 |
Greetings!
Tuatara monthly news & updates now mobile friendly
|
|
Japan's
Nakasendo Trail Now Open For 2017 Bookings.
|
|
Join Tuatara Tours on a fully guided walking tour of Japan and let Nicky, our Tour Manager (and fluent speaker of Japanese) take care of the details for you. Nicky spent 3 years living in Japan and looks forward to sharing her love of this fascinating country with you.
See Japan from a local perspective, not from a tour bus window. Our small group tours provide a more up close and personal experience of Japan , its culture and its people.
Your journey covers Japans capital cities, ancient and modern, and the most picturesque section of the Nakasendo, the ancient travellers highway that was a vital link between these capitals in the feudal era.
You will start by exploring Tokyo on foot and experience the feel of modern Japan first hand, and from here , step back in time and follow in the footsteps of merchants and samurai , walking on the most historic stretch of the Nakasendo. You will pass through traditional villages and stay in local family run inns; enjoy picturesque scenery and great food and hospitality.
The Trail finishes with a stay in the beautiful and historic city of Kyoto, with its many UNESCO World Heritage sites.
|
|
King salmon also known as Chinook
has the highest natural oil content of all salmon.
|
|
|
|
King salmon is the only salmon species farmed in New Zealand, with The New Zealand King Salmon Co Ltd being the world’s major supplier, producing just over 50% of the world’s supply from just five surface hectares in the Marlborough Sounds.
King salmon is a naturally rich source of healthy long chain Omega-3s, which have widely documented health benefits such as aiding heart and joint health. They are also important for a healthy mind at all life stages, especially in young children where Omega-3s are vital for development of the brain and eyes.
Compared to other salmon and seafood species, King salmon consistently contains some of the highest levels per serving of healthy long-chain Omega-3 oils. The high oil content means NZ King salmon has a wonderful rich flavour and delicate texture, which makes it perfect for sashimi, baking, frying, grilling and smoking, as well as being incredibly nutritious.
One major advantage that
New Zealand has in the international market is that we are the only major salmon growing country in the world that has not used antibiotics.
New Zealand King Salmon products have recently been used by the Japanese Cuisine team at the world championships.
|
|
King salmon is still a rare species of salmon, and New Zealand King salmon only makes up about 0.6% of the world’s total farmed salmon population.
|
|
The West Coast Wilderness Trail
|
|
Easy Cycling, Incomparable Scenery
|
|
Follow the West Coast Wilderness Trail and enjoy gentle cycling in a landscape rich in beauty, history and diversity.
Where else but on the West Coast can you see such diversity: towns, alps, lakes, rivers, wetlands, ocean and native bush, all in such close proximity?
Four days of diverse riding await: from commercial centres to tiny mining towns, mountains to sea.
Some sections follow pioneer tracks laid by gold miners, and by Maori seeking greenstone (pounamu). Others follow quiet stretches of State Highway 6, arguably New Zealand's most scenic highway.
Distances average around 30 km a day, and the cycling is suitable for beginners and families.
All meals are provided, and you'll stay in very comfortable accommodation.
|
|
All bikes have aspects of “passive comfort” that can be addressed.
|
|
The correct frame size is an important factor for rider comfort. It is rare to be sold the wrong frame size when buying a new bike. But it is common for a rider of a used or hand-me-down bike, to be on a frame too big or small and suffer as a result.
|
|
|
Tyre Selection and Pressure
|
A wide tyre provides more cushion and comfort than a narrow tyre, since the weight of both bike and rider are supported on a bigger air cushion over a larger surface area.
The biggest factors affecting recommended tyre pressure are the rider’s weight, riding surface and conditions and tyre size/volume.
|
|
|
In general, a compatible seat shape is more important than padding:
- A broad seat is best for an upright riding position.
- A narrow seat is needed for a forward leaning position.
Riders with a narrow, firm bike seat should wear cycling shorts. If you prefer non-cycling shorts, consider a padded gel seat or seat cover instead.
A seat post with suspension softens bumps through an incorporated spring.
|
|
|
- Hand numbness: Try changing round bar grips to an ergonomic grip.
- Wrist pain: This can result from too much body weight being supported by the hands. It’s best remedied through a professional bike-fitting session.
- Control lever reach: If it’s awkward to reach a gear shifter or brake lever, adjustments can often help to bring the controls within more comfortable reach.
|
|
|
Cycling shorts contain a padded synthetic-chamois pad in the crotch.
Applying chamois cream further reduces any risk of chafing.
|
|
|
Cycling gloves are often overlooked by casual riders, but serve several purposes:
- Vibration absorption
- Better grip on the handlebars
- Protection from summer sun and winter cold
- Protection in the event of a spill
|
|
|
Bike Fit
I
f you ride regularly and suffer from discomfort, a professional bike fitting can be a great investment. This comprehensive approach addresses comfort first, power and efficiency second.
Your bike fitter may adjust the seat and handlebar position to best suit your proportions, range of motion, weight distribution and riding style. Handlebar style, lever position and seat style can also be corrected if needed.
|
|
The Queenstown Cycle Trail
|
|
The Queenstown Cycle Trail starts in Otago’s world renowned Wakatipu Basin.
Queenstown’s reputation as one of the world’s favourite adventure and cycling destinations is enhanced with the addition of this New Zealand Cycle Tour.
The new Queenstown Cycle Trail is part of the New Zealand Cycling Trails network and unveils stunning new vistas, hidden ruins, spectacular architecture and world-class food and wine.
The cycle trail meanders through some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking scenery, taking in the stunning landscapes of Lake Hayes, Frankton and Queenstown, Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, Clyde, Alexandra (Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail), Roxburgh (Clutha Gold Cycle Trail) and Wanaka and brings to you 5 days of spectacular cycling and local experiences.
For the first time ever, you can cycle across unspoilt private land.... over mighty suspension bridges, ride alongside six iconic rivers and six lakes... all set in dramatic landscapes, some used for the now famous Lord of the Rings films.
We integrate into this New Zealand cycling tour The Queenstown Cycle Trail -The Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail and the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail.
- Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail – Discover another world. This cycle trail offers a wilderness experience through the remote and stunning Roxburgh Gorge. Sit back and become immersed in the splendid isolation that is the Roxburgh Gorge.
- Clutha Gold Cycle Trail – A journey of discovery - Ride alongside the powerful Clutha Mata-au River, through a secluded valley and gorge network and into lush green farmland. It is an easy grade trail that is full of variety, from undulating to flat to meandering.
Your fully guided Queenstown Cycle Trail journey starts and ends in the adventure capital of the southern hemisphere, Queenstown (or Christchurch), with transport available from Christchurch.
Cycle tour includes all accommodation, meals, and support vehicles and guide.
|
|
Really! - 32,000 Tomatoes
|
|
“Octopus Tomato Trees” Can yield up to 32,000 Tomatoes
per Harvest
|
|
They might look like something created in a laboratory, but these “octopus tomato trees” are merely hybrids that grow from a single tomato vine but spread on a large trellis. Their crown grows to about 40-50 square metres and they yield tens of thousands of tomatoes every season.
|
|
Its All Here
The New Akaroa Walk is an icon among New Zealand walking tours.
This is a 39km, three-day, guided walk from Christchurch to Akaroa in the South Island of New Zealand. You travel along the Summit Ridge and across Banks Peninsula, in the Canterbury Region of the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
The New Akaroa Walk is a truly unique and exciting way to explore Banks Peninsula and its surrounds.
Spend time in paradise with native birds, plants and fabulous company, as well as huge panoramic landscapes that are unique to the area whilst completing your journey from Christchurch to Akaroa.
|
|
‘Try, try until you succeed’
|
|
Man Takes Perfect Photo of Diving Kingfisher after Six Years and 720,000 Tries
Scottish photographer Alan McFadyen, who spent six long years trying to get the perfect shot of a kingfisher diving into water. 720,000 tries later, he finally succeeded!
|
|
“As a small boy of about six, I remember my grandfather taking me to see the kingfisher nest, and I just remember being completely blown away by how magnificent the birds are,” Alan said. “It was extraordinary how quick they flashed into the water with their brilliant blue colours – they didn’t look real, they were like a bullet they were so quick. So when I took up photography, I returned to this same spot to photograph the kingfishers.”
|
|
Uncontrolled weeds are destroying our native landscapes and pushing out native plants and animals. There are a baker’s dozen of weeds that you and your community can help bring under control.
|
|
|
Tuatara Tours is a major concessionaire to the Department of Conservation and contributes to the funding of ongoing research in conservation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
