january-2010

international adventures
CHRISTCHURCH
& AUCKLAND
NEW ZEALAND
Christchurch is billed as New
Zealand’s “most English” city,
with fabulous gardens while
harbourside Auckland is the
most cosmopolitan with the
largest Polynesian population.
94 JANUARY 2010
Great Barrier I.
FROM THE AIRPORT
Christchurch CBD 11km from
Christchurch International Airport
Travel time CBD is around
20 mins by car
Taxi Approx NZ$32 (AU$25)
Shuttle bus NZ$12 (AU$9.40),
taking 20–30 mins
FROM THE AIRPORT
Auckland CBD 20km from
Auckland International Airport
Travel time CBD is around
45 mins by car
Taxi From NZ$60 (AU$47)
Shuttle bus NZ$30 (AU$23.50),
taking 45–60 mins
ON THE GO
1. The Shuttle Free seven-day
central Christchurch bus.
2. Jafa Cabs A bicycle with bench
seats for two; free in the Auckland
central business district.
Enjoy a punt on
Christchurch’s
Avon river
PHIL LESLIE
GM, Base
Christchurch
CHRISTCHURCH
Best night out: Saints and
Sinners in Cathedral Square is
always busy, has a great vibe
and great specials every night
of the week.
Best buy for under AU$50:
A night at Base Christchurch,
an awesome hostel with the
best staff I’ve come across.
Insider’s tip: Check out
the Arts Centre. It’s in a lovely
old part of Christchurch
with weekend markets and
historic buildings.
Unusual fact: Lyttelton
Harbour is actually formed
by an extinct volcano. You can
see it clearly from the top of
the port hills; take the gondola
ride for the best views and
information on the area.
Favourite local festival:
The World Buskers Festival in
January brings the city to life
with street performances all
over the centre of town.
Best idea for a family
outing: A day trip to Akaroa,
an old French village about
80 minutes’ drive from
Christchurch. Stroll or take a
cruise on the harbour, swim
with the rare hector dolphins
or just relax in one of the many
award-winning cafés by the sea.
Most unusual thing to do:
Just out by the airport is the
Antarctic Centre where you can
experience a -18°C Antarctic
storm. You can also take a ride
on the Hagglund all-terrain
vehicles, and see the Little
Blue penguins.
Local delicacies at
Ben Thanh market
HO CHI
MINH CITY
VIETNAM
The largest city in Vietnam,
this is the country’s
economic capital and cultural
trendsetter with a population
of high-energy people who
effortlessly meld tradition with
the contemporary.
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 7km from Tan Son Nhat
International Airport
Travel time CBD is around
20mins by car
Taxi A taxi voucher from Visitor
Information for US$12 (AU$13.30)
Shuttle Bus Most hotels offer
complimentary pick-up
ON THE GO
1. Taxi Ask the drivers to turn
the meters on; there are
taxi-motorbikes as well.
2. Walking The best way to dash
up alleys and down one-way streets
but we only recommend this for
District One.
3. Cyclos A one-person seat
powered by a cyclist; you’ll be
nose-level with the exhaust fumes
and action.
HOANG THACH
THAO
Director of marketing
communications,
Renaissance Riverside
Hotel Saigon
Best breakfast: Vietnamese
pho (noodle soup). I like Pho
Hoa on Pasteur Street, which is
known for its traditional fl avour.
Great place for dinner:
Thien Nam restaurant on Nam
Nghia Street for great food
and good value. It offers both
Chinese and French cuisine at
reasonable prices.
Insider’s tip: Try to build
connections before travelling
to Vietnam. The Vietnamese
are friendly, especially people
from the south. They’ll take you
around the city without you
even requesting.
Must-buy gift: The Vietnamese
traditional costume, ao dai.
If you have enough time, a
tailor-made ao dai dress would
be a unique gift for any lady.
Local delicacy: Banh xeo, a
combination of crispy pancake
with shrimp, pork, beansprouts
and variety of vegetables. A
special sauce made from fi sh
sauce enhances the taste.
Local recreational activity to
watch: Try to wake up early and
walk to the nearest park, where
many Vietnamese exercise.
I love Saigon because:
You can easily fi nd anything
you need here. It’s also very
convenient to get around and
the people are friendly.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Passengers are advised to make
themselves familiar with the relevant
visa requirements for international
travel and that visa requirements
may differ between countries.