Aotearoa!

FROM MY VIEW: Queenstown, New Zealand

One of the most beautiful places on earth! Really, it is true! Surrounded by picturesque mountains, ski resorts (in winter of course) and the stunning and majestic Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown offers fine food, wines, plenty for the adrenalin junkie but also enough for the more civilised of us all! I was lucky enough to travel there in July, the middle of the souther hemispheres winter, and wasn't it beautiful! Queenstown is a very winter orientated town, but also attracts a crowd in summer. During the 10 days I was there, skiing was top priority. You can't get snow just like NZ in Australia. Be warned, the temps may not seem that cold (below 10 degrees celcius) but when I was there, there was nearly everyday a wind chill factor, pack thermals people! Some of the best thing to do in there area include:

- In winter, definately ski if you have the chance. The best ski areas include Coronot Peak, Cardona and The Remarkables, all within easy driving distance from town

- Take the gondola from the middle of town to the top of the mountain, where you are greeted by a luge track, cafe, lookouts and not to mention the amazing views from the top. 360 degree panorama!
- Go on the Shotover Jet (around 10 minutes outside of town). It is one amazing experience. Cruise your way between cliffs whilst doing tricks along the way on the Shotover River. The scenery is also amazing!
- In town, try the Pig and Whistle Pub, you will have the best bangers and mash ever here.
- If you like sweets, especially fudge like me, then you will love the Remarkables Sweet Shop, located in Beach Street in the centre of town.
- Also in Beach Street, is the Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience, something my parents I think enjoyed too much. You can taste a variety of wines from the surrounding region whilst enjoying as tasty cheese platter.
- Some amazing restaurants in Queenstown include: Patagonia Chocolates (maybe for desert only?), Fergburger (the best take away burger you will probably have in your life!) and also The Cow, in Cow Lane, some amazing past and pizzas!

Getting there: From Australia, +qantas airways, Jetstar, +Virgin Australia and +Air New Zealand fly direct to Queenstown's International Airport located 10 minutes out of town in the suburb of Frankton. However, like my family I decided to do, we flew to Christchurch as it was cheaper, the only downside was the six hour drive ahead of us, but along the way there is beautiful lakes, parks and towns to stop and have a look at, removing any such boredom!

Stay: There are plenty of hotels and apartments for rent throughout Queenstown, however, they are expensive in the peak seasons of Summer and Winter, so make sure you look around. My family and I stayed in an amazing 3 bedroom, waterfront and mountainview apartment on Adelaide Street from http://www.executiveaccommodation.co.nz/  called the Carrick, which I highly reccommend! 

The Concrete Jungle

FROM MY VIEW: New York City, New York

New York, New York. There really is nothing like it! Once you arrive, their is this vibe, this feeling you get- "I'm in New York, woah!" A place which is seen everywhere on travel shows, television shows and movies, a place where everyone dreams of going. It was reality for me back in October 2010, something I will never forget, something I desperately wanted to share with you! New York has everything you are after! World class hotels, restaurants, transport and shopping. From Battery Park on the souther tip of Manhattan, all the way to Harlem in the north, in every neighbourhood there is something to offer! A few places and attractions I definately recommend you go to if you are planning to visit anytime soon are:

- Times Square (obviously)
- Central Park (hire a bike and ride around the whole perimeter taking at least half a day!)
- See a show on Broadway (I saw Chiago and West Side Story, there really is nothing like it)
- Ferry to the Statue of Liberty
- Helicopter flight over Manhattan (it is very expensive but with every single penny)
- Grab a bagel from Murray's Bagels in Greenwich Village
- Shop on 5th Avenue ( +Saks Fifth Avenue )  and also +Macy's and +Bloomingdale's 

Just to name a few. New York is definately a place where you feel like your in a movie. Everything seems so surreal. Everything so awe inspiring. Everything on such a grand scale, and with roughly 17 million people you would expect it would be. Surprisingly, although it looks terribly busy and hectic on the streets footpaths as seen on movies, it really isn't. You dont feel as though your being squashed everywhere you go. If you are going when I went, around mid October, pack something warm, because if your unluckly like me you will get rain and temperatures below 15 degrees celcius! Be warned ladies and gentlemen!

Getting there: +American Airlines , +Delta , +United Airlines and other major American domestic airlines fly from most major cities in the states to New York's JFK International Airport located off the Belt Parkway in Queens just 30 minutes from all the action in Manhattan!

Stay: My family and I stayed in a holiday rental apartment (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom) in the Worldwide Plaza conveniently located on West 50th Street, a few blocks back from Times Square. Compared to other cities across America, you will notice that New York's accommodation is a lot more expensive. If you have a family or a large group travelling, try and look for holiday rental apartment instead of hotel suites. Hotel suites in NYC are smaller than what you would expect!

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All I see is stars, and more stars!

From my view: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

I was in the Los Angeles area for 5 days in late September 2010, a beautiful time of the year to be on the west coast with sunshine and the weather not to hot but not to cold, unless your unlucky like me and copped LA districts hottest day on record reaching 47C! My family and I did the main attractions that suited us as we weren't there for long, besides, LA is not all that fantastic in my eyes! For us it was Disneyland (which took up 3 days, the sheer size of the place is amazing and the amount of stuff to do is never ending) and also a Beverly Hills tour, including Sunset Boulevard, Carney's Old Train Restaurant, Warner Bros. Studios, Rodeo Drive, The Hollywood Sign and the Celebrity Homes tour (nothing really exciting apart from Jennifer Anniston's front gate and Tim Burton's letter box).

Getting there: From Australia; +qantas airways, +Virgin Australia, United Airlines and +Delta fly direct from Sydney's Kingsford Smith International  (SYD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) located just off the San Diego Freeway 25 minutes from downtown LA, Beverly Hills and 40 minutes from Disneyland (Anaheim).

Stay: We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Anaheim, just a few blocks away from Disneyland. Catering for families, like most hotels and resorts in the area do, it was great accom at a great price. The facility includes a restaurant, a sort of mini shop, games room and a pool with hot tub and kids wading pool. Our room had 2 queen beds, with a 'Disney' room to the side with a bunk bed and extra television and lounge. See http://www.courtyardanaheim.com/index.php for rates and reservations.




Disneyland: Woah! Such an amazing, fun and energetic place. With such a playful vibe. Whether you seek thrill on the Indiana Jones Adventure Ride or mingling with Woody and Buzz Lightyear, you're never bored in Disneyland and also its joining park across the promenade California Adventure Park (containing more thrill seeking rides [not for me!] for the brave). Some of my personal favourite rides from both parks were the Grizzly Bear River Run, Pirates of the Carribean, Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain, California Soaring and the Big Thunder Mountain Railway.Tickets are a range of prices. Ranging from how many days you would like to go, whether you only want to see Disneyland or both Disneyland and California Adventure Park, also whether you want to add any special events (eg- World of Colour: which I personally recommend. It is so worth it!). For more information on prices and types of tickets please visit http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/.

Unfortunately, I can not remember who my tour of Beverly Hills was through, but if your headed to LA, there are many tour companies to whisk you away to the Hills and many pick you up from your hotel, dependent on where you are staying in the city.



Published: 17/01/2013 at 9:24pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time

Watch for those Grizzly's!

FROM MY VIEW: ROCKY MOUNTAINS, COLORADO

After completing my time in the golden state, California, it was time to head to the beautiful state of Colorado. For my family and I, it was about seeing nature at its finest. Having a break from the big cities that were yet to follow. I can tell you now, if you want some down time if your visiting a few large cities, Colorado is the place to go, especially a little town called Estes Park, one of the gateways to the beautiful Rocky Mountains! The weather was perfect, even though they were heading into winter, it was very warm! Although, be warned, nights are on the cooler side. So never forget to pack something warm as the weather does change pretty dramatically. The main point of staying in Estes Park, was that the whole time we were there, we wanted to see the much talked about Rockies, and so we did! From day 1, we were off, exploring what the national park has on offer, and what was on offer, was just like a postcard! Crystal clear lakes, lucious forests as far as the eye could see and most the most important of all, incredible wildlife! Even in town, there was elf wondering the streets, but in the national park, you can see deer, chipmunks, elk and a whole lot more! Even grizzly bears. The house we stayed in had a warning "NEVER LEAVE FOOD OUT ON THE VERANDAH, MAY ATTRACT BEARS!". Mind you, this also had a picture attached of one there a few months earlier. Yikes!
My most favourite spot was Bear Lake. It is a beautiful place in the world, and personally, if your headed that way, definately go and take a visit!

Getting there: +American Airlines and also +Delta fly direct from most American hubs to Denver International Airport (DIA) located off the I-70 35 minutes from downtown Denver and 1 hour and 32 minutes from Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains.

Stay: My family and I rented a house just outside Estes Park, in what you could sort of call the 'wilderness' through +HomeAway which has plenty of homes and apartments in the area available for holiday rental. Unfortunately, I can not find the house on the website available for rent again, but what I can say is that the home was perfect. Just out of town (what I reccommend) to really experience what the Rockies have to offer whilst still being close to facilities.