What to know about traveling in New Zealand – Part 5

Be very aware of traveling around New Zealand, because unless you have a camera with you to prove what you have seen, people wont believe you when you tell them you’ve been to paradise. New Zealand is probably one of the worlds best kept secrets and packing around its compact landscapes can be both exhilarating and a nightmare. Awesome because of the boldness of its beauty and horrendous because although it’s a small country, it has every season known to man and compensating for the harsh realities of Mother Nature can mean a very full pack!

One thing few people realize about travel in New Zealand is that the visa required also makes it possible to travel in Australia, the two countries being no more than 3 or 4 hours apart by plane. This can be both good and bad. Good because Australia has its own set of amazing indigenous aspects, and bad because both countries require at least 4 weeks to do them justice, therefore prolonging your trip by a good month or so. But if I was to chose, I would say go New Zealand every time.

Once 2 islands originally inhabited by the native people called Maoris’ New Zealand is now a multiracial country and this is evident everywhere. It seems they have embraced their originality and compromised making the countryside rich with cultural stories and tales of the landing of white man. The difference in language is-the natives having kept their tongue as well as adopting English-is evident everywhere through signing and place names.

I believe the best way to navigate New Zealand would be by beginning at the top and moving your way down. Rent a van and do it by driving. Each island can be driven from start to finish in a day so it can easily be done in a few weeks. The reason I suggest driving is because the landscapes are too good to miss by flying over them or being stuck to the timetable of a bus- and unlike some countries I have traveled in, public transport in New Zealand runs on time and can always be depended on rain or shine.

The best way to see New Zealand is through the eyes of a native, and so I suggest getting down with the locals over a pint or two in the corner pub and asking them where they suggest you go. New Zealanders in general are very helpful and eager to be of service to any wary traveler and so usually prove to be a well of knowledge.

A must see would certainly be 9 mile beach, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington (the capital) the Wairarapa (a region known for its wines), Nelson, Queenstown (excellent for you adrenaline junkies) the Southern Alps and steward island, just to say you went to the very bottom.

Points of interest: the temperature gets colder as you venture south. There is less cultural influence further down. The islands are easily accessed by either plane or a ferry-which you can take your vehicle on. New Zealanders don’t mind if you call them kiwis. Bro means mate. Mate means friend. Sweet means fine, cool, ok. Sweet-as means don’t worry about it, it’s all good, ok. Ye, nah, ye usually means yes, but just check first. If you make it to a Maori meeting house known as a Marae be very careful of protocol as offense is easily given, however do try to go as it’s an important cultural aspect. The national gallery is called Te Papa and is in Wellington and above all else, whatever you do, make sure you register the chilled out effect New Zealand conveys.

Travel diaries: Airport adventures and customs calamities

Stuck on the tiny island of Okinawa, my wife and I don’t have occasion to hop on many airplanes. We did get away for Christmas, however, traveling to New Zealand, and I can see why the airline industry/airport operations can be a frustration to travelers.

We had the chance to travel on both a full-service airline (China Airlines) and a cut-rate airline (Pacific Blue), and there were definite differences.

On the 10-hour flight from Taiwan to Sydney, Australia, we were served dinner, breakfast and a substantial snack. The two guys who sat in front of us, who were the last ones to board the plane, might not have known we were going to be fed or were just hungry, but they broke out the food as soon as they were settled. Unfortunately the combination of their body funk made their meal smell like a cornbeef, sauerkraut and ass sandwich. Luckily the air system helped dissipate their aromas fairly quickly.

We flew Pacific Blue from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand and reversed the process on the way home. Luckily we had enough time between flights to quell any hunger pangs. For those cheaper tickets you don’t get any amenities free, even on a three and a half hour flight. In-flight entertainment isn’t a must, but Pacific Blue does rent digital media players ($20) for those who want to watch movies ($20). The only problem is that they don’t distribute the players right away. Thus, for some who choose to watch long movies like “The Dark Knight”, there is the chance they won’t get to see the end of the movies like the guys in front of us. It didn’t make for happy campers. Granted, the airline has a disclaimer on their rental flyer that says that some movies may be too long to view in their entirety, but it’s like reading the bottom line on an eye chart.

Most airlines also issue bag tags that correspond to what they have attached to your luggage. Pacific Blue doesn’t do that, but in a move I think is actually better, especially in these days of conservation, the bag tag number is printed on the boarding pass. The only problem with that is not all immigrations officials seem to know what different airlines do. We ran into that problem heading into Australia from New Zealand. Our surly immigrations official wanted to see our bag tags, but was having problems understanding that our bag numbers were printed on our boarding pass. He decided to let us through anyway, like he was doing us a big favor since we didn’t have all the documentation he required.

Some countries are

A visitors guide to New Zealand – Part 2

New Zealand, in the South Pacific, consists of two large islands and other smaller islands with an area of more than 270 000 sq.km. North Island has a warm climate and there is quite a lot of volcanic activity. South Island is cooler and has a higher rainfall. In the South Island there are the Southern Alps with Mount Cook (3754 m) which is the highest mountain in New Zealand.

New Zealand is a democrtic country with its own parliament. However, it is part of the official head of state is Elizabeth II, the queen of England, Scotland and Wales. New Zealand was the first country in teh world that gave the vote to women in 1893, to have old age pensions and the eight-hour working day.

New Zealand has some industry but agriculture is more important-there are 55 million sheep, 8 million cows and 1 million goats in New Zealand.

New Zeland was cut off from the rest of the land on Earth for 80 million years and thetefore it has some unique animals and plants. For instance, the tuatara is reptile that has survived from the era of the dinosaurs. The weta is the largest and heaviest insect in the world and the kiwi (the symbol of New Zealand) is a large bird which cannot fly.

Population in New Zealand is as follows:80 % of teh 3.6 million people are of European (mainly British)origin. Around 9% of the population are Maoris who come to New Zealand from Polynesia in the 13th and 14th centuries. The two official languages in the country are English and Maori.

New Zealanders who are also known as “Kiwis” are relaxed people who love the oldest life. It is not surprising that New Zealand is successful at many sports. Its national sport is rugby and its team “The All Blacks” are often the best in the world. Before every game, the team performs a “haka”, a Maori war dance to frighten the opposing team.

New Zealand has beautiful landscapes. In North ISland, the BAy of ISlands has lovely old forests and beautiful beaches and the Coromandel is perfect for sailing and watersports. Rotorua is the center of Maori culture and has wonderful hot springs. In South Island, the Southern Alps, the West Coast region and the national park of Fiordland all have beautiful scenery.

Rabbi at New Synagogue Speaks of Converts to Judaism

Giving welcome

Rabbi at new synagogue speaks of converts to Judaism

BY SERGIO CARMONA.

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

There’s a new rabbi in town.
Rabbi Celso Cukierkorn, who moved to Miami-Dade County in May and has started Adat Achim Synagogue in Sunny Isles, knows a great deal about those who convert to Judaism. Since his rabbinic career started more than a decade ago, Cukierkorn, 37, has converted many of those people himself – in Europe, South America and China. Welcoming new people as Jews is important to him.
“Today, we have as many Jews in the world as there were the day the Americans liberated the concentration camps,” he said. “Next generation, we will have negative growth, and we’re going to have less Jews in the world. Somebody has got to do something about it. I believe that as a leader of Jewish people, we should put them on the red carpet; we should welcome those people who are legitimately interested in becoming Jewish. It must be offered

to them.”
Cukierkorn was born in Brazil and comes from a rabbinical family that goes back 700 years. He is a member of the rabbinical cabinet of United Jewish Appeal. His conversion process involves an online course for people who are willing to be Jewish and can convert anyone from any part of the world through online study and a final exam.
“This course gives people the tools to empower themselves to establish Jewish identity in a way that they can work on their own time, because today’s environment and situation regarding our : mobility, regarding our schedule and other priorities we have in our lives, sometimes would not allow many people to be in a regular conversion to
Judaism course,” he said.
Cukierkorn. currently has 30-40 students from South Florida. One of those students, Tatiana Suarez, who resides in Miami-Dade County, is. grateful for the course’s flexibility and the learning opportunity provided.
“Rabbi Cukierkorn has a very nice method about learning Judaism;” said Suarez. “He’s critical. He can get deeper. If you don’t have time, he gives flexibility to his students. The” rabbi gives you everything you need to know and he guides you very well through the course.”
Cukierkorn enjoys working with students who posses the maturity to learn to become a Jew.
“I think that the very beauty of people coming
into Judaism is they have an adult mind and that they’re going to ‘experience things for the first time already with a mature mind,” he, said.
Cukierkorn is not only impressed with his students’ maturity, but impressed with their dedication, as well.
“Most of the people I work with, they could choose any religion, and for them becoming Jewish and joining the greater Jewish family is the most important thing in their life,” he said. ‘as a congregational rabbi, I have never seen another group ‘that opens so much enthusiasm in Judaism than people converting; and usually they make wonderful Jews.”
Cukierkorn has also provided close guidance to his students. One is Larry Hudson, a former student who became a
Jew in 2002.
“He’s provided close guidance to our family here in Florida,” Hudson said. “He is very astute in the field of Judaism, and he’s provided guidance to individuals like ourselves in converting to Judaism.”
Cukierkorn is proud to have an impact on his students’ lives.
“From all of my rabbinic duties, converting people gives me the greatest pleasure,” he said. “I have converted people from New Zealand to Argentina, and having a small part in their lives is the greatest reward I have in my
rabbinic duties.”
Cukierkorn’s guidelines, expectations and requirements. for his course are available at http://www.convertingtojudaism.com. He can be reached at 305-510-8111.

Origininally featured in the L’Chaim section of The Jewish Journal July 10, 2007

http://www.convertingtojudaism.com

Napier Famed For its Art Deco Style

Napier is an important port city in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. It has a population of 57,000. It famed for its Art Deco style having been extensively rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake and following fire in 1931.

Undoubtedly, New Zealands most unusual city, arrival in Napier marks the end of the Pacific Coast Highway at least for those travelling in a southerly direction. It is a fascinating city, benefiting from a good coastal location.

After the entry of Japan into the Second World War the New Zealand government considered it likely that New Zealand might be invaded. In 1942, Hawkes Bay coastal defences were strengthened with a 6 inch gun battery placed atop Bluff Hill and concrete strong points, commonly known as Pill Boxes were built along beaches. A good example of a Pill Box is to be found at the Beacons Reserve four kilometres north of the entrance to the Inner Harbour.

It is a popular retirement town and tourist resort and has one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country, a statue on Marine Parade called Pania of the Reef. In October 2005 the statue was stolen, but it was recovered a week later, largely unharmed.

The range of industries in Napier and its environs include the electronics industry, the surrounding area wool trade and the manufacture of fertilizer and wine.

On 9 September 2005 British American Tobacco announced it would close the iconic Rothmans factory, due to diminished demand. Production will be moved to Australia. The famous art deco style factory has been producing up to 2.2 billion cigarettes a year for the New Zealand and Pacific Island markets.

Attractions in Napier are the Marine Parade with its Norfolk pines, Marine land with performing seals and dolphins, The Kiwi House with live kiwis in a natural habitat and swimming pools.

Napier has numerous walkways linking neighbourhoods and offering the chance to walk in pleasant, quiet surroundings away from the bustle and traffic of city life. The walk routes range over hillside, seaside and riverside locations. Most scenic and historically interesting walks are highlighted. Some of the walks are circular, many are one way, some link up with others. By using a more detailed street map you may choose an alternative way back.

The town enjoys some of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, its warm, relatively dry climate the result of its location on the east coast.

For adventure travelers, is Australia or New Zealand the more extreme down under experience? – Part 5

If your idea of an adrenalin rush is dodging poisonous snakes and spiders, crocodiles and flies the size of sparrows, then by all means, choose Australia for your extreme down under experience. However, if an eclectic mix of beautiful scenery, sparkling waters, mountain ranges and pulse racing adventure is more your style, New Zealand is the place to go. I strongly recommend all thrill seekers pack up their bags or back packs, take out life insurance and head for the land of the Great White Cloud. New Zealand, Aotearoa, or God’s Own as we like to call it, is where the action is, without the nasty critters.

We do have spiders but only one that can kill you and he’s a very shy and discerning wee fellow. The Katipo keeps a low profile, mainly hidden under driftwood in the sand hills of our beaches. Consequently, you’d need to send out a search party headed by David Attenborough to ever find him. New Zealand is snake free and our small reptiles are harmless. Aside from the common or garden Gecko, most, like our prehistoric living fossil, the Tuatara, can only be found at zoos or animal parks. The scariest creature lurking in our rivers and lakes would be the eel. These slimy creatures generally reside in the dark and murky depths, well out of reach, unless you’re actively trying to catch them. They worst they can do is nip your toes.

What we do have in plentiful supply is extreme sports and activities. Spoiled for choice, our mountains and alps provide mountaineering, abseiling and and rock climbing in the warner months, along with snow boarding, sledding and skiing in the winter. The majestic Mount Cook in the Southern Alps of the South Island, renown to climbers the world over, was the first mountain climbed by our favorite son, the late Sir Edmond Hilary, known to New Zealanders simply as Sir Ed. Sir Ed went on to be the first man to scale Mount Everest in 1953,a mammoth achievement, which in many ways signifies the love affair New Zealanders have always had with high adventure. In true understated Kiwi style, on his descent, he commented to a fellow team member; ” we knocked the bugger off”.

Not only are our mountains a haven for the adventurer but our lakes and rivers endow every possible water sport to those who like their thrills wet and wild. Water rafting, canoing, jet boating, you name it, New Zealand has it, what ever part of the country yo happen to be in. Both the South and North islands offer as much, or as little action you can

New Zealand Is For Lovers Of Adventure That Is Travel To New Zealand

Although often times in the gigantic shadow of its Australian neighbor, New Zealand is worlds apart from any experience found elsewhere and it is geographically much farther southeast than most people imagine. New Zealand is a former British colony, with fascinating cultural influences due to its location in southern Polynesia. Large swaths of rolling green meadows, churning geysers, creaking glaciers, and never-ending stretches of magical overgrown beaches encourage travelers to make the long haul across oceans to indulge in the disarming natural beauty of New Zealand year after year.Cinematic Sanctuaries and Bungy* Jumping Buffs
New Zealands geography is divided into two major north-south islands. Depending on where you travel and the time of year, the activities and topography will change dramatically. The South Island is famous for its unique relics of the last Ice Age, the Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers, which plunge just below the islands tallest peak in the Southern Alps, Mount Cook. These glaciers are particularly spectacular because they continue to flow through temperate rainforest strikingly close to sea level. Winter in the Alps region is excellent for skiing, mountaineering and filmmaking scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here. For a thrilling wildlife experience, do not miss the South Islands Otago Peninsula where you can enjoy a cozy bed and breakfast among sea lion, sea elephant and penguin habitats, to name a few.New Zealand is a destination for all seasons, with activities spanning the elements and progressive cities to keep up with those of faster pace. Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown are all very youthful and spirited cities with the distinct eclecticism of New Zealand culture to overload the senses and invigorate the spirit. New Zealand may be far from most places in the world, but it is certainly worth any length of travel to reap the fruit of this nations existence. Travel to New Zealand and experience it all for yourself.

Travel Insurance – Bringing You Home

Overseas travel is one thing that people all over the world aspire to. Whether cruising around the Greek Islands on a luxury yacht, sipping brandy by the fire in a Swiss chalet after a day of skiing; or elephant spotting in Kenya, an overseas trip can be the adventure of a lifetime. Unfortunately, though, it can also be the disaster of a lifetime unless due diligence is carried out prior to setting off.

Along with passports and plane tickets, one of the most important things to remember before travelling overseas is to arrange Travel Insurance. Not just any “cheapest-you-can-find” travel insurance, but a policy that will take good care of you should the unforeseen occur.

Types of travel insurance vary from company to company and it is well worth your while to spend some considerable time shopping around before committing to one policy. Remember, what is considered an acceptable risk by one insurer, may be excluded by another. Definitions of terms may also vary.

Take terrorism, for example. Most insurance policies will exclude acts of terrorism from being claimable events, however, the definition of what constitutes a terrorist act can vary between insurers. What one insurer may deem as an act of violence and therefore claimable, another insurer may deem terrorism and deny any claim.

In this age of terrorism threats and war-torn nations, travellers should always heed governmental advice as to whether or not travel to certain regions is recommended. If deciding to travel to a country despite government warnings, it may be difficult to obtain travel insurance at all. If it is obtained, it will probably be very expensive and its cover fairly limited.

It is crucial that you understand exactly what is and isn’t excluded from the policy before you sign on the dotted line. Indeed, being aware of the exclusions is, arguably, even more important than knowing what is covered. Get clear in your mind the insurer’s definition of claimable and non-claimable events. If at all possible, endeavour to get those definitions in writing.

Get the language right. Ask as many questions as it takes to know exactly where you stand. Remember, the only dumb questions are ones that haven’t been asked yet and given a voice. If going through a broker or agent, double check with the insurer if uncertain of their answers. It’s wise to remember too, that no insurance policy is going to cover you for every single thing that could possibly happen on your holiday. The prudent traveller will ensure, however, that what he or she needs to be covered for will be.

For example, does the policy allow you to participate in “adventure activities”? If you’re going bungee jumping in New Zealand or white-water rafting in Canada, make sure your insurer knows about it and will cover you for accidents occurring during such activities.

Is your luggage excluded if left unattended? What does “left unattended” mean? What if you leave it in a taxi? What if you walk two metres from it to buy a chocolate bar from a vending machine?

It’s a good idea to also familiarise yourself with claims procedures before departing so as to avoid the “paper frenzy” in the event of an accident. Some policies have a time limit for reporting claims. In some cases, the incident must be reported to local authorities within twenty-four hours in order to claim.

Be aware too that some countries may not recognise all insurance companies. This could pose a problem if hospitalisation is required. If the insurer isn’t recognised in that country you may not get hospital treatment. Make sure that the insurer has a global reputation.

It’s very expensive to be injured overseas. For instance, medical evacuation from the United States to Australia can cost anything from $80,000.00 upwards. If a stay in hospital is required, the bill could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. And you thought shopping in Beverly Hills would be fun….

It’s also dangerous to be injured overseas, particularly in countries where medical facilities may not be as well equipped as at home. Again, the evacuation costs can run into many thousands of dollars – and no insurance means a lifetime of debt.

Travelling without the right travel insurance is like walking a tightrope without a net. Sure, it can be done, but one tiny slip and it’s too late for “If only”s. And chances are, it will be your loved ones at home who will mortgage their houses, cash in their superannuation and face considerable financial hardship in order to bring you back to the fold.

All in all, travel insurance is one thing you should definitely not leave home without!

Destination guides: South Island, New Zealand – Part 1

People tend to toss around a lot of adjectives when describing the South Island of New Zealand. However, in just one short visit it will become apparent that words, be they adjectives or not, simply cannot convey the surpassing beauty encompassed by this tiny nation located deep in the Southern Hemisphere.

Christchurch to Mt. Cook

Most international travelers arrive via Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city whose Scottish architecture and charm nestled along the Avon River prepares the visitor for the harmony between man and nature that lay just outside the city limits. From Christchurch journey south on the well-paved highway that runs the length of the level eastern coast. Not long after your route will turn inland, and you will be staring out at the snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps.

Drawing near, the road hugs the hilly shorelines of the glacial blue waters of Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki with the jagged outline of the mountains forming the perfect backdrop. The tallest of them all is Mt. Cook, or Aoraki, in the native Maori tongue. The national park that bears its name offers easily accessible trails that admire the mountain from different vantage points. Here you will have a taste of how difficult it would be to effectively describe the grandeur this country possess in such a small space.

Mt. Cook to Queenstown

Heading south, it is a winding road all the way down to New Zealand’s adventure capital of Queenstown. Here, the visitor can defy death in any number of ways, from bungee jumping, to an exhilarating jet boat ride, to an alpine slide perched high above the town. Hugging the northeastern shoreline of Lake Wakitipu, Queenstown is a year-round destination, doubling as a ski resort in the winter months.

A very pleasant discovery lies on a small mountain on the opposite shore called Deer Park Heights. It was here that many scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed, and it is readily apparent as to why. I noted here, as in several other locations, that New Zealand was truly as close to Tolkien’s “Middle Earth” as it gets. There’s a primordial feel about the place that makes it seem ancient yet innocent at the same time. Cinematic fame aside, this quasi-animal park also affords some spectacular views of the entire Queenstown region, from the lake to the river to the appropriately named Remarkables mountain range.

Queenstown to Milford Sound

Basing yourself in Queenstown, one can make a

Stewart Island Insulated From The World

Stewart Island is located in the Southland region. It is New Zealands third and southern most island.

The island is about seventy kilometres long and up to fort five kilometres wide. Eight five percent of the island is a national park and it has only one town, Halfmoon Bay, also known as Oban.

It is a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in their natural habitat.

Insulated from the world by its remoteness, it is a haven for people looking for tranquillity and adventure.

Many residents are direct descendants of the whalers and early Rakiura Maori, with family histories reaching back almost 200 years.

Most of Stewart Island is protected by the boundaries of Rakiura National Park, New Zealands newest national park. Rakiura is the Maori name for Stewart Island.

The western coast of the island is characterised by sea pounded cliffs and sandy beaches. On the eastern side of the island there are three sheltered inlets, Paterson Inlet, with a one hundred and sixty kilometre shoreline, is the largest. Vegetation ranges from hardwood forest in the north to low forest and coastal vegetation in the south.

A paradise for hikers. It has about two hundred and fifty kilometres of walking tracks, all of which can be accessed from Halfmoon Bay. The tracks range from short walks around the township area to epic journeys that require fitness, stamina and a large degree of self reliance.

Bird watchers are drawn to the island because in one day with a pelagic cruise, a visit to Ulva Island bird sanctuary and a kiwi spotting trip its possible to see more than thirty species.

Bonus sightings on these trips include bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, sea lions and the occasional sea elephant. Five penguin species are found on the island yellow eyed, southern blue, rock hopper, Fordland crested and Snares crested.

Stewart Island is the most natural of New Zealands three main islands, the least farmed, least logged, least burnt and least built on. The forests contain the last remnants of what the rest of Southlands native forests were once like.

For anyone seeking peace and tranquillity it is the ultimate spot. There are superb bush walks and great launch cruises around some of New Zealands most beautiful coastline. The islands amazingly clear and clean waters make it a snorkelling and diving paradise.

A place to remember.

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