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title Pure Lifestyle in Pure New Zealand
publication Noblesse Magazine
description Article by Min He Noblesse is a premier lifestyle magazine with readership of over 100,000 per month. www.noblesse.com.cn
date 01:05:2009

Nelson: Muse for Artists. Peaceful, bright and delicate, with the artists’ tender sadness…A lot of working artists resided here because the sunlight here is most suitable for painting. There are mini galleries and china shops all over the street. We visited some artists’ homes and workshops. Anna Leary is a surrealist whose famous piece is depicting the hourly colour difference of the sea in front of her house.





This is the last mass land on earth to be discovered: Pure and rough. The linking mountains companied with white clouds, the outdoor activities that run your heart out, fresh and clean villa, fine wine…….everything is as wonderful as a queen’s life.



“The beauty of nature cannot be captured by words”, city-living people nowadays cannot understand these words by the ancient people, nor to say the core value of “unite nature and human”. Luckily, we still have New Zealand, a blessed place with prosperous products, sufficient sunshine, few beast and crowds of white sheep. Before the entering of Europeans, Maoris had no metals or writing stuffs, no alcohol or drugs. Here the endless golden sunshine and blue sea made it look like a utopian film, beautiful and unreal.



Auckland: City Shangri-la

Auckland is a strange combination. Not only does it have the convenient city life: classy five-star hotels and restaurants along the sea side, but also magnificent natural scenery. What’s more, it has various cultural and sports events. Comparing with Wellington the capital, Auckland has too much to be proud of. If you are heading for Auckland, be sure to do the following three things:



First, sail once.

The “City of Sails” provides sailing amateurs the best playground around the world. Auckland’s sea area is the ideal place for sailing as it’s windy with few waves. Every 4 local people own a yacht on average and there are lots of sailing clubs providing various yachts for rent. However, the beginners are suggested to be trained by captains or coaches first as the sailing requires some extent of strengths and knowledge.



Second, find a building, then jump.

It sounds scaring. But you can find people jump from a height everywhere in Auckland. The Sky City Grand hotel that we stayed is just beside the local landmark: the 328 meters high Sky City. From that every few minutes there is someone scream and vertically fall down. This is a local extreme sport and the players are secured on a specially made chair to ensure safety.



Third, Hongi with Maori.

Maori these days still keep their religion and culture. To understand the Maori culture, the best way is to visit a Marae (Maori’s meeting house). This is a sacred venue for Maori to gather and perform rituals. Shoes must be off before entering the Marae and to show friendliness, you can learn to do Hongi--- a Maori greeting by touch of noses.



Nelson: Muse for Artists

Peaceful, bright and delicate, with the artists’ tender sadness, Nelson is so different from the vibrant Auckland. A lot of working artists resided here because the sunlight here is most suitable for painting.



There are mini galleries and china shops all over the street. We visited some artists’ homes and workshops. Anna Leary is a surrealist whose famous piece is depicting the hourly colour difference of the sea in front of her house. Brain C. Strong, who focuses on the landscape painting, mixes the beautiful New Zealand scenery, Maori culture and personal emotions together and created a unique magical style.



You can join the” creative tourism” and receive the hand-in-hand instruction by local artists for all kinds of handmade art crafts. Or you may learn how to cook the tasty seafood cuisine under the famous cook.



Despite these, World of Wearable Art & Collectable Cars is also worth visiting. The classic exhibition contains a 1908 Renault that was used by Paris socialists and the Eldorado Cadillac convertible: American president Eisenhower used it as the vehicle for troop inspection.

Queenstown: Dreamy Location

Queenstown’s beauty is breath-taking. A valid saying about the origin of the name is: when Queen Victoria in London saw the painting of Queenstown, she felt it is the town she has been dreamed of. There is no wonder that , < The Chronicles of Narnia> and were all filmed here.



Here people developed various kinds of outdoor sports depending on the ideal geographical factor. The famous extreme sports “Bungy” was originated from the Kawarau bridge in Queenstown. The founder of “Bungy” got the inspiration from a dangerous ritual in a pacific island. After improving the rope material, he ensured the safety of the sport and officially opened the “Bungy” game company in Kawarau Bridge. The game soon became famous worldwide.



From 1985 till now, 500,000 people jump off from Kawarau Bridge and no accident occurred. More and more Bungy styles have been developed at the same time.



A lot of celebrities came here to experience this exciting sport, like the leading Golf player Tiger Woods.



It is a must to stay in a sea-view villa or apartment if you are going to Queenstown, for example, the luxurious hotel apartment Commonage Villas. Each independent villa has two levels for living/dining room and bedroom. So it is very suitable for families. The hotel also provides personal cook service: before you wake up, the cook already prepared everything on table: coffee, bread, mushroom, ham and scramble egg…..Each balcony of the villa is facing the Lake Wakatipu with the Alps mountain reflected on the surface. I really believe that the sufficient sunlight and amazing scenery here can heal whatever gloom inside one’s heart.



If you are a golf lover, you can’t miss the golf course here. New Zealand has around 400 golf courses in all sizes. Millbrook Resort near the Queenstown is one of the most famous championship golf courses in New Zealand. It was designed by famous golf expert Sir Bob Charles with 18 holes and 500 acres area. Despite this, Millbrook also has hot pools and cottage hotel etc.