Faraway Fantasy Friday: New Zealand

My little sister is going on her first business trip in a couple of weeks. And boy, oh boy is it a doozy! She'll be going to New Zealand for ten days!!! How cool is that?

Hopefully there will be a little bit of time for her to see a few sights while she's there.

I've always wanted to go to Australia, but New Zealand hasn't held the same fascination for me. But given that little sis is going, I've looked up some factoids + some of the amazing things there are to do/see there:

Factoids (from Lonely Planet)

Fast Facts about New Zealand

• Unemployment 3.5%
• Number of NZ glaciers over 100m long 3100
• Area 268, 680 sq km (similar to Colorado, bigger than the UK)
• Inflation 3.2%
• Population 4.2 million humans, 40 million sheep
• Number of international visitors 2.2 million in 2007
• Width of Cook Strait 23km (14 miles)
• Life expectancy 100 for tuatara (lizards); up to 2000 for kauri trees
• GDP growth 2.6%
• Number of microbreweries 45 in 2007

Here is what Nomadic Matt suggests you see whilst in New Zealand: (http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/new-zealand-travel-tips/)

• Queenstown. The action capital of New Zealand, this is one of the funnest cities I’ve ever been in. There’s a lot of activities to do in the area, amazing restaurants, and the best night life in New Zealand. Everyone who comes ends up staying longer.
• Franz Josef Glacier. Hiking these glaciers is pretty amazing. Be sure to crawl through the glacier tunnels!
• Tongariro Crossing. Labeled the best one day hike in New Zealand, this walk takes you through where they filmed Mordor in Lord of the Rings. The walk takes a full day and is one of the most beautiful places I saw in New Zealand.
• Bay of Islands. North of Auckland, this area is great for dolphin and whale watching, relaxing on the beach, swimming, boating, and eating great seafood.
• Bungy Jump. Any adrenaline seeker worth his salt will do the 143 meter Nevis Bungy Jump outside of Queenstown. If that’s too high, there are smaller ones in Auckland and Queenstown.
• Skydive. Another popular adventure activity, sky diving is best down over Lake Taupo. It provides the best backdrop as you plunge to Earth from 14,000 ft.
• Abel Tasman National Park. Located in the south island, this national park looks like something out of Asia with its turquoise blue water, dense jungles, and warm temperatures. There is great multi-day hiking and beautiful sea kayaking.
• Wellington. New Zealand’s capital has great architecture, character, great nightlife, restaurants, and cultural activities.
• Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Explore these caves in sheer darkness with nothing but the glow of glowworms to guide your way. It’s an exciting activity as you float down rivers and jump over waterfalls.
• Maori Cultural Show. Maori culture is important to understanding life in New Zealand. You find Maori symbols and words throughout the country. See a cultural show while you are there to get a better understanding of life in New Zealand and its native population.
• Dolphin and Whale Watching. Whether you go from the Bay of Islands, Auckland, or down in the south island, New Zealand is a great place to spot dolphins and whales.
• Skiing. During the winter months, the south island, especially the are around Queenstown, has snow covered mountains that offer some of the best skiing in the southern hemisphere.
• Rotorua. Rotorua is famous for its Maori cultural shows and for its smell. All around the city are sulfur mud pits that give the city a unique odor. If you are looking for a place to relax, Rotorua and the variety of spas they have here is the place to go.