This beautiful alpine village is located in a thermal region and is popular holiday and conference destination. Situated 372 m above sea level it is one of New Zealand’s major health retreats. The Hanmer Springs has seven open air thermal pools suitable for therapeutic treatments as well as relaxing bathing.

Hanmer Springs is the New Zealand alpine playground for all seasons. There’s a great variety of peaceful outdoor activities such as walking, mountain biking, a game of squash, tennis, picnic area, fishing, hunting and jet boating. You can relax in the famous thermal pools with its health and fitness centre. Hanmer Health & Fitness Centre wraps, relaxation, sports massage, spa pedicure and gym facilities.

Hanmer Springs has a great selection of pubs and restaurants to choose from. The local restaurants serve a wide variety of traditional and a la carte cuisine for any budget.

A bunch of New Zealander’s interpreters  has created a human-powered monorail system, known as the Shweeb. Their creation does double duty, acting not just as an innovative transportation system, but also an amusement ride.

The technology of the Shweeb is remarkably simple – the only infrastructure required is a network of interconnected single rails. A number of pods are hung from this these lines, which are powered by the people sitting inside them. In principle, these pods are no different than recumbent bicycles – they can achieve close to 25 mph, are comfortable to use, and can be used by nearly anyone.

Shweeb is a World’s first and New Zealand’s newest adventure activity. You pedal it yourself and tt a given speed you are using around half the energy of a racing bike and 1/3rd of a mountain bike. You race against friends or the clock, one to four people can Shweeb at any one time and you need to be at least 1.4m tall. SHWEEB abides by its “green and sustainable business charter” for NZ and any offshore locations.

The Shweeb’s prices are: $45 per adult rider, $35 per child rider (under 15 years old). The Shweeb Racing Circuit can be found at Agroventures Adventure Park, Rotorua, New Zealand. For more information go to shweep.com

The caves provide you an amazing opportunity to be a part of one unique natural phenomenon. Formed over 30 million years ago, they are one of the most visited attractions in New Zealand. Thousands of little glowworms radiate their luminescent lights that reflect off the water around you and decorate the cavern roof above you. It is a genuine caving adventure – millions of glowworms are a magnet for day tourists.

The cave is rich with stalactites and stalagmites that form an underground fantasyland with mythic figures that can fill one with awe. After about a 15 minute walk through the cave with your guide you come to the section of the cave where the glowworms reside. This section of the cave is flooded and you ride through on a raft. You are warned to be very quiet as noise apparently disturbs the glowworms. The raft carries on through this section and you arrive at the end of your journey.

Your visit to Waitomo Caves will leave you with a true sense of relaxation and serenity- photograph the pristine crystal formations and push comfort zones climbing and squeezing through wet and dry passages and waterfalls. Trips are either 2 hours or 4 hours underground and have a maximum of 5 people.

A sacred island in a lake, Mokoia is a green lava dome rising 180 m above the still waters of Lake Roturua in the heart of North Island. Stepping ashore, its deeply spiritual nature seems to reverberate through the air. This natural sanctuary for wildlife belongs to the Te Arawa people and was once known as  Te Motu Tapu a Tinirau – the Sacred Island of Tinirau. Isolated for hundred of years, it holds unique  kumera (sweet potato) plantation, which meant it was once hotly contested by warring tribes. Photo by: sam&onny

It is said that Makoia was home to Tutanekai, a young warrior. The shores of Mokoia hold geothermal springs and Roturua is New Zealand’s most dynamic thermal area – with geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools. The area is also the epicenter of Maori culture, with one-third of its residents being Maori. ‘ Sulphur City’ as it is known is a much – favoured spot tourists and backpackers; so to find more spiritual solace, cruise out to the hidden island of Mokoia. Photo by: marsh.hayley

When to go: Best to avoid the really busy summer months of December and January. Population: Uninhabited. Photo by: marsh.hayley

]]> http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/07/23/mokoia/feed/ 0 http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/06/10/extraordinary-images-of-earth/ http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/06/10/extraordinary-images-of-earth/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:53:20 +0000 misha http://www.wayfaring.info/?p=10241

This is the south-western coast of Sri Lanka (26th December 2004). In this picture we can see the ocean rapidly retreats 400 metres,  just 5 minutes prior to the arrival of a devastating tsunami.

The spiraling waters continue to fill the coast just moments after the tremendous wave has hit.

This photo shows an alluvial fan, formed on the southern border of the Taklimakan Desert in China. An alluvial fan usually develops when water leaves a canyon, each new stream eventually closing up due to sediment – the result being a triangle of active and inactive channels. The blue ones on the left are currently active.

Retreating Glaciers Bhutan Himalaya. They are very beautiful and has a clear sign of slowly melting due to global warming. Easily visible are the ends of most of these glacial valleys’ surfaces turning to water to form lakes, a trend which has been noticed only in the last few decades.

Hurricane Isabel 2003. This photo was taken on the international space station in 2003 and illustrates the huge size of the hurricane’s eye. Isabel was the deadliest of 2003 and its winds reached 165 mph.

Greenland Eastern Coast. Greenland’s eastern coast is included in this true-color Terra MODIS image from August 21, 2003. The small marks of white in the water looks like ice originating from the deeper fjords and reach all the way to the ice-cap covering most of the island.

Aurora Borealis is natural phenomenon. The image was taken on-board space shuttle Atlantis during the sts-117 mission.

Egmont National Park New Zealand. The picture displays Egmont volcano last erupted in 1755 and is now situated at the centre of Egmont National Park. The volcano can be seen from space in the form of huge dark green disc. This photo was taken during the sts-110 mission, april 2002.

Whirinaki Forest Park is a wildlife reserve located in the central North Island, New Zealand. The park area varies from impressive tall trees, rushing rivers and a wide variety of habitats for wildlife to narrow gorges and waterfalls.

The Whirinaki Forest offers over 100 km of tramping tracks that range from flat trails to rugged climbs. Opportunities for tramping range from overnight trips to five or more days. Other activities: Horse-trekking, Hunting, Mountain biking and camping. The Whirinaki, Rangitaiki and Whaeo rivers have excellent trout fishing and deerstalking is popular.

The Treehouse Restaurant is build in enchanted forest and raised above an open meadow. The tree house story is very ancient, based on childhood dreams, playtime and fairy stories of imagination. The form of the restaurant also has similarities to a sea shell with an open ends spiraling in the centre.

So we all dreamed of it as children, but could only do as an adult fantasy. Yes the success is via 60m  tree-top ”accessible” walkway – an adventure itself. The selected tree is one of the larger trees on the site and sits above a steep part. The restaurant has 18 seats, waiting staff in relative comfort complete with a bar, gaining correct camera angles with light qualities for filming. The kitchen, catering facilities and toilets are at ground level.

The Treehouse Restaurant is almost 10m wide and over 12m high, with the split-level floor sitting 10m off the ground. Openings are formed for windows by leaving spaces between the slats/fins that keeps the overall form yet affords a variety of openness for the views and light and closes down toward the rear.

It is designed to be weather resistant using acrylic sheeting fixed to the roof under the fins with vertical roll-down café-style blinds within. Lighting is an important architectural component changing the mood, with discreet lighting within the walkway and up-lighting within the tree house. The Treehouse Restaurant is located Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand is an island country situated in the Pacific Ocean. The country is notable isolated, about 2000 km southeast of Australia with population of European descent and Indigenous Maori (being the largest minority).

The first European name for New Zealand was Staten Landt. The name New Zealand originated with Dutch Cartographers, who called the island Nova Zeelandia, after the Dutch province of Zealand.

New Zealand spread over two main islands, the North and South Islands, Te Ika a Maui and Te Wai Pounamu, and a number of smaller islands, located near the centre of the water hemisphere.

New Zealand has extraordinary flora and fauna, due to its long isolation from the rest of the world. About 80% of the land’s flora is endemic. The two main types of forest are those   podocarps or the gaint kauri. The other greenery in New Zealand are grasslands of tussock and other grasses.

New Zealand has suffered a high rate of extinctions, including moa, the huia, laughing owl and flightless wrens. This is because of human activities such as hunting and others.New Zealand has led the world in island restoration projects, where offshore islands are cleared of introduced mammalian pests and native species are reintroduced. Several islands located near to the three main islands are wildlife reserves where common pests such as possums and rodents have been eradicated to allow the reintroduction of endangered species to the islands.

I present you a luxury and really glamorous villa Rahimoana separated in New Zealand which offers the ultimate experience of a lifetime. The style of the villa is wrapped in glass for gallery – sleek interiors showcasing original artworks. The cool house have four bedrooms, a Porsche with driver, housekeeper, private chef and all these are available staff with an all inclusive package.

The destination of the villa is Bay of Islands, which gives the lovely nature and stunning views from every edge inside and outside in the house. Growing out of the hillside overlooking the pool and magnificent land and seascapes is the ultimate honeymoon suite or love nest, an idyllic retreat for two. Absolutely stunning and romantic, your every whim is catered to.The mezzanine bedroom enjoys spectacular views, has a floor to ceiling glass shower in the en-suite and skylight over the bed. The main floor has indoor and outdoor fireplaces and walls of glass bi-fold doors that open onto a stunning balcony on three sides. It has a fabulous gourmet kitchen, another full bathroom and an outdoor shower.

The Eyrie is situated high up in native bush overlooking the ocean, and out to Waitangi, Paihia and the Islands of the North. This luxury home is perfect for three couples or a family, and features original artwork and contemporary design. The gourmet kitchen overlooks the private and secluded courtyard, surrounded by tropical plants and alive with native birds. The al fresco living consists of an 18 metre horizon-edge lap pool and outdoor heated spa pool overlooking the bay, with a barbeque to complete the open-air leisure facilities.

Nestled into a sea of native bush, the tranquillity and seclusion of this private house – from the moment you walk through the front door – the panoramic ocean vistas overlooking the historical grounds of Waitangi will capture your heart and imagination. This luxury property features three stunning en-suite bedrooms, which all open out onto the deck and overlook the 18 metre, heated, horizon-edge pool. The lounge is equipped with plasma screen television, DVD and CD players, and the open plan dining area seating six, is serviced from a gourmet kitchen.

Indicative Tariff: NZ$37,500.00* per night
*Tariff excludes 12.5% goods & services taxTariff Includes: accommodation, Porsche Cayenne Turbo Plus Personal Driver -24 HOUR, Personal Liaison Manager/Host-24 HOUR, Personal Housekeeper -24 HOUR, New Zealand wines and French Champagnes, Exquisite Cuisine prepared by resident private chef

Cancellation Policy: cancellation policy at Rahimoana – Eagles Nest will be outlined upon booking

The first European to see the future site of Napier was Captain James Cook, who sailed down the east coast in October 1769. He commented: “On each side of this bluff head is a low, narrow sand or stone beach, between these beaches and the mainland is a pretty large lake of salt water I suppose.” In October 1769 the bark “Endeavour”, captained by James Cook, sailed down the East Coast of the North Island on a voyage of discovery. As part of his meticulous charting of the unknown territory, Cook named the Bay in honour of Sir Edward Hawke, First Lord of the Admiralty. The actual Bay (the water) is Hawke Bay, and the the province (the land area) is Hawke’s Bay. Napier was declared a port of entry in 1855. The Royal Bride, 526 tons, from London under Captain Laker was wrecked at Napier on June 22nd 1863 two miles from the harbour entrance after dragging anchors. No lives were lost. She carried 24 assisted emigrants.

Napier is known as the Art Deco city, and is maintaining that title these days mainly because of the work of the Art Deco Trust. The buildings in this city have undergone massive reconstruction since the earthquake of 1931 which almost levelled the city. The rapid rebuilding, which occurred in the following few years after the earthquake saw the rise of the Art Deco city, was influenced by the art of that time. Without a doubt, Napier’s biggest attraction is the city itself, with marvelous architecture that offers visitors a look back in time. But The National Aquarium of New Zealand on Marine Parade is a Napier destination you wouldn’t want to miss. Opened in March 2002, it has a huge ocean tank with an observation tunnel and holds the most comprehensive collection of marine life in the country. The aquarium’s magnificent architecture resembles a stingray. Exhibits include kiwis, piranhas, crocodiles and every sea creature.

The Museum of New Zealand “Te Papa Tongarewa” is the national museum of New Zealand. It is branded and commonly known as “Te Papa and Our Place”. “Te Papa Tongarewa” is broadly translatable as “the place of treasures of this land”. The main Te Papa building is on the waterfront in Wellington, on Cable Street. Inside the building are six storeys of exhibitions, cafes and gift shops dedicated to New Zealand’s culture and environment.

The museum was opened to enable the people of New Zealand to learn more about their cultural identity and their country’s geography and has attracted international acclaim for its ultra-modern and interactive displays. Over the five floors of our huge building you can explore the breadth of the New Zealand story – from the shaping of its land to the spirit of its diverse peoples, from its unique wildlife to its distinctive visual culture. It occupies a floor space measuring 36,000 sq m and houses many national artefacts, enabling visitors to learn about the art, history and natural environment of New Zealand.

New Zealand’s geology and natural environment and the stories of New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, are celebrated in Te Papa’s permanent exhibitions, while Te Papa’s Marae is a vibrant contemporary meeting house and a living communal centre, unique in a museum. Te Papa has extensive collections: of birds from the New Zealand region, collection of land-based plants, the fishes collection contains around 175,000 specimens ( it’s the world’s largest collection from the New Zealand region), the largest Crustacea Collection – includes crabs, lobsters, prawns, krill, sea lice, water fleas, and others, collection comprises historical photography dating from the 1850s, art and visual culture intersects a variety of photography, botanical art, craft and design, and Maori and Pacific visual culture. Te Papa’s collection includes creatures as small as snails and slugs, and as large as octopuses and giant squids.

Te Papa is a place that welcomes visitors of all ages and interests. Along with stimulating exhibitions there are also engaging and fun presentations, including an animated theatre, motion simulator rides into the past and future, and interactive such as a virtual bungy-jump. With its hands-on learning areas and interactivity, Te Papa is a wonderful place for children.

The Abel Tasman National Park has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, with forested hills dropping down to golden-sanded bays rich in wildlife. Taking a sea kayak for an overnight trip will be a highlight of this tour. We will be camping overnight on a sheltered beach, and close encounters with fur seals, or even dolphins, are likely!
The lack of wind – thanks to a prominent headland – makes it an ideal place for kayakers of all levels, while the chance to encounter the local sea life, such as penguins, dolphins and seals, adds a touch of magic. The area is renowned throughout the country as one of the best spots for kayaking, and with over 50km of picturesque coastline to choose from, the options feel endless. Kayaking manages to be both relaxing and energetic at the same time. At Abel Tasman you can add stunning beauty to the list too.