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About Matt Long
06 July 2011 8:08 PM | No CommentsWho am I? I am a typical Gen-X professional who has a passion for all things travel. My site brings a unique perspective that is hard to find online. I am not a backpacker, nor am I living off of a trust fund. I am...
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New Zealand Archive
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My Five Favorite Adventure Travel Experiences in New Zealand
Posted on May 13, 2012 | 13 CommentsIf the gods of adventure travel had their own Mt. Olympus, it would be found somewhere in New Zealand. The Kiwis have long taken pride in their ability to outdo the rest of the world when it comes to flinging themselves from various heights and... -
Five Surprisingly Romantic Cities
Posted on February 5, 2012 | 19 CommentsSome cities you expect to be romantic; Paris has made billions of dollars on that premise alone. Other cities surprise you though with their ability to charm and to help create those special romantic moments between you and your loved one. Here are some of... -
The Last Post of 2011 Travel Bests and Worsts I Will Ever Write
Posted on January 2, 2012 | 8 CommentsI know what you’re thinking, yet another “Best of 2011″ post? I realize that I did a whole series on the topic as did every mainstream paper, magazine, TV show and of course blogger. That being said, I was tagged by a fellow travel blogger... -
New Zealand Travel Tips
Posted on January 1, 2012 | 7 CommentsNew Zealand Travel Tips New Zealand is one of my favorite travel destinations, and with good reason. Simply said, it has something for everyone, from world class museums to the best adventure travel in the world. To truly know and explore New Zealand would... -
How to Explore Queenstown in a Day – Adventure Capital of New Zealand
Posted on December 31, 2011 | 1 CommentQueenstown in a Day The final stop on my whirlwind trip through New Zealand was a visit to one of the most popular destinations in the country, Queenstown. In the winter millions flock to this small mountain town for the ski slopes and in... -
2011 Favorite Travel Destination of the Year
Posted on December 29, 2011 | 6 CommentsThis was a tough one. Last year after careful thought I chose Israel as my favorite destination of the year, and for a while I thought the Middle East would get top honors again this year with Jordan. But the more I thought and reflected,... -
New Zealand – Trying to Define an Obsession
Posted on December 4, 2011 | 9 CommentsI’m an impressionable person, especially when it comes to travel. It doesn’t take a lot to inspire me to travel, to build that sorrowful nagging feeling of wanderlust deep within my soul. A feature in a movie, a mention in a book, even a well... -
Travel Spotlight – Lake Rotorua
Posted on November 7, 2011 | No CommentsLake Rotorua Located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, the Rotorua region is one of the country’s oldest tourist destinations, all because of some smelly water. The geothermal activity has made the lake area a spa destination for as long as there... -
42 Things I Love About New Zealand
Posted on October 19, 2011 | 9 CommentsShocking beauty of the snow-capped Southern Alps Hobbits lurking around every corner Championship golf overlooking Hawke’s Bay at Cape Kidnappers Greeting a Maori warrior, forehead to forehead Biting into a massive Big Al burger at the one and only Fergburger in Queenstown The dubious yet... -
Flying Through Queenstown – ZipTrek Ecotours Experience
Posted on October 5, 2011 | No CommentsThere wasn’t much that I liked about Queenstown, to be perfectly honest. It was swarming with people, everything was focused on the winter activities and the town looked like any ski resort town found around the world. That being said, there was one experience that... -
Queenstown, You Let Me Down
Posted on September 29, 2011 | 17 CommentsI wanted to like Queenstown. Everyone said I would like Queenstown. There didn’t seem to be a reason not to like Queenstown. That’s why I was confused as I sat in the Queenstown airport departing for home after a week in New Zealand. I was... -
River Journey through Wanaka – Exploring the Misty Mountains of New Zealand
Posted on September 25, 2011 | 6 CommentsSue was right on time picking me up from the Edgewater Hotel and asked if I’d bundled up enough. I hadn’t planned well for New Zealand’s South Island. Intellectually I knew that it would be winter, but for some reason I never processed that this... -
Weird New Zealand – Staying at the Hobbit Hotel
Posted on September 18, 2011 | 15 CommentsWeird Hobbit Hotel I’m in love with New Zealand, from the rolling verdant hills of the North Island to the soaring peaks of the Southern Alps, I love it all. But it’s not just the natural beauty that draws me in, it’s the unique,... -
Finding Hidden Travel Secrets – The Med Market in Wanaka
Posted on September 12, 2011 | 2 CommentsWhere can you find the winners of both New Zealand’s best sausage and ice cream? Fancy restaurant, boutique hotel café? Nope, these and other world class foodstuffs call the unassuming Mediterranean Market in Wanaka their home. Originally the Mediterranean Market, or Med Market as locals... -
Wanaka in a Day – Water, Wine and West Coast Flair
Posted on September 8, 2011 | 2 CommentsMy first introduction to Wanaka was at night after a long drive along State Highway 6 from Franz Josef. I actually made the drive much longer than it normally is, I just couldn’t resist stopping every few miles to observe some of the most breathtaking... -
Dinner and a Movie Wanaka Style – Enjoying a Night Out at Cinema Paradiso
Posted on September 5, 2011 | 3 CommentsWanaka is a strange little town. One of the great vacation destinations on New Zealand’s South Island, Wanaka still retains a small town vibe making it a great place to explore. It seemed as if there was something a little strange and always unique tucked... -
Learning to Love the Spa – A Global Journey Through Thermal Springs and Pools
Posted on August 25, 2011 | 1 CommentBeing American as I am, I always thought the term ‘spa’ referred to a place where people go to receive massage treatments, facials and pedicures. Once in a while I would notice people calling their Jacuzzi a ‘spa’ but I quickly dismissed it. It wasn’t... -
Visiting Rippon Winery – The Most Photographed Vineyard in the World
Posted on August 23, 2011 | 3 CommentsI first heard about Rippon Winery at dinner my first night in Wanaka. The manager had stopped by to see how my meal was going and was shocked that I hadn’t tried any wine from nearby Rippon vineyards. I really didn’t know what to say,... -
On the Road Again – Franz Josef to Wanaka on the Great West Coast Drive
Posted on August 21, 2011 | 10 CommentsMy trip to New Zealand was a blur of sheep, gorgeous views and of course roads – lots of roads. I recently wrote about my first day driving on the Great West Coast Road of New Zealand’s South Island, but it was the second day... -
Hot Pools, Kiwis and Glacier Hikes – How to Spend a Day in Franz Josef
Posted on August 18, 2011 | 4 CommentsI can safely say without exaggeration that I loved just about every moment of my trip to New Zealand. There’s a spirit to the country that seemed to capture my own. In spite of my Kiwiphilia, there were highs and lows, just as on any... -
The Great West Coast Drive Experience – Greymouth to Franz Josef Glacier
Posted on August 16, 2011 | 3 CommentsWest Coast Drive NZ Part I I was looking forward to exploring the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island, even if it meant a lot of driving. I enjoyed driving around New Zealand, in spite of driving on the left-hand side of... -
New Zealand TranzAlpine Scenic Rail Experience
Posted on August 14, 2011 | 10 CommentsI recently wrote about four travel styles that are so iconic that everyone should really try them at least once. High on that list for me personally was an epic train ride, which I finally experienced in New Zealand when I boarded the famous TranzAlpine... -
How to Explore Christchurch in a Day – Penguins, Punts and Cheese
Posted on August 11, 2011 | 2 CommentsChristchurch in a Day Christchurch has an international reputation for being a vibrant, fun community with a lot of English flair. It has also traditionally served as the gateway to many other tourist destinations on the South Island including the gorgeous West Coast. The... -
Exploring Antarctica in Christchurch
Posted on August 9, 2011 | 2 CommentsI thought I knew what to expect in Christchurch. I was going to tour the earthquake damaged city and report back on the current state of tourism. A glance at my schedule told me this also included a visit to the Antarctic Centre, but I... -
What’s that Smell? Defining the Indefinable at Lake Rotorua
Posted on August 7, 2011 | 5 CommentsI’ve written about the various tourist activities in this North Island travel destination, but there’s just something about the New Zealand lake town that I couldn’t quite put into words. Looking back on my time in Rotorua, I think it has everything to do with... -
Learning about Maori Culture at Te Puia
Posted on August 2, 2011 | 3 CommentsOne of the first things I noticed at the Te Puia cultural center in Rotorua, New Zealand was a sign with the daunting phrase, “Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao.” My brain hurt just thinking about how to pronounce it, but the guide... -
Finding the Words for Christchurch
Posted on July 31, 2011 | 8 CommentsThe entire impetus for my trip to New Zealand was because of Christchurch. Earlier in the year, I participated in a remarkable project designed to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination after the earthquakes in Christchurch. New Zealand Tourism liked my posts, so they... -
How to Spend a Day in Rotorua – Sheep, Sulfur and Zorbing
Posted on July 26, 2011 | 6 CommentsLocated in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, the Rotorua region is one of the country’s oldest tourist destinations, all because of some smelly water. The geothermal activity has made the lake area a spa destination for as long as there have been visitors... -
How to be a Cheesy Tourist in New Zealand – The Agrodome Sheep Farm
Posted on July 21, 2011 | 2 CommentsI’ve written a few times about my zeal for being a tourist. That’s right, I’m not afraid of the word so many others shrink from in fear. There’s a lot to be said for finding unique travel experiences, that is until you realize there aren’t... -
Black Water Rafting in the Glowworm Caves of Waitomo
Posted on July 20, 2011 | 5 CommentsWaitomo Glowworm Caves My first day in New Zealand was spent in the pastoral region of the North Island known as Waitomo. As I drove along State Highway 1 to the legendary home of the glowworms, I couldn’t help but think about the adventurous day... -
What is Zorbing – OGO, The Human Hamster Ball
Posted on July 17, 2011 | 9 CommentsWhat is Zorbing? The first time I heard the word “Zorb” was during a Twitter travel chat about Australia and New Zealand. After some research, I quickly learned about the Zorb phenomenon and I knew that I had to find a way to try the... -
Glowworms and Caves – How to Spend a Day in Waitomo New Zealand
Posted on July 13, 2011 | 6 CommentsLocated two hours from Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, Waitomo is one of the country’s oldest tourist attractions. While the local Maori had known about the limestone cave system for generations, it wasn’t until 1887 when they first introduced the luminous caves to outsiders.... -
Reflecting Cook and Tasman – Getting the Perfect Photo at Lake Matheson New Zealand
Posted on July 11, 2011 | 6 CommentsMy trip to New Zealand, as part of the Blog4NZ Project, was a whirlwind romance. I was there for only a week, yet I visited both the North and South Islands and was never in the same bed twice. I know it’s not the ideal... -
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting New Zealand
Posted on July 6, 2011 | 29 CommentsI recently spent a week exploring New Zealand on a whirlwind tour of the country coordinated by Tourism New Zealand as part of the Blog4NZ Project. As soon as I arrived, I knew that I had found a new favorite travel destination and I can’t... -
Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight Experience and Video
Posted on July 5, 2011 | 12 CommentsThe hamlet of Franz Josef seems to exist for one reason – to service the hulking, icy behemoth after which it is named. It’s one of the those towns with just a couple of streets, where everyone knows everyone else and a car is unnecessary.... -
Lakes, Wine and No Snow – Meandering Through Wanaka and Queenstown New Zealand
Posted on July 2, 2011 | 5 CommentsI like small towns, always have. I grew up in towns of middling size, each grasping on to the moniker “city” with all their might and not without a sarcastic glint. So when I rolled into Wanaka just after sunset on the next to last... -
Glaciers, Mt. Cook and the New Zealand West Coast
Posted on June 30, 2011 | 13 CommentsI woke early on my fifth day in New Zealand; it was still dark in the mountain outpost of Franz Josef. Franz Josef exists for the mountains and the glacier, and tourists flock here in droves. Little did I realize when I started the... -
Christchurch to Franz Josef New Zealand – Trains, Glaciers and Spas
Posted on June 29, 2011 | 5 CommentsIt was rainy, cold and a little dreary as I waited for my cab to the Addington railway station in Christchurch to start the fourth day of my introduction to New Zealand. I wasn’t going on just any train, I was about to embark on... -
Penguins, Earthquakes and Rebirth – Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted on June 29, 2011 | 4 CommentsOn the third day of my ambitious “See New Zealand in a Week” trip, I flew from beautiful but smelly Rotorua to Christchurch, the focal point of my trip. I’m here as part of the #Blog4NZ Project, and I was eager to see the city... -
Zorb, Sheep and Sulfur – Journey to Rotorua in New Zealand
Posted on June 28, 2011 | 7 CommentsOn my second day in New Zealand, I woke early and made the two hour drive from Waitomo to Rotorua along some of the prettiest roads on which I’ve ever driven. It seemed like every few meters I was stopping to take photos until I... -
New Zealand Adventure Travel – Waitomo
Posted on June 27, 2011 | 2 CommentsI arrived before dawn on Sunday and immediately made the two-hour drive to Waitomo, home of the famous glowworm caves. This area tucked away in the rolling hills of New Zealand’s North Island has been a tourist destination for more than a century, all because... -
Adventure Travel in New Zealand – The Itinerary
Posted on June 21, 2011 | 14 CommentsA few months ago, I participated in a unique web experiment – the #Blog4NZ Project. I was just one of hundreds of travel bloggers and writers who all joined forces for one week in March with the singular goal of helping New Zealand Tourism... -
Video: Pig Convinces Dog to Visit New Zealand
Posted on March 22, 2011 | 5 CommentsThis video is in support of the Blog4NZ Project. Blog4NZ is a grass-roots effort on the part of the international travel blogging community to promote all that is good about travel in New Zealand. It is a worldwide blogging event that is running from... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in New Zealand
Posted on March 21, 2011 | 6 CommentsOne of the regular features on LandLopers is the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the best... -
New Zealand Travel Wish List
Posted on March 20, 2011 | 6 CommentsJust to be clear from the outset, I have never been to New Zealand, even though it has long been a travel dream. There’s just something about the combination of shockingly gorgeous landscapes and a wide range of exciting experiences that has always captivated...
