My quick but sweet trip to New Zealand!Kia Ora!
(Welcome, hello, thank you or good bye in Maori)

I started my New Zealand experience in Los Angeles with the Kiwi Specialist Convention. One and a half days of fast pace seminars with Tourism New Zealand, a bevy of New Zealand Tour Operators, accommodations and attractions. The convention was great! I got to meet lots of interesting people and learned a wealth of information. Picked up allot of brochures and CDs (I hope my box shows up as I had to ship it home – it was too heavy to carry all the way to NZ). The food was great and of course there were the New Zealand wines.

After the convention I flew out that night with Air New Zealand on my trip provided by Goway. I had a great flight; Air New Zealand has a great entertainment system in Pacific Economy. You have your own personal screen on the seat back in front of you, where you can choose from many movie titles (adventure, comedy, drama, kids titles too!), games, and TV shows. I lucked out and got 3 seats to myself, however the arm rests do not go all the way up so it is next to impossible to be completely horizontal. After 12.5 hours of flying time, I arrived in Auckland at 6:30am. Changed some money and hopped on the Airbus (15.00NZD one way 13.00NZD with an Explore NZ Card, available to Kiwi Specialists) and went to my hotel, Sky City. Luckily enough they let me check in right away (Sky City was an “add on” to the Goway Fam). Great service, really nice room! The rooms are quite modern and very large, the hotel has a casino, many restaurants, including The Observatory which is located atop the Sky Tower (Auckland’s version of the CN Tower). By the way if the urge takes you, you can jump 192 metres to the ground from the top for 195.00NZD, a really fast way to spend your money in Auckland. I did not partake! However I did partake in the Pizza at the Rebo café, it was delicious! Thin crust with roasted pumpkin, feta cheese, olives and artichokes on one side and on the other I had manuka smoked chicken with sundried tomatoes. I couldn’t eat it all, I wonder if it is still in the fridge in my Sky City room?

A little information on Manuka, it is a native shrub in New Zealand and is a variety of tea tree. New Zealand produces a Manuka honey which is renowned for it’s healing qualities, it has been used topically on burn patients with great success and it is great on toast or in tea! For more information on Manuka honey go to www.comvita.com.

For my first day in Auckland I booked a half day Bush and Beach tour, Wilderness Experience (again I got a 50% discount with my Explore New Zealand card). This tour is was great and I can’t say enough about Dawn our tour leader. I was picked up at my hotel by Dawn and from there we left the city of Auckland with a quick stop along the way at a bakery for some meat pies and fresh sandwiches. Then we drove to the Arataki Visitor Centre where we had great views of the Tasman Sea and got to enjoy some Maori carvings. Then we drove onto Karekare beach where the movie “The Piano” was filmed. This involved a very windy, steep descent down on narrow road, we were fortunate not to meet the same fate as the truck that went over the edge a few weeks prior (the yellow tape still marked the place). But that was all worth it because the scenery makes you forget all that. We were first taken into see a lovely waterfall where you can swim in the pool below or climb the falls itself. Then onto Karekare beach, meeting along the way a few good looking guys with surf boards. The beach was next to empty just us and a couple other people, and no piano; this is no ordinary beach because the sand is black. Black from volcanic ash and so, so soft on the feet. The sand itself contains iron (which can be picked up with a magnet) and also titanium. When the sun hits it, it shimmers. At this point my shoes were off and my jet lag was a vague memory and of course I clicked off a few pictures.

Then back on the bus and onto another beach via a scenic drive, this beach was called Piha Beach, a very famous surfing beach. We viewed this beach from above and it was stunning! Then we stopped at a little park area where we had a “cuppa” Dawn brought out the tea and coffee and biscuits and I actually got to taste Manuka honey for the first time. After our tea we then took a little hike into the rain forest and looked at the native flora of New Zealand, of which 70% is native to New Zealand. We learned about the Ponga, which is fern but growing as large as trees. The Ponga’s fern fronds are silver on the underside, the silver fern is a symbol found repeatedly in NZ, and it is also the symbol of the “All Blacks”, New Zealand’s national rugby team. Another symbol from the Ponga is the “Koru”, the curled new growth of a fern frond (know to some as fiddle heads here in Canada). This symbol is found everywhere in New Zealand from Maori art to the symbol on the tail of Air New Zealand’s aircraft. Dawn told us about the Cabbage tree and how Captain Cook’s crew boiled it up to ward off scurvy. And of course the Kauri tree, which is the largest tree in the world, largest in girth. The largest remaining one is known as Tane Mahuta, with a girth of 4.4 metres, and is said to be 1250 years old and still growing, the oldest is Te Matua Ngahere – 'Father of the Forest' – which is estimated to be 2000 years old. Our tour then continued along a scenic drive where we stopped to see a baby Kauri tree, only 800 years old! These majestic trees were once logged for their timber and their gum was used for varnish. They are now protected.

Our tour then ended at our respective hotels in Auckland. It was a day well spent with our guide Dawn; you could tell how much she loved her job. Who wouldn’t love working in such a beautiful environment?

The next morning I was picked up by Wes from Great Sights and we made our way to Waitomo, to see the glow worm caves. The caves are formed from limestone and there is an underground river that runs though it. The glow worms are worms that live on the ceiling of the cave and form a sticky string that hangs from ceiling. These strings glow and insects are attracted to them and get stuck in the stickiness. But to view them in a completely dark environment it seems as though you are looking up at a starlight sky.

After, we stopped for lunch and then headed to Rotorua where I stayed at the Rydges hotel. A very nice hotel with thermally heated pool (Most of Rotorua is heated this way due to the geothermal activity in the area). The rooms are very large and have a separate room with a spa bath in it. They also have table and chairs and a balcony with a table and chairs, mine looked over the horse racetrack and towards Lake Rotorua.
Despite the rain that night I walked to the down town area about (15 minutes) and went first to a souvenir shop where I bought a few things and use the internet. It was much cheaper to use the internet here than at the hotel. I paid 3.00NZD for 30minutes and at the hotel it was a whopping 26.00NZD for 120 minutes.

Then, onto the Fat Dog Café. An eclectic restaurant where you order at the counter and your food is brought to your table. I had the Chicken Satay Kebabs, it was quite tasty and lots of it, and washed all down with a Black Mac (a NZ micro brewery style dark beer). And of course I finished up with a flat white (somewhat like a cappuccino done south pacific style); I can’t quite get my coffees to turn out the same. Dinner cost about 20.00NZD total, quite reasonable I thought.

The next morning I was picked up by Bruce from Great Sights and it looked like the rain was going to hold off. We first went to Te Puia where the Pohutu Geyser and other smaller geysers and pools of bubbling mud can be viewed. Unfortunately, the skies decided to open up and the rain came down and I didn’t get to see Pohutu’s 30 metre eruption. The tour only allowed for 1 hour here and I feel it wasn’t long enough because there was allot to see, especially if you are a photographer. To see the Pohutu geyser erupt go to www.tepuia.co.nz via webcam (do it late at night because it will be day there then.) If time allowed I would have gone back when the weather cleared.

Next we went to the Agrodome, where you can milk a cow, see a sheep being sheared, feed a lamb (I did), buy some possum fur and merino socks (I did, and they are great!). But the fun doesn’t stop there; you can do a tour of the farm, jump bungee style and swing for awhile, do a simulated free fall jump, take a Hydrojet ride or roll down a hill inside a big plastic beach ball (Zorbing). This is a day plus attraction an hour stop cannot possibly do it. To check out all the possibilities go to www.agrodome.co.nz .

Our Next stop was Rainbow Springs, a beautiful native forest setting with fresh water springs with trout. This is a very informative tour on the flora and fauna of NZ. They have bird aviaries and there is the Kiwi Encounter, where NZ’s flightless bird the Kiwi can be seen. It is very dark as the Kiwi is a nocturnal bird; you can see it rooting around with its long beak for insects inside the enclosure. Rainbow Springs participates in a program call “Operation Nest Egg” where they actually find Kiwi eggs in the wild, bring them there, incubate them and raise them till they are mature enough to fight off any predators. The Kiwi population has diminished due to dogs, cats, possums and stoats and is a protected species. To learn more about Rainbow Springs and the Kiwi Encounter go to www.rainbowsprings.co.nz .

My tour was at its’ end, I got dropped off at the Lakeside Café and had lunch with Bruce the driver from Great Sights. Turns out he and his wife have a B&B on the lake in Rotorua.

After that I wandered over to the Maori church, St. Faith’s, nearby to view the incredible Maori carvings located inside the church. The church is open to the public (no pictures inside) no admission and no crowds so you can stand in the church and absorb the history, faith and culture of the Maori people. There is also a little gift shop next to the church where you can purchase Maori art and crafts.
I had the rest of the afternoon to myself so I went back to the hotel had a flat white while waited for my laundry to be done. The washers and dryers are free for guests and it cost 2.00NZD for washing powder.

That night I was picked up by Darren from Tamaki Maori Village along with a bus load of others, we drove outside Rotorua to the Tamaki Maori Village. On the way we were instructed (entertained) that we were in a Waka, a traditional Maori canoe and that we had to paddle in unison to make the bus go faster. We were also told that we were a tribe and had to choose a chief. There were three criteria to be met; he had to be brave, intelligent, and good looking. We elected Bruce from Australia; Darren said 2 out of 3 weren’t too bad. Upon arrival Bruce was instructed of what to do when challenged by the Maori chief. The Maori chief challenges the visiting chiefs to see if they are friend or foe, this is called the Te Wero. The Maori warriors perform this challenge with conviction and not many clothes. It really is something! After the peace offering is accepted, which is a frond of a silver fern, then, we can enter the village. In the village itself they demonstrate the traditional Maori way of life. Then you are asked to go to the Meeting House, the Wharenui, where the Haka is performed and many other traditional Maori songs and dances follow. If you sit in the front row you can touch them they are so close. You really are immersed in the whole cultural experience. Then they feed you! And what a feed, they serve New Zealand lambed cooked in the traditional Maori Hangi under the earth in an earth oven, green lipped mussels, Kumara (Maori sweet potato) and the usual salads, pasta and veggies. And don’t pass up the national New Zealand dessert, Pavlova, meringue, cream and kiwi fruit, yum! After more singing and entertainment we piled back onto our respective buses with our bellies full and satisfied! Darren, our bus driver, told us on the return that now we had to entertain him or he would have to make an unscheduled stop. So each nationality onboard had to sing something patriotic, I was in trouble since I was the only Canadian and couldn’t rely on another fellow Canadian to pull me through. Surprisingly enough Darren knows just about every patriotic song for all countries and I had a little help with Oh Canada (how embarrassing!). It was great fun and it is a must do while in Rotorua. By the way, if any of you want to married with a Maori theme that can be arranged by Darren. He is a marriage celebrant and has his own company that does this. Just contact me and I’ll arrange it for you.

My Goway portion of my trip is officially over now other than the return flight with Air New Zealand, however there is more. I was fortunate enough that my Kiwi friend Helena came and picked me up the next morning and we did some “tiki touring”. She drove me to a little seaside town called Maunganui, where Mount Maunganui is located. We took a short hike around the foot of the mount while taking in the beautiful coastline and beaches. After we went for a dip in the hot salt water pools located at the foot of the mount and followed up with some Hokey Pokey ice cream, a New Zealand favourite. Maunganui is a lovely spot if anyone is traveling by campervan (camp ground right next to the mount www.mountbeachside.co.nz ) or wants a little less touristy spot to light up.

Helena, then drove me back to her home and the next day I flew out from Auckland, not without doing some shopping in Hamilton for last minute purchases. I did purchase some wine to bring home for friends but soon realized unless I packed them in my suitcase I would not get through security with it (wine and suitcases don’t mix, trust me I worked at Canadian Airlines Baggage for awhile). And to add insult to injury, if you are transiting through the US, as I was, you cannot buy anything at duty free over 100ml because you go through security in the US again.
Overall, New Zealand in my mind is one of the most beautiful places on the earth to visit. Great scenery, hospitable people and service, fresh and delicious food, flat whites and it is very user friendly. The New Zealanders have turned tourism into a fine art; they love their county and love to share the culture, history and stunning scenery with others.
This was my third time there and it won’t be my last!

Kia Ora
Denise Gushue – Kiwi Specialist

dgushue@maritimetravel.ca 

Wet and Wild on the Shotover River, Queenstown NZ

While in Queenstown this time I had of choice of some activities, since I had been there are few times before I opted to do something I hadn't tried before and it was white water rafting. I chose to go with Queenstown Rafting. 

Because I had no experience with river rafting I was little worried and hesitant about trying it. Luckily two others in my group decided to do it too, so I decided to go ahead.

Queenstown Rafting comes to your hotel to pick you up and brings you first to their office in Queenstown so you can check in, then onto their actual facility which happens to be on the Shotover River right next door to the Shotover Jet. Upon arrival there you are told that you will be wearing a full wet-suit as the river can be quite cold especially since it was late fall. This in itself is a challenge as getting into a wet suit can be quite tiring, there is a lot of pulling and tugging going on! They provide you with everything the suit, socks, booties, jacket, rain coat, life jacket, helmet and even neoprene mitts. All you need to bring is a bathing suit and towel. Important tip: it is advisable to go to the toilet before you put any of this on!

Since the start of the rafting is not where their facility is you then have to pile into a van with all this gear on and drive 40 minutes into Skipper’s Canyon.

Skipper's Canyon

Did I mention the road into Skipper’s Canyon is listed as one of the most dangerous roads in the world and it is probably one of the most scenic as well! It is a narrow one lane dirt road that clings to the side of the canyon and twists it’s way to the Shotover  River. This road was put through during the gold rush in New Zealand. On the way in you pass through 2 holes in the rock. The first was called Hell’s Gate by the miners as you were about to drive some precarious roads into the river. The second is called Heaven’s Gate as that was the first you would pass through on the way out of the Canyon and hopefully with some gold in hand. The river is still panned for gold and on occasion someone finds a nugget or two. Even one of the rafting crew showed off a ring that was made from a nugget found in the river bed.

Soon we arrive and now we are given a lesson on what to do if we fall out of the raft or if the raft flips. We also told not to stand up in the river if we happen to fall out but to float on our back with our feet up and to listen to instruction from rafting guide. At this point they tell you that you can opt not to do it if you don’t feel comfortable. I don’t think anyone ever does because the prospect of driving another 40 minutes out of the canyon in all your gear is probably less appealing. Basically after getting all that gear on you are committed!

Ignorance is bless!

Once in the raft you are taught basic paddling and commands as you have to work as a team. Before each rapid or challenge in the river we are given the lessons we need to successfully make it through without any mishaps. Ie. Falling out or flipping the raft.

Our guide Gabby!

Our guide Gabby was fantastic, she was small and mighty, full of energy and confidence which made us all feel comfortable. There is no substitute for an experienced guide with excellent people skills!

We were on the river almost two hours and it was so much fun! The ride down the river was beautiful with the fall colours and blue water. We also got a history lesson on the gold rush along the way and we saw many relics left from days gone by where people came to make their fortune on the richest gold bearing river in the world.

While on the river we encounter about 6 rapids all ranging from class 3-5 rapids, some of the names describes what you are about to encounter quite well, ie. Pin Ball, Jaws, Toilet etc. I’m happy to report that we did not lose anyone on our raft, although the raft behind us did lose one, but he was quickly scooped up and placed safely back in the raft.

Cascade

One of the highlights of this trip was at the end where you raft through a man-made tunnel that was built by the miners to direct the flow of the river. Going through the tunnel was quite gentle but as you exit it you are suddenly dropped into the last rapid called Cascade, where the water completely washes over you!  It was a wild ride and I was glad that I decided to do it and didn't chicken out.

After the Cascade you are back where you started before the ride into Skipper’s Canyon. I have to say the most dangerous part of this trip for me was the walk on the sandy path, going downhill were my feet couldn't keep up with the rest of me, causing me to do an all-out belly slide on the path. At this point I was feeling pretty good about having all the wet suit gear on! I only suffered a sandy wet suit and hosing down when I got back to base.

To finish the trip you can warm up in the sauna they have on-site and finish up with a flat white coffee and treat or sandwich at their on-site café. Even though you can’t really take your camera with you on the raft, they do take photos that you can purchase as they have different cameras set up along the route. 

I would recommend this for anyone that is young at heart and doesn't mind getting wet. No experience is necessary you only need to know how to swim and have the courage to try!

Denise Gushue - Travel Advisor

Kiwi Specialist 

denise.gushue@gmail.com

2012 - As I look back

As I look back on 2012 I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for. I have grown as a person, a travel advisor and my business has grown!   I have to thank my clients for this as you have made me expand my abilities as a travel advisor by trusting me with your travel visions.  I have learned so much about new destinations, new ways to travel and what motivates people travel.  Here is a list of some things I’d like to share with you that has transpired over my year.

Most interesting flight itinerary I booked – Calgary to Norfolk Island, then to Chennai India and then return from Bangladesh. This all for a client that who went to Norfolk Island to visit his family home, then onto to India to visit his daughter who was teaching there and next to visit his sponsored child in Bangladesh.

Most luxurious booking:  A Private yacht chartered for a client’s 40^th birthday and 4 of his friends in the Whitsunday Islands, Australia.

Most generous gifts:  A camper van hire for Germany with return flights as a gift for a retiring employee who always wanted to go back to Germany for a visit. Another company gave their long time employee as a retirement gift a private tour of Paris for her and her granddaughter. It was complete with chauffeur and private guide. These gifts will create lifetime memories for these dedicated employees, so much more than a gold watch. I felt privileged to be instrumental in making it happen for them!  

Most popular destination:  I sold a lot of trips to South America this year as well. Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos are hot spots for tourism right now.  I had opportunity to customize some trips to South America for some new clients and some repeat clients. I also have put together a writer’s retreat group to Peru with writer/comedian Deborah Kimmett.  To learn more about this trip click here.  

Most educational - I went on a Seminar at Sea on Royal Caribbean’s’ Oasis of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships. The Oasis is a beautiful ship with tons of activities, wonderful indoor and outdoor spaces, and wonderful dining options. This is a great ship for families and multi – generational groups as there is really something for everyone!

Fantail Falls, Haast Pass, NZ

Most loved destination - I had the opportunity to go on a familiarization trip to New Zealand which was fabulous! This had been my fourth time visiting New Zealand and I am still in love with it! I never tire of the place and can never wait to go back to visit! I got to see Milford Sound for the first time and it was well worth the drive from Queenstown into Fiordland National Park. The drive itself is just as spectacular as the cruise on Milford Sound.  We drove along the west coast of the South Island and through the Haast Pass, which is so lush and green with vegetation. Along the way we got to see the ever stunning Fantail falls and stunning seascapes along the coast.  

Nothing pleases me more than getting the chance to visit New Zealand and because of that I love planning and arranging trips to this beautiful destination for my clients! 

Most “proud moment” - I also was very happy to just have my name mentioned in Virtuoso Life magazine, a luxury travel magazine. Virtuoso is a consortium of luxury travel agencies and travel suppliers, such as hotels and tour companies, so I’m very proud to be a member. You can find my mention on page 87 under the Ecuador section of the January/February edition, here is the link to the virtual edition.  Virtuoso Life

Overall it has been a great year and I have my clients to thank for that! Here’s to looking forward to 2013, may it serve up new challenges, motivations, destinations familiar and not so familiar and of course success!

What to do in Sydney on a short stay.

I recently had a short stay in Sydney and was not wanting for things to see and do! Sydney is an exciting Sydney full of neighbourhoods and attactions to visit. The 3 main areas that are most popular are Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and The Rocks. These areas all have a wide variety of accomodations and attactions that are sure to please.

Creative Writer's Retreat in Peru

Have you always wanted to have an adventure in Peru? Would you love to write a great story?

I'm excited to announce I have put together a specialized group tour to Peru with One Funny Lady comedian/writer Deborah Kimmett. Deborah has been in the comedy/writing business for a long time and she is wonderful teacher/mentor when it comes to exploring the craft of writing, I can personally vouch for that!

 Deborah is now using her experience to help other writers or inspiring writers develop their skill and find their inspiration. She has held numerous writing workshops locally and worldwide.

After putting our heads together I suggested that it would be good to do a workshop at destination. Deborah jumped at the chance and decided on Peru as the place to do it, since she has always wanted to go there. So we came up with a plan and created a Creative Writer's Retreat in Peru.  




Peru is steeped in history, is biologically diverse, culturally rich and a desired destination for those in search of themselves or a spiritual connection. So what better place to find your inspiration!

Whether you are an experienced writer or a novice Deborah's aim is to help you tap into that inspiration while on this journey and put pen to paper.

Here is a teaser of what you might be inspired by in Peru! As they say "Don't watch the movie live it for real!"

For those of you that may not know of Deborah here is what she says about herself:

 "After three decades,of performing  (The Second City, Winnipeg Comedy Festival) and writing my own one-woman shows, writing and directing on TV shows ( Steve Smith aka Red Green and CBC TV) And CBC Radio (15 Episodes-The Debaters) I have mentored thousands of people ( and businesses ) to change the story they tell themselves and get right with their ideas. My workshops centre around Change, Communicate and creativity. I travel across the world teaching writing workshops, called Let me Midwife your Creative Life."

To learn more about Deborah please visit her website at www.kimmett.ca and check out some of her videos and writings. And here is the link to Deborah's blog on Why she wants to go to Peru.


The trip is 8 days/7 nights and starts in Lima on June 29th, 2013. For full trip details please go to:  http://www.vision2000.ca/denisegushue/vacations/creativewritersretreatwithdeborahkimmett1

Or contact me directly at denise.gushue@gmail.com.

All pictures provided by Prom Peru.

New Business Cards

New Business Cards

I recently found a website that offered some very different business cards and thought I'd give them a try. The company is called Moo and their website is www.moo.com. They can make mini business cards and you can add your own photos or text to them. 

Since my two passions are travel and photography this was an excellent way for me to showcase what I'm good at, being a travel advisor and photographer.

The video below shows what the cards are like. Needless to say I am very happy with the outcome!

Denise Gushue - Travel Advisor

     

Shotover Jet - Excitement at it's Best

Edith Cavell Bridge

 The Shotover Jet is one of Queenstown's the most exciting attractions. It is located 10 minutes outside of Queenstown  on the Shotover River at Morning Star Beach where in 1862 gold was first discovered by Thomas Arthur and Harry Redfern. If you are staying in Queenstown at a hotel you can be picked up by the Shotover Bus. While on the bus ride the driver plays an information video of a safety briefing before you get to the boat launch.

Once you arrive on site the first thing that strikes you is that water is a beautiful aqua colour and the surrounding scenery of the canyon is stunning! The historic Edith Cavell bridge, which is a one lane bridge  frames the entrance into the canyon beyond.

Once you make your way down to the boat you are given a rain coat and life vest and are advised to wear a toque (especially in the fall and winter), ensure your glasses are well fitting and you must leave your camera and personal belongings in a secure locker.  As you board the boat the driver reminds you to hold on to the heated hand rail, keep your hands and arms in at all times and definitely no standing is allowed. Get ready the fun is about to begin!

The river is noticeably shallow, and can be as shallow as 10 cm in some spots, this makes you wonder why the boat does not bottom out especially with 14 people in one boat. The boat call "Big Red" is designed specifically for the Shotover River conditions. With no exterior parts the water is actually sucked in towards the inside propellers called impellers and then forced out the rear nozzles with great force allowing it to reach speeds of 85 KMPH. The jet boat can brake and reverse using deflectors and thrust buckets similar to a jet aircraft, this allows it turn on a dime for incredible 360 degree spins!        

As we start to pick up speed and move through the canyon it is hard to know what to feel? Should I be freaking out about how close he comes to the rocks at incredible speeds or just be in awe of the incredible view from inside the canyon? The canyon is very narrow in some parts and it doesn't even look like the boat can pass and it barely does. And, I have to wonder why sheep who has wandered down to the shore for a drink and seems totally oblivious to the fact that there is a big red thing coming down the river at 80 KMPH and there is a bunch of women screaming in it as it does a complete 360 degree spin a mere inch or two from the rocks. I guess even sheep can zone out seeing the same thing over and over again on a daily basis.

As there is no way to really describe the acceleration felt while riding in " Big Red" the video below might somewhat do the trick. In my opinion is this probably one of the most adrenaline pumping things you can do short of bungee jumping or riding down the side of a mountain on a bike. It requires no strenuous effort unless you count exercising your lungs strenuous. Great for all ages and it is family friendly. Kids must meet the height requirement of 1.2 metres or more. You will disembark a little damp maybe, your face a little wind blown but there will be a smile on your face.  I recommend The Shotover Jet a must do while in Queenstown!

Denise Gushue - Travel Advisor
Kiwi Specialist
e. denise.gushue@gmail.com

View from Shotover Beach.