Hot Water Beach, on the Coromandel Peninsula -- this is a beach with a hot spring located in the sand below the high tide mark. People go out at low tide and dig a system of shallow hot tubs in the sand where the spring bubbles up. It's a lot of fun -- and combines the engineering of sand castle building with the warmth of hot tubbing. It was winter there but it was plenty warm where the spring water was!

Various Geysers and Pools of Boiling Mud, Rotarua -- I'ver never been to Yellowstone so I've never seen big geysers spewing plumes of water and steam. AWESOME. And the boiling pits of mud. And the boiling hot springs.

Wine Tasting in Hawkes Bay -- Napa-quality, Paso Robles prices, and SUPER laid-back. It's perfect. Had some amazing meals, too. We ended up bringing back seven bottles of wine on the plane.

Auckland -- I love it, it's pretty and clean and it's easy to walk around in. I love any city where ferries are used for everyday public transportation Smile

Able Tasman National Park -- at the north end of the South Island. Nice walking trails that cut through woods to gold sand beaches, or snake through salt marshes on boardwalks, or climb up good-sized hills to reveal amazing views of off-shore islands. We didn't have a lot of time, just went on a short two-hour walk, but my favorite photo of all the ones I took came from Coquille Bay there:

Sheep -- everywhere, and cute as anything. It was late winter/early spring there, so there were baby lambs playing in every field. And they tasted great, too (I have no qualms about watching a cute baby lamb play and then eating its cousin the same night for dinner.) Nice wooly sweaters and gloves, too!

People -- nice & friendly!

Wine -- awesome!

Food -- fabulous!

New Zealand has dramatic and variety of natural beauty sites. Soaring Mountain peaks, lakes and picturesque rivers are the most visited sites. The islands are populated with many types of unique fauna, including the kiwi, which has become the national sign.

Best Regards,

Pass it on
Along with non-Kiwis who love New Zealand, ex-pats are being asked to tell their mates and business contacts about everything New Zealand has to offer, particularly with the eyes of the world on the country before and during the Rugby World Cup 2011, says Sir Stephen.

"This tournament is the perfect opportunity for Kiwis abroad to re-connect with their homeland and tell people around the world what is going on.

"From our fashion designers, to musicians, yacht designers, and superb pinot noir, we have talent and products which our international supporters club can spread the word about - before, during and after the events of 2011," Tindall said

Really New Zealand is awesome, I have been to 13 other countries but New Zealand is the best in my opinion. Amazing scenery, lovely people, food, climate (not too hot, nor too cold, although we still get snow in winter which makes for a fantastic season of snowboarding/skiing and the mountainous scenery is at its best when the mountains are covered in snow). Its a fantastic place to bring up kids or own a dog for that matter as nothings ever far away, beaches, rivers, lakes are all within a short drive away.
We have no dangerous creatures here so you can safely walk in the bush without fearing for your safety. I cannot say enough good words about New Zealand. It is truly an amazing country, you'll definitely have to come and see for yourself.