Feb
21

Queenstown New Zealand

snaptra on February 21, 2015

What a marvel! Outright shining precious gem of great holiday resort atmosphere and beauty. This town is gateway to Milford Sound which could be with its natural beauty, one of best examples  of the amazing   charm and attraction of visiting  Southern Alps of New Zealand . The Milford Sound being actually a FJORD ,  as it would be called in Norway  or in other places .  Milford Sound is truly resounding in amazement  in one mind,  while cruising the  crystal clear, cold waters.  Dynamic  rapids , huge water falls , snow covered peaks , seals playing in the water  and all other  mind boggling reflections one stores in one’s memories, are just  truly extraordinary means to keep one happy and joyous with life . Nature here presents to  the humanity how powerful she is  and simultaneously beautiful . Here in New Zealand  one  witnesses gentleness of green fields and pastures and fury of strong southerly winds , colours of the waters in its turquoise and pure  blue,   while heavy clouds  coming over the west coast from Pacific with its cobalt , lead  and grey,  present one with mesmerizing emotions.

The South Island with it’s steep  peaks  of mountain ranges,  crowned  by glaciers , valleys with briskly flowing icy waters  and the rich  Maori culture,  with it’s stories and legends related to the New Zealand geological past. Also, being  part of  the Maori traditional charm and understanding of Gondwanaland, enriches visitors experiences in this  beautiful region of the world.
As the traditional story says the MAUI the demi- God took his brothers from HAWAIIKI to the south waters of the South sea  for fishing .  They were, as story says, magic took them all the way to Te Ika a Maui (the fish of Maui), which is known today as North Island of New Zealand.  The  South Island  known in mythology  as  Te Waka a Maui (the waka of Maui) . There are many stories which incorporate  geological concept of modern understanding how these volcanic Island came about . So Ranginui (the sky)  of its  blue beauty on sunny day  the  Papatūānuku (the earth) with its  beauty so divinely represented in South Island are all in the Maori mythology .   History of  geological  past indicates that  volcanic activity, earthquakes and geothermal areas,  related to the position on the  boundary of the Australian Plate and Pacific Plates gave birth to these magic islands.

For travellers who  visit New Zealand’s  South Island  there are places like Te Anau,  where one  can start a relaxing trip to Milford Sound ,  Wanaka the  gateway to Mt. Aspire, with fun like Helicopter flights, including glacier landing and Twizel,  starting point for Mt. Cook adventure. Here the famous New Zealand salmon can be fished or simply purchased for next dinner with very special New Zealand wines .  Cromwell  being  just short drive from Queenstown is also attractive place to visit, as the drive allows to visit the place of the adventures people, indulging in Bungy jumping . New Zealand has many truly wild concepts of fun  awaiting visitors. Speed boating on the  wild rivers , bungy jumping , paragliding , tandem  parachuting, trumping, biking or just to enjoy  culinary  speciality of green-lipped mussel,  which as it is said have very positive effects on health . Of course walking is also one of the magnetic attractions for many . With beauty of countryside  and getting lungs filled with pure air , drinking cool, like spring waters, short day tracking  or as some do,  few days walks  across the Southern Alps is very special experience .  For these who  can not allow themselves walking to the heights of the mountains there are helicopter rides to the glaciers . This experience  provides  joy of seeing , nearly touching these magic mountains,  or just  have fun  with the  thrill of  helicopter flight .

New Zealand beside its natural attractions , sport , adventure has also human aspect to its beauty . Domiciled by Maori  people  and people of South Pacific Island, it  is also home  to many  people of European cultures and nations. This is a country where  everyone welcomes  visitors as the citizens of this country have shown to the world and its dedication to  participate in world affairs .  When during beginning of last century   Europe was  ravaged by atrocities of WWI ,  New Zealanders together with Australians   joined  the arms  in ” ANZAC ”   military corps  and also in WWII ” ANZAC” forces were also fighting to defend democracy and freedom . New Zealand after WWII became home to many ” DP”-  Displaced People and even children of Poland who were escaping  horror of war and destruction  brought upon the world.

In the turbulence  of humanity  in today’s modern world,  places like New Zealand provide balance and calm into minds of visitors.
GO  to  NEW ZEALAND  , visit this amazing country .
February 2015

WMIG

Websites to consider before  visit  Southern Alps N.Zealand :

  • http://www.newzealand.com.au/ – informative website about New Zealand
  • http://www.singaporeair.com/SAA-flow.form – for fares on Singapore Airlines to New Zealand
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Nov
16

Brisbane true global town

snaptra on November 16, 2014

It is not all that long in terms of years in history of this interesting city , but, the city has since 1799, when Matthew Flinders explored Moreton Bay , went through dynamic and very noticeable changes. Here the area of the Brisbane has been occupied by the Jagera and Turrbal aboriginal tribes. Initial purpose of the settlement was to hold here a penal colony for convicts which were sent from Sydney. Fishing, farming , timber cutting and use was the base for the eventual start of free settlement in 1838. Brisbane became a municipality in 1859 and in 1924 , just 90 years ago , became consolidated metropolitan area . Huge leap in terms of its development to become true worldly city in 2014.

Attractive architecture of modern nature interwoven with some mighty structures of colonial days . Elegantly positioned along snaking Brisbane is called “River City “ , and here by its shores South Bank precinct provides many forms of excitement . Galleries , Ballet , concert hall , parks and top class hotels with international style restaurants to satisfy all tastes . This city , capital of Queensland where important world meetings like G20 of 2014 take place , great exhibitions are presented and opera and ballet being of top world class provides lots of holiday fun . From Brisbane one can easily travel to Sunshine Coast and by comfortable train in no time from Brisbane Airport one can reach Gold Coast . This very attractive holiday place , already in early 1950th become popular holiday place for the Return Australian Soldiers from WWII fronts . Here for hundreds of years native Australians enjoyed the life presented by the nature and its resources like “ bush tacker” and fish . As the tourism industry grew the area witnessed development of small businesses and in 1958 the South Coast Town Council was renamed “Gold Coast Town Council”.

This pearl of this Australian holiday destination is Surfers Paradise. Great surf , opportunities to catch welcome sun rays while sunbaking on the golden sands of kilometres long endless beach which basically stretches to NSW Border, is truly fun . For calm relaxations canals of the Gold Coast allow one to do still water sports like kayaking , fishing or boat trips . Leisurely boat cruise to see majestic waterfront houses and exuberance of villas with anchored motorboats which gently bounce on the water provides one with some concept of sophistication of life style of Gold Coast .The waters of canals which are connected by the Spit with open Ocean are playground to dolphins , sharks and other fish . Surfers Paradise is connected with other great beaches of the area like Broadbeach , by newly constructed and opened G- link tramway line . This transport addition to Gold Coast urban facilities provides great , “green” and fast of course very convenient way to move around the place and reach beaches like Broadbeach . Of course flying to Brisbane and Gold Coast is easy as number of International carriers like Singapore Airlines , Emirates and Australian domestic airlines where Jetstar has the services to Brisbane and Coolangatta Airports . Train service from Brisbane Airport to Gold Coast is a pleasant , hassle free experience as Brisbane Airports are linked with Gold Coast via Nerang Railways station where the quick and convenient bus service operates to Surfers Paradise . Once in Surfers Paradise lots of fun awaits visitors . While accommodated at top international style hotels one can plan the adventures in Gold Coast. Many theme and fun parks like Dream World ,Warner Bros. Movie World , Sea World, Wet and Wild present top entertainment and lots of fun . Tasty and exotic food at bars, clubs , small international and great eating places of world class at Palazzo Versace , where one can as well stay and enjoy true worldly atmosphere , with “ true blue” Australian friendly life style .

WMIG

Brisbane  November 2014

Links to consider  while planning visit:

  • http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/home – Jetstar Airlines
  • http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/  –  tourism information about Brisbane
  • http://www.visitgoldcoast.com/things-to-do/  –   information about Gold Coast
  • http://themeparks.com.au/  – Theme Parks Gold Coast
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