Mike Buchanan, trip leader to New Zealand

Mike Buchanan, trip leader to New Zealand - Mike Buchanan,tour guide to New Zealand Travel Videos HD, World Travel Guide http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=World1Tube New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty: jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic zones. These islands form a unique bioregion inhabited by flightless birds seen nowhere else, such as kakapo and kiwi. New Zealanders have adopted the kiwi as a national symbol, and have even taken the word Kiwi as a name for themselves. These islands are sparsely populated, particularly away from the North Island, but easily accessible. There are sparklingly modern visitor facilities, and transport networks are reasonably developed. New Zealand often adds an adventure twist to nature: it's the original home of jet-boating through shallow gorges, and bungy jumping off anything high enough to give a thrill. Māori culture continues to play an important part in everyday life and government and corporate symbolism with abundant opportunities for visitors to understand and experience the history and present day forms of Māori life. New Zealand has a wealth of national parks, rural areas and other out-of-the-way places that are worth a visit. Here are a few of the best. Abel Tasman National Park – golden sand beaches, kayaking and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – lots of hiking opportunities and New Zealand's highest mountain Bay of Islands – pretty spot in the North Island with historical significance Coromandel Peninsula – rugged coastline with plenty of beaches and hiking opportunities just one and a half hours from Auckland Hawke's Bay – wineries in the hills and art deco architecture in Napier Milford Sound – beautiful fiord in Fiordland National Park Taupo – trout fishing and adventure activities in the central North Island Tongariro National Park – three volcanoes, two skifields and one of the most popular hikes in the country Westland National Park – home of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers See in NZ ======= Mountains, lakes and glaciers It can be said that in New Zealand it's the countryside that's magnificent, and perhaps no more so than the Southern Alps of the South Island. In the Mackenzie Country, the snow-capped jagged peaks rising above turquoise lakes have provided the inspiration for many a postcard. Tucked in behind is the country's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook. The lakes and mountains continue south, becoming a stunning backdrop for the towns of Wanaka, Queenstown and Glenorchy. Another region where mountain meets water with striking effect is Fiordland National Park where steep, densely forested mountains rise from the sea. The most accessible, and perhaps one of the most beautiful, spots is Milford Sound. The road in is spectacular and the view even more so when you arrive. Glaciers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an island in the South Pacific, but New Zealand has several. The most notable are the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers in Westland National Park. These glaciers are unique in how close they get to sea level and are sustained by the enormous amount of precipitation that falls on New Zealand's west coast.