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On New Zealand’s South Island is
Christchurch, just a 3-hour flight from Sydney,
Australia. This city is the most English one outside
of the UK. And, just like in England, the residents
go sailing on the river of tree-lined Avon. The city
is known for its gardens and there is a free trolley
ride available to make access to the museums and
parks easy.
As you drive west from Christchurch, the rolling
hills and towns are anticipated, but then the
unforeseen happens. The road starts to go upwards
until you clear a mountain pass, leaving behind any
clouds, and behold! |
A spectacular scene of snow-capped mountains with a backdrop
of solid blue skies greets you. A vista straight from the
blockbuster hit “Lord of the Rings”.
The South Island’s ever changing panorama dazzles even the
most cynical visitors with its diversity: blue lakes,
snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, teal-colored rivers,
rainforests, beaches, rugged coastline, and glaciers.
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Extreme adventure and New Zealand are one and the
same.
Imagine paragliding above crystal clear Lake
Wanaka with the snow capped mountains of the
Southern Alps behind you.
After trekking and hiking up the viewing point of
the Franz Joseph Glacier’s rainforest path, you may
realize that you need an up-close look.
For those
who are not into laborious hiking, hiring a
helicopter to the pinnacle of the glacier is the
ideal solution.
Walking on fields of ice field gives you the
illusion of being on top of the world. |
Upon going back, the chopper dips down for a better look of
the surface of the glacier, which is splintered into small
tips producing a look of skyscrapers.
One of the most breath taking vistas is found on the West
Coastal Road. Make arrangements to stop over at the Pancake
Rocks which are exceptionally layered and investigate the
Cape Foulwind seal colony.
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Companies of car rentals have it all mapped out.
Just leave your vehicle at the Picton wharf, board
the modern Wellington ferry, and waiting for you
will be a rental car. It is included in their
service to customers. The Te Papa Museum is a
must-see site in Wellington where you can see the
island’s history.
It is very hard to resist all of the activities in
the country which are sure to give you that
adrenaline rush. Nearby on North Island is Lake
Taupo. It is a great place to bungee jump. Just take
a few steps off a platform right into a ravine, feel
the ultramarine waters of the River Waikato over a
hundred feet below, and a boat will be waiting to
hook you in. |
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According to jumpers, the trek back up to the top is harder
than the actual jump. A tip form veteran jumpers is to not
look down, just go for it.
The colorful display of yellow, red, purple and orange
edging gives the area an unworldly ambience.
This phenomenon
is because of the presence of antimony, sulfur, iron oxide
and many more elements. It is quite unsettling to hear the
earth bubble and gurgle so close to the walkways, even in
the city. Five percent of the electricity in New Zealand is
provided by harnessed geothermal energy.
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