New Zealand News

Christchurch to Perth direct flights
Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia will be operating two flights a week between Christchurch and Perth from Dec 03 2013 to Apr 26 2014, and if they prove popular they will become permanent.
By flying direct, travellers will reduce their travel time by 3 hours, rather than stopping over in Auckland or Sydney
. 

Rotorua
A new Te Puia experience, Steambox, is giving visitors a taste of the past.  Steambox utilizes a favourite Nga Wha (Steam vent) Puapua, which is located in the geothermal area that is a backdrop to the famous Pohutu Geyser.  Visitors choose what they want cooked for their lunch before heading off on a special guided tour of Te Puia.  This begins with an interactive session learning to weave a flower and a tour of the carving and weaving schools.  Heading down into the geothermal valley, to the Kiwi house, mudpools and hot springs, the tour concludes when, after watching their lunch lifted from the Nga Wha, guests sit and enjoy a steam box picnic lunch on the geyser terrace.
Click here for website

Tongariro Crossing
Tongariro Crossing Track has recently re-opened after being closed due to volcanic activity.  The Department of Conservation has installed electronic sideboards that can be quickly updated if the risk of eruption increases.

 

Quick Energizers

Are you feeling a bit tired, restless or out of sorts, stressed out with no time? Here are some quick fix suggestions.

1. Stand with your legs slightly apart and bring your hands up over your head hugging your ears. Clap the hands 8 times so the entire surface of the palms are firmly struck. Then bend forward and strike the ground with the palms 8 times. Repeat for a minute or so. Clapping massages the brain.
2. Cross Crawls -  Standing, raise the left leg to the chest while raising the right arm straight up. Then alternate arms and legs, co-ordinating with a powerful breath for 1-2 minutes. This exercise helps balance left and right hemispheres of the brain.
3. For your Nervous System - Stand or sit, look at the tip of your nose. Extend arms out straight to both sides, keep them straight with no bend in elbows and turn the palms down. Criss-cross them in front of you, horizontally, alternating over and under, while chanting Har continuously with the tip of the tongue each time the arms cross. Continue for 3-11 minutes. Works on your ability to 'Do' and gets rid of your 'junk'. Chanting Har stimulates the meridians in the upper palate and sound and mantra have a powerful positive effect on the glands.
4. Right Nostril Breathing. Block off the left nostril with the left thumb, and inhale and exhale long and deep through the right nostril. To end inhale through both nostrils, holding the breath 10 or more seconds, then exhale. Sit calmly and enjoy the energy for a few moments.
5. Stand Tall and raise hands over head and shake the entire body for 1-2 minutes. Works on the nervous system
6. Sit down on the floor and stretch your legs out straight. Reach for your toes, and stretch your nose to your knees. Continue for 2 minutes - this helps boost your energy

Having trouble sleeping?

If you want to Get Up, Set Up and Keep Up, it really starts the night before.  If you go to bed late or you have trouble sleeping you won't want to get up.  Here are some tips to wind down in the evening.

1.  Stop watching television or other activities later in the evening and spend a few minutes writing a list of things you want to do the next day.

2.  Avoid over eating, drinking caffeine or having sugar in the evening.  It is helpful to have some protein before bed.

3.  Drink a glass of water (don't go to bed thirsty)

4.  Give your feet a massage with Almond or your favourite Oil.  The feet have 72,000 nerve endings so by massaging your feet you're soothing your nervous system and organs.

5.  You might try sleeping on your right side, this allows the left nostril to be more dominant during sleep which brings in calm energy.  Check your posture, if you are sleeping on your side you can put a pillow between your knees, this takes pressure off your lower back. 

6.  Keep your room dark.  If you are exposed to light between 1.00am and 3.00am your melatonin levels decrease and your biorhythms are thrown off balance.

7.  Use Lavender Oil - put a few drops on your pillow.

8.  Train your subconscious by practicing setting your mental clock when to wake up - (best to have a back up plan to start though)

9.  Try Left Nostril Breathing before bed for a few minutes.  Block off the right nostril with your right thumb and breath in and out through the Left Nostril. 

10.  Try this meditation for 11 minutes to help alleviate the days stress.  Click here for Meditation

New Zealand Adventure Tour

Do you like having your hotels and itinerary booked, but still want to have lots of free time?  Here is a tour that does just that.  In Auckland you can visit the America's Cup Village, perhaps take a Harbour Cruise, or go bungy jumping from the Auckland Harbour Bridge.  While in Rotorua, visit the Polynesian Spa or go Zorbing, enjoy a Hangi Feast or scenic helicopter tour.  In Christchurch you could get up close to the Penguins at the Antartic Centre or take a day trip to Akaroa.  Experience a Haka Show in Queenstown, or enjoy a wine tour and  the thrill of a a ride on the Shotover Jet.  So much to do!
Click here for more info:

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.