Hiking across England

Have you ever wanted to hike across a country?  The Wainwright route of England's Coast to Coast walk is listed as one of the top 10 walks in the world.  Mountain Travel/Sobek have 3 departures in July, August and September this year.  You will walk through remote charming villages, traverse three national parks, walk through woods, across rivers, stopping along the way to visit castles, quaint villages and pubs!  There is also vehicle support if you want to take a rest from walking.  The 16 day tour is fully escorted and you will stay in cozy family run Inns steeped in English Country Charm.  For more information click here

Oyster Inn - Waiheke Island

Best of the Best:  Oyster Inn on Auckland's Waiheke Island just named on Travel & Leisure's 2013 IT list as best new hotel.
http://www.theoysterinn.co.nz/

Cuba Si!

Last month I made my 3rd trip to Cuba, this time flying with Sunwing and staying at Breezes Jibacoa, which is about 1 hour from Havana. This property is very popular with Canadians and there are lots of repeat guests. Most of the rooms are Garden View but best to request away from the pool, or book an Ocean View Room. Or you may upgrade on arrival subject to availability to a 1 bedroom Ocean View Suite for CUC $50.00 per night. It has a gorgeous view and a double balcony, separate bedroom and two bathrooms. The grounds were lovely,the salt water swimming pool was huge, and the beach is great for snorkelling as it is on a coral reef. However if you want a nice swimming beach best go to Varadero. In November the water was still choppy and the red flag was up every day. The main restaurant was buffet and quite good, we always found something to eat there and enjoyed eating outside on the patio. The resort had two specialty restaurants, one Cuban and one Italian. We only made it to the Italian Restaurant where we had Filet Mignon which was excellent. The 24 hour Cappucino Bar was a hit and there was a Piano Bar where you could enjoy a drink before dinner. The resort offered a gym, a games room with table tennis and billiards and various organized activities throughout the day such as Spanish and Tango Lessons.



We went into Havana by Classic Taxi which was a step back in time and enjoyed going back to Old Havana, Ernest Hemingways haunts, The National Hotel and listening to the Cuban Music.   We also went to the market where you could buy art work, leather goods and cuban music instruments.



On another day we also hired a Classic Taxi to go to Matanzas and Varadero, and went into the Bellamar Caves en route. These caves, discoved in 1891 but thought to be thousands of years old are 2 kilometers underground and filled with calcite crystals and stalactites and amazing rock formations.

The all inclusive resort is a great way to go if you want some rest and relaxation with an opportunity for a couple of day trips.  If you want to explore more of Cuba and meet the locals, there are some great 8 or 15 day cycling trips.  Also you can now take a 7 night cruise on board a 25 Cabin Sail Cruiser from Trinidad to Havana with 2 nights in Havana. Please contact me for more details. 

Calling all Hobbit fans

There is much excitement in New Zealand right now with the world premier of 'The Hobbit' in Wellington.  Air New Zealand has painted their aircraft with Hobbit characters and produced a great flight safety video promoting the movie.
So if you are a Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fan here is a suggested self drive itinerary for your next trip to Middle Earth! 

Day 01:  Arrive in Auckland which is the country's largest city and home to 1.5 million people.  It is surrounded by two harbours and offers world class accommodation, outstanding food and wine and great shopping. 

Day 02:  Drive from Auckland to Waitomo (approximately 2 hours.)
Here you will see the subterranean waterfalls; spectacular glowworm light displays and awe inspiring rock formations created millions of years ago.  With its name from 'Wai' which translates as water and 'tomo' which means entrance or hole in Maori, Waitomo is the perfect setting for some of New Zealand's natural wonders.

Filming for The Hobbit trilogy took place on private farmland just around the corner from the famous Waitomo Caves and locals moved out of their homes to allow the film crew to stay in the area.

Day 03:  Explore more of the caves before driving from Waitomo to Hamilton (approximately 1 hour.)
The riverside city of Hamilton lies in the heart of the Waikato which is New Zealand's  most productive dairy farming region.  Best known for nature based tourism and off the beaten track experiences, the city and surrounding area offers something for everyone.

Day 04:   It was just outside the town of Matamata that Sir Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema spotted a slice of land during an aerial search for film sites in 1998 for Lord of the Rings.  Mature pine trees in front of a pituresque lake with surrounding landscapes untouched by 20th century clutter, perfectly resembled The Shire as described bu author J.R.R. Tolkein.  It became the famous setting for Hobbiton and was rebuilt in 2011 for The Hobbit trilogy to remain a permanent tourist attraction. 

Just 45 minutes from Hamilton you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set in a fascinating 2 hour guided tour.  There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the movie set.  This is still a working sheep and beef farm and there's the chance to cuddle and bottle feed pet lambs.  Enjoy luch at The Shire's Rest Cafe before heading down to Rotorua.  The drive from Matamata to Rotorua will take about 45 minutes.

Day 05:  The city of Rotorua is surrouned by a fascinating landscape of geothermal activity, freshwater lakes and majestic native forests.  Home to the Te Arawa tribe, it's a region steeped in Maori legend.  Whether you want to explore amazing boiling mud pools and steam vents, relax in a natural hot pool or try your hand at trout fishing, Rotorua is the place to do it.

Day 06:  Drive to Taupo, and visit the famous Huka Falls and the Aratiatia Rapids - where filming also took place.

Day 07:  Drive to Tongariro (about 1 hour.)
This is one of the favourite locations for the cast and crew of The Hobbit who were really impressed by the scenery and the cultural experience the local Maori people gave them.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is described as one of the best one day hikes in New Zealand crossing from alpine meadows to mountain summit with stunning volcanic features along the way.  Walk across a lunar landscape of craters, scattered pumice, active volcanoes, mountain springs, lava flows and more.  This is an 8-9 hour guided trek.  The summit of Mt Tongariro is 1967 meters and Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom,) 2287 meters above sea level.

Day 08:  Drive from Tongariro to Wellington (approximately 4.5 hours)
Nestled between a picturesque harbour and forest clad hills, the views are everywhere.  Wellington has pioneered museums, public galleries and civic space to give the city an easy living style.  Boutique shops, chic cafe's and restaurants are always busy.  The compact city is a pleasure to walk around with a lively waterfront and bays all around the harbour to enjoy.

Day 09:  In Wellington.  A tour is the best way to uncover the secrets of movie making in Wellington.  Vist the sites where filming began for The Lord of the Rings trilogy with Wellington Rover Tours and Flat Earth Tours.  Stops include the Hutt River (Anduin) and Harcourt Park (Isengard), Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell, Minas Tirith and Helms Deep at an old quarry closed to general visitors.  You will also see Wellington city from the summit of Mount Victoria and run along the same path that the Hobbits ran to the ferry and on to the famous 'Get off the Road' scene.

'I know I speak for a company of hobbits, dwarves, elves and orcs when I say that this city holds a special place in our hearts.  We cannot think of a more perfect way to send The Hobbit off into the world than to celebrate with a huge party in Wellington, where the journey began.'  - Sir Peter Jackson

Photos Courtesy of New Zealand Tourist Board

Middle Earth

Staying Alert at Work

We often spend a great deal of time hunched over our desks, sometimes eating lunch while working and not even paying any attention to what we are actually eating.  Do you ever reach for that last piece of cookie and are surprised it's no longer there - you've already eaten it!  We think that by working away and not taking any breaks that we are getting things done, but over time this affects our health.  Here are some tips to Stay Alert and be more effective:

1.  Take at least 2 - 20 minute breaks during the day, one between 3.00-4.00PM.  We are programmed to be naturally active for 90-120 minutes at a time, but then require a 20 minute break to balance the glandular, immune, and nervous systems.  When we are stressed and expected to perform beyond our capacity for prolonged periods of time these rhythms are disrupted.  The lowest time of day for many people is between 3.00-4.00pm.  At this time our cycles overlap in their low phases, causing a drop in energy and function.  There is also a decrease in adrenal hormone cortisol during this period.

2.  Support your Adrenal Glands by eating regular meals and healthy snacks between meals to stabilize cortisol levels.  Avoid sugar, reduce caffeine and high glycemic carbohydrates that cause a spike and then a drop in cortisol.

3.  Breathe - if you need some energy do Right Nostril Breathing which stimulates the Left Side of the Brain.  Block off the left nostril with the left thumb and inhale and exhale through the Right Nostril.  Or try the 4 part breath - sniff in one breath but in 4 parts through both nostrils and one long exhale through the nose - continue for 3 minutes.

4.  Colour Therapy - Wear something Yellow or have a bright Yellow Cup or Item on your desk.  The colour is cheery but it also stimulates your Navel Chakra associated with Mental Intelligence.  Try sipping Ginger or Fennel Tea or add some lemon to your water.  Rosemary Oil strengthens the nervous system, stabilizes emotions and is great to use while studying and problem solving. 

5.  Take a walk and clear your mind - this is often when intuitive thoughts come and problems get solved.  If this isn`t possible take a few minutes to stretch - bring the arms up over the head and shake for a few moments, then come into a forward bend - do this a few times and then stay in the forward bend for 30 seconds or so - this can give you a new perspective.

6.  Yoga.  Bring both shoulders up to the ears on the inhale through the nostrils and shrug them down on the exhale through the mouth, and continue for a minute.  Then do Figure 8 Neck Rolls - helps release muscle tension in the neck, which then takes more newly oxygenated blood to your brain, eyes and ears.  If you are feeling really agitated go into the boardroom (when it`s not in use) and come into a downward dog (triangle pose) for 3 minutes - this works on the nervous system.

7.  Look up from your computer throughout the day and focus your eyes on something far away for a few moments.  Follow with moving the eyes up and down, left to right and then roll them around clockwise and then anti-clockwise.

In Flight Yoga & Wellness

It is certainly interesting to observe others while sitting on an aeroplane.  Some fidget and can't sit still, others settle right into a book or go to sleep and then there is always those who want to change their seat or can't fit their 'excess' hand luggage into the overhead.  Inevitably everyone has no choice but to settle in before take off.  That doesn't mean they are calm and relaxed though and often hands are clenched onto the seat rests and breaths become shallow for the anxious and worried.  If this is you, here are some tips that can help.

1.  Drink lots of water, especially if you are worried or anxious.  The element of water is cleansing and really helps the nervous system.

2.  Bring some calming music to listen to so you can create your own space.

3.  Bring a book you have already started and are enjoying.  This will give you more incentive to read if you are feeling restless.

4.  Have a scarf or hat to put on your head.  This helps you to feel contained and also stops the draft from the overhead air vent coming on your head.  Wear layered clothing as the cabin temperature often changes during the flight.

5.  Breathe.  You can change your energy through your breath.  Close your eyes and observe your breath and feel its rhythm.  Breathing fewer than 8 breaths per minute always calms you.  This is a great time to practice the 1 minute breath.  Start inhaling very slowly at first to a count of 5 seconds, hold the breath for 5 seconds and exhale to a count of 5.  Then gradually increase to 10 counts on the inhale, 10 hold and 10 on the exhale.  You can continue for 3 minutes.  This will be a 1/2 minute breath and if you are really comfortable you can work up to the 1 minute breath which would be 20 counts on the inhale, hold for 20 and exhale for 20.  The breath should not be gasping.

Or, if you are particularly nervous try Left Nostril Breathing which helps to make you calm and integrates unwanted negative emotions and stress.  Block off the right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through your Left Nostril, hold for a few moments and block off left nostril and exhale through the right nostril.  Block off right nostril and inhale through the left and continue inhaling Left Nostril and exhaling Right Nostril for 3 minutes. To end inhale both nostrils, hold a few moments and exhale both nostrils.

6.  Refrain from drinking too much alcohol on board, it de-hydrates you and because you are at a high altitude the effects are magnified and the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain is reduced.  Bring some healthy snacks to eat in between meals. 

7.  Bring some Peppermint or Ginger Tea Bags with you.  They both have a calming effect on the stomach and help with nausea.  For travel nerves put a few drops of Lavender Oil on a tissue and put it in a ziploc bag and keep handy.  Take a deep sniff when you need to relax.  I sometimes use the homeopathic remedy  No Jet Lag for long flights if I want to sleep and or want to reduce jet lag.  

8.  Think about where you want to sit on the aircraft - you can go to www.seatguru.com for help.  I like to get an aisle seat so I can move around when I want.  The disadvantage with the aisle however, is that you get bumped a lot as people walk by so if you want to sleep you might like a window better. 

9.  Exercise and move around during the flight - take a walk to an area where you can stand and lift one knee up to your chest and hold for a few moments, and then switch knees.  Next, stand tall and bring your hands on your hips and move the upper body to the right, then left, forward and back a few times.  Follow with interlacing your hands behind your back and stretch the shoulders back bringing your arms out behind you. 

Yoga in your seat - sit up tall with both feet on the floor and do Spinal Flexes.  Bring the chest forward on the Inhale and round the spine on the exhale - continue 1-2 minutes.  Lift up both heels, bring them down and lift both toes a few times.  Interlace the hands and stretch them up over your head for a few moments and release.  Bring your shoulders up to your ears and drop them down a few times.  Gently turn your head to the left and then right a few times and continue with neck rolls being mindful of the back of your neck.

10.  Meditation to Tranquilize the Mind in 3 minutes Click here for instructions