New Zealand Adventure Feature. The Travel & Leisure Magazine
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I f you type ‘Adventure capital of the world’ into Google, there are a few hopeful contenders but, to be hon- est, while Moab in Utah and the Victoria Falls do have their attrac- tions, the results pages are (quite rightl y) swamped by New Zeal and andQueensto wn in particular . Of course there are many reasons to visit New Zealand. The Maori culture is fascinat- ing and its conce pt of ‘Kaitiakit ang a’ (humans as guardians of the world protect- ing the environment) is of growing interest worldwide, while cities such as Wellington somehow manage to be both lively and laid- back. But it’s the country’s natural attrac- tions that are the stars of the show and really take some beating, whether you are looking to get off the beaten track for some hiking –known in NZ as ‘tramping’ - are after a bit of bungy or simply want to have a go at some zorbing (see picture on page 44). Although there’s plenty to enjoy in the north island, travellers tend to spend longerin the sou th island. One of the pre mi er attractions here is swimming with dusky dolphins at Kaikoura, one of my personal favourites. Once you’re squeezed into yourwet suit you are taken in small groups by boat into the open ocean, though not too farfrom the shore. Expert guides search forpods (sometimes the other way round) andthen you leap into the water, act like a dol- phin – complete with imitation click lan- guage – and try to intrigue them enough to come and inspect you a little. You need to book ahead for this as there are restrictions on the number of dolphin swimmers. If New Zealand is the adventure capital The Travel & Leisure Magazine 43 Off the Beaten TrackThe islands ofadventure Tramping? Bouldering? Zorbing? Blackwater rafting? Philip Rix gets his phrase book out to decipher the details of an off the beaten track holiday in New Zealand. I Bungy jumping at Kawarau bridge I Backgr ound pictur e: Franj Josef glacie r A d a m S e l w o o d
New Zealand Adventure Feature. The Travel & Leisure Magazine
