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Adam's great Kiwi Experience trip

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 +1200

Interestingly how things haven't changed one bit after leaving Auckland exactly close to a year later. Catching up with ex-colleagues was intriguing, it was like walking down the memory lane. However, I was having second thoughts about the journey that lies ahead... A 6 days journey on board with Kiwi Experience off I go.

Day 1 - Hot Water Beach

I was amazed on how beautiful the place is on top of a beautiful weather. The Hot Water Beach Holiday Park that we were staying was stunning, it's surrounded by nature, far away from the city and anything high tech, a heaven on earth getaway... Cathedral Cove Kayaking was the first activity for the trip, kayaking thru the reserve was breathtaking especially thru the tunnel at one stage. We were spoilt with a cup of hot drink and some home bake cookies somewhere out in the nowhere during the break by the beach... the sand was amazingly warm even though it's quite windy. We then kayaks back to where we started before sunsets 3 - 4 hours later...

Day 2 - Waitomo

Waitomo Caves with The Legendary Black Water Rafting is definitely one of the highlight by far. It challenges both physically and mentally, it challenge the fear of heights, the fear of the dark, the fear of drowning and especially my questionable fitness. Thanks to my adrenaline kicks its all go rather than a no. Harnessing down the tunnel like James Bond would have done or a ninja for my case was fun. Walking thru the tunnel, flying fox in the dark, hot chocolate by the edge of the cliff and tubing in the water was nothing short of spectacular, while glowworms high above in the caves was like stargazing with your love ones. I'm envious of the staff for a day job I must say.

Day 3 - Hobbiton & Tamaki Hangi and Concert

Hobbiton is definitely a great place for Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit geeks alike. The place changed quite a lot before and after the first Hobbit movie released. Green Dragon was a special building right across from the party tree and the lake. With their own brewed beer to offer in the building after geeking out the Hobbit holes.

In contrast with the Maori cultural experience later that night was educating. Learning the way of living, the war dance, the entertainment was nothing short of respect. Lucky few will gets to learned hands-on. The traditional way of cooking - the Hangi is a jaw dropper, mouth watering and stomach rumbling after a long day. A few traditional performances were followed by historical video clips in the Marae before "A MASSIVE FEAST" came from the earth to the tables.

Day 4 - Te Puia Tour

This is the place where you can see a real life infamous Kiwi bird. It's priceless when I was witnessed the 2 flirting with each other. Then fresh farm eggs boils in the thermal water was delicious and makes me beg for the second. The geyser was awesome and the bubbles coming out from the mud pool makes me wonder if I can get down and dirty in it. Sounds wrong... Mmmm...

Day 5 - Tangariro Alpine Crossing

I questioned my own sanity 20 minutes into the crossing after having to leave before 5..30 in the morning. I was complaining deep down in my head on what on earth I'm in for, it was killing me softly with the amount of stairs, hills after hills after hills. Taking every possible minute break after 20 steps of hiking. 3 hours into the crossing, I'm welcome with the most stunning view I've ever seen, it's fulfilling and makes me appreciates all the effort and the beauty of the second oldest national park in the world. It took me another 4 -5 hours to finished the other side of the track, the mountains reminds me of certain scene from Lord of The Rings and makes a big kid out of me running down the track...

Day 6 - Back to Reality

The trip could have been ended up better if mother nature allows. It was cloudy and a limo ride to Taupo Skydive has to be cancelled. However, walking along by the lake made up the loses...

As you might have already aware there are no pictures in here. it's intentional as its a trip that makes me appreciates everything in life. I'm not a picture person and wouldn't have spoiled more plots on here either... You'll have to try the adventure yourselves to believe it and it's memories are mine to keep.

I had the best fun in years, I made loads of new friends, loads of drunken nights and makes me forgets about the world for once. Well done Kiwi Experience!

how the world sees Wellington

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +1300

How the world now sees Wellington. Here are some watery-based activities to make the most of the sunny days: waterfront activities (presence of marine dwelling creatures not guaranteed).

Thanks for the great Picture Absolutely Positively Wellington :)

Wellington waterfront

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +1300

Nine massive kina, each weighting up to 7.5 tonnes, have been lowered in to Wellington Harbour.

The new sculpture by Michel Tuffery, Nga Kina, was constructed in Auckland and trucked to Wellington in November 2012.

The sculpture of nine kina is sitting in the water at Kumutoto Wharf and will be increasingly visible at low tide.

Each concrete kina is two to three metres in diameter, with the heaviest weighing 7.5 tonnes. They will be lit underwater with a ''complex lighting system''.

Nga Kina has been partly funded by the trust and Wellington City Council, with most of the $340,000 needed being provided by private donors.

Kumutoto Wharf is north of Queens Wharf.

Wellington Railway Station

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +1300

I am one of the 22,000 people that pass through Wellington Railway station twice daily. It’s really convenient for me, because our hotel is right across the road, and at the other end I have only about a 6 minute walk to my home.

Wellington Railway Station was completed in 1937, the same year as our hotel. At the time it was New Zealands biggest building and it was one of the first buildings built by Fletcher Construction who are still around today and are one of NZ’s biggest construction firms.

Previously there used to be two railway stations in Wellington – Lambton and Thorndon. They had separate owners - Lambton (built in 1880) was government owned and Thorndon (built in 1886) was owned by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. This company was purchased by the New Zealand government in 1908 to incorporate the line into what became the North Island Main Trunk, via Johnsonville.

Pressure mounted on the government to have only one station in Wellington, and in 1922 it was decided to reclaim 68 acres of land in order to build a new station. This reclamation from the sea at Thorndon began in 1923 and was on track to be completed by 1932, which allowed the government in 1929 to confirm that Bunny Street would be the location of a new station which would remove the existing inconvenience of the two separate stations.

The need to review building techniques after the Napier earthquake and the impact of the Depression on finances delayed the government formally committing to the project until June 1933.

The construction tender closed on 25 September 1933, extended by 2 weeks in an attempt to encourage local manufacturers to offer locally-manufactured materials. 12 tenders were received with Fletcher Building the lowest at £339,000. The next lowest tender was £350,000 from J T Julian & Son, who had constructed a significant part of the Auckland Railway Station.[4]

Fletchers was awarded what was believed to be the largest single building contract let in New Zealand up to that time, to which a performance bond of £3000 was applied.

Work commenced on site on January 1934 with a workforce of 12, which built up to 161 in January 1936. Fletchers reduced the cost of the construction steel to £70,000 from an estimated £85,000 by directly importing it rather than purchasing it from local steel merchants. The station was opened on 19 June 1937 by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Viscount Galway. Lambton closed on 19 June 1937 and Thorndon on 8 June 1937.

Between August 2003 and October 2008 the main station building was refurbished at a cost of NZ$14.6 million to house part of Victoria University in the West wing and Toll NZ (now KiwiRail) in the East wing. This work included a seismic upgrade, restoration and refurbishment, and installing three new lifts and a dedicated access in the south west corner to the university wing from the concourse. The architect was Athfield Architects with construction undertaken by Fletcher Construction.

On 4 December 2006 the New World Railway Metro supermarket opened on the ground floor. This coincided with the closure of the Railway Kiosk and the American Hotdog vendor.

Make sure you go and have a look at the station while you are here. The ceiling inside the main entrance is well worth a look.

The need to review building techniques after the Napier earthquake and the impact of the Depression on finances delayed the government formally committing to the project until June 1933.

Fletchers was awarded what was believed to be the largest single building contract let in New Zealand up to that time, to which a performance bond of £3000 was applied.

On 4 December 2006 the New World Railway Metro supermarket opened on the ground floor. This coincided with the closure of the Railway Kiosk and the American Hotdog vendor.

Make sure you go and have a look at the station while you are here. The ceiling inside the main entrance is well worth a look.

Cruise ship season has started in Wellington

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +1300

Wellington, New Zealand - the coolest little capital in the world. Fantastic shot from the Downtown Backpackers to capture the Voyager of the Seas called at Wellington port today. And Wellington did welcome the passengers with a beautiful sunny day.

Wellington Photo of the week

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:00:00 +1300

Fantastic shot of the city by night... Wellington, we are proud to call you home.

South of Wellington (airport) from the Mt Victoria lookout

Photo credit: By pabIo via Flickr

Spring is in the air - Welllington Photo of the week

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:30:00 +1200

With spring just around the corner, the evenings are starting to stretch out.

It's a great time of year to take a walk around Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Explore the fantastic sculptures and artworks that have become as much a part of Wellington's cityscape as the natural beauty of the harbour and amphitheatre-like landscape surrounding downtown Wellington.

Wellington's Civic Square, Downtown Wellington. Source: conference.co.nz

Wellington puts on a Spectacular Lightning Display

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:30:00 +1200

There was a spectacular electrical storm in Wellington on Monday night (20th August 2012). Tim Bilbrough captured the action in this awesome photo.

Wellington's dramatic show. Source: Tim Bilbrough

Wellington Lux Mini Light Festival

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:00:00 +1200

Opening on the 1st of September and continuing through to the 9th, Wellington's Festival of Light will illuminate the city's waterfront in spectacular fashion.

This year's festival will be a taster, with hopefully a 4 week festival with bigger installations and displays planned for winter 2013.

Check out the Light Fesitval along the waterfront each night (Sept 1- 9 2012 from the Lagoon to Te Papa.

Photo credits: The Dominion Post

Wellington Photo of the week

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:00:00 +1200

Fantastic aerial shot of the city we are proud to call home: Wellington, New Zealand.....

Photo credit: Kenneth Muir via Flickr

Wellington Photo of the week - The World Press Photo Exhibition

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +1200

The most popular travelling photo event in the world is on show in Wellington from today until August 29th.

The World Press Photographic prize winners' exhibition is on at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts at 1 Queens Wharf.

Photo credit: Francesco Zizola "Tuna Fish in the Tonnara" 3rd Prize in 'Nature' category.

For more information head to the World Press Photo website.

Do not miss this amazing exhibition!

What's On at the Downtown House Bar

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +1200

The Downtown House Bar, is Downtown Backpackers Wellington's very own licensed bar that opens at 4.00pm daily and specializes in fun activities. Check out what's on each night of the week.....

DAILY happy hour from 7pm – 9pm: 20% off all drinks at the bar!

Killer darts competition on MONDAY, come try your best to knock the others out. Be registered at the bar for 7pm

Free pool competition 7pm TUESDAY – be registered at the bar by 6.45pm, bar tab up for grabs!

Quiz night WEDNESDAY – are you as smart as the bartender, be at the bar for 7.30pm

Giant games night THURSDAY, see how high you can stack the jenga or compete at connect 4!

Come cheer on your favourite team! FRIDAY night is sports night, all the big games shown on the big screen.

Ladies Night SATURDAY, 2-4-1 house bubbles and 20% off all drinks.

Free pool all night on SUNDAYS. Pool is free every other day of the week between 4pm and 6pm.

Wellington Photo of the week

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:00:00 +1200

Wellington really does have the wow factor....

Source: Absolutely Positively Wellington, FB

Wellington Photo of the week

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +1200

Wellington Harbour in the morning....

Source: Phillip Capper, Flickr

Wellington Photo of the week

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +1200

Flight of the Conchords have returned to their hometown Wellington this week for three sell-out concerts at the Michael Fowler Centre.

They have added a fourth and final New Zealand show on 2nd July at the TSB Arena in Wellington before heading across the Tasman to continue the tour.

Source: Maarten Holl/Fairfax NZ

Wellington Image of the week

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:30:00 +1200

Celebrate Matariki (Maori New Year) in Wellington this month. It is the time of year we celebrate a small cluster of stars that appear in New Zealand's night sky called the Seven Sisters (aka Pleiades)

Heaps of activities, movies and exhibitions planned at Te Papa.

For more information click here.

Source: Matariki Events

Ultimate Movie Tour with Wellington Movie Tours

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:00:00 +1200

My colleague Kate and I had the privilege of doing an Ultimate movie tour last Saturday with Ted from Wellington Movie Tours. Now when it says Ultimate it means ultimate! With over 30 locations and travelling all around Wellington it was an action packed day. Here is a taste of our experience…

Isengard, pretty now isn’t it?

Ted sure knows how to amuse on long journeys with funny stories and clips from the Lord of the Rings movies. This also gives you a great idea of what the locations looked like before, during and after filming.

We started the day at 10am, with our first location being Helms Deep/ Minas Tirith (Hutt Valley in Dry Creek Quarry). Let the geeky fun begin.
We then headed out to Sarumans gardens in Isengard (Harcourt Park, Hutt Valley)

Saruman and Gandalf

Ted is very thorough in his tours and while on location holds up the scenes printed out, plays clips and points out certain trees that were in shot, or mountains and banks.

We were encouraged to get into the spirit of things with props and costumes. Being an LOTR nerd myself I jumped at the chance to dress up and act like a hobbit and various rings characters.
You can’t tell so much in this photo but I’m Saruman and Kate is Gandalf! And yes this is exactly where they walked in the film - exciting!

Kate did a fabulous job of being my horse (for the first time)“Aragorn Washed ashore” scene in Hutt Valley.

the real horse

In the photos below we a Rivendell scene comparison and the river part where Faramir found Boromirs body.

Faramir found Boromirs body here

Rivendell scene comparison

Rivendell was a great time, as you can see Kate and I were channelling Legolas here. Same tree, same stump I wish I could say the same hair!

Legolas - or is it?

Another Legolas Wannabe

At last - Legolas himself

WOW IT’S FRODO AND SAM! (complete with food in a fry pan now that’s what I call props!)
As you can see during our tour Ted is very encouraging of people to get into the spirit of things! It’s great when you have a bunch of people who are as nerdy as you.

Kate as my horse again, me being a Ring Wraith and our group getting into it with being hobbits, I adore their facials.

You can’t quite tell but the hobbit on the far right has BIG (fake) spider on her.

Hobbits

Why if it isn’t Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo? Nearly landed in the cow pat!

This is a Ring Wraith. Yet again my apologies for the shoddy camera, it looked more like a horse with a better lens. Kate stars as a horse again!

Along with two others and I must say I was very impressed and yes this is exactly where the Ring Wraith stood in the first film, you LOTR nerds know what I’m talking about!

Overall the Ultimate Movie Tour with Wellington Movie Tours was a fantastic day. It was deliciously satisfying for my nerdy half and it’s a great way to see beautiful New Zealand scenery. Even if you are not a huge LOTR fan it is a wonderful way to get out of the City for a bit and into some nature.
If you are interested in booking a Lord of the Rings tour don’t hesitate! See Travel desk or Reception for details. You have options of an afternoon tour, half day or full day (which is the Ultimate tour).

My precious.............

Wellington Photo of the week

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:00:00 +1200

Wellington is to host the world premiere of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit - an Unexpected Journey on 28th November 2012. Downtown Wellington will be in full Wellywood mode!

Source:hollywoodreporter.com

Wellington Photo of the week

Thu, 31 May 2012 14:00:00 +1200

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is in collaborating with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in an exciting new production where all composers and choreographers are under the age of 25.

'Leaps and Sounds' will be performed on June 16 at 4.30 and 7.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Royal NZ ballet dancers rehearse at their Wellington dance studios (Source: stuff.co.nz)

Wellington Open Day

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:30:00 +1200

How would you like to experience all Wellington's attractions for a dollar? You can this Sunday 27th May!

Wellington Gold Coin Day is the only day of the year you can get into world class attractions for one or two dollars.

You'll have to get in quick and email a booking for these activities:

John's Hop On Hop Off Tours, Parliament Buildings and Hammonds City & Coastline Tours. The Seal Coast Safari has already sold out!

There are plenty of activities that don't need a pre-booking:

The Wellington Cable Car (Source: TripAdventurer.com)

Cable Car Museum
NZ Portrait Gallery
Cable Car
Old St Paul's
Carter Observatory
Otari-Wilton's Bush
City Gallery
Staglands Wildlife Reserve
Colonial Cottage Museum
Te Papa
Downstage Theatre
Walk Wellington
Katherine Mansfield Birthplace
Wellington Botanic Gardens
Motel Bar
Wellington Zoo
Museum of Wellington City & Sea
ZEALANDIA

So get out amongst the very best Wellington has to offer - all for (virtually) free!

Check out this handy Wellington Open Day Map courtesy of WellingtonNZ.com