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15,000 Feet. 60 Seconds Free Falling.

November 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Not long ago, Zoë Dawes wrote a post about following your dreams as they DO come true. It was not long after I have completed my post about my 40th birthday wish list. I have told anyone who was willing to listen that I’m about to go Skydiving. I think part of it was because it would be embaracing if after telling the entire world I would get cold feet.

I never thought I will be able to actually celebrate my birthday free falling down to earth…

Being a small business, owned and operated by yours truly and my partner, it is hard for us to find a time to take a holiday. Even a short getaway is a mission. It happened so that the nice guys at our office building offered to help so we can go and celebrate the occasion. I didn’t spend much time and talked to the team at Skydive Lake Wanaka, filed a formal request for nice weather, packed the car, the kids (not the dog. Don’t have one) and off we went to Wanaka.

I could hardly get some sleep that night. Every squeak of the older-but-clean motel unit got my attention. Then finally when I managed to ignore the noisy room I had a panic attack. What on earth (ha!) was I thinking when I said I’m going skydiving? Skydiving? Me?

When you hardly sleep, morning doesn’t seam to come as quick but when it finally did I opened the window and wow! It’s a glorious day over Wanaka. Everything looks better when the sun shines, but Wanaka, with it’s views of the Southern Alps, the Lake and the pictorious roads is simply stunning. I can see myself living here one day.

Arriving at the drop zone we found the team shining General Lee, the new bright orange airplane (some would say shocking colour but I love it!). I finally got to meet the great team I have been talking to for so long, have time for a good cup of coffee and have a serious discussion about the important things in life – which songs to choose for my Skydiving DVD!

One thing I don’t like are long sessions of instructions. I am very pro-safety but I also know myself – if the list of instructions is long there is no way I will be able to remember. I was very happy to learn the instructions for a tandem skydive are simple – head backwards, hands holding harness, legs backwards and tummy forward. Ah, I can remember that!

Now it was time to meet my ‘beautiful stranger’, Eric and cameraman Alex who will be responsible for my safe landing and the proof to my amazed family (hi Dad!). I always say that if one does something it should be done with love or not done at all. And these guys are doing it with love!

The only thing I wasn’t told and never expected was to enjoy it so much I’m now looking into where I’m going to learn to do it myself…

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My 40th Birthday Wish List

October 26, 2010 By 3 Comments

I’m about to turn 40. It’s kind of frightening when I come to think about it, which is why I avoid thinking about it as hard as I can.

When I was 16 I thought life is ending at 25. I had a huge crisis when I turned 25 due to that silly old thought from back when I was only 16.

When I turned 30 I already said I’m almost 40 (yes, just like Meg Ryan in ‘When Harry Met Sally’) just so I can start getting used to the idea.

I’m almost 40 now. I have 2 wonderful children I sometime refer to as “the noise” and a loving husband; I have a business the two of us build and enjoy working together; I have great friends and my family back home misses me (hi mum!).

So why do I need to have a wish list?

Perhaps because people around me are very excited from the fact I’m about to turn 40. It is mostly friends who are younger ;-) but seriously, so many people say a 40th birthday isn’t something you just let go past you.

Part of what I currently do for a living involves reading and taking part in the Global Travel community. And I’m thrilled to find so many wonderful people doing such great things. People like Dave and Deb, Canada’s adventure couple, Melvin Boecher, the travel dude and many others who turned travel into their life. And I feel like I haven’t done much or at least not enough from that get-out-of-your-comfort-zone. I have always been such a nerd. I never did silly things. I never took the trip around the world which is so popular these days. So at almost 40 I decided to make a wish list of the things I want to do before I turn 50.

Skydive. That is the first thing I decided to do to celebrate my birthday this coming November. I have told everyone I know that is what I want to do so I will not chicken out. I also mentioned it a few time on Twitter telling @SkydiveWanaka about my plans. You can imagine my surprise when I opened mt mail (yes, the one coming on the back of a snail) and got the latest NEWsletter from Skydive Lake Wanaka with a chance to win a tandem jump!

Sky diving at lake Wanaka

Image source: SkyDive Lake Wanaka

Ski. Kind of fell like an idiot one of NZ’s best ski-field is right here at my door-step and I don’t ski. Mt Hutt is about an hour and half from Christchurch. After the September 4 earthquake we took the kids and went to Methven for a short getaway. Hired the ski gear at Jace’s Ski Hutt and went up the mountain. Hubby and children skiing (well, hubby snowboarding and kids learning) and mum is the support team. OK guys. Next year I’m not the support team anymore. Next year I’ll be looking out for Kate from Methven who promised she can teach me to ski.

Take a backpack and travel. I think I came to terms with the fact I will not be able to do it in the wild and free version, but in the past year I have managed to get myself to the point where I’m able to pack a 60L backpack and go on a weekend of camping and tramping. On the already done list are Peel Forest which was the first time I did not sleep in a Motel room (what a shocking confession!), the Cave Stream and Craigieburn Forest Park which was the first time I slept in a tent (and yet another shocking confession!) and a long weekend of camping at Okains Bay – here I was already a pro! The first camping trip for the 2011 Summer is planned for mid November (weather permitting – we do have our limits you know) so stay tuned for updates from there.

Do you have a 40th (or any other number) wish list you want to share?

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4WD Rental For A New Zealand Adventure

June 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you’re looking to get out into the heart of New Zealand, you will need a good 4WD vehicle to get off the beaten track and explore the whole world that is miles beyond any paved road. The options renting a 4WD in New Zealand gives you when it comes to what you will be able to see and do are wider than the options you have when travelling in any RV, car, or coach tour.

Read more about why to hire a four wheel drive rental in Christchurch and some recommendations on where to go and what to do.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Adventure Travel

Tips for keeping yourself safe on the slopes

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

With the first snow fall up the mountains, I know you are starting to plan your ski or snowboard getaway to New Zealand. A ski holiday in NZ offers great skiing, amazing scenery, delicious food and wines and the world famous Kiwi hospitality.

There is no better time than now to get excited and get your snow gear ready to head to New Zealand this winter. But, before you start dreaming about the amazing adventures and white snow covered mountains, take a moment to think how to keep yourself safe (and able to enjoy even more ski!).

Insurance – every time you go out on a holiday you should cover yourself with a travelling insurance policy. When it comes to a ski/snowboard holiday this advise is even more important.

Wear appropriate clothing – locals will advise you the best way to keep yourself warm is by wearing layers. But when it comes to skiing the top layer should be made of waterproof clothing to keep yourself dry. The warmer and drier you are, the longer you can stay on the slopes. Carry sunglasses/goggles at all times; these will protect your eyes from wind and snow.

Make sure your gear fits – poorly fitted equipment is not only uncomfortable but can be dangerous as well. Make sure the boots are tight, that the skis/snowboard fit your size and in general all feels right.

Know your limits – stay on slopes that are in line with your ski abilities and experience. If you are learning to ski/snowboard make plans to take a few lessons. Before heading to the slopes, ask someone with experience to join you. And even if you are an experienced skier, don’t try to be adventurous and stay on the marked trails.

Be responsible – when it comes to interactions with other skiers, the more experienced skiers are responsible for their actions; You’re always responsible for getting out of the way of the person in front of you.

Food and drink – we tend to forget about drinking water especially in cold weather. Carry a water bottle and a few snacks to drink and eat when taking a break from the action.

Check weather condition – before heading to the mountain, check the weather report. Mountain websites (such as Nzski.com) will have live information about weather and road condition. When you are up on the mountain pay attention to what the weather is doing. NZ weather is known to change many times during one day and winter season is no different to it.

So, what are you waiting for? Come and have fun in the snow this winter – you will have a New Zealand Ski Holiday experience of a lifetime!

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4WD Rental in Christchurch – Getting Car Hire for all Terrain

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Car rental services abound in New Zealand, and many of them offer winter services to people in need of a 4WD rental for the ski season. Getting a 4WD rental in Christchurch during ski season is required as many of New Zealand’s ski field roads requires a car that can handle the rough and rugged terrain. Finding companies to work with is as simple as doing a quick search, but you do want to make sure that you take the time to check out rental services which will allow you to get the RIGHT rentals, and not just any rental at all.

4WD rental in Christchurch New Zealand requires you to find companies that offer car rental services, and then you can start narrowing down the options based on your budget, the cars these companies offer, the features or benefits included with your rental, and then which locations suit your needs as well. By taking these things into consideration, it will be much simpler for you to get the right 4WD rental.

Finding the best 4WD hire in Christchurch is mostly going to be a matter of your own personal opinion. You will want to find a company that has a solid reputation and that can provide you with the best prices on car rental services, of course, but you won’t really have to think about much else aside from what matters most to you. Take the time to check out all of the different options you have so that you can find the best car available, including making sure that it is a 4WD and going to give you all the different benefits that you need.

The great thing about AllWays Rental’s pure 4WD is the ability to enjoy both a large, strong 4WD vehicle to take you up the rugged terrain of New Zealand’s ski fields and a 2WD vehicle while driving on surface roads to save you some $$ on fuel. All of the 4WD rentals in Christchurch are equipped with ski/snowboard rack and snow chains for your safety.

When you the option of this 4WD hire in Christchurch you will find there is much more to love about New Zealand than if you are stuck on surface roads. There is so much to see and do in New Zealand, and having a 4WD car will give you a more enjoyable experience than you might realise, so check it out for yourself.

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Start planning your Ski Holiday in New Zealand

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ski season is further down the track, but the AllWays head office is already getting excited about the new products and offers we will have for you this ski holiday season. With our first pure 4WD’s arriving every day, we are going to have a blast this winter!

If you want to make the max out of your winter getaway, you need to get some planning done. So, here are a few tips for your coming New Zealand Ski Holiday:

Transportation – consider how you would like to make your way to and from the ski field. Do you want to rent a car, a campervan or take the bus? Is your holiday going to include more than just hitting the slopes? Are you going to be prepared for the ’4WD only’ days on the ski field road by taking a 4WD rental?

Accommodation – it is never too early to book! The South Island has some very popular ski destinations such as Mt Hutt, Queenstown and Wanaka, and they will get extremely busy during winter peak time. It might not be as busy as summer peak, but a winter ski holiday is usually shorter, and you don’t want to have the stress of finding where to put your slopes tired body. Book in advance and get some great deals.

Choose your ski field – New Zealand has many different ski fields you can choose from. A good place to start looking for information is snow.co.nz This website has information about the ski fields, weather reports and mountain information during the season.

What to bring – if you are new to skiing or snowboarding or if you simply don’t want to carry all the gear from home, you can opt in for renting your equipment. To keep warm you need to wear layers, starting with poly-prop and long-johns. A wooly hat is always advisable during winter in New Zealand.

Ski and explore – Around the many ski fields you will find some amazing sightseeing. If you are able, combine your Ski Holiday with some of New Zealand’s famous attractions. Take the bus tour to the Milford Sound, climb the Fox Glacier, throw yourself out of an airplane or go for the adrenaline pump of bungy jumping. There is so much to see and do around the ski field of your choice you can hardly decide what to leave for next time!

We hope this will help you start planning your New Zealand snow adventure. See you on the slopes!

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