HOTELS IN NEW ZEALAND

Make hotel reservations well in advance if you plan to be in New Zealand during its main holiday season from mid-December through the end of January, make hotel reservations well in advance. If you’re staying in off peak season from May through September, or if you are travelling with children, ask about reductions.

In expensive hotels, expect an electric kettle (called a “jug”) and tea, coffee, sugar and milk either in your room or in a centrally located room. Remember, when you finish using the kettle, be sure to switch it off, so the heating element doesn’t burn out.Inquire at your hotel about laundry facilities where you can do your own laundry.

If you want bed&breakfast accommodations, look for guesthouses or private hotels. In both you’ll have hot and cold water, a shared bath and a large breakfast. Guesthouses sometimes serve dinner, but only to guests, while private hotels serve all meals both to residents and non-residents. Ask if you need to reserve for dinner when you check in.

For another way to meet native New Zealanders, you may stay in motel flats which are usually operated by owners. Usually flats consist of a lounge with sofa beds, one or two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. You may expect to make your own beds and do your own dishes.

Or, are you interested in staying in a backpacker accommodation?? Check out the article here.

WELLINGTON MOSQUE, NEW ZEALAND

If you are a Moslem who live or stay in Wellington, and want to do Friday prayer, you can go to Wellington Mosque. Wellington Mosque is located at 7-11 Queens Drive, Kilbirnie, Wellington. You can take a car or go by bus from Wellington City. It's only take 20 minutes, and you can use Day Tripper ticket.

Every Friday a lot of moslem people from different nationalities such as Arab, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan come to do Friday prayer. After that, they will get back to work again, or go to a supermarket that is not far from there such as PakNsave and Woolworth.

Read too : Oriental Bay Beach, Jakarta-Indonesia, Parliament Buildings, or watch interesting videos : Haka dance Videos.

HAKA DANCE VIDEOS

Wanna know what the Haka dance is? These videos below represent the different performances of Haka by New Zealand sport team (rugby) to challenge the other team. Take a look. It’s interesting!

HAKA DANCE

If we visit New Zealand, we might see a haka dance. A Haka is the traditional dance form of the Maori of New Zealand. It is a posture dance with shouted accompaniment, performed by a group. War haka were originally performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and power in order to intimidate the opposition. Haka are not exclusively performed by men, but can be performed by women, mixed groups or by children. Today haka are performed for various reason, as integral part of formal or official welcome ceremonies for distinguished visitors, or to acknowledge great achievement or occasions. Various actions are employed such as the poking out of the tongue (as challenge), shouting, slapping the hands against the body and stamping of the feet to express courage, annoyance, joy or other feelings relevant to the purpose of the occasion.

What is the Haka Dance like? Let's watch the Haka Dance Videos. It's very interesting!

TAMAN ISMAIL MARZUKI

Jakarta is overflowing with hip clubs and bars catering to all tastes. But if we want a snapshot of Jakarta's current artistic pulse head to Taman Ismail Marzuki in Cikini, Jakarta Pusat. Taman Ismail Marzuki, also known as TIM, is the Jakarta Art Centre that located on Cikini Raya Street 37, Jakarta Pusat - Indonesia. Those who are looking for traditional and contemporary arts might find this place useful. This complex acquired its name from the great Indonesian musician, Ismail Marzuki, whose statue guards the entrance gate.

TIM hosts the Institut Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta Institute for the Arts), Jakarta Platenarium, exhibitions halls, an indoor and outdoor theatre, cineplex, an archieves building, two art galleries. The arts institute is the only one of its kind in Indonesia and the first local college entirely dedicated to the training of performing and visual arts.

There are street performers, restaurants and bars offering basic but tasty food and drink from all over Indonesia. A monthly programmed of events, available at hotel counters, includes exhibitions, plays, musical and poetry recitals, dance performances, folk art and drama from the various regions of Indonesia.

Taman Ismail Marzuki is located not far from St.Mary's Kathedral, Istiqlal Mosque and Monumen Nasional in Jakarta-Indonesia. Other interesting place to visit in Jakarta is Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park.

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, ONE HOUR TOUR

When you are in Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand, don't forget to visit the historic Parliament Buildings. Parliament's Visitor Centre is open everyday. It is in the ground floor foyer of the Beehive (also known as the Executive Wing), you come in through Parliament’s main entrance between the Beehive and the steps of Parliament House, and follow the signs.

You can get free tour guided by specially trained staff, depart on the hour from the Visitor Centre (the Beehive). Tour duration is one hour. Tour visitors must check their belongings into secure storage before joining a tour, so please arrive 15 minutes before the hour. Tour route/times subject to change. Groups of 10 or more need to book.

The Parliament Building is located on Molesworth Street, Wellington, and only 5 minutes of walk from the Wellington railway station. In the sunny day, a lot of people spend their afternoon to eat their lunch or sandwich in parliament grounds, or just sitting on the green grass park enjoying the sun and chatting with their friends.

If you get to Wellington someday, don't forget to visit Parliament buildings and do one hour tour. and Admission Free!
For further information, visit the Parliament website here , and more pictures of Parliament Buildings in Wellington. Don't forget to visit other interesting places such as Wellington Cable Car, Karori Sanctuary, Colossal Squid in Te Papa Museum.

KARORI SANCTUARY, WELLINGTON

While you are in Wellington, you have an opportunity to see New Zealand's rarest wildlife in its natural environment by visiting The Karory Sanctuary. It's located just ten minutes from Central Wellington. You can reach the place by car or by bus.

In my opinion, bus is the cheapest choice. with only five dollars New Zealand, we can buy day tripper ticket. Day tripper ticket is designed to give us freedom to go around Wellington by using only one ticket. We are able to catch bus or get off in every bus station just by showing the ticket to the driver. Ticket is available at the bus. Tell the bus driver that you want to buy day tripper ticket then pay five dollars.

Anyway, if you want to see the New Zealand National Mascot, the Kiwi, in their wildlife, the Karory sanctuary is the right place to visit. Tour provide us encounters with birds and reptiles normally just found on offshore islands. Walking track include a cruise accross the lower lake and chance to see the Tuatara, New Zealand's living dinosaur. The best time to do the tour is when darkness has settled. If we are lucky, we can see the Kiwi. I suggest don't make a noise that can make the animals run while you do the tour.

There are different prices between day and night tours. Day tour is only $14 New Zealand, but the night tour is more expensive at NZ$ 60 (guided tour). For further information, you can visit the Karory Sanctuary Experience ZELANDIA website (click here).

Read also interesting articles about : Wellington Cable Car, Parliament Buildings, Oriental Bay Beach.

SEAVIEW MARINA IN EASTBOURNE

KUBAH MAS MOSQUE

One of the largest and the magnificent mosque in Indonesia is Golden Dome Mosque (Masjid Kubah Mas). Owned by a business woman from Serang named Dian Juriah Maimun Al-Rasyid, this mosque is also known as a Masjid Dian Al-Mahri.

The domes, the pillars, the chandeliers, and the ornaments are covered by pure 24 carat gold. The materials used, such as gold, chandeliers, and granite were imported from Italy, Spain, Norway, and Brazil.

The mosque was built on 80 hectare land. It features of fruit trees and flowers planted around the mosque, halls and a huge parking area. Since the mosque was opened for public, lots of people from Jakarta and outside Jakarta come to see it.

Not far from the mosque, in the same area, there is a huge open hall. Many people are having picnics there, they are spreading their mats, sitting on them, and eating their food brought from home. Near the hall, toilet rooms are available.


Besides Kubah Mas Mosque, Indonesia has many beautiful mosques. Read : Istiqlal Mosque and Mosques in Indonesia.

MOSQUES IN INDONESIA

If you want to make a trip in Indonesia especially to see all 'Houses of Allah' (mosques), besides Masjid Istiqlal and Masjid Kubah Mas, here are some of mosques that you might like to visit :

1. Masjid Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh (Click here and here)
2. Masjid At-Tin, Taman Mini, Jakarta (Click here)
3. Masjid Agung, Demak (Click here)
4. Masid Raya Makassar, Makassar (Click here)
5. Masjid Agung, Surabaya (Click here)
6. Masjid Atta'awun in Puncak-Jawa Barat, surrounded by nice tea-plantation area. (Click here)

NEW ZEALAND MAPS IN TE PAPA MUSEUM

When you visit Te Papa Museum, you can see these maps, written in English and Maori languages. Interesting.



Read too :
- The interislander Experience
- Haka Dance Videos
- Oriental Bay Beach
- Indonesia

DO AND DON'TS

New Zealanders are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality, and have an outgoing, relaxed attitude towards visitor. However, there are etiquettes we must follow.

All Maori tribes, many sub-tribes and community groups, and even universities and schools still have their marae (courtyard/square/plaza). The protocol governing marae is highly formalised an it is very important that you seek permission before entering the whare runanga (meeting house) on any marae, and walk around the marae rather than across it. Footwear must be removed before going inside a whare runanga. It is more than likely, however, that your visit to a marae will be part of an organised tour, in which case you will be told what to do.

The Maori greeting kia ora, which means both ‘good health’ and ‘welcome’ accompanied by pressing noses, is answered with the same words.

About smoking, New Zealand is a health conscious nation and smoking is on the decline (it has the lowest rate of tobacco consumption of any First World country). Smoking is banned on all public transport and, since 2004, in all indoor workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and clubs.

New Zealand has neither mammals nor snakes but it does has small sandflies. If you are bitten by these insects, try to refrain from scratching for 30 minutes, the itching will go away.

It is also worth noting that the weather can be highly variable from one area to the next. One day you might be comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts, the next you might be better off in a rain jacket! the best advice is to come prepared for highly changeable condition.

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS IN NEW ZEALAND

ONE DAY IN AUTUMN

One the way to Eastbourne I saw these lovely ducks and seagulls enjoying the fine sunny autumn in the Waiwhetu Stream, at River Drive, Lower Hutt

THE INTERISLANDER EXPERIENCE

Anyone who has ever done a road trip of New Zealand will have indelible memories of their Cook Strait crossing.

Interislander has three ferries, Arahua, Kaitaki and Aratere. They are big and have powerful ship. With over 5000 sailings each year, there will always be a crossing that fits in with your schedule. And, because all three are able to carry vehicles, it easy to take your rental between the two islands. Just drive on and drive off. With your car safely parked you can enjoy the crossing. Be sure to have plenty of film, or memory in your camera. How knows, you may even be lucky enough to be catch sight of a dolphin or three as you cruise along.

If you are feeling hungry, there are cafes and bars in which you can enjoy a meal or a light snack, a soft drink or a glass or two of beers and wines.

As well as offering some fantastic views of the great outdoors, Interislander has plenty to keep you entertained indoors as well. You can catch a new release movie in the onboard cinema, And for the kids, Interislander’s children’s play area are available and will keep them, hopefully, amused for the whole voyage.

ORIENTAL BAY BEACH

Oriental Bay – Wellington’s favourite beach and waterfront walk – is a suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, located close to the Central Business District on Wellington Harbour. It has the closest beach to the centre of the city called Oriental Bay Beach. Just to the left of the bay is the Clyde Quay Marina and Freyberg Pool.

Oriental Bay and the surrounding shoreline has recently been renovated. In December 2002, the Wellington City Council began building a bigger beach at Oriental Bay. The project involved enlarging and enhancing the existing Freyberg and Oriental Bay beaches, and adding a new beach east of the Band Rotunda - an area that used to be covered by stones.

The upgrade involved over 27,000 tonnes of sand. The sand for the new beaches was imported from Takaka, near Golden Bay - Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand. The beach's total sand area is now four times larger than before and the Freyberg grass area is twice as large. This renovation has made the promenade along Oriental Bay an integral part of the seafront walk that extends all along Central Wellington. The shoreline is lined with numerous hotels and car park.

Along with the beach expansion, a pier, new toilet and changing facilities, playground have been built, better lighting put in, extra car parks have been created and new coastal structures built to hold the beach in place – all of which make Oriental Bay the perfect place to catch some sun and enjoy a day at the beach.

Oriental Bay Beach is also one of the best spots in the capital to catch the last of the sun’s rays in the evening. It’s where picnickers head with their sandwiches, fish ‘n chips and glasses of wine and where people from all over the city come to walk, swim, run, cycle or just sit and enjoy an ice cream in the evening sun.

While you are in Wellington, dont forget to visit other interesting places e.g. Wellington Cable Car, Te Papa Museum, Karori Sanctuary, Parliament Buildings.

SATURDAY MARKET IN LOWER HUTT

Need to get groceries on Saturday? In Lower Hutt , there is an outdoor market that operates at the Riverbank car park every Saturday from 10am to 2pm. This market focus on fresh produce (fruits and vegetables), arts, crafts and second-hand items. If you live near Lower Hutt, this is easily the cheapest place to get your fruit and vegetables. There is plenty of car parking available. People from different places, for example from Eastbourne, Petone, Tawa, go to this vegetable market. If you take a car, I suggest you to come early to get the best quality fruit and veg and an easy park. The Saturday market is located at Riverbank car park in Lower Hutt. The main entrance is off Rutherford St, just north of Countdown Supermarket. Remember dont park in the Countdown carpark or you may get your vehicle CLAMPED.

If you live in Wellington, you don't have to go to Saturday Market. Wellington has Sunday Market. Visit related article here. read too : Oriental Bay Beach

SUNDAY MARKET IN WELLINGTON

Just like Saturday Market in Lower Hutt,Wellington has a vegetable market too, but this one is only available on Sunday. this market is known as Sunday Market or Farmer’s Market. If you want to buy nice fish, you will find here fresh fish sold here. You can buy also meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, etc.
The Sunday Market is situated on the car park close to Te Papa Museum and Chaffres Marina, Wellington. It’s open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm. lots of people love shopping here because the price is cheaper than in supermarkets.