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Tuatara Tours are now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ
 
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"Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water."
W. C. Fields
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| Greetings! |
April 2013, Issue 107
Welcome to the latest issue of Tuatara Tours' monthly newsletter, where we offer a brief summary of what's going on in New Zealand - and what's coming up.
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| Live Help! Nicky - now online | |
If you are visiting our website and need some help or questions answered please use our Live Help Button and Nicky will chat with you.
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Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail...
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From The Mountains To The Sea!
Explore the new Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, which makes some of the South Island's most dramatic scenery accessible to cyclists. There's nearly 300 km of cycling from the tussocky alpine Mackenzie Country with its turquoise lakes, through rural towns to the Pacific Ocean in historic Oamaru. Your fully guided tour starts and ends in the South Island's largest city: Christchurch, with all accommodation, meals, and support vehicles provided. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail was created as part of a government-led initiative: Nga Harenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail, developing New Zealand's best cycle tracks. Tuatara Tours is an official partner of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.
Visit: www.tuataratours.co.nz for more details
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
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Up and Coming Events Around New Zealand
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April 2013 - Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, 3 Apr, CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch City
- Auckland Summer Shakespeare presents King Lear, 8 Apr, University of Auckland, Auckland
- Beginner's Trial Thai Kickboxing Classes, 22 Apr, Jai Thai Boxing Gym, Wellington
- Westpac Rescue Helicopter Open Day, 24 Apr, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton
- Canterbury Quakes, 27 Apr, Otago Museum, Dunedin
May 2013 - NZ Shell Show 2013, 4 - 5 May 2013, Auckland
- Hell on Wheels, La Vida Centre, 15 May 2013, Christchurch City
- Permaculture Design Course, 17 May 2013, Tui Events Park, Golden Bay
- Mirror Magic!, Otago Museum, 23 May 2013, Dunedin
- Tunes Under the Tower, 26 May 2013, Tui Headquarters, Mangatainoka
June 2013
- Christchurch Airport Marathon, 2 Jun, Christchurch International Airport, Christchurch City
- Ballet Revolución, 15 Jun, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland
- Tribes, 20 Jun, Fortune Theatre, Dunedin
- Meditation & Buddhism, 21 Jun, Bodh Gaya Buddhist Centre, Wellington
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Two Fish 'N' a Scoop, 29 Jun, Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North
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Hawke's Bay Hunt Raceday, 29 Jun, Hastings Racecourse, Hastings
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Sunday Artisan Market, 30 Jun, Riccarton House & Bush, Christchurch City
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Christchurch Gondola Re-Opens
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Gondola managing director Michael Esposito said the two years it had been closed "felt like five".
He compared the feeling of reopening the gondola to "Richie McCaw holding up the World Cup".
"It's a relief. We're also pretty proud to bring back an iconic Christchurch attraction."
Esposito said the top complex had been completely renovated to repair damage caused by the 60,000 litres of water when the sprinklers burst during the February earthquake.
The gondola came through the ordeal vastly unscathed, with only "minimal" damage, he said.
The $2 million cost of repairs and renovation was largely for building a new rock fall protection wall.
In the background of the photo above is day one of the Akaroa Walk. Come and Join Us!
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
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Seal Pup is in Deep ... Forest!
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 A seal pup has mysteriously turned up in a forest in Sweden, almost six kilometres from open water.
"A somewhat confused person called and said he was out walking in the woods where he had found a seal pup. I thought he was joking at first," Uppsala police inspector Henrik Pederson told news agency TT.
Hunter Robert Sandefors, who was asked by police to take care of the pup, told public broadcaster Swedish Radio the seal had probably made its way into the woods on its own, based on tracks visible in the snow.
Police said the seal had probably crawled three kilometres over sea ice and three kilometres into the woods.
"He must have gotten separated from his mother and gotten lost and gone in the wrong direction," Sandefors said.
The seal was taken to the nearby Dalaelven river, where it was released and swam away.
Don't go walking in the snow - book in for next summer for a walking tour with Tuatara Tours
Visit: www.tuataratours.co.nz
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
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The West Coast Trail - Plains to Alpine Passes to Sub Tropical Bush to the Beaches!
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The West Coast Trail is a walking adventure that departs from Christchurch and takes you on a discovery of the alpine pass area through to the Wild West Coast of New Zealand.
With four days of unique West Coast walks, you experience a diverse range of rugged and dramatic landscapes including tussock lands, alpine bush, West Coast native rainforest and sub-tropical bush.
You will be able to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and history of the famous West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
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Autumn Colours - Where are the best autumn colours in New Zealand
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1. Mackenzie Country
The area running from Tekapo to Lake Pukaki to Twizel to Omarama is a good region to visit for leaf peeping in New Zealand. In Tekapo there are several lakes that are dotted with yellow trees during autumn. The Tekapo Canal Trail or the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
2. The Waitaki Valley
The area running from Omarama to Kurow is also a good region to visit for seeing autumn colours in New Zealand. Again there are lakes that are surrounded by yellow trees, in particular, Lake Benmore and Lake Aviemore. There is a loop road that takes you around the Benmore Dam and Lake Aviemore, which allows you to enjoy and get a good view of the autumn foliage around the lakes. Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
3. Central Otago (from Lake Dunstan to Roxburgh)
Starting from Lake Dunstan all the way down to Alexandra, and Roxburgh, you'll find good patches of colourful autumn foliage. The leaves on the many fruit trees in Central Otago add to the display of colours during autumn. You'll also find many farms lined with poplars, and thus see more yellows. The Otago Rail Trail
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
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The Kaikoura Trail - Mix Up The Walking And The Cycling!
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 The four-day, fully guided, Kaikoura Trail runs from Waiau to Kaikoura. This is the second leg of what has been described as the Alpine Pacific Triangle. It is also arguably the most interesting section of the triangle as it descends from the mountains to the sea - with a diverse range of landscape, vistas and geology.
To see this pristine area at its best this is the best Kaikoura tour to be part of.
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
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Sea Lettuce!
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What is sea lettuce? A fast-growing type of seaweed, sea lettuce has thin translucent leaves that are a pleasant bright emerald green and which are only two cells thick. It looks like a cross between a leaf of lettuce and a large napkin with a bit of frill on the edges. Historically, here in New Zealand sea lettuce has been an important part of the Maori diet as it has been in Scotland and Ireland. In fact it kept the Irish sheep farmers alive during the potato famine in the late 1800s. Sea lettuce is also an important part of Korean and Japanese cuisine. What does it taste like? Fresh sea lettuce is crunchy and piquant with a fresh, lightly salty sea flavour. It is not dissimilar to lettuce in structure, though the thicker leaves can be leathery and waxy. Use fresh sea lettuce in salads, soups and fish dishes. Dried sea lettuce can be used to wrap foods such as salmon, rice or vegetables, or used as a garnish or in salads. Where is it found? The best place to find sea lettuce is to head to the beach: sea lettuce grows in the clear shallow sea water around New Zealand's coast. Check local harbours, estuaries and coastlines, and pick during the low tide. While all sea lettuce is edible, it is advisable to check it is grown in unpolluted seawater, and picked fresh. It should appear glossy, translucent and a light to emerald green in colour, and smell as fresh as the sea. Beware of decomposing leaves as these produce large quantities of hydrogen sulphite, which can be dangerous when inhaled. You can help yourself to as much sea lettuce as you like in New Zealand as long as it is not for re-sale. If you don't feel like heading to the sea, dried sea lettuce can be bought in sheets or flakes from specialty food stores.
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Wishing You Safe And Happy Travelling!!
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| Tuatara Tours now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ |
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Tuatara Tours
Email: info@tuataratours.co.nz
New Zealand Freephone: 0800 377 378
Australia Freephone: 1800 044 633
Web: www.tuataratours.co.nz |
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