Ten Reasons To Love New Zealand!
This is a real toughie! New Zealand is a long way off from anywhere especially when deciding to go for a holiday. You may well ask ‘Why New Zealand?’
No matter how hard you try you cannot nail down just ten reasons to love New Zealand. First off there so many wonderful and breathtaking places to visit in New Zealand that listing them alone would fill an entire guidebook. So I am going to cheat here.
This listing is a mash-up. We highlight individual activities and locations and also provide wide-ranging sections to cover a number of them. Hopefully that will give you the big picture so that you can fully experience the stunning landscape, incredible weather and get in a huge dose of adventure. We also hope our highlights will encourage you to take the journey and help organise your limited time in The Land of the Long White Cloud.
The Scenery and Landscape
New Zealand is the result of nature’s genius. The forces unleashed by the ice age, tectonic forces, volcanism and erosion have created a landscape, flora and scenery unequalled anywhere in the world. It has produced one of the most unspoilt, diverse and dramatic terrains in the world. Just the memory of those majestic mountain ranges, crystal clear alpine lakes, craggy fiords and ancient forests (some of which are over a thousand years old) brings a lump to my throat and go all dreamy-eyed.
New Zealand possesses the unique opportunity to “tramp” (hike in Kiwi-speak) through native forests where many trees are more than 1,000 years old, kayak the turquoise waters of a tranquil bay, conquer a mountain, bathe in a thermal pool, ski a volcano, walk on a glacier, swim with dolphins, shoot the rapids in a jet boat, or just lie about on a sandy beach. Oh yeah! No place is more than 75 miles from a beach.
The Climate
Without a single doubt, the New Zealand climate is a major appeal as a holiday destination. It does not have extremes. The hottest it gets is 25°C and the coldest daytime temperature gets to 12°C. The country has a long summer and with just enough snow in winter for skiing. Spring and autumn make a beautiful country gorgeous when the normally green landscape explodes into a hundred different colours.
The Culture
That’s right! Kiwi culture plays a huge part in the attractiveness of the country. The people are fantastically friendly and genuinely hospitable. That probably lies in the fact that they are such a mixed bunch. The New Zealand population is an interesting mix of English, Scottish, Maori, Asian and Pacific Islanders who have woven their different customs and traditions into a splendid tapestry. Thanks to the Treaty of Waitangi, between the Maori and Britain, Maori cultural influence on society is all over and its character is one of the most marvellous and appealing aspects of New Zealand life.
Another attractive and audible aspect about New Zealanders is the accent. They all speak English but many of their expressions, phrases and pronunciation will be apt to confuse. The Zealand accent has strong Scottish and Irish influences with softer tones. Such is its appeal you will soon be speaking the same way and long after you leave the islands.
“Kia ora!
Adventure Capital
Despite what other countries around the world may claim New Zealand is the true owner of the title – Adventure Capital of the World. It’s in the Kiwi DNA. They are always off and indulging in some wild activity or the other. They constantly crave a blood rush, accelerated heart rate or adrenaline overdose (all three if possible). This has seen New Zealander’s invent some really wild sports and activities. Among their awesome pioneering achievements are jet boating, bungee jumping and zorbing. So get out of your bed and comfortable, unexciting room and head down to God zone country, because heaven knows what next heart-stopping crazy idea the Kiwis will come up with. And you just have to get in on the act.
Okay! So we covered some general and wide reaching New Zealand activities that will make you fall in love with the country. Let’s move onto specific things and places that could have you either deciding to stay for the rest of your life or returning again and again.
Bay Of Islands
The Bay of Islands – to employ that overused expression – is truly a paradise. Located in the north east section of North Island, it is an area of stunning beauty and has a gorgeous sub-tropical climate. Just a three hour drive away from Auckland, the Bay comprises of 144 islands, each one a treat in itself. Three locations deserve special mention.
Kerikeri: Famed for the Rainbow Falls and the Puketi Forest that is home to the magnificent and ancient kauri trees. The island also has some really good wineries, orchards and art galleries.
Paihia: In a place of abundant beauty Paihia is the jewel in the crown of the Bay of Islands. You can go whale and dolphin watching; take off on a tandem parasail over the gorgeous waters; skydive, scuba dive or go