Posted by Nick on August 11, 2011
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is being played in New Zealand. Matches take place on weekends and start the weekend of September 9th. And matches go through the weekend of October 23rd. Tournament games take place throughout New Zealand. If you are planning on traveling to New Zealand, here are the cities hosting the games for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
Auckland
Located on the North Island, this is the largest city in New Zealand. In Auckland, there are two stadiums hosting matches for the tournament. North Harbour Stadium and Eden Park are where you can catch games.
Invercargill
Find this city on the South Island. Here you can catch a match at the appropriately named Rugby Park.
Rotorua
Another North Island city, you can catch a rugby match here at Rotorua International Stadium. You’ll also want to check out the city’s hot springs.
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is a modern city on the North Island. See a Rugby World cup match at Stadium Taranaki.
Wellington
This large South Island plays home to Rugby World Cup matches. See a game at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Whangarei
Just north of Auckland is the city of Whangarei. Here tournament matches take place at Northland Events Centre.
Dunedin
This college town is hosting tournament matches. Take in a game at Carisbrook Stadium.
Palmerston North
This city is in the more rural area of New Zealand. But you can still see a Ruby World Cup match here. The Arena Manawatu plays host to the tournament.
Hamilton
This up and coming New Zealand city is hosting matches at Waikato Stadium.
Napier
This Art Deco city will play host to some of the matches. See a game at McLean Park during the Rugby World Cup 2011.
Nelson
If you’re on the South Island, you can find this city along the coast. Enjoy a rugby game at Arena Manawatu while you’re there.
Posted by Nick on December 4, 2010
Off-piste skiing is also known as backcountry skiing. It is when you are skiing a few metres away from or between controlled trails and slopes.
ski slopes in Niseko by countries in colors
Niseko, Japan
Pleasure skiing got its start in Niseko back in 1945. Here you’ll find few people on the broad ski trails.
Whistler, Canada
If you want awesome terrain and the longest vertical drop in North America, you must visit Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in Canada. This ski resort is best for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Whistler, Canada by globalreset
Posted by Nick on October 17, 2010
In July 2010, the government in Fiji announced legislation that opened up all of the surf spots in the entire country to anyone. Until this new legislation, local villages controlled access to the waters, some of which leased access to resorts. Some of those surf retreats you may have heard of are in Tavarua and Namotu.
If you want to go to Fiji to surf, you no longer have to be a guest at one of the surf resorts. The purpose of this, the Regulations of Surfing Areas Decree of 2010, is to poise Fiji as a premier surfing destination.
So, if you’re a surfer, what are you waiting for?
Father and son surf lesson by Michael "Mike" L. Baird
Posted by Nick on July 4, 2010
Osaka, Japan’s Osaka Castle stands in the center of Osaka city. Surrounded by wide exterior moats and acres of gardens, though, it seems set apart from the busy metropolis with over 2.5 million residents. Visitors can take a tour of Osaka Castle all year, but the Cherry trees blossom in the spring.
History
Commissioned by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a man born a peasant in a Japanese village who rose to become master of Japan in 1590, Osaka Castle stands on the grounds where Japan’s Honganji Temple once stood. Building on the castle began in 1583. Recognized as a symbol of power and security, according to the Osaka Castle website, Osaka Castle survived over a hundred years of war including The Sekigahara War and the Winter Siege of Osaka, and hosted feudal lords from all across Japan and missionaries from all across Europe.
The Main Tower
Finished in 1585, Osaka Castle’s Main Tower contains gold appointments on furniture and fixtures, and a tea room with gold-finished walls and ceiling. Though the Main Tower finally fell in 1615, it was rebuilt several times over the years, with the Main Tower that stands today completed in 1931. According to the Osaka Castle website, the Main Tower was put on the list of Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
Castle Museum
The museum at Osaka Castle holds historical artifacts from the 16th century, as well as screens and dioramas depicting historic events that happened in the castle itself, or in the city of Osaka. Items found in the castle museum include weapons, portraits and letters. Five separate films show the history of the castle and Toyotomi, with subtitles available in Korean, Chinese and English. The museum is housed in the castle’s Main Tower.
Exterior
Osaka Castle consists of 13 separate exterior structures. Aside from the Main Tower, the Japanese government recognizes each of the external structures of Osaka Castle, including the main gate, known as the Otemon Gate, the turrets, the gun powder storehouse and the stone walls, as “important cultural properties,” according to the Osaka Castle site.
Park
Surrounding Osaka Castle, Osaka Castle Park decorates the castle landscape. In the park, visitors find the Nishinomaru Garden, home to nearly 600 cherry trees, Ume Grove, which boasts over a thousand trees of different varieties, and the Grove of Remembrance, Omoide-no-mori. Admission to the park is free and draws not only tourists, but is also a gathering place for residents of Osaka.
Touring the Castle
The castle closes only December 28-January 1 of each year, according to the castle website. Hours are 9:00 am-5:00 pm, with the last admission to the castle at 4:30 pm, though hours may be extended during the spring and summer months. Before or after your visit to the castle, you can take the tram through Osaka Castle Park, which runs from one entry gate to the other, right past Osaka Castle’s Main Tower, walls and moats.
Posted by Nick on April 22, 2010
If you are traveling to New Zealand and looking for ways to get around, why not try rail travel?
Rail transport in New Zealand are available in between Auckland and Wellington in the North Island and between Christchurch and Picton on the South Island.
As you can see, passenger rail service is somewhat limited as rail transport in New Zealand is primarily for freight.
New Zealand rail travel tickets can be booked at Tranz Scenic and Adventure New Zealand.
