Auckland Art Gallery

 

The principal art gallery in Auckland, New Zealand, this venue features the most extensive collection of national and international art in New Zealand. The gallery was established in 1888 and was the first permanent art gallery in New Zealand. It still remains the largest art institution in the country to date, and features a collection that numbers over 12,500 pieces of artwork.

 

The gallery consists of two different buildings, the original building is known as the Main Gallery while the new gallery is located opposite. The Main Gallery opened as the city’s free Public Library and Municipal Offices. It was only later on in that same year that a section that was dedicated to art was opened. Over time the prominence of the art gallery and its popularity lead it to take over the entire building which had been enlarged while the city library and municipal offices had moved to a nearby building.

 

Because of its historic origins the building proudly demonstrates itself as an impressively powerful structure featuring grand old style architecture. One of the strongest components of this regal quality is the impressive and enormous clock tower that is the highest point of the building.

 

The New Gallery that is located directly opposite was opened in 1995 and was originally designed to function as a telephone exchange. However after some intensive remodeling was undertaken the building was fit for usage as a contemporary art gallery.

 

The art gallery like many other institutions of its kind regularly hosts different exhibitions that relate to different themes created by various artists. In addition there are also special programs that only require the payment of the standard exhibition fee but involve special meetings with artists, discussions with industry experts and more.

 

Staying in one of the Auckland hotels that is located nearby this destination such as Langham Hotel Auckland allows guests to easily access this destination and several others that are located in the area.

Holidaying in Southern Australia: Melbourne And Adelaide

Southern Australia is an vast area of great contrasts with the land ranges from desert to plains to fertile wine-growing areas set amid rolling hills.

Melbourne

Capital of Victoria and Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne is often voted the most livable city in the world. For one thing, it’s sited on the Yarra River and scenic Port Philip Bay. Plus, it’s Australia’s vanguard city for sport, fashion, shopping, cuisines, music and nightlife, and is home to a host of museums, galleries and theaters, and large parks and gardens.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Melbourne’s centre for domestic and international flights is Tullamarine Airport. It’s located 14 miles northwest of the city center and accessible by skybus.

Spencer Street Railway Station is served by interstate trains. The Sydney-Melbourne XPT runs between Australia’s two largest cities daily. The trip takes 10 1/2 hours. The Overland connects with Adelaide daily. The trip time is 12 hours.

Bus services connect Melbourne with other major cities and regional areas of Victoria.

Melbourne’s public transport system, known as Metlink offers a wide range of options for getting around the city. These include trams, trains, and buses. Melbourne has the world’s oldest tram network which now runs over 200 miles of track. Trams are the most popular with tourists and locals alike for travel around the city and inner suburbs. Taxis are plentiful and Melbourne has an excellent network of bike paths.

Climate:

Melbourne has a capricious climate. It ranges from rainy to gusty and it often oscillates between warm and chilly in the space of one day. However it seldom gets really too hot or too cold. Winter temperatures range between 6°C and 13°C. In summer, it rarely gets above 35°C.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Melbourne
Melbourne accommodation is varied and good value.

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

Melbourne’s social calendar is comprises equally of sporting and cultural events.

*The year kicks of with Midsumma Melbourne, an annual pride event in January. It’s a three-week bash featuring a music, cabaret, and drag acts.
*Australian Football League Grand Final in September is the annual showcase of Aussie Rules Football.
*Melbourne Fringe held annually in September and October is the city’s exuberant art fest.
*LIVID Festival held in October is one of the country’s largest rock festivals.

Adelaide

Much of Adelaide’s charm comes from its location. It sits on the narrow Adelaide Plains between Gulf St Vincent on the Southern Ocean and the eucalyptus-covered hills of the Mount Lofty ranges. Today’s Adelaide is famous for its festivals, arts, sports events and wine from nearby vineyards.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Adelaide’s spanking new airport offers international connections to Auckland, Hongkong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. On the domestic front, it’s just an hour’s hop to Melbourne and less than three hours to Sydney, Brisbane, or Canberra. There are also buses and interstate trains.

Getting around the city is easy via train, tram and bus services that use the Metroticket unified ticketing system. The compact city center is fine for walking and there are two free bus services for the footsore. There’s also a tram that runs from Victoria Square to the seaside suburb of Glenelg.

Climate:

In a word, Mediterranean. Summer in Adelaide is scorching with temperatures leaping to 40°C and above. Winters are damp and miserable but never really cold. Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant seasons, balmy and temperate.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Adelaide hotels.

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

*Womadelaide, an outdoor festival of world music and dance, is held every February to March.
*The jewel in Adelaide’s social crowd is the Adelaide Arts Festival held at the beginning of March in even-numbered years. It features drama, dance and music, along with a writers’ week, poetry readings and art exhibitions. The Fringe Festival runs at the same time.
*Adelaide International Guitar Festival is in November.

Reflections: My worst B&B experience

During our two week holiday in New Zealand I purposefully booked B&B and farm stay accommodation, with three aims; the first being that moving nightly, this would provide us with the most comfortable accommodation for a reasonable price, the second that we would get to stay in some very rural locations, and the third, and most important being that I wanted my husband to experience fantastic Kiwi hospitality and fall in love with New Zealand in the same way as I had ten years previous.

All went well for the first ten days, we enjoyed amazing hospitality, made friends for life, stayed in some of the most rural places possible, and my husband agreed that I had made a good decision booking B&Bs for our trip. Then we arrived on the West coast of the South island to stay overnight close to the Punakaiki rocks……

On our arrival, one of our hosts eventually made it out to the car to meet us, while his wife (clearly visible in the garage) muttering away with her head stuck in the freezer made no attempt to move! This should have been our first clue that this was not the homely B&B we had become accustomed to so far in New Zealand. On arrival in the lounge area, a brisk explanation was given regarding the “rules” of the house. Now I have never smoked, and don’t like it much, but the no smoking ban extended from the house to the road, therefore any smoker would be expected to take a short hike to indulge themselves, a little over excessive we thought. Next came the additional costs of laundry facilities, computer and Internet usage, additional heating, towels for the beach and any toiletries we may have forgotten. It was all we could do at this point to stop ourselves from laughing and wondering if these people had a secret fantasy to run a hotel rather than a B&B.

Dinner was offered on booking, and given the limited catering establishments locally we thought that a home cooked meal and social chat would be a pleasant way to spend the evening. Again, alarm bells should have rung when we booked with the description of home cooked, set-menu in-house evening meals being available on some evenings (at least 48 hours prior discussion required – our nearest shopping is 50 km away!)’. We filed into the ultra formal dining room with another couple of guests at the required time of “7.00 prompt”. Then proceeded to try and stifle giggles as our hosts offered us house wine for a certain price, (no description offered) or bottled wine at a premium. I thought all wine worth drinking came in bottles?

Somehow we got through dinner with barely a word spoken between the six of us sat around the table, and when offered the chance to relax in the lounge and library area for coffee after dinner my husband and I declined and literally ran back to our room. Safely away from our rather unfriendly hosts, we rescued a “nice bottle” of wine from our suitcase, opened it with a car key and drank it from bathroom glasses while watching the sun set over punakaiki rocks, whispering in case we were overheard enjoying ourselves!

This B&B was not what we expected of a New Zealand B&B destination. Reading the literature on the location now, it is clear that our expectations were never going to be realized, we just never imagined people like our hosts existed and actually invited people into their homes under the misapprehension that they would be treated to a memorable Kiwi experience. My husband and I still laugh and groan inwardly about our stay there four years on.

Airline Tickets By Auckland

Airline tickets are the #1 searched for ticket item online and polls show 30% of all airline tickets are electronic tickets.They are offered for sale by all major carries, airline ticket counters, travel agents and web pages. The tickets are similar to negotiable documents and are personal and cannot be transferred to another person. Discount airline tickets are readily available on the internet and are subject to the individual airline’s Terms and Conditions. Online airline tickets are deeply discounted because the airlines sell about 7-100 seats on each flight to contracted online vendors.

The Internet is really your best choice to find cheap airfare to anywhere in the world and is a way to find cheap plane tickets quickly and easily.

Most airline web sites will note what day deals are posted but great deals are harder to find these days, and you’ve got to go beyond the obvious. You can always get the latest airline ticket deals from all the top travel providers online but use your flexibility with your exact flight times to take advantage of any available deals.

Reservations are always subject to availability at the time of booking and reservations professionals are usually committed to helping you plan and schedule any vacation accommodations. Travel planning and reservations well in advance is always advised but reservations are only completed by purchasing the tickets. There is no single travel reservations site where you can always find low prices, cheap airline tickets, discount hotels, or discount rental cars but with billions being spent every year, on-line reservations really do work.

Consolidator Airline Tickets are discounted airfares that are sold by most major Airline Companies to help fill seats and are generally the best discounted airline tickets available. The prices of airline tickets are constantly going up and down with most tickets being completely nonrefundable. Remember that round-trip airline tickets are often less expensive than one-way fares and cheap airline tickets are available at peak times, but you generally have to book far in advance. Budget airline tickets are great and in general, these deeply discounted airline tickets are released early Wednesday morning for travel during upcoming weekends.Now go online and save you some money!

Happy Traveling

Book reviews: The Rough Guide to France

This guide begins with an extensive section, about eighty pages long, to refer to before you travel. It gives details on possible ways of getting to France from Britain, Ireland, North America, Australia and New Zealand. There is information on costs, whether or not you wil require a visa, and what health issues need to be considered. Insurance, getting around, accommodation and information for disabled visitors are among other topics dealt with in this introductory section. An overview of eating and drinking gives useful vocabulary as well as what to expect in the way of regional cuisine, from duck and goose in the Dordogne to pickled cabbage and flans in Alsace. Communications and the media gives information on sending and receiving mail as well as making telephone calls.

There is a guide to opening hours of museums, banks, churches and cathedrals. Whether you are interested in festivals, music, film, theatre and dance, or sport and outdoor activities, you will find useful details here.The section on trouble and the police tells you how to report a theft as well as the fact that you have the right to contact your consulate if you are arrested. Gay and lesbian contacts and information are given for several large towns. The guide also includes information on work and study, such as working in a language school or as an au pair.

You will find maps of the whole country, channel ports and routes to Paris, main French rail routes, and a map showing the regions covered by the various chapters are included in the first section. Although obviously useful, they are all in black and white and could perhaps have been presented a little more imaginatively.

Following the introduction, one hundred and twenty-four pages are devoted to Paris and the surrounding region, including Versailles, Chartres and Disneyland. There are maps of the metro, arrondissements, museums and galleries, La Voie Triomphale (from the Louvre Museum to La Defense) the Marais, Ile St-Louis and the Bastille, the Latin Quarter, St-Germain, and Pere-Lachaise Cemetery (where you can visit the tombs of such greats as Moliere, Colette, Edith Piaf, Balzac, and of course Jim Morrison). Everything from the Louvre Museum to the flea markets is included here. The seven-page hotel listing covers all categories and is followed by a list of hostels and campsites, giving something for all tastes and pockets. The sixteen pages of bars, cafes and restaurants have a price guide, and a special list of those open

What to know about traveling in New Zealand – Part 2

When coming to New Zealand there are four or five major things you should see to experience the culture and diversity that is New Zealand.

New Zealand has a population of just in excess of 4million people.

Auckland – is ethnically diverse, containing 181 different ethnic groups, in marked contrast to other parts of the Auckland region and the country as a whole.

Unlike the rest of New Zealand, where the proportion of the population over the age of 65 years is growing, Auckland city continues to buck the trend with declining proportions in this age group. Instead the city maintains higher proportions of people in the working age groups.

Auckland’s population is roughly 1.3 million people. If you want to see sites, take an Auckland tour around the city, go up sky tower and make sure you take a Fuller’s ferry out onto the Hauraki Gulf to one of the beautiful islands such as Waiheke!

The clubs and bar scene is in the city, down at the Viaduct Harbour and up Queen St to K Rd at the top.

Rotorua – A true tourist destiantion. The culture is historical of New Zealand. A strong Maori influence on the activies and sites to see. Rotorua is thermally active underneath the city so there are many natural spas, hot mud pools and large ghysers that one can see and experience. A must see is the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Tamaki Moari Village. Experience everything you can here!

If you are a backpacker – Kiwipaka Youth Hostel is a good way to go. Beautifully clean, well looked after and the beds are ok :>

Wellington – Similar to Auckland in the sense it is a large city based on business. It is New Zealand’s capital city and hosts a wide range of activites and sights to see. I recommend seeing the waterfront where the bars are, going to Te Papa and trying to catch a game at the Cake Tin as its called.

Christchurch – Beautiful city near the top of the South Island. Very historic again with a strong Anglican and Catholic origin. It is a bit colder down here in winter but a beautiful place. Well worth going to.

Finally the last destination – Queenstown – I haven’t been here but everyone that goes says it is amazing. Aim to go in the winter, the skiing and snowboarding is good. The city is vibrant, alive and full of fun things to do. It has a very youthful feel apparently seeing many University students find work there between semesters.

I hope this helps. Hire a car and drive New Zealand. Take it in your own time. Make sure you see the South Island for its scenery. Breath taking to say the least.

An Inside Look at Fiji Honeymoon Travel

Where can we expect to get the most for our money?

Aruna: Fiji offers a wide variety of places to stay, from low budget to world-class. You’ll benefit from bulk rates by taking a package tour instead of paying the higher “rack rate” the hotels charge.

You will get the most for your money at Qamea, Tokoriki, Matamanoa, Namale, Malolo, Maravu, Castaway, Mana, Jean Michel Cousteau and Matangi.

When is the best time to go to Fiji?

Aruna: Fiji enjoys a tropical climate year-round. If you’re coming from North America, you should try to set out between April 26th to June 17th, or July 19th and August 26th, because that’s when airfares on Air Pacific and Air New Zealand are at their lowest levels.

The airlines have made late April to August their low season because that’s winter in New Zealand and Australia, their main destinations, but by a happy coincidence June to October are the coldest and driest months in Fiji. You’ll miss the hurricane season, which runs from November to April. The hotels/resorts offer low prices in February and March as most are vacant.

Do you have any favorite “hidden gems” of Fiji?

Aruna: In recent years, smaller luxury resorts have multiplied in remote locations such as Vatulele Island, Royal Davui Island, Toberua Island, Taveuni Palms Resort, Beqa Island, andWadigi Island.

Prices at the “boutique” resorts begin at several hundred dollars a day and rise to four figures, so some care should be taken in selecting the right one.

Compared to Mexico or Hawaii, what makes Fiji a special destination?

Aruna: Fiji’s comparatively inexpensively priced vs. that of destinations such as Tahiti and Hawaii. The largest resort in Fiji only has about 400 rooms – very small in comparison to most hotels in Hawaii.

One of Fiji’s main attractions is the many small islands scattered around the coral reefs. Resorts on these small islands are quite common, especially in the Mamanuca Group, visible to the west of Nadi Airport. Beach side villas and traditional thatch bures are the most popular style of accommodation in Fiji. English is widely spoken. The snorkeling and diving are some of the best in the world. All in all Fiji is very exotic, quiet and serene.

Where do celebrities like to go?

Aruna: Wakaya Island – Canadian industrialist David Harrison Gilmour bought the island for US $3 million, and in 1990 opened The Wakaya Club, with nine spacious cottages starting at USD $2,000 double plus tax, all-inclusive (five-night minimum stay).

The service is excellent, the snorkel superb, and there’s scuba diving, nine hole golf course, a swimming pool, and an airstrip for charter flights (USD$1,200 roundtrip per couple from Nadi). Only game fishing and massage costs extra.
As you might expect at these prices (Fiji’s highest!), it’s all very tasteful and elegant-just ask Pierce Brosnan, Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Celine Dion, Bill Gates, Nicole Kidman or Burt Reynolds. It’s sort of a country club for the rich and famous, rather than a trendy social scene.

Lovely Honeymoon Locations Part – II

The gambling capital of the world is also one of the best places to set your honeymoon. There are world-class hotels and resorts that offer honeymoon package whether you want to set your wedding at Las Vegas or simply would like to spend some romantic time there. Lots of entertainments await every honeymooner. Here are another popular spots for a Lovely Honeymoon

Michigan:

Whether you love to ski or love to relax at the beach, Michigan is a great option for both activities. The lakes are lined with gorgeous condos and houses to rent for a honeymoon. Michigan has tons of beautiful beaches and national parks with great scenery, beautiful sunsets, and stunning lighthouses. Michigan is becoming more popular as a honeymoon location.

Las Vegas:

If you and your fiancé like to gamble, this is the spot for you. Las Vegas is a great choice for a luxurious and fun honeymoon. Las Vegas has endless entertainment venues from casinos to live stage shows. Las Vegas is known for weddings, but it is also one of the top honeymoon destinations in the U.S.A. There are great hotels such as the Bellagio, Venetian, MGM Grand, and Paris Hotel. Many offer special suites such as the “Elvis and Pricilla suit” or extra special honeymoon suites. There are also nice hotels that offer discounts and specials for couples on a limited budget.

Europe:
Traveling to Europe for a honeymoon would present you with lots of things to do and lots of places to visit. Italy for one has several ancient and cities with great historic sites, architecture and arts. France has great tasting foods and sites. The United Kingdom also has lots in store.

Africa:
Getting the feel of nature and seeing the wild at large is at its best in Africa. There are countries like Tanzania that offer a unique feel of nature and a vibrant touch of luxury in one. Exotic hotels are available in Africa for honeymoon that is something unique and wild.

New Zealand:

New Zealand is a holiday-maker’s dream destination: from stunning snow-capped mountains, lush forests and uncrowded beaches to unique culture, cosmopolitan cities and welcoming small towns, it’s all here! The freedom and scenic highlights you’ll discover during a New Zealand self-drive holiday will make your honeymoon all the more enjoyable.

StripSteak Opens at Mandalay Bay

Michael Mina Raises the Steaks in Las Vegas

Acclaimed Chef Michael Mina breaks new ground with the debut of StripSteak at Mandalay Bay, his first steakhouse. With its classic menu, inviting bar scene and sophisticated atmosphere, StripSteak plays host to guests looking for the perfect filet in a modern alternative to the traditional steakhouse setting.

A dinner at StripSteak may begin with Kobe Carpaccio with Thai-Style Tomato Salad, Foie Gras Sliders with Peach Chutney and Basil or Bacon-Wrapped Lobster Fritters.

As with Mina’s other restaurants, StripSteak uses only the highest quality ingredients — corn-fed, all-natural meat; line-caught seafood and fresh, seasonal produce. While first-rate components are essential, it is Mina’s creative approach to cooking that has made his name. StripSteak features a menu rife with imaginative interpretations of classic steakhouse favorites using state-of-the-art kitchen equipment.

“Growing up in Washington State and working at several meat-packing plants, I was exposed to beef at a much younger age than seafood,” Chef Mina said. “Mandalay Bay has provided me with the perfect opportunity to go back to my roots and open my first steakhouse.”

StripSteak offers two varieties of beef, Certified Angus Beef and American Kobe, and is home to two wood-burning grills and six circulating, slow-poaching chambers. The signature slow-poaching method enhances flavor and tenderness by heating the meat for several hours at a low temperature, while the mesquite-stoked grills infuse every cut with a subtle smokiness.

For example, The Colorado Lamb is slow poached in extra-virgin olive oil and rosemary jus for up to 12 hours before being finished on the wood-burning grill.

A dinner at StripSteak may begin with Kobe Carpaccio with Thai-Style Tomato Salad, Foie Gras Sliders with Peach Chutney and Basil or Bacon-Wrapped Lobster Fritters. While beef reigns supreme, other options range from Wood-Grilled Maine Lobster with Truffled Pearl Pasta and Cipollini Onions to Whole-Fried Organic Chicken with Truffled Mac & Cheese.

To match the decadent entrees, Mina created a menu of indulgent side dishes, including Duck Fat Fries, Artichokes “Rockefeller” and Broccoli Gruyere Fondue.

The wine list, under the leadership of Mina Group Wine Director Rajat Parr and Sommelier Bernabe De Luna Lopez, emphasizes boutique California wineries accented with selections from France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. The collection includes Grand Cru Red and White Burgundies, First Growth Bordeaux as well as a rare collection of cult classic California wines.

In addition to the impressive wine selection, StripSteak offers a menu of classic, handcrafted cocktails. The creative cocktail list, much like the menu, pays homage to the classics while highlighting a changing roster of fresh ingredients. A Modern Ward, for example, is given star treatment with the addition of Pomegranate Molasses and Orange Bitters, while single malt Scotch is chilled with special 2-by-2-inch ice cubes.

The restaurant is designed by Japanese firm Super Potato, known for its highly polished work in Japan (Hyatt Regency Kyoto), London (Zuma) and Las Vegas (Sensi restaurant at Bellagio). When conceiving StripSteak, Super Potato chose a more unrefined aesthetic, balancing raw, industrial materials — steel, fiberglass and roughhewn teak-with clean, fluid lines and rich hues such as plum and garnet. An expansive lounge area, with seating for 70, spills out onto Mandalay Bay’s promenade, creating a boisterous and lively scene. Opposite the entrance is a large picture window that allows bystanders a peek into the kitchen and the two imposing wood-fired grills burning beyond. Behind the three-sided glass bar, the dining room is filled with cherry wood tables and booths separated by glass partitions. Four projectors cast images of flowing water onto large panels in the ceiling and two backlit blue and red fiberglass installations hang on opposite walls.

Bill Hornbuckle, president of Mandalay Bay, said, “Michael Mina is a brilliant chef and we’re thrilled to have him at our resort. Michael’s understanding of exceptional cuisine and his versatility as a chef makes him an excellent addition to our all-star lineup of award-winning restaurants and chefs.”

StripSteak’s dining room seats 140 guests, plus 70 in the lounge, 36 in the private dining room and 45 in a semi-private dining room. StripSteak is open nightly at 5:30 p.m. The lounge opens at 4 p.m.

Things To See On Your Holidays In Pitcairn Islands

Located in the southern Pacific Ocean, the Pitcairn islands is the last British overseas territory in the pacific. The islands remained uninhibited in the 15th century. Later, the Polynesians started settling down in the islands. History says that the mutineers of the Bounty and Tahitian companions are kidnapped from Tahiti and they set fire to the bounty. You can enjoy a moderate climate all the year round in the Pitcairn islands.

Holidaying in the Pitcairn islands, first include an air travel up to Mangareva in the Gambier Islands. There are no airstrips in the islands and you can begin your vacation in the Pitcairn islands with the help of the cruise ships. Apart from the commercial cruise ships, there are many private yachts carrying tourists to the Pitcairn islands.

The island has a very small population with about 50 permanent inhabitants who are the descendants of the mutineers and their Polynesian wives. As there are no ports or airports, the island remains unexplored. There are no safe anchorage and lodging place in the island and it requires permission from the administration in the Auckland. After getting the appropriate permission, you will be provided with lodging and other facilities. There are no hotels in the island and you can enjoy the stay in natural homes. The inhabitants of the island are very friendly and hospitable.

You need to spend a few days to get to know about the Pitcairners and explore the unexplored land. From the Pitcairn Island, you should sail to the Henderson Island if you want a special excursion. The Henderson Island is uninhibited and it is a world heritage site. If you are a water enthusiast, you will love this place, enjoying snorkelling and scuba diving. Bird watching is another popular tourist activity here and the island has numerous unique species of birds.

The major activity of the islanders is collecting honey and this honey is claimed to be disease free pure honey that cannot be tasted anywhere else in the world. Because of this reason, the tourists are not allowed to bring any bee related items to the Pitcairn islands. The details of the history and the bounty can be found in the beautiful museum at this place.

The island has a great source of income from philately. Holidaying to Pitcairn Island can be slightly expensive but you can enjoy a great visit to one of the tough world heritage sites.

The Islands are becoming more and more popular with holiday makers coming here on a family holiday and staying in self catering holiday home accommodation. Luxury villas with swimming pools and self catering holiday apartments are available to rent.

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