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The Best Adventures In New Zealand

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The Best Adventures In New Zealand

A Land Of Mystery

New Zealand is known as heaven-on-earth for explorers, and undoubtedly so –– its natural beauty is comparable with that of a movie set! New Zealand holds one of the most beautiful sceneries in the world –– from stargazing, steamy geysers, cascading waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, clear rivers, sparkling coves, there’s just so much to explore. Plus, did you know that New Zealand is also home to several adrenaline-fueled sports? Home to one of the highest bungee jumps in the world, tourists come from all over the world to experience white water rafting, skydiving, hiking, jet boating, mountain biking as well. If you’re looking for great reviews on water, land, and snow sports tips and products, check out Globo Surf.

There’s so much to unpack, and too little space to write it down. If you’re planning a first-time trip, or simply a return trip to New Zealand, read on so that you don’t miss out on any of New Zealand’s top attractions! Guides to travelling around New Zealand are available.

Best Mode of Transportation

Whilst embarking on a tour would cover most of New Zealand’s top attractions, we recommend self-driving for a more laid-back and authentic experience. You can either choose to hire a car or a campervan! We prefer the latter, as campervanning not only can help to save money and hassle on accommodation but also can provide you with a lot more flexibility in your schedule. 

Top 10 Attractions in New Zealand

We’ve broken down the best highlights in both the North and South Islands. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, do keep in mind that there would be the respective safe distancing measures and COVID-19 restrictions. 

North New Zealand

Most of the attractions are located at the top half of New Zealand’s diamond-shaped island. Hence, you should follow the path down and drive in a circular route instead. 

Sailing in the Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a magical sailing destination for all sailors alike. Offering over 140 natural islands within a day’s sailing distance, this slice of paradise boasts of crystal-clear waters and beautiful wildlife. Whether you’re a new sailor or seasoned professional, Bay of Islands is the place for you! 

Create Your Adventure at Hobbiton

Experience your own Middle-earth adventure with a visit to Hobbiton, a real-life movie set featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Explore Bag End and embark on an adventure with Frodo and Bilbo, get lost amongst the hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn, Party Tree, and the mill. Take time to revel in the magic and wonder of this fairytale land –– it’s certainly an experience like no other.

Coromandel Peninsula Attractions

Hot Water Beach contains several underground hot springs that spring up through the sand during the high and low water tidal reaches, allowing visitors the opportunity to build their spa bath by digging a large enough hole in the sand. Visitors are recommended to come within two hours of low tide and carry their shovel to build their bath. With temperatures as high as 64°C, relaxing into the warm embrace of these thermal waters can be surprisingly therapeutic. 

Named after its limestone cliff archways, the Cathedral Cove (otherwise known as the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve) is one of the best scenic kayaking spots in New Zealand. The contrast between the sharp limestone cliffs with the deep shades of greens and blues of the forest and ocean is truly a sight to behold. The best way to enjoy Cathedral Cove is to either rent a water taxi, join a boat tour or rent a kayak. 

Visit Waitomo’s Glowing Caves

Discover the beauty of the Arachnocampa Luminosa at Waitomo’s Glowing Caves, known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions. Experience the tranquillity and otherworldliness as you ride down the starry wonderland of Glowworm Grotto –– it’s sure to take your breath away! If you’re up to it, you can even dive into this luminescent spectacle through zip-lining into the caves, or climbing underground waterfalls in the dark. If not, you can opt to enjoy a laid-back experience by simply renting a guided boat ride. 

South New Zealand

If you love the outdoors and you’re craving to hike, South Island is the place for you! With gorgeous lakes of sapphire and baby blue, rugged coastlines, and friendly people, South Island has it all. 

Take Your Breath Away With Mount Cook

Otherwise known as Aoraki in Māori, Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,724 meters above sea level. The alpine village resides amongst towering peaks, magnificent glaciers, and rests under a star-studded sky. This dazzling peak is truly a sight to behold and bound to take your breath away. As a hiker, you can opt for several short hikes to take in the natural beauty of Mount Cook, or challenge yourself to the Mueller Hut Route for a more strenuous hike. 

Walk Along the Milford Track

Take the hike of your life along the most famous track of New Zealand: the Milford Track! Once coined as the ‘finest walk of the world’ by poet Blanche Baughan, the Milford Track boasts a reputation of having the most spectacular landscapes –– such as Lake Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, and Sandfly Point –– along the way. This walk is no easy feat! Spanning across 53.3km, hikers must be ready to embark on a four-day hike. Do bear in mind that walker numbers may be restricted due to COVID-19 restrictions and environmental conservation practices.

Test Your Limits With The Nevis Bungy Jump

Take the leap of your life (literally!) with New Zealand’s most terrifying bungy jump, the 134 meter Nevis Bungy Jump. Freefall for a total of 8.5 seconds and revel in a blitz of pure adrenaline and fear –– it’s the ultimate activity for all thrill-seekers alike! You can’t access the Nevis Bungy Jump directly via car, but it’s way more thrilling to take the 4WD bus and a cable car ride to the site instead. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, but it’s bound to be a tale to tell for years to come. 

Stargaze at the Southern Cross

Have you ever seen the Southern Cross or the Milky Way? Have you ever seen a sky so dark, you can watch satellite movies amongst the stars? The sky above Tekapo is known as an International Dark Sky Reserve, defined as a public or private land possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights, making it the perfect spot to stargaze at. Dance in the ambience of the stars as you soak in a hot tub, and learn how to take astrophotography… what could be better than that?

White River Rafting at the Waiau Uwha River

Experience the magnificent scenery of the Waiau Uwha River whilst embarking on Queenstown’s iconic adventures: white water rafting and jet boating. Navigate through white water rapids, narrow gorges, and 360-degree Hamilton spins on the exhilarating jet boat rides –– a perfect spot for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. Enjoy over 24 meters of jet boating and idyllic scenery; the Waiau Uwha River is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing trip or an adrenaline-packed adventure, New Zealand has got it all, without a doubt. Fall in love with New Zealand’s mysteries and experience the magic of this quaint country –– you’re bound to leave starstruck!

Sean Connery, James Bond Actor, Dies at 90

Konstantinos Pappis
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Sean Connery, James Bond Actor, Dies at 90

Sean Connery, the Academy Award-winning Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond, has died at the age of 90. His son, Jason, said he had died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamans, having been “unwell for some time.”

Born Thomas Sean Connery in 1930, the actor’s career spanned several decades. He had his breakout role as British secret agent James Bond, leading the first five installments of the series — Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), and You Only Live Twice (1967) — and later reprised his role for 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever and 1983’s Never Say Never Again. Though Connery did not like the off-screen attention the role brought him, the commercial success of the series, which was initially produced on a comparatively low budget, gave him the chance to work with directors such as Alfred Hitchcock (1964’s Marnie), Sidney Lumet (1965’s The Hill), and John Huston (1975’s The Man Who Would Be King). 

In the following decades, Connery took on mostly supporting roles. He earned his first and only Oscar for his turn in Brian De Palma’s 1987 film The Untouchables, in which he played hard-nosed Irish beat cop opposite Kevin Costner. His other notable films included  1974’s Murder on the Orient Express, 1977’s A Bridge Too Far, 1986’s Highlander, 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as well as 1990’s The Hunt for Red October. In 1999, he became a recipient of the US Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth a year later. Though he officially retired from acting in 2006, he appeared in one more film, voice acting the title character in the 2012 animated movie Sir Billi the Vet.

“We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time,” Jason Connery, who is also an actor, told the BBC. “A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.”

The Rolling Stones Unveil First-Ever Live Performance of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’: Watch

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Rolling Stones Unveil First-Ever Live Performance of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’: Watch

The Rolling Stones have shared archival footage of their first-ever live performance of their 1968 track ‘Sympathy for the Devil’. Uploaded on US label ABCKO’s YouTube channel earlier this week, the clip is a previously unreleased cut from the band’s 1996 concert film Rock and Roll Circus that didn’t make it into the final version. Watch it below.

The video features the outfit’s original lineup as it was when the performance was initially filmed on December 12th, 1968 – just six days after the release of Beggars Banquet – with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Ian Stewart, and then bandleader Brian Jones. John Lennon makes a brief cameo at the 4:54 mark, having also performed during the gig as part of The Dirty Mac supergroup along with Eric Clapton, Richards and Mitch Mitchell.

“It was an incredible shoot, I think, 36 hours or something,” said Keith Richards in a statement. “I remember not remembering everything towards the end… but it was fun… we went through two audiences… wore one out… it was great!”

Recalling his experience shooting the film, director Lindsay-Hogg added: “[Mick Jagger] used the last shred of the great performer that he is. The camera was right there in front of him to use as he wanted. It wasn’t observing him from a distance; it was two feet away from him and he and the cameras were molded to each other almost because he used it so wonderfully.”

Earlier this year, The Rolling Stones released a reissue of their 1973 LP Goat’s Head Soup, featuring the previously unreleased tracks ‘Criss Cross’ and ‘Scarlet’.

Watch The Strokes Perform ‘The Adults Are Talking’ and ‘Bad Decisions’ on ‘Saturday Night Live’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Watch The Strokes Perform ‘The Adults Are Talking’ and ‘Bad Decisions’ on ‘Saturday Night Live’

The Strokes returned as the musical guest on last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live. It marked the first time the band appeared on the late-night show in nine years, and their fourth overall. Fresh off the release of their latest album The New Abnormal, The Strokes played two tracks from the record, ‘The Adults Are Talking’ and ‘Bad Decisions’. Watch their performance below.

The New Abnormal, The Strokes’ sixth studio album, arrived back in April. An animated video for album closer ‘Ode to the Mets’ was released in July.

Artist Spotlight: vōx

Konstantinos Pappis
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Artist Spotlight: vōx

vōx (pronounced “wokes,” the Latin word for “voice”) is an LA-based singer, songwriter, and producer examining themes surrounding identity, the body, and spirituality through her ethereal and deeply evocative brand of alt-pop. She first started making waves with a series of covers in the early mid-2010s – including her own rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘I’ featuring producer and one half of 100 gecs, Dylan Brady – but it wasn’t until 2017, with the release of her aptly titled first EP, that the project was fully born. Imbued with a sense of mystique but anchored in vulnerability, vōx continued exploring different facets of her artistic persona with 2019’s celestial I Am Not a God, which pushed her sound in an even more brooding direction that recalled the intimate, forward-thinking pop of contemporaries like Billie Eilish and FKA twigs. Just last month, she returned with her most confident collection of songs yet, This Body, in which she confronts ideas of self-worth and finds new ways to reclaim her physicality. While songs like ‘How Do I Connect to the Spirits?’ and ‘Too Much, Give Up’ expose personal insecurities by asking questions about the nature of the self (“How do I face my ancestors?” “Am I growing up/ Or growing deeper into myself?”), the EP is bookended by two of her most empowering songs to date: the spellbinding ‘Be Bigger’ is an anthem of bodily self-acceptance, while the title track boldly asserts her own presence as she repeats, “I don’t want to disappear/ But I don’t need your eyes to see me,” before closing off the record with a hymn-like affirmation: “This thing is my thing/ This body is my body.”

We caught up with vōx for this edition of our Artist Spotlight series, where we showcase up-and-coming artists and give them a chance to talk about their music.

What sparked your interest in songwriting?

My upbringing was very emotionally repressed so all my feelings felt very trapped inside. They still do sometimes! Songwriting was a way for me to express what felt I couldn’t say out loud. Even from a young age I lived for music. I listened endlessly. When I was around 12 or 13 I was writing poetry, and it was a natural progression from there turning my poems into songs.

How do you feel your approach has evolved since self-releasing your first singles?

My focus is much more on creating a world now. The song is only one piece of the puzzle. I want the photos, the videos, the words, the makeup & styling, the creative direction, the performance, etc to serve a purpose and to tell a more complete story. I try to find surprising ways that my fans can interact with the songs too, like the instagram face filters I released with my last EP.

What was the inspiration for your new EP, This Body?

I wanted to explore my connection to my physical body with this EP. I realized how disconnected I was between my mind, my spirit, and my body. I had been through sexual trauma and to cope, I disassociated. This exploration was for myself as much as it was for the listener. I am the listener! I think it’s such a universal feeling; floating outside yourself, feeling like things aren’t quite tangible, wanting to escape where you are or who you are. The EP explores the different angles of this, including the empowering. ‘Be Bigger’ is an anthem about the beauty of reconnecting, of taking up the space you deserve in the body that deserves all of you. ‘This Body’ is about putting yourself first, about ownership, boundaries and self care.

What sort of music were you listening to while writing the project?

I wrote the project over a span of quite a few years actually. Some of the songs were written in 2016 and 2017 and others in 2019. I went into the studio with Alexander Vincent in Toronto November 2019 to finish the EP. At that time, I was mostly listening to Diana Gordon, Allie X, Tanerélle, Kacy Hill, Rosalía, FKA Twigs, Col3trane, Jada.

What was your favourite track to record, and why?

I really enjoyed working on the production with Alexander Vincent for this EP, because I feel like we each stepped outside our comfort zones. I think ‘This Body’ in particular was such a surreal song to record. We worked on that one primarily in LA, and we basically finished it in one session in December 2018. That song started the vibes for the whole EP almost an entire year before we worked on the other tracks!

What do you hope listeners take away from these songs, and the vōx project as a whole?

I hope they take away love, freedom, expression, and hope. I want my listeners to know: you are perfect just as you are, wherever you are on your journey. I’ve been in those tough places. I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, and low self worth. Know that it gets better if you stick in there. You are loved. You are needed.

What’s next for you?

Next is always something new, something that pushes my boundaries and my expression. I’m making new songs that I’m really excited about. I’m planning new visuals. I’m plotting new magic. I hope I can perform again next year face to face with my fans. I miss them!

This Body EP is out now. 

Sound Selection 116: Suad, KOKO, Black Box

Modestas Mankus
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Sound Selection 116: Suad, KOKO, Black Box

KOKO All Together Now

KOKO, the beloved Bristol trio, have finally revealed their four-track EP All Together Now. A mellifluous production drives the EP with a potent energy that has been present in their previous releases like Follow and their single ‘(I Don’t Wanna) Start Fights’ — marking it as one of their best releases yet.

Talking about ‘So Nice To Meet You,’ our personal favourite track from the EP, the trio stated: “It’s all about meeting someone for the first time and getting that excitement…the butterflies. It’s a feeling we’ve missed for a LONG time this year – so it’s definitely a song with a lot of optimism for the future.”

Suad ‘Sleep The Nights’

Suad, a Finnish singer-songwriter, just yesterday published her melodious single ‘Sleep The Nights.’ The single marks the third song from Suad’s forthcoming 2021 album, and arguably our favourite from the lot. ‘Sleep The Nights’ is a piece carried by Suad’s elevated vocals and driven production that shifts into a hit-like track, making it perfect for radio.

Black Box ‘Over It’

Our final selection for 116 is by Black Box, a trio of out Norway formed by Emil Vildalen, Andri Szarvas and Markus Slåttvik. Their debut single ‘Over It’ is driven by a playful energy and catchy lyrics — perfect for the weekend playlist.

Ballerine de l’air by Brad Walls

Modestas Mankus
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Ballerine de l’air by Brad Walls

Brad Walls, an Australian photographer known for stunning aerial photos, has unveiled his new series Ballerine de l’air (Ballerina from the air).

The series explores the beautiful art of Ballet from above and is lightly inspired by an image from the late Oliver Cotton’s Teacup ballet. With this series, Walls wanted to escape from the photography that Ballet was usually captured by, stating “Most people had seen Ballet photographed traditionally… and while those photos are undeniably beautiful, I wanted to rewrite the composition, purely focusing on the unique shapes and shadows of the art form.”

For the series to work, Walls got in touch with Montana Rubin, a member of the corps de ballet (body of the Ballet) within the Australian Ballet. Due to the pandemic, Rubin was not currently performing on stage, and thus she took no convincing to work with Walls, saying “With his clean aesthetic and attention to detail, I was excited to see how our worlds could mesh” further adding “Brad’s unique viewpoint also gave me an opportunity to see my art form quite literally from a different perspective.”

Find more work by Brad Walls here.

 

Maya and Ethan Hawke to Star in New Film About Teen Trying to Lose Her Virginity to George Harrison

Konstantinos Pappis
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Maya and Ethan Hawke to Star in New Film About Teen Trying to Lose Her Virginity to George Harrison

Maya and Ethan Hawke will star in a new film centered on Jane, an Alaska teen in 1966 who’s determined is to lose her virginity to George Harrison. Titled Revolver, after The Beatles album of the same name, the movie is being helmed by Finding Nemo co-director Andrew Stanton with a script from Kate Trefry (Stranger Things).

According to Variety, actor-musician Maya Hawke will play Jane, while her real-life dad will star as Jane’s dad. The film takes place in Anchorage, Alaska, where a flight carrying the Beatles to Japan is forced to make an emergency stop and “all hell breaks loose as the unsuspecting residents are consumed by Beatlemania.”

Maya Hawke most recently appeared in Gia Coppola’s latest feature Mainstream, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, as well as the third season of Stranger Things. She released her debut album Blush earlier this year. Ethan Hawke currently stars in the Showtime limited series The Good Lord Bird, which he also co-wrote and executive produced.

Soccer Mommy Unveils New Video for ‘crawling in my skin’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Soccer Mommy Unveils New Video for ‘crawling in my skin’

Soccer Mommy has released a new video for her color theory track ‘crawling in my skin’. Check out the Adam Kolodny-directed clip below.

Speaking about the psychedelic new video, singer-songwriter Sophie Allison said in a statement: “I’m excited to put out this video for crawling in my skin right at the end of spooky season. I hope everyone enjoys this video and their Halloween!”

color theory arrived back in February of 2020. In May, Soccer Mommy launched a new Singles Series, which saw her collaborate with the likes of Jay Som, beabadoobee, SASAMI, and others. Earlier this month, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Actress remixed ‘circle the drain’ and ‘crawling in my skin’.

Tegan and Sara Return with New Song ‘Make You Mine This Season’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Tegan and Sara Return with New Song ‘Make You Mine This Season’

Tegan and Sara have shared their first song of 2020. The holiday-themed ‘Make You Mine This Season’ is taken from the original soundtrack for Clea DuVall’s Hulu Original film Happiest Season. Check it out below.

Happiest Season comes out on November 25 and stars Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, and more. The soundtrack, which arrives November 6 (via Facet/Warner), was executive produced by Justin Tranter and also features songs by Sia, Bebe Rexha, Anne-Marie, Brandy Clark, Carlie Hanson, Shea Diamond, Jake Wesley Rogers, and others.

Tegan and Sara released their most recent studio album Hey, I’m Just Like You last year.

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