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Subject:
New Zealand Contest - Win a Pack and Travel Guide
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theabsolutpink
Joined: 03/16/08
Outdoorzy Explorer
Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1
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Posted: 03/16/08 12:36am |
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A Week in New Zealand
I'd arrive in the North Island, Auckland to be exact. I'd be amazed by how such a "big city" for New Zealand really isn't that big by our standards here. I'd be in awe of how in just a few short hours, I can be at the tip of the North Island overlooking two oceans crashing together and creating a new type of wave. The wind would seem to blow right through me as I look over the edge and the crisp aquamarine color of the ocean would take my breath away.
On the way back down, I'd stop at the sand dunes. I'd race everyone to the top of what seems like a mountain of sand only to jump on a "sled" of sorts and race feet first all the way to the bottom. Sand whipping back into my face but I don't care - this is adventure.
I'd spend the rest of the day exploring a forest where the trees are so enormous you can't come close to wrapping your arms around them - much less your mind. How old do these trees have to be to be this huge?
My next day would be spent traveling south to Rotorua - I want to set up a tent and spend the morning getting used to the sulfer smell that hangs in the air. Better yet - i want to ease my way into a sulfer pool and let my troubles slip away. I'd rent a bike and explore the nearby towns. Scenery that reminds me of a picture perfect postcard surrounds me. I don't get far on my bike because I keep stopping to take yet another picture. The hillside in brilliant green, the water in a magical blue - this is heaven. As the daylight fades around me - I walk back to camp, watching the sky and wondering how I ever made it to this side of the world.
I catch a bus with other like minded travelers on day three to Wellington. While Wellington sounds like a cool place - I want to catch the ferry across Cooks Straight so I can spend the rest of my week in the South Island. Some locals told me that is where the scenery really gets good! On the ferry - they tell us to look out for whales, and while I look the entire time, I only catch a few dolphins flipping out of the water which isn't such a bad thing to see.
As I arrive on the South Island - I make my way to Christchurch. I'd spend the day exploring the town and taking in all the arts and crafts at an old historic church in the city center. I'd enjoy some amazing pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and wonder how come everything in NZ seems to include pumpkin as an ingredient - but they don't eat pumpkin pie. I take a brief trip north to check out the hot springs - it turns out to be worth the trip.
On down the island I go - stopping along the way to do some hiking. I want to see the glacier pools that are on the south island. I hear the water is so cold it freezes your hand. It amazes me that everywhere you turn - there are the mountains in the distance and a body of water not too far away. Such a perfect combination of environments.
Day four is all about Queenstown. This is the extreme sport capital of the world. I want to bungee jump, do the fly by wire, and anything else I can afford. Since this is my dream trip - that means i can do everything I want! This is also the place i want to go jetboating and sea kayaking. On the kayaking trip - i want to go see a seal colony...maybe even get close enough to touch one of them. (eek!)
Day five has to take me to Dunedin - the jumping off point for Antartica. Because I'm a nerd - I want to go to the Antartica Center. I hear they put you in a simulation room where you get to experience what the really adventurous scientists do during a storm in Antartica. Burr!
After the geeky museum trip - I head to the sand dunes once again. But this time, I'm on the lookout for wildlife. I have to see penguins in the wild! While i'm at it, i want to see a walrus, too. The sand dunes are awesome - and of course, i see everything i wanted to. Because this is my dream trip.
Five days in NZ wouldn't be enough to do everything I wanted to do - there is so much to see, so much to do. Its amazing how a country the size of California holds so many adventures.
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endercore
Joined: 02/18/07
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Lexington, KY
Posts: 141
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Posted: 03/16/08 9:05am |
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i think we have a challenger!
that one made me one to go to NZ. But then again did the idea of single track, drinking straight out of a mountain stream, visiting the shire, and catching a cool bar.
Its a great country and I hope all of us get to go there someday! Maybe if we dream enough and give out enough bumper stickers odzy.com will get so big that wade can have a contest where he sends the winner to New Zealand for real!
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Elizabeth
Joined: 10/10/06
Outdoorzy Explorer
bowling green, KY
Posts: 11
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Wade
Joined: 07/23/06
Outdoorzy Original
Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 822
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Posted: 03/16/08 10:55am |
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That's the way to think Endercore. This time last year all we could give out in these contests were stickers... then we graduated to giving away t-shirts... now we're giving away gear. Hopefully by next year we'll be giving away some big stuff. So fine tune your dreaming skills because the contests will keep rolling out this year...
I'm a lover, not a racer... --Wade
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Wade
Joined: 07/23/06
Outdoorzy Original
Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 822
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Posted: 03/18/08 8:10pm |
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I'll leave this one open a few more days. Chime in if you have a vision for your adventures in NZ...
Looks like we have 3 or 4 serious challengers... so uh... statistically speaking, this is a little better odds than the lottery. 
I'm a lover, not a racer...--Wade
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wkumtrider
Joined: 10/02/06
Outdoorzy Maniac
Da Ville, KY
Posts: 332
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Posted: 03/19/08 7:51am |
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How many people would work on their NZ vacation? No pressure Wade...
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Greensap
Joined: 10/23/07
Outdoorzy Explorer
Frisco, CO
Posts: 48
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Posted: 03/19/08 4:41pm |
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My first day I would go snowboarding. I have always want to snowboard on Mount Ruapehu. It is one of the world most active volcanoes and the only one I know of with a ski area on it. Fire and Ice, Baby. The second day I would spend rafting threw some cave I would love to see some glow worms, and for the rest of the time I would hitchhike/backpack around an enjoy the scenery. I have been told they pick up any one with a pack. Also they have huts all over the place.
* This message was edited 03/26/08 12:20am *
Lets Get Green
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Wade
Joined: 07/23/06
Outdoorzy Original
Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 822
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Rowemal
Joined: 09/10/07
Outdoorzy Explorer
Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2
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Posted: 03/25/08 10:08am |
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HI!!! I would start out by finding the nicest camping spot and setting up for the week. Then I would cruise around checking out the beautiful sites and finding a spot to kayak. In between hiking, kayaking, and maybe a little biking, I would mix it up with the locals and learn as much as possible about the kiwi culture!
Mallory Rowe
mer0001@email.uah.edu
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abenson
Joined: 10/09/06
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Louisville, KY
Posts: 158
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Posted: 03/25/08 3:50pm |
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I would like, have a good time and stuff. Give me my daypack.
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