Thursday, November 12, 2009

New Zealand - 11-Day South Island Contiki Tour

I just returned from the most amazing trip of my life. I visited the South Island of New Zealand for 11 days on a Contiki All-Ages Travel Agent FAM Trip. It was life changing and the most beautiful country I've ever been to. New Zealand is the Worlds Adventure Capital of the World. The scenery is breathtaking. The excursions are heart-stopping excitement. The people are unbelievably friendly and the accents are adorable. I kept asking the locals to read the menu for me just so I could hear them speak. :) (Thanks Kev)

I went on the Contiki Scenic Southern (Anti-clockwise) 11-Day Tour. You can CLICK HERE to see the exact itinerary. My photos are not in order. I had to start with the most exciting!

I took over 1100 pictures, and here are just a few of my favorites.

Only 29 hours in the airport.
At the time I didn't realize it would be worth every minute.
(Salt Lake to LA to Auckland to Christchurch)

Can't believe I am actually going to sky dive in New Zealand
Here I am with my tandem master Chris from NZone in Queenstown

Holy ......

YA!!!!!!!!

Landing is the hard part! :)

Okay...let's do that again!




Diana and I about to jump at AJ Hackets Kaurau Bridge near Queenstown
First commercial bungy jump in the world
43 Meters (151 ft I think)




I don't even look nervous!
However, I'm completely shaking and can't breathe.

Super Woman!

Okay...I think I'm going to hang here for a while.

That was awesome!!!!!

Let's see it live! :)



Hanging out at Minus 5
Ice Bar in Queenstown where its -8 degrees Celsius
$27 to get in
Holds about 20 people
$12 per drink

Even the cups are made of ice and are broken when you exit.

Gotta see at least one Haka Dance
This is the Haka Kiwi at the Skyline Restaurant
Top of the TRAM in Queenstown

We even got a chance to learn a little of the Maori dancing.

View from the top of the Skyline TRAM in Queenstown

We spent the night on the Milford Wanderer
Middle of the Milford Sound
63 Passenger ships


The Gang
JT's face makes me smile in this shot!

Melissa and I going kayaking in the Milford Sound
Yeah, we're nuts.



Yeah, I'm surrounded by snow capped mountains. So??
I'm wearing a cap.

Okay....we thought kayaking was crazy!
Casey taking a dip...

Hanging out on the boat playing Rummy with back-packers from around the world.
Sitting next to Nick from the U.K.
Can you tell I've had a long day? :)

Quad Occupancy Never Looked so GOOD!

8 AM Rise and Shine
The hunt for Penguins, Dolphins, and Seals begins.



Fjordland Crested Penguins

Milford Sound is amazing!! Very memorable and a MUST DO!

Selecting Jade, and avoiding the Jade Carvers
Jade needs to be gifted. Thanks Melissa!

My roomie Jen and I wearing our Jade. :)

New Zealand Traffic Jam


Glacier Pool at the base of Fox Glacier

800 Steps leading up to Fox Glacier
1/2 Day Hike
Matt our Fox Glacier Guide

1/2 Way Point to Fox Glacier

Queen of Fox Glacier




The gang on top of Fox Glacier

Lake Hawea Lookout

Santino and I at Lake Hawea Lookout

Our only view of the New Zealand Coastline in 11-days
Who needs the ocean when you've got crystal blue lakes?


View of the Remarkable Mountains from the Aspen Hotel.

Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown


Entrance to Skipper's Pass
Site of scenes from Lord of the Rings Films

View from the Aspen Hotel

Shotover River Bridge


YA!! We are in New Zealand!

Waterfall along the side of the road.
The scenery just driving from point to point was breathtaking!


Air Safari's of New Zealand



Most photographed church in New Zealand

Lake Tekapo


Bridge of Remembrance for those New Zealanders that died on 9/11

Christchurch Cathedral in Christchurch


Okay....who is joining me on my next trip to New Zealand? Email me at aochoa@morrismurdock.com if you are interested in New Zealand in November of 2010.

Looking for my next adventure.

Safe Travels!
Amy
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