|
|
|
Tuatara Tours are now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ
 
|
" No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. "
|
|
|
| Greetings! |
May 2013, Issue 108
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.
|
| 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.
|
The Hanmer Cycle Trail
|
Sunshine, Green Pastures - Tranquility!
The Hanmer Cycle Trail is an exciting four-day guided cycle experience that takes you from the stunning Waipara Valley wine region of North Canterbury to the South Island's alpine village, Hanmer Springs, (well known for its thermal hot pools). You will enjoy spectacular views of the picturesque Balmoral Forest, Pahau Plains and Hanmer Springs whilst being looked after and entertained by your knowledgeable and friendly guide. The overall cycling distance is 170kms. Cycles are available for hire.
Visit: www.tuataratours.co.nz for more details
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
|
|
|
|
Up and Coming Events Around New Zealand
|
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
-
Two Fish 'N' a Scoop, 29 Jun, Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North
-
Hawke's Bay Hunt Raceday, 29 Jun, Hastings Racecourse, Hastings
-
Sunday Artisan Market, 30 Jun, Riccarton House & Bush, Christchurch City
July 2013
- Warm Up Your Winter Blues - Watercolour Workshop, 6 July, Auckland
- Vegas Viindaloo MTB Orienteering Weekend, 13 - 14 July , Rotorua
- Why Are My Parents So Boring?, 20 - 28 July, Dunedin
- L'Estro Armonico String Quartet, 28 July, West Melton
- Read Raw, All July, The Basement, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland
|
|
|
The Akaroa Walk
| |
The Akaroa Walk is a truly unique and exciting way to explore Banks Peninsula and its surrounds.
This is a 46km, three-day, guided walk from Christchurch to Akaroa. You travel along the Summit Ridge and across Banks Peninsula, in the Canterbury Region of the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
Spend time in paradise with native birds, plants and fabulous company, as well as huge panoramic landscapes that are unique to the area whilst completing your journey from Christchurch to Akaroa.
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
|
|
Tours Of The Future.
| |
In what could be the ultimate reality TV show, Dutch company Mars One is recruiting people for a human colony on Mars.
The show's production company, called Mars One, is seeking people over 18 with strong health, survival skills and a reasonable grasp of English.
The first four amateur astronauts would be expected to land on Mars in 2023 and would be tasked with establishing the first human colony there.
In total, they are seeking six groups of four people. A new group would make the seven-month journey every two years after the first crew departed in 2022. The cost for the first mission was about $US6 billion (NZ$7.2b).
Conditions on the red planet would be harsh with -55 degree Celsius temperatures and an atmosphere consisting mainly of carbon dioxide.
Show participants could expect to live in cramped quarters with a regular diet and little chance of meeting someone new.
Dont book a tour to Mars, book a tour with Tuatara Tours and stay in quality accommodation, eat scrumptious meals and meet other like minded travellers.
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
|
|
Walking - The Correct Way!
|
Posture
How you hold your body is important to walking comfortably and easily. With good posture, you will be able to breathe easier and you will avoid back pain.
- Stand up straight.
 - Think of being up tall and straight. Do not arch your back.
- Do not lean forward or lean back. Leaning puts strain on the back muscles.
- Eyes forward, not looking down, rather 20 feet ahead.
- Chin up (parallel to the ground). This reduces strain on neck and back.
- Shrug once and let your shoulders fall and relax, your shoulders slightly back.
- Suck in your stomach.
- Tuck in your behind and rotate your hip forward slightly. This will keep you from arching your back
Arm Motion
Arm motion can lend power to your walking, burning 5-10% more calories and acting as a balance to your leg motion.
- Bend your elbow 90 degrees.
 - Hands should be loose in a partially closed curl, never clenched.
- Clenching your fists can raise your blood pressure and should be avoided.
- With each step, the arm opposite your forward foot comes straight forward, not diagonally.
- As the foot goes back, the opposite arm comes straight back.
- Keep your elbows close to your body - don't "chicken wing."
- Your forward hand should not cross the center point of your body.
- Your hand when coming forward should be kept low, not higher than your breastbone.
- Many poor examples of arm motion are seen with walkers pumping their arms up high in the air, this does not help propel you.
- If at first you find adding arm motion tiring, do it for 5 to 10 minutes at a time and then let your arms rest.
Taking a Step
The walking step is a rolling motion.
- Strike the ground first with your heel.
 - Roll through the step from heel to toe.
- Push off with your toe.
- Bring the back leg forward to strike again with the heel.
- Flexible shoes will ensure you are able to roll through the step.
- If your feet are slapping down rather than rolling through the step, your shoes are too stiff.
- At first, your shin muscles may tire and be sore until they are strengthened.
|
|
The Otago Rail Trail - A Journey Into The Past
| |
A fantastic trip, particularly for novice cyclists! The Otago Central Rail Trail is ideal for cyclists who wish to see some spectacular Central Otago scenery, at an easy pace, on flat (gravelled) terrain.
The idea of the Rail Trail was promoted by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), and The Otago Rail Trail Trust, formed specifically to help create this family-oriented recreational facility. The Trail is a public reserve, and motorised vehicles are not permitted. Therefore walkers and cyclists have no traffic concerns as they traverse the level surface.
The Rail Trail runs for 150kms between Clyde and Middlemarch (close to Dunedin), passing through the towns of Clyde, Alexandra, Chatto Creek, Omakau, Lauder, Oturehua, Wedderburn, Ranfurly, Waipiata and Hyde.
The heritage of the old railway line has been preserved, with the retention of viaducts and bridges, and some of the old Railway Stations.
or call Nicky on our Freephone:
NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633
|
| Business Confidence In Tourism Remains High |
 Business confidence in tourism remains high, according to the latest Tourism Industry Monitor. It has fallen from 128 to 104 since the December 2012 quarter, but is nearly twice as high as it was in the March 2011 and March 2012 quarters which were 56 and 60 respectively.
The two most positive factors contributing to tourism businesses' increased expectations this quarter are the domestic and international visitor markets.
International visitor markets are also the source of main concern, along with global economic conditions, for some businesses.
The effect of international visitor markets on business confidence appears to be driven by the changing visitor mix, which is having positive effects on some businesses while having negative ones on others.
Industry demand increased by four percent in the past three months when compared with the same period last year, while profitability increased by two percent.
|
|
Winter Biking Tips
|
 Many of us use winter and the colder temperatures as an excuse to stay indoors curled up on the couch but colder weather doesn't need to be a barrier to biking. Follow a few simple tips and you can keep your activity levels up, even on the coldest days. 1/ Keep your core warm. Layering is the key to staying warm. You should have a good base layer (merino is great for this), an insulating mid-layer such as a fleece and a windproof outer layer (Best if this is bright yellow or fluorescent as it acts as a safety feature as well). Don't forget your legs too, some people choose to wear bike shorts over long johns or leggings. If you find you are getting too warm, it's easy enough to peel off a layer. 2/ Protect the extremities: A good pair of gloves (ski gloves or mittens work well) with a pair of thick socks on your feet and a balaclava under your helmet will keep the chill off those fingers, toes and ears. Some rider will use a pair of ski goggles to protect vision, even eyes can feel the cold. 3/Make sure you are seen: Cars are less aware of bikers in winter, make sure you cycle defensively and your bike has plenty of good lighting. Flashing lights or cateyes are much more obvious than reflectors, and moving light such as a fluorescent band on ankles attracts more attention than a static one.
|
|
Wishing You Safe And Happy Travelling!!
|
| Tuatara Tours now fully endorsed by Qualmark NZ |
|
|
Tuatara Tours
Email: info@tuataratours.co.nz
New Zealand Freephone: 0800 377 378
Australia Freephone: 1800 044 633
Web: www.tuataratours.co.nz |
|
|
|
|
