Blog4NZ 21 to 23 March 2011
I know you have all subscribed to a blog about French travel. However, following the tragic events of the last three weeks, my attentions have been drawn to the heartache and hardship on our own Christchurch doorstep. For the next fortnight, French tourism will temporarily take the back seat so that we can all help shed light on the marvels and adventures of travelling in New Zealand. Please bear with me!
The world is in shock that one of the prime tourist destinations in the world could suffer such a harsh blow by Mother Nature, in the form of such a devastating earthquake which occurred on 22 February 2011. My desire has been to ensure that tourists around the world keep coming to New Zealand – just because central Christchurch has been badly damaged, does not mean that tourists should stop coming here. So with three other Kiwi travel writers, we have started our campaign Blog4NZ, which from March 21-23 will saturate social media sites worldwide, with wonderful stories about the beauty and excitement of New Zealand. There is no reason why over these three days we cannot get up to five million readers around the world. While all our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost someone or something, these stories will tell everyone that New Zealand is still very much ‘open for business.’
Now’s the time for all of you to help out New Zealand in its time of need. I haven’t heard from a lot of you who have subscribed to The French Way Blog, so now would be a perfect opportunity to participate! Simply leave two or three sentences about your favourite holiday destination in New Zealand in the comments section below, or if you’re really keen, submit an article to the Blog4NZ website. Your words will help, and will delight people with your fond memories of our beloved country.
“My task which I am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel; it is, before all, to make you see. That, and no more, and it is everything.”
– Joseph Conrad
The colours of New Zealand: still as beautiful as ever!
Photography courtesy of Frédéric Geffroy.
Blog4NZ Facebook Page: Like us!
Organisers of Blog4NZ:
- Jim McIntosh from Holes in My Soles
- John Reese from the French Way Travel Blog
- Craig Martin from the Indie Travel Podcast
- Dan Roberts from Travel Generation
It has to be Central Otago – all year, but especially in the autumn. Scenery, autumn colours, the Clyde wine and food festival (Easter), Bannockburn and its wineries, The Rail Trail, Wanaka, Queenstown, Arrowtown. So much to see and do.
Fabulous to hear from you Rowena! People all around the world will read your comments and all want to head to Central Otago!!
I haven’t made it to New Zealand yet but everyone I know who has gone raves about it. I have a friend living there so now I have more motivation to get there. P.S. Love what you’re doing with Blog4NZ.
Laurel, one day you will make it here to NZ and be welcome at my place! Or if you’re ever in Paris too!
my only trip to new zealand was when i was about 12 with a primary school excursion. i did love it, but my memories of specific places are a bit vague. so instead of naming a favourite place, id like to just say the people in general! as an aussie, i get to meet a lot of kiwis, and they are some of the nicest people about. no doubt if you were travelling around there, you would be well looked after. good luck with the blog4nz idea john!
Jamie thanks very much for your message. You know how to say the nicest things to make us Kiwis happy! You know we just save the aggression for the sports field.
Hi John
As you know we have been to NZ many times, mostly to see Tim, Cath and family in Christchurch and that’s probably where we like to be most. But there are so many wonderful places it’s difficult to pick one. Maybe Lake Tekapo or maybe the Franz Joseph Glacier or maybe Takaka or maybe Glen Orchy? As you can tell, we are big South Island fans!
Thinking of all of you in Christchurch and sending our love.
Great idea of yours.
Lyn and John
Lyn how nice to hear from you. Actually for me I think the Takaka area for a complete rest, is where I’d go – lying on Tata Beach with no nor’west wind blowing!
When my wife and I travel, many times we find ourselves in non-tourist areas. When we visited New Zealand in September of 1985, we went to Auckland, Huntley, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura, Taupo and Rotorua. All were beautiful and wonderful in their own way but mostly what we remember is the generosity of the New Zealand people. As an example, we decided that it might be nice to have a soak in the hot pools at Hanmer Springs. Being in Franz Josef at the time, this involved an all day bus ride; Franz Josef to Hokitika, Hokitika to Greymouth, Greymouth over the Lewis Pass via Reefton to outside Hanmer Springs and then a lift into the motor camp in Hanmer Springs. By the time we check into the motor camp, it is late evening and we are hungry. The owner of the motor camp told us that the restaurants in town were about to close so she called one and they kept the restaurant open until we got there and finished our meal. Talk about hospitality!! It is stories like that that we remember most.
Bob thanks for your comments on travel in NZ. I think you had the right idea – keep out of the big tourist sites and you are more likely to find the true Kiwi hospitality. Thanks.
It’s a long time since I’ve been over to visit Tim and Cath but there are loads of places that I loved.
In Christchurch my favourite was the Arts Centre. I don’t dare wonder what that looks like now – I hope it will be ok. I also liked rowing down the river – very peaceful and beautiful.
Lake Tekapo is an obvious but stunning choice… and numerous beautiful bays around Auckland … too many lovely places to choose just one from.
I was always struck by how easy New Zealand is to get around – tourism is very well organised and the people very welcoming. Looking forward to when our twins are a little bit older so I can bring them and my husband to see how great it is over there.
Fran thanks very much for leaving a comment. Actually the Arts Centre took a bit of a hit from the quake, but it is at least still standing (with a little bit of help!). It will be repaired and be an important part of Christchurch’s future. Hope to see you before too long over here!
K is determined to make it to NZ so I’m sure we will one day – a spectacular country.
Great job you’re all doing and a fantastic idea. Yet to make it to New Zealand and it’s been my lifelong ambition to go there so hopefully, we’ll make it there one day…
Julia
I agree the South Island of New Zealand is spectacular but the North Island is very beautiful too. The Coromandel beaches are some of the very best we have seen anywhere in the world. Always so lovely to come back to with their white sand, clean clear unpolluted water for swimming, ideal fishing conditions and just generally a beautiful landscape to be able to enjoy and chill out in.
From Auckland keen yachties have the most amazing outer harbour for sailing, the training ground for Americas Cup boys and in fact for most of Auckland people who love their boating.
I really love the rugged Western Coast of the South Island. It is very isolated, but so pretty with the mountains running nearly up to the water. It is also a great place to hike glaciers.
Evan thanks for your comment. The West Coast offers something unique in the world – the people to me are the highlight of this area – for travellers to the area just go to a pub and talk to the locals, and you’ll see what I mean!
Great post ..i guess New Zealand is Best places for travelers coz its quite and filled with natural beauty ,they promote different types of tourism .Famous for its beaches,churches n etc ..Sure one day i ll visit New Zealand
Fortunately no comment about the Rugby (being a French blog and all) since NZ doesn’t need any more suffering. 😉
New Zealand is a fantastic country and looks forward to seeing many of you during the World Cup this year.
You’re right! New Zealand versus France is a match with uncertain results!!! Look forward to the World Cup!! Thanks for your comment!
I honestly loved the entire country, and I don’t think you can go wrong anywhere in New Zealand! I was only there for 8 days but they were 8 memorable days and I can’t wait to go back. There are a few posts on our blog if anyone is interested!
My favourite NZ experience would have to be walking the length of Piha beach in the middle of a fine winter’s day.
Leaving the stress of Auckland city behind you, driving out through the Waitakere’s and dropping down to see Lion Rock. Parking the car at the carpark and heading down to the sand and walking all the way along North Piha beach to Monkey Head. Just the wind, the sound of the waves, and more often than not not a soul on the sand.
Absolute bliss!
Of course, crashing through the waves at South Piha beach on a 30C summer’s day is also a fabulous experience but for me the peace and solitude that comes from a winter beach walk just made Piha all the more special.
I live in NZ. Just over an hour from Christchurch on the beautiful Akaroa Harbour. I have travelled most of NZ & I am always amazed by this land of contrasts & discoveries. So many places & memories. So much awe & so much to be grateful for. I can’t list all the places I love. Some of the treasures include obviously, Akaroa Harbour as well as Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula, Matakaea Reserve Otago, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Wanganui River mouth on the West Coast, Farewell Spit, Cathedral Cave in the Catlins, Stewart Island…there’s a bit of theme…all wild & naturally beautiful.
So thank you world for supporting Christchurch, Canterbury & NZ. And please keep coming. It really is beautiful.