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Important Historical Landmarks of New Zealand


August 29, 2009
Filed under: visit new zealand — admin @ 5:05 am

New Zealand is considered to be one of the youngest countries in the world, as it was the last major land mass to be discovered by Europeans. For a young country, New Zealand boasts many fascinating and important historical sites, a legacy of its original inhabitants, the Maori and also its years as a British colony.

The most important historical site in the country is at Waitangi on North Island, where a treaty was signed in 1840 between the Maori and the British, the site is considered to be the birthplace of New Zealand as a nation. The grounds cover 1000 acres and were a gift to the people of New Zealand by the governor at the time, Lord Bledisloe.

There are several highlights of any visit to Waitangi. Not to be missed are the Treaty House, the country’s oldest home, and built for New Zealand’s first resident. Te Whare Runanga is an elaborately carved Maori meeting house; and you can also marvel at one of the world’s largest ceremonial war canoes. Many visitors simply enjoy strolling around the beautiful grounds. If that inspires you, you can even get married at Waitangi.

Two of the oldest towns in New Zealand are situated in the area of the country known as the Bay of Islands, Russell and Kerikeri. Russell boasts an excellent small museum offering an overview of contact between the Maori and Europeans; as well as Christ Church, the oldest wooden church in New Zealand. Russell is also the site of one of the most infamous incidents in the country’s history, the chopping down of the ceremonial British flagpole by the Maori chief Hone Heke.

Kerikeri has the distinction of being the oldest European settlement in New Zealand. A stroll through the quaint streets of the town will show you both the oldest wooden building and the oldest stone building in the country. A couple of nearby historical sites give an insight into New Zealand’s history. Kororipo Pa is a well-preserved Maori fort; Rewa Village is a full scale reconstruction of a Maori fishing village.

Throughout New Zealand, there are many other reminders of the Maori, such as burial grounds, sacred sites and tribal meeting places. The area around Taranaki on the North Island is a particularly good place to visit if you want to learn about the Maori culture, the small settlement at Parihaka was the largest Maori village in the region during the 19th century. There is also a monument to the Maori leader Maui Pomare, as well as the remains of several Maori forts, known as pa.

Wellington has been New Zealand’s capital since 1865 and boasts several historic buildings and sites, many dating from its days as an early European settlement. You can take one of several walking tours of Wellington which take in such historic sites as the birthplace of Katherine Mansfield, the country’s most famous author; and the Dominion Observatory, which once kept the time for the entire country.

Much of the country’s more recent history has been shaped at the Parliament buildings complex. Not to be missed if you are in Wellington are the Old Government building, the second largest wooden building in the world, and the National Library of New Zealand, with its books, maps and other documents. Also, not too far away, you can see one of the country’s most important and famous documents, the actual Treaty of Waitangi, on display at the National Archives building.

Nearly all visitors traveling to New Zealand by air arrive in Auckland, the country’s largest city. Although Auckland is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, it is worth taking the time to seek out some of the area’s historic sites. One of Auckland’s most beautiful buildings is Alberton, an ornate Victorian mansion dating from 1863, which offers a glimpse into how the wealthy lived 150 years ago.

Another historic home in the Auckland area is Highwic; a wooden house built in the Gothic style and filled with antiques. In order to gain some insight into the important role the sea has played in the lives of New Zealanders, visit the National Maritime Museum. Not only can you look at exhibits spanning 1,000 years, you can sail on them. The historic ship Ted Ashby offers rides several times a week.

Admittedly, many people visit New Zealand for the spectacular and dramatic scenery, and the chance to experience the great outdoors at its very best. However, if you are lucky enough to visit New Zealand, do not overlook the country’s proud and fascinating history.

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How to and not to Act When Visiting a Fiji Village


August 25, 2009
Filed under: visit fiji — admin @ 5:05 am

When exploring a Fiji village it is a good idea to be familiar with Fijian village etiquette especially when visiting villages and unaccompanied beaches, reefs and gardens. If you show up at a village uninvited be sure and ask to see the head man in charge as soon as possible and don’t just wonder around.

Take off your sunglasses and hat when speaking to some one and tote your bags in your hand and not over your shoulder. Try not to embarrass the locals and keep affection toward your partner to a minimum.

Bring some Kava with you if you can when requesting to visit a Fiji village and you might get welcomed with a small ceremony of appreciation and be invited to eat with the village. As always check with your guide or ask permission to take pictures. If you are invited to enter someone’s bure be sure and duck and sit cross legged on the mat while trying to keep you head lower than the host’s. The head is regarded as sacred to the Fijians and be sure to never touch someone’s head.

If you are staying the night at a village and someone offers you a bed in their bure it is best to accept and forgo the risk of embarrassing a host. Try and travel with some thank you gifts or make a donation to the village. A common custom called kerkere is for the villagers to ask you for things. If it is something you have to keep kindly reply that you can give that item away and be considerate of many villages lack of materials and not carry so much gear when visiting a Fiji Village.

This article about Fiji Village is provided by Adventure Brat.

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Carribean Travel Magazine Information


August 21, 2009
Filed under: visit carribean — admin @ 5:05 am

The Caribbean. Ask anyone and youll find that the word is nearly synonymous with fun and relaxation. Thats pretty obvious. When you want to travel, those are the only things you want to experience. And what better way to have the ultimate experience on fun and relaxation than to know more about the place you’re visiting? This is where Caribbean travel magazines come in.
From the mundane to the spectacular, from the humdrum to out-of-this-world spectacles: these are what Caribbean travel magazines have in store for you. For all the necessary information and minor details about how life is like in the Caribbean and some travel tips and vacation ideas, pick one of these babies from any newsstand and magazine store at the airport and learn about your ultimate vacation destination.
Below is a list of our top picks of Caribbean travel magazines. Take time to browse through these Caribbean travel magazines and when you’re done, see if you can’t be as knowledgeable about the famous islands as any local tour guide.
Port Hole Cruise Magazine

If your Caribbean travel is all about cruisin and cruises, then the Port Hole Cruise Magazine might just serve as your ultimate resource guide. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a veteran sailor of the high seas, you will certainly want a copy of this Caribbean travel magazine for tips on who, what, when, where, and how to go on a dream Caribbean cruise.
Entice your senses. Trigger the explorer in you. Let the pages of this magazine answer all your cruising questions. The Magazine comes out twice a month, setting a non-stop course to become the cruise vacation source.
Caribbean Travel & Life

For the beach bum at heart, the Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine presents the perfect opportunity on how to bum it all out in the islands. This Caribbean travel magazine offers hotel and resort reservations, travel specials, free travel info, marketplace (rental property listing and classified ads), and contests everything you could ever want.
Simply visit this Caribbean travel magazine’s site at and fill up the form provided to get a free complimentary issue. Every issue of this magazine is devoted to exploring the Caribbean islands, one of the most fascinating regions on the planet.
Caribbean World

As the first Award Winning quarterly Lifestyle & Caribbean Travel Magazine in the World, the Caribbean World features its best section yet, called the Island Focus where the ingenious writers of magazine focus on one out of many enchanting islands in the Caribbean and tell you all about its nitty little details from local legends to fabulous attractions. Other sections of this Caribbean travel magazine are hot gossip, fashion, food, sports, and weddings.

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Fiji Rainforest Spa


August 17, 2009
Filed under: fiji travel — admin @ 5:05 am

A Fiji vacation is a true escape from day to day reality. There are very few signs of things familiar reminding you of the daily grind, daily responsibilities or daily gas prices that are cutting into your lifelong retirement. Ah, that stress, it’s no good. Fiji offers you the opportunity to hideaway and enjoy the simpler and finer things in life, while even finding relaxation in vigorous physical activity, whether golf, surfing or hiking through the beautiful Fijian rainforests. The best way to perfect a Fijian vacation is to spoil yourself with a little pampering from a Fiji rainforest spa.
Fiji Rainforest Spa
Without a doubt, you’ll find a number of spas offered through resorts, and within the Fijian towns and cities that offer a rainforest style environment — how could they not? It’s what the islands are made up of, and that style of environment is obviously an asset to the relaxation of any weary traveler. Yet moving beyond the style and getting into true rainforest substance, there is a spa offered through one of Fiji’s finest resort properties that is tucked away into the rainforest, providing authenticity in ambiance and natural rainforest spa ingredients — the Rainforest Spa at the Koro Sun Resort.
Koro Sun Resort And Rainforest Spa
If you want a true Fiji rainforest spa experience, then you’ll want to venture to the island of Vanua Levu to the Rainforest Spa found on the Koro Sun Resort. Located on the south shore of the island, the Koro Sun Resort is built right into the virgin Fijian rainforest where the native rain trees meet the sands of the Koro Sea. It is a spectacular environment that offers guests a short walk down a garden pathway into a rainforest setting, where a cascading stream gives way to a series of rainforest Bures (traditional, yet contemporary Fijian huts) that are the Koro Sun Rainforest Spa.
Treatments At The Koro Sun Fiji Rainforest Spa
You may be quite familiar with the spa experience. Whether you treat yourself to a regular massage, or perhaps a facial to keep your skin beaming, you understand the benefits of holistic care. However, you’ve never experienced care like you will at the Rainforest Spa.
Not only will you be treated like royalty by the native therapists, these caretakers will only be using all-natural ingredients native to the surrounding rainforests, the Koro Sea and Pacific Ocean. It may be a sea salt scrub with Pacific salts, a full body massage using virgin coconut oil or an invigorating body wrap using the local fruit and banana leaves. Whatever treatment you choose, you’ll only experience the freshest ingredients on your skin.
The Koro Sun Resort
The Koro Sun Resort is a perfect getaway location for every Fiji traveler, whether honeymooning or looking for a perfect family vacation. The Rainforest Spa is just one example of the true hideaway that the Koro Sun brings to Fiji travel, as all accommodations offered by the resort are private residences, perfect for coming and going as you please, whether you’re a beach baby or would prefer to get down and dirty, exploring the native rainforests.
When you want a Fiji rainforest spa experience, you’ll have no trouble finding one, but if you want the best Fiji spa experience in an actual rainforest, the Koro Sun’s Rainforest Spa will lead you to a private paradise.

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Visiting Australia


August 13, 2009
Filed under: visit australia — admin @ 5:05 am

A visit to Australia for an enjoyment journey would be incomplete without looking at its outstanding koalas and kangaroos. From films to tell various stories the life of these animals especially in Australia, take interest of animal enthusiast, back packers, and inquisitive tourist.

The Kangaroo Island is situated in the Backstairs transition from the Fleurieu Peninsula. This island is pleasurable with its perfect beaches and wilderness, which casts a charming spell to nature devotees. What makes it popular is the presence of kangaroos, sub-specie of western gray kangaroo. In fact, Matthew Flinders named this island after his investigation and mapping at the beginning of 1800. He chose this name after he tasted a kangaroo meat that his crews slew.

When it stands detached by a sea stretch from the Australian continent, the Island has avoided the calamity of rabbits and foxes that cause a threat to the country’s native flora and fauna.

The kangaroos are an epitome sign in Australian wildlife together with its speed, beauty, and grace. In “Kangaroos and Wallabies” outstanding wildlife photographer Dave Watts paid tribute to kangaroos and their tinier relatives – this comprises the wallabies, wallaroos, bettongs, and pademelons. It was in an informative and brilliant portrait.

South Australia is an essential destination for anyone with a passion for nature and wildlife. If whale-watching interests you then both the Eyre and Fleurieu Peninsulas are ideal destinations between June and October any year. Kangaroo Island is one of the world’s most renowned wildlife havens and the Murraylands is an ideal region to explore life along the mighty Murray River.

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