Archive for the 'Attractions' Category
A World Made Of Chocolate
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 25, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Jaffas, Pineapple Lumps, Hokey Pokey and Chocolate Fish…sounds pretty funny to me, but these are iconic Kiwi treats.
I got to spend time with the good people at Cadbury World, based in Dunedin, New Zealand. (I have a whole other post coming on that quirky little city!) I think the only people who have a better job than me, might be these guys. They take their chocolate seriously…I mean, they have a Chocolate Carnival that lasts a week!! From July 11 to 17 – how sweet is that?
Cadbury World looks like a very fun place to visit – where the heck is my bucket list, I need to add this! And they are very involved in their community with lots of whacky events like the Cadbury Jaffa Race. On Friday July 16, two sets of 25,000 Jaffas will be released from the top of Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world. The tasty little treats will come flying down the street, bouncing towards the crowds and hurtling through space as they make their way to the bottom.
I am going to have to get some Jaffas and Pineapple Lumps to take back to the office with me!
Ziptrek – The Latest Craze To Hit Queenstown
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 25, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I had the opportunity to have lunch with Ziptrek’s Trent Yeo and his colleague Nicky Busst yesterday. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with the Ziptrek Queenstown team. Trent has brought Ziptrek Ecotours, a thrilling eco-adventure, to Queenstown. It combines adventure and ecological exploration in an exciting, but not too scary, two-hour flying journey through the forest canopy. If anyone saw the very cool Ziptrek that was put in downtown Vancouver during the Olympics, think about flying through the New Zealand forest!
Over lunch, Trent was telling me about the environmental approach that is taken both here and with the parent company in Whister, British Columbia. It is an environmentally friendly, education in adventure tourism providing a “green rush” – I like that phrase! While flying through the trees, you have an interpretive guided tour.
All I can say is that this is a new tourism opportunity that I think is going to be very popular in New Zealand. It fits right in with the outdoor, respect for nature, connecting with Mother Earth approach to life here. Plus you get your heart pounding and a bird’s eye view of nature that you just won’t get anywhere else!
Rugby World Cup 2011
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2010 at 6:53 pm
One of the great things about coming to TRENZ is catching up with people. I am always delighted to connect with Jo Mackie, Communications Manager for Tourism Auckland. Jo gave me some interesting info about the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2011 that I thought I would share with you.
- Auckland will host 12 matches including the opening match, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final.
- More information about Auckland’s overall preparations is here: http://www.aucklandnz.com.
- They have just announced free public transport to games: http://www.auckland2011.com/article-n60.asp.
- An important development from a tourism point of view is that they will have cruise ships providing accommodation for visitors: http://news.aucklandnz.com/index.php/content_B/?L1=533&L2=716&id=4775.
We have a briefing about Auckland this morning and one tomorrow about the Rugby World Cup, so I am sure I will have more for you. And on Friday, I get to spend time with ex-All Black, Bryan Williams. I am hoping he will give me some tips on how to play rugby!
Auckland Is A Scary Place – Really!
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I was very interested when I received information about Spookers, the only haunted attraction theme park in Australasia. Check out their website, it’s intriguing. They are a new exhibitor at TRENZ, so I am sure that they will have a lot of interest.
Spookers scares the bejejus out of you through theatrical and psychological horror, for a full-on terrifying experience. The strictly 16 and up attraction includes a Haunted House, the Freaky Forest, Disturbia (a 3-D attraction with demented clowns – I love that!), and Claustrophobia (oh my!). For family friendly (which family – the Munsters?) attractions, they offer Shiver ‘n Shake Haunted House Tours, Creepers Haunted House and so much more!
I realize that Auckland isn’t necessarily something you might associate with sheer, heart pounding terror, but with Spookers you can get your scary thrills!
Connecting With Maori Culture In Auckland
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I have a fascination with Maori culture. In fact, I am considering learning the Maori language. I’m not quite sure how I will accomplish that, but where there is a will, there is a way.
Toru Tours is owned and operated by New Zealander Paul Fuimaono, who is committed to giving you an authentic view of Auckland’s culture and heritage. Paul told me that it is the only tour that visits a marae (a sacred place which serves both religious and social purposes) on a daily basis.
With this tour, you experience a powhiri (welcome) by Maori people at the Awataha Marae. Here you will learn about their art, the symbolism of wood carvings, how to weave, and how to sing a Maori song. There is also a guided tour of historical Maori taonga (treasures) at the Auckland Museum and an “up close” encounter with the kiwi bird at the Auckland Zoo.
A nice introduction to a fascinating culture in a fabulous city.
