In short he was surely very drunk. This was about 5.30pm in the afternoon. So really a little early to be drunk. The group also noticed his driving behaviour and we made sure to keep a lot of distance. And unfortunately with a van it is not so easy to overtake so we were stuck behind him. But when he ended up taking some road posts out the whole group decided it was time to call the police and get this guy of the road. So yes we had our own little cop story - on the phone to the police while following this guy and giving the location of where he was going best as we could. Luckily he did turn off - as it looked like a very small street it probably was his home and we were all save.
But as you can see it made for an interesting trip.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hard work!
It was quite hard to hold it! This picture was taken in Wanaka, South Island of New Zealand.
Maori Village in Rotorua
This would be the main attraction in the 1-day tour that I run towards Rotorua. The Maori people live in the Village and the steam is always going!!
Tourism news
Despite the numbers of Asians coming to New Zealand have dropped a lot in the last couple of months, the Aussies are coming!! We had an increase of 9% of Australians coming to New Zealand!
When I have them on my tours they tell me that the flyght to NZ is really cheap at the moment and also the amount of advertising that the Ministery of Tourism is doing in Australia. It's huge! I guess it's working!
When I have them on my tours they tell me that the flyght to NZ is really cheap at the moment and also the amount of advertising that the Ministery of Tourism is doing in Australia. It's huge! I guess it's working!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Economy
More about the ministers...(was just now on the 6 o'clock news)
They get 12 free domestic flights/year and 90% discount on international flights when they go on vacation. This means that we fork the difference! Why should we pay for a minister when he goes on holiday? Would you like to know their salary? NZ$ 250000.00
They get 12 free domestic flights/year and 90% discount on international flights when they go on vacation. This means that we fork the difference! Why should we pay for a minister when he goes on holiday? Would you like to know their salary? NZ$ 250000.00
Wellington II
View from Mount Victoria. If I had taken this picture about 50 years ago I would have caught only water in the scenery!! The airport you see on the background was not there. The entire area popped up during a very strong earthquake.
Wellington
I've been talking lately about Economy and about New Zealand's capital: Wellington.
Well, it's time to post a few pictures of Wellington.
Economy
Just to update you guys about the 'renting problem' that NZ ministers are facing at the moment.
Bill English (finance minister) has decide to return to the government $12000,00 in tax payers money. This amount was to cover part of his accommodation expenses. He's still getting an allowance, despite the fact that he owns a house in the capital, and denies any wrong doing. He also said he has to 'lead by example'!
In my opinion that's not good enough! If you have to work and live in Wellington and you own a property there you should not be entitled to any help from the government, period!
Bill English (finance minister) has decide to return to the government $12000,00 in tax payers money. This amount was to cover part of his accommodation expenses. He's still getting an allowance, despite the fact that he owns a house in the capital, and denies any wrong doing. He also said he has to 'lead by example'!
In my opinion that's not good enough! If you have to work and live in Wellington and you own a property there you should not be entitled to any help from the government, period!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Sailing in Napier
Was having a coffee break with a French group (we were doing the whole country!) and took this nice picture in Napier, South Island of New Zealand. This was in February 2009.Geyser in Rotorua
Some people book the 'day tour from Auckland to Rotorua' that I offer just to see this magnificient geyser. It is located in the Maori Village and it is indeed awesome!
Monday, August 3, 2009
updating..
About my last post...after watching the news:
The NZ government gives money to help ministers who don't have properties in Wellington (capital of New Zealand). But some of them are claiming this allowance despite the fact that they do own a property in the capital. They come up with different excuses...one of them has said that his 2 bedroom apartment is too small. So he's renting it out! He then gets the money from the rent PLUS the allowance.
The minister of finance(!) has a $1.2 million house and still gets NZ$900/week.
John Key, the prime minister, is defending his ministers but at the same time acknowledges that there are some inconsistencies in the system and has promised a review by the end of the week.
I hope so!
The NZ government gives money to help ministers who don't have properties in Wellington (capital of New Zealand). But some of them are claiming this allowance despite the fact that they do own a property in the capital. They come up with different excuses...one of them has said that his 2 bedroom apartment is too small. So he's renting it out! He then gets the money from the rent PLUS the allowance.
The minister of finance(!) has a $1.2 million house and still gets NZ$900/week.
John Key, the prime minister, is defending his ministers but at the same time acknowledges that there are some inconsistencies in the system and has promised a review by the end of the week.
I hope so!
What!?
Have just got home and watched one of those 30 secs 'news update' on tv saying that the New Zealand minister of finance gets NZ$900/week to help with his accommodation. That's an extra aid valid for ministers who DO NOT live in their own home. But that's not the case! Will find out more info about it an let you guys know...
Mud Pool
That's also an attraction in Rotorua! You see this mud pool in the Maori Village Te Whakarewarewa.
Rotorua
I was today (again! :-) in Rotorua, North Island of NZ. Was a beautiful day and this picture gives you an idea of what you can see once you are there!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Bungy Jump!
Well...that's me having some fun! This was in Queenstown, South Island of New Zealand. This Bungy is not really high: "only" 43 meters high!
The British girls again on the news...
The British girls I've talked about in a previous post are going to be set free this afternoon. For the ones who don't know, they were the girls who tried to scam their travel insurance business pretending that they were robbered in Rio. The charges are still on and if they are found guilt they can get a jail sentence for up to 5 years!
Here is the news (in Portuguese).
Here is the news (in Portuguese).
Moeraki Boulders
Now the explanation in Portuguese:Essas pedras enormes sao os chamados 'Moeraki Boulders'. Ha 60 milhoes de anos a Peninsula de Otago (Ilha Sul da Nova Zelandia) estava de baixo d'agua. Essas pedras se formaram e se desprenderam das montanhas que hoje estao ao longo da praia, mas que estavam tambem no fundo do mar no passado.
Moeraki Boulders
These spherical stones are huge! They are called 'The Moeraki Boulders' and are found along Koekohe Beach near Moeraki, on New Zealand's Otago coast. They were formed when the Otago Peninsula was under water some 60 million years ago. They are grey-coloured septarian concretions which have been exposed through shoreline erosion from black mudstone coastal cliffs just by the beach.The boulders weigh several tonnes and are up to three metres in diametre.
Maori legend tells that the boulders fell off into the water from the legendary canoe, the Araiteuru.
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