Armchair traveler? Retired but not sure where to go? Spring break blues? Only one week of vacation time? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!
New Zealand-The Adventure Capital of the World and The Chucky Cheese for Adults
New Zealands only Freefall Xtreme at Agroventures in Rotorua
Here is the scoop:
My last post was a random discussion about the term ‘flashpacking’ and how it applies to my recent travels. I had a chance to stay at my FIRST hostel, Nomads in New Zealand. I am told that Nomads, is one of the nicer hostels in the world. After my recent stay, I have no complaints. My normal stay for hotels have been similar to Novotel. My recent trip to New Zealand, introduced me to Nomads where I caught up with Nora Dunn, a hostel guru. This ‘flashpacking’ hostel has a lot to offer and its a chain I am going to highly recommend, if that’s your thing. I always like gifts but only promote things I believe in. That said, here you go…
I was given 3 bed hopper passes and 3 mad cards from Nomads and there wonderful staff. Total value of $447 US DOLLARS. I am giving them away to one winner and your two friends. It allows you to stay at any of the Nomads in New Zealand for a total of 5 days and also gives you around $1000 dollars each in discounted activities. It is for 5 nights each so you will have plenty of time to tell me all about it.
Notes:
-This was my first hostel and any age group can stay here.
-They are located throughout New Zealand, so you can try a couple
-This is ideal for a week long trip. If you only have a week vacation to use, get in the two weekends before and after the week. You can see plenty.
-Your trip must be before MAY 15, 2010 and here is why.
I am going to feature your review (yes, you must submit a review 
) on my blog and incorporate it in the new nationally syndicated television series “Alive“, based on Adventure Aaron. The show is about living life to the fullest, today, not 6 months from now. Its about taking the short vacation time you may have and using it to the fullest. I uncover the culture of travel hacking and show you how to get unforgettable memories from unconventional travel. Most of the time, making the decision to travel is the hardest part. For me, it has always been about taking one second to make the decision and the rest of your life to make it right. Whatever you decide to do, chances are you will still be fixing it down the road. Plus our season airs in mid May and we want to hear about your trip!
What we are looking for (PRODUCTION AND MYSELF):
NOTHING! JUST TELL US WHY YOU CAN GO, HOW YOU TALKED YOUR FRIENDS INTO DOING THE SAME THING, AND HOW YOU CAN RELATE TO BEING ‘ALIVE’.
Contest Rules:
1-Leave a comment below on why you want to go to New Zealand, who you will be bringing, adventures you want to do, and dates you plan on going.
2-Subscribe to this blog (its free and I donate a dollar to charity!)
3-Once your trip is over, send in a review that I can feature.
4-If you can only go alone, its OK.
Notice that I don’t ask for too many details on where you will be going. I try not to read the guidebooks or research too much before my trips. Similar to a comment I recently heard Rolf Potts make, I think the country needs to be able to take control of the trip. If its too planned, your trip may be on the beaten path. The voting will end April 1st, 2010, so lets see what you got…
HI Aaron-Thanks for the chance to travel. I have always planned on going to New Zealand and here is why. Adventure, Adventure, Adventure. I could book a ticket the first week in April and have convinced my girlfriend and best friend to come with. We are all laid off and could use a week to travel. GIVE THOSE TICKETS TO US-we will travel from Auckland to Rotorua.
Thanks!
HI Aaron-Its me and my two girlfriends. We are on spring break and cant really afford to go to Cancun this year. We can actually leave from LAX to New Zealand on the 10th for one week and get the sat and sun before and the sat and sun after. That gives us 14 days….hows that? As for what we plan to do, we found a bus hopper pass. Its a bus for backpackers. WHAT DO YOU SAY?
AD AAron-
1-My stay at home wife and I want to go b/c I have one week vacation left. April 17th to the 25th is how I would work the dates.
2-We are going to make it all the way down to wellington. We plan on renting a car and taking your advice on Rotorua.
3-You contest says it all. We and our friends do have a hard time making the decision to go, esp with work and all. This is an added bonus and her writing would get featured as well.
It’s a dark, dreary day in the “Asphalt Jungle,” better known as New York City, my mind keeps thinking of change and adventure. I have been following “Adventure Aaron” online for some time now and both your exploits and personal challenges have inspired me to continue to live life to its fullest and never take no for an answer. Imagination is a great thing but I want to live what I imagine and that is why I am entering and ready to go today.
I believe in going after what you want, taking risks and never saying “I should of” because with a little thought and creativity you can make it happen. I have been an actress, model, worked in high fashion, and even real estate; but I have now gone back to my roots and my first love, broadcast journalism. Currently, I am covering the style, arts and entertainment and recently co-founded a style, arts and entertainment station with Alexandra Suzanne Greenawalt called “So 5th Avenue” http://www.so5thavenue.com . “So 5th Avenue” like “Alive” is more than a location, it is state of mind. It is looking at the possibilities to expand your perspective and your reality and so would love to join Adventure Aaron in New Zealand and discover and share my journey with the world. I want to fly in the sky; hike, swim in the sea and discover all the beauty to be found in the middle of nowhere in the country that has been called “Paradise Lost” – New Zealand.
HI Maureen-
Great Post, could you tell me who you could convince to come with you? We are intrigued!
HI Aaron-
Great site, not sure I can top that last comment, but here goes:
1-I was recently reading the four hour work week and a website called nomadic matt. I am trying to implement both and what a better way to try. I would like to start in Auckland and go south to Rotorua, where you went. I then want to try to make it to queenstown to the new Nomads Hostel. I hear great things, per nomadic matt. Hope this is suffice. I am new to this and would love to go. Oh, I would bring my two brother with me, that is if his wife will let him
Hey there-
Great Post Aaron! I have already done New Zealand, but great post!
Aaron-
Your always up to good ideas…I hope the lucky person gets you to go with! Can we see more of you on cam?
Matt, Whats your adventures?
Aaron-
I am not sure where to start. I have seen your blog grow since Tim Ferriss first posted your feature about your story. You have inspired me to tackle my biggest challenge of trying to walk. In 2009 I was in a car accident and I have completely changed my perspective on life. I went from the 200 lb muscle head to a 150 skinny kid that cant walk. Thanks to my loving wife, former girlfriend at the time, I have overcome the challenges to live life to the fullest. I cant over a comment for the competition b/c my travel restrictions are limited, but I do appreciate your thoughts. Too many people, including myself wait until someone forces them to travel or its too late. There are so many things I wish I did before the accident that I cant do know. I look forward to walking someday and taking you up on your challenge to travel the world. Thanks for reinforcing my idea!
Jeff
Jeff-
Man, that’s a tough one to digest! Its your story that keeps me on track to help others. Its your story that motivates me to wake up and talk to others everyday. I am not a writer and I am not an extroverted person. I have found great satisfaction out of the word empathy thanks to people like you. I welcome your challenge anytime!
Hi Aaron. We met a week or so back in Rotorua when I sent you off to White Island. Hoping to see some of that adventure soon. Looking forward to meeting some of your followers in Rotorua New Zealand very soon and showing off this magical part of the world. Keep on keeping on……..Ann
HI Ann-
Thanks for the comment! I will have some footage up in the next three weeks at the latest. You set me free on that trip, I felt like I was walking on the moon. I hope the camera can do it justice…
Keeping on!
Aaron
The great thing about adventure is it doesn’t mean you have to sledge down a grade 5 river… in New Zealand we have many amazing experiences on offer for people in your position too. You CAN do it and if you ever choose to, just look us up in Rotorua – the friendliest people on the planet!
Hey Aaron-
Did you visit the Nomads in Auckland? Was it as good as the new one in Queenstown. I have been in OZ for a while and did my trip to New Zealand already. I stayed in Auckland, thought the hot tub was great! Nice work on the contest, hope to see more.
Mark
Adventure Aaron-
We went to NZ last year and loved the adventures!! So glad you wrote about it! I think Maureen should win this contest, she can write! Matt was good but need more scoop!
When does this contest close? I didnt know there was a class 5 in NZ??? Thats big time!
CD
AA-
Give the prize to Maureen and make sure she post it on her site. I like her style.
Just my two cents, cant wait to see the trailer for this one.
Mr. Jones
HI Connie-
April 1st.
Mark-
I stayed in Auckland and agree with you! I haven’t made it to the new one in Queenstown yet.
Thank you Connie and Terrance for the support:) -would love to cover and interview Adventure Aaron during one of his adventures (this one in NZ) on so5thavenue.com, I would take my business partner Alexandra Suzanne Greenawalt.. we are very excited about the premiere of “Alive”!!