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TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND - SOUTH PACIFIC |
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 AUSTRALIA
Australia has some of the best natural scenery,
the weirdest wildlife, the most brilliant scuba
diving and snorkeling, the best beaches, the oldest
rainforest (110 million years and counting), the
oldest human civilization (some archaeologists say
40,000 years, some say 120,000; whatever -- it's
old), the best wines (come see what we mean), the
best weather (give or take the odd Wet season in
the north), the most innovative East-meets-West-meets-someplace-else
cuisine -- all bathed in sunlight that brings everything
up in Technicolor.
"Best" means different things to different
people, but scarcely a visitor lands on these shores
without having the Great Barrier Reef at the top
of the "Things to See" list. So they should,
because it really is a glorious natural masterpiece.
Also high on most folks' lists is Ayers Rock. This
monolith must have some kind of magnet inside it
designed to attract planeloads of tourists. We're
not saying the Rock isn't special, but we think
the vast Australian desert all around it is even
more so. The third attraction on most visitors'
lists is Sydney, the Emerald City that glitters
in the antipodean sunshine on -- here we go with
the "bests" again -- the best harbor,
spanned by the best bridge in the world.
But as planes zoom overhead delivering visitors
to the big three attractions, Aussies in charming
country towns, on far-flung beaches, on rustic sheep
stations, in rainforest villages, and in mountain
lodges shake their heads and say sadly, "They
don't know what they're missin'." Well, that's
the aim of this chapter -- to show you what you're
missin'. Read on, and consider taking the road less
traveled.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has notched up a record year in tourism,
welcoming more than two million visitors a year
for the first time, despite international upheavals
like terrorist attacks and SARS. Visitors contributed
more than NZ$5 billion to the country's economy,
making tourism one of New Zealand's biggest overseas
income earners. And we're better equipped for tourists.
Efficient visitor centers abound, and accommodations
range from budget to exclusive. You can shop 7 days
a week, whoop it up at clubs and bars 24 hours a
day, or savor a glass of internationally recognized
New Zealand wine in an inexpensive cafe. You can
get real coffee in as many variations as you can
imagine, and New Zealand's fresh, innovative cuisine
will leave you breathless and begging for more.
You may have heard that New Zealanders are born
wearing wet suits and carrying paddles, such is
their appetite for the outdoors and adventure. No
part of the country is more than 128km (79 miles)
from the sea, and a coastline spread with splendid
beaches dishes up thousands of beautiful coastal
walks and chances to surf and soak in the sun.
New Zealand is also a winter magnet for international
skiers and is the white-knuckle capital of the world.
This is where you can push it to the limits, pit
yourself against your fears and limitations, take
risk by the throat, and go for it -- leaping off
bridges into surging river gorges attached to a
giant rubber band, or taking a stab at luging, zorbing,
sky diving, paragliding, kayaking, white-water rafting,
and jet-boating. There's no lack of invention when
it comes to adrenaline-pumping activities in this
country.
But you don't have to be an extreme athlete to enjoy
New Zealand. There are just as many ways to be laid-back
and indulgent -- tour wineries that have stampeded
their way to the top of world ratings in record
time; take in the wealth of Polynesian and Maori
culture that forms the backbone of an increasingly
multicultural society; or check out the strong historic
and architectural reminders of a colonial past.
There are lush gardens, art galleries, museums,
and plenty of one-off reminders that New Zealand
is like no other place.
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