Love is in the NZ air
05 Feb 2009
Who knows whether it’s the long days or the high temps but just recently a series of unforeseen proposals, unusual weddings and unique Kiwi inventions have hit the headlines sparking the term 'summer of love'.
And - even before the dawning of Valentine’s Day on 14 February, when a number of local celebrity couples are rumoured to be tying the knot - love has been in the air especially where tourists are concerned.
Having their say
Tourism New Zealand’s ‘Have Your Say’ mobile film studio became an unexpected love nest last week when a young British couple holidaying in New Zealand announced their engagement to friends and family back home.
Kate Mills and Stuart Evans from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, broke the big news via a video diary that was posted immediately to Tourism New Zealand’s ‘Have Your Say’ YouTube channel, as well as the couple’s Facebook pages.
It was the perfect way to let loved ones know about their special news in person, Stuart said.
Rhythm & Vines onstage proposal
A romantic vineyard setting at Gisborne on the east coast of the North Island - the first place in the world to see the sun each day - stirred something in another visiting British tourist.
The young man was attending the annual ‘Rhythm & Vines’ New Year music festival at Waiohika Estate when he unexpectedly proposed to his Kiwi girlfriend, on stage in front of 20,000 people. And, she said "yes".
Bungy proposal
Breath-taking Mokai Gravity Canyon, near the central North Island town of Taihape, was the scene of another unusual romantic act between Israeli tourist Tal Yosha and local girl Niki Ellis.
Tal went down on bended knee to propose to Niki before the two plunged into a lifetime commitment with an 80m leap into the canyon. The happy couple celebrated their engagement afterwards with a bottle of bubbly supplied by the bungy crew.
Hot stuff
Then there’s the Takapuna fire station on Auckland’s North Shore that set the scene for an international wedding. This unusual venue was chosen by a German couple who flew halfway around the world to make their vows beside a fire engine.
It all happened because Meike Nicolaus spent six months here six years ago. Since then, Mieke hasn’t been able to stop talk talking about New Zealand so the long-awaited five-week trip downunder seemed like the perfect place to tie the knot.
"The day we met she told me about New Zealand," said Andreas Wilhelm, who has been a firefighter in Germany for 25 years.
Cablecar wedding
Last year a British expatriate couple made double New Zealand history by getting married on Wellington city’s cablecar in what’s thought to be the country’s shortest marriage ceremony.
Nicola Tod and Malcolm Stuart tied the knot in just four-and-a-half minutes while the capital city’s cable car completed its scheduled six minute journey which gives passengers panoramic views of the CBD, harbour and surrounding districts.
Chocolate aphrodisiac
Valentine’s Day promises to have an extra zing this year thanks to a passionate Auckland chocolate maker who’s come up with a new treat that’s guaranteed to kick-start male libidos.
Chocolatier Dr Hanna Frederick has created Tomcat Alley, a groundbreaking "chocolate couture" creation that boasts aphrodisiac properties for men.
Dr Frederick, who worked as a food scientist before becoming a chocolate maker, said her latest offering contained a potent herb called tongkat ali which has been used for centuries by men in Southeast Asia.
The effect of the herb apparently takes three days to achieve optimum levels, making them "just perfect for the long weekend", according to Dr Frederick.
Valentine’s Day treats
Chocolate also features in a Valentine’s Day experience offered by Wharekauhau Country Estate. The lodge, near Martinborough in the Wairarapa's vineyard region, is listed as one of the World's Best Resorts by Condé Nast (USA) Traveler.
Guests can experience a chocolate therapy relationship consultation followed by chocolate tasting with local boutique chocolatiers, Schoc Chocolate.
Christchurch’s boutique hotel, Huntley House, has something a little more covert - a Valentine’s Day deal called the ‘James Bond Experience’ where guests will be chauffeured in an Aston Martin and offered VIP treatment including welcome drinks - shaken, not stirred, of course.
More information:
Wanaka woos world romantics
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
