BACKPACKER GUIDES TO INDONESIA

Christchurch Earthquake: 24 hours on….

2011-02-24T00:27:00.001-08:00

Christchurch Earthquake – thoughts from an Aucklander

Its really hard to think, as I write this blog on Wednesday the 23rd Feburary at 12:36 pm, the most destructive earthquake in New Zealand in 70years happened little under 24-hours ago in our second biggest city and ‘South Island Capital’ as you would call it, Christchurch. Since the event hit the press, it has gone global and having family members who have been affected by this my appreciation for all who have sent messages of support is massive. To add to that, all must applaud the work being done by Mayor Bob Parker, Civil Defence Minister John Carter and the many servicemen and volunteers who are working as hard as they can to minimize the damage.

My story of whats going on so far: My first concerns upon hearing the news naturally was that of my family, most notably my two sisters. Hearing the news about the quake through the grapevine, the seriousness of the situation was comfirmed to me by checking the NZ Herald website where soon after I was in a frantic huff to get in contact with my two sisters.

Amazingly I managed to get hold of my eldest sister by Facebook, who quickly confirmed that herself and my nieces and nephews were fine, just a little shaken up. As communication technology in Christchurch was struggling with the overflow of people trying to make contact with loved one’s, we both sent texts through to her husband who worked in the city and within 20 minutes we got contact later to hear that he was okay. Soon after that a text message from the father of my youngest sister gave me a massive relief to hear that she was fine.

Talking to my youngest sister later that night, she was extremely scared and as her suburb of New Brighton is just north of Lyttelton there is a lot of damage and her house is currently without power and does have (minimal) damage. Right now there are so many people in my situation who just want to hear that their loved ones are okay, so far I have been very lucky, but it is very stressful as with most of Christchurch being without power and phonelines jammed, getting through to people is tough. Patience is essential, but understandably time and panic will cause a lot of stress so the only thing I could say is if you know anyone affected or still waiting to hear from loved one’s is be supportive. I believe John Key couldn’t have said it better that ‘this could be New Zealand’s darkest day’

Hope for the future: Christchurch is the one place in New Zealand where the strong community strength will be enough to pull them out of this dark day to build to bigger and better things. Christchurch leads the way in many values that we place dear as New Zealanders, such as ‘helping ya mate out’ and ‘all chipping in together as more hands make less work’ and with the help of several other provinces and countries, I believe there is enough ability to build on with this. Obviously, Funds will be an issue for many. Everyone I have talked to in Christchurch since the earthquake has talked about broken windows, cracks in walls and destroyed driveways. This is minimal compared to the many businesses that will have to call it quits, taking many jobs with it. On top of that, many parts of Christchurch have just turned to mud which will weaken the structure, vertical and horizontal shape of many buildings and that will condemn the homes of many elderly and solo parents on beneficiaries.

Any bit of help which you can give to support (money is preferable, but even blankets, clothes, food, services or even an ear to listen to those who lives have been turned upside down) check out give a little, the New Zealand Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal website currently isn’t asking for donations or volunteers but if you want to help keep an eye on their page. Also, if you have a loved one who is travelling New Zealand and you haven’t heard from them or been trying unsuccessfully to get in contact, leave a post on the Nomads Hostels facebook page or Nomads Hostels website- we have hostels in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown and may be able to locate your loved one having a sleep- in in one of our dorms.

Just a little thought: Okay, throwing this out there, hows about changing the venue of the world cup final from Eden Park, Auckland to AMI Stadium, Christchurch? I know many are going to have a whinge and a cry about this, but surely, if the NZRFU, Air New Zealand and many ticket holders could arrange a deal which will bring New Zealand’s biggest rugby match of the decade to the city which hold’s this sport so dear? C’mon, they need some good news for a change. To add to that, the extra revenue would be greatly appreciated in a year when it is going to need it most.

For my final thoughts, think about the following quotes- I’m Menz from the Nomads Fat Camel Hostel and Bar in Auckland Central, and our thoughts are with you Christchurch….

“Look up and not down; look forward and not back; look out and not in; and lend a hand”

“It is the surmounting of difficulties that make heroes”

Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge aiding effort in HaitiHappy Hours in Hervey BayWorld’s Best BarsJay Spectre playing at Nomads Fat Camel Backpackers, AucklandEscape from Auckland to Mangawhai Heads

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Dutch recipe for new years treat

2010-12-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

In holland we have a delicious recipe for a wonderful treat. It’s very easy to make and it doesn’t take that much time. It’s called oliebollen!!!!

You need the following things:

- 1 egg
- 500ml milk
- 500 gr flower
- package of yeast
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 bottle of beer
- frying oil
- icing sugar.
- 100 gr currants
- 100 gr raisins

preparation:
first step: put the flower, yeast, sugar, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon in a bowl and mix them toghete. Put the have of the beer in the mix. At last you put the egg in there and mix it once again. When you mix you have to put the milk in there.Keep mixing it till it’s a smooth mixer. Put a wet teatowel on top of it and it put it on a warm spot for an hour.( it will rise, it will double the amount that you’ve got at first).

In the main time you can put the raisins and currants in water. Leave them in there for 15 min.

The best thing is to heat the frying oil at 175°C. With a ice spoon you make little balls from the mix that you’ve let raise for an hour. You have to roll them every minute an for 4 minutes long. Then you get the bolls out and let them leak on napkins. After 15 min you can start eating them. It’s very nice if you put a little of icing sugar on it, that’s make them very sweet

Enjoy!!!

If you don’t have time to make them come to the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge. Me and Mj are making a couple, so be fast!!!!

Beat the heat, the Chilli heat that is!!Dutch food in Australia – Cairns Dutch party coming soonDutch intern at Byron Bay Backpackers HostelsThe Buddha BarIt’s all going Dutch at Nomads All Nations Backpackers Hostel, Melbourne

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Time flies when you’re having fun!

2010-12-02T04:51:00.000-08:00

I’ve been in Australia for the last two and a half months and I can tell you, time flies!

When I was in the Netherlands, I thought I would have heaps (normally I would say, ‘a lot of’, but here they say ‘heaps’ and I try to improve my Australian vocabulary, so that’s why…) of time to see a lot of Australia, to do some nice activities when I would be off and maybe explore the big cities.

Now I’m here and I realize that my thinking was not really clever, because I work 36 hours a week at the lovely Nomads Noosa backpackers hostel. Next to the 36 hours a week, I also want to spend some hours in the totally renovated and lovely KB’s bar. (Take a look at KB’s Bar Noosa on facebook!)

My internship will take 18 weeks and I’m already working in my 11th week! Time flies!

It’s almost December and then it’s Christmas (I’m curious how that will be… Not a white Christmas as normally is in Holland) and when it’s December I will almost going home!

But after my internship I will first travel up to Cairns, and travel for three weeks to Sydney.

When I see how fast time flies here, I have to make sure that I will enjoy my travel adventures!

But I sure will! And after a (hopefully)great time with a lot of new adventures I will going back home… I probably will think back of all those nice things I did in Australia and come to the conclusion, time flies!

Unwrap Christmas in Melbourne City!Bar Nights at Nomads Noosa Backpackers HostelThe Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge 2010, Byron BayRainy days in Noosa, don’t sit around- get wet and have the most fun!Rians Travelling Tips – No. 2

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Backpackers Food

2010-12-02T01:50:00.000-08:00

Most backpackers are always busy and most off them have a limited budget, so here’s a easy and low budget receipe.

At The Arts Factory backpackers Lodge a lot of backpackers are making pasta. And it always looks so good!! There are many different ways to make your pasta, but I like the following recipe very much! It’s very easy and fast.

You need the following things for your fantastic pasta:
- Pasta
- Water
- Salt
- Tomato Puree
- Cheese
- Tuna or ham
- Capsicum
- Mushrooms

preparation:

1. Boil your pasta adding salt to the water for later on.
2. While pasta is cooking, you can start baking the tuna or ham. 2 minutes later you can add the capsicum and mushrooms.
3. When the pasta is cooked, you pour the water away and add about half a tube of tomato puree, stirring well, to give you a passata consistency.
4. Then add the mushrooms, tuna/ham and capsicum. Stirr very well.
5. Serve into a bowl and sprinkle lots of cheese on top

Enjoy!
You can always put your own twist on it.

Vintage backpacker meal recipes courtesy of Westend Sydney BackpackersFun facts: Hangover food- favourites from around the world.Dutch food in Australia – Cairns Dutch party coming soonTop Tips for Backpackers to eat cheapNoosa MayFiesta – Food & Wine Festival

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Nomads Queenstown backpackers hostel scores a bloody beautiful bus

2010-12-01T21:17:00.000-08:00

We’re on a bus, we’re on a mother f#*-ing bus. We at Nomads Queenstown backpackers hostel are stoked to announce that the awesome people at AJ Hackett have offered us a bus and a driver. So we’ll be cruising around this beautiful land once a week, visiting cool spots, discovering hidden gems and exploring until our heart is content, all summer long.

Ok so this is the deal, we are going on daytrips to the sickest nature spots around. With our own BUS! It’s basically the most relaxed a person can have it. Tour around, set up your picnic at the best places and with your sweet as buddies.

It’s all how summer is supposed to be, bungy for the extreme, tour for the relaxation and visit some winery’s for the drinking! Get involved in the cool adventures that are going to be here soon, it look likes it’s going to kick off in christmas and there will be more and more going on during these trips.

So be ready and get updated. Let your buddies know and consider this your summer activity.

Stay tuned for more details of Nomads Queenstown Backpackers hostel’s all singing, all dancing MINI ADVENTURE!!!!!!

Random Hostel Happenings at Nomads Queenstown Backpackers HostelLife at Nomads Queenstown Backpackers HostelNomads Queenstown voted Best Hostel in NZ – AGAIN!Secret Bars in QueenstownHostel Life in Queenstown – Kind of Like Reality TV, Only more scandalous!

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Laneway Festival

2010-12-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

Sarah Balsko | by laubarnes via Flickr

A really (almost brand new) fine music festival in Auckland, called: St Jerome’s Laneway. The event will be held on the 31th of January 2011, the venues are still unknown but it will be a smashing area just as last year!

Want to join the party? Totally in for an exciting summer festival in Auckland city? But need accommodation within Auckland? Stay at Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel, in the city centre of Auckland!

The Laneway Festival
A fresh and new festival about new and well known urban music. Just the best solo artists and groups will perform in a unique and pleasant atmosphere.

And now a couple of names of the artist who will represent themselves on the stages: An Emerald City, Beach House, Blonde Redhead, Deerhunter, Lady Hawke and Lawrence Arabia. For the whole list of artist just visit the website of Laneway festival.

Just to give you an idea of the artists here two of my favorites of the day:

Blonde Redhead
A group who exists for over more than seventeen years and who launched eight albums. The indie rock band from America have secured their place in the rock and roll scene because of their different sound.

Blonde Redhead- Top Ranking

Lady Hawke
A New Zealand singer and songwriter who launched her first album in September 2008. Her music is a combination of electronic and pop music with some dance tones in it. She was one of the favorites of the New Zealand Music Awards of 2009 and won two awards during the ARIA Music Awards.

Lady Hawke- My Delirium

Interested and want to join this summer music festival in Auckland? Buy your tickets at the homepage of Laneway Festival.

Are you not in town on the 31th of January? You can visit this event also in Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth! More information about the dates and venues on their website.

Don’t hesitate with booking your accommodation at Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel, it’s perfect located at Auckland CBD. Want to guarantee a bed, make sure you book in advance because of summertime! Book now

Not in for this event but interested in other events in Auckland? Take a look at the Nomads Events Calendar.

Auckland Fringe FestivalVodafone New Zealand Music Awards – AucklandPeninsula Summer Music FestivalManukau Festival of Arts 2010 – AucklandAuckland Events | Auckland Lantern Festival

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Summer time in Byron Bay

2010-12-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

Summer is really starting to kick in here in Byron Bay. After a couple of cloudy days the weather is really getting nice and warm. I’m really excited to be able to spend a lot of time on the beach. I’ve been in Byron Bay for almost 2 months now and when I came here it was still winter so it was a little cold. Although it is nothing compared to the winter in my own country.

The good thing about staying here at this time of the year is that it will be summer in a couple of months in Australia. You might think what is so special about that right? Well I’m from Holland and when it is becoming summer here in Australia, it is becoming winter over there. So I won’t have a winter this year until January which is really cool. Basically I will be spending all my free time on the beach over here when all my friends will be playing in the snow.

Like I said it was still winter here when I arrived and all the people told me how cold it was. I found that really funny to hear because what people call winter here is summer for me in Holland. So I went to the beach trying to get a tan and I was a little surprised when there were hardly any people on the beach. Later everyone who is from Australia told me that they think it’s not warm enough for them to go to the beach at that time of the year.

If you want to spent a lot of time at the beach like me just come to Byron Bay and visit me in Nomads Byron Bay Backpackers hostel!

Why visit Byron Bay in winter?“The Big chill!”Whale watching Byron BaySummer at Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge, Byron BayAuckland Summer – Things to Do!

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Mean Kiwi tunes bro!

2010-12-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in New Zealand, to be exact Queenstown, to be even more exact at Nomads Queenstown Backpackers hostel not too long ago, there was music and it blew my mind. Actually, it wasn’t just once.. It amazes me everytime I hear it. It’s deep old roots kiwi music, or some sweet as New Zealand dubstep.

Ever since I first arrived in New Zealand, I’ve been a fan of Kiwi music. It is non stop, a good beat and tune. It’s not just one band or one song either, no it’s the whole country… There are too many good artists here in New Zealand not to share them with the rest of the world!

Me as a Dutchie, even though I am a big fan of music, before I arrived I hadn’t heard of or even ever heard any of the kiwi bands or artists. It’s a waste really.

There are so many and they’re so different – from Midnight Youth (Alternative rock) to Katchafire (Deep roots reggae). The most popular music is definitely Reggae and Dubstep. Most bands are definitely worth listening to. My Favorites are: Fat Freddy’s drop, Katchafire, Six 60, The Black Seeds and Kora.

Another fun one is Soljah, I’ve seen them live in Dux the Lux, Queenstown and I even checked them into Nomads Queenstown backpackers hostel one day!

Cheers boys – Hope you’re going well!

So if any Europeans or others outside New Zealand read this blog definitely check out the awesome Kiwi Music!

And New Zealand, you can be proud!

Cheers!

Jingle Bells – Kiwiana Style – your favourite xmas songs the kiwi wayAwesome Beach BBQ with the Kiwi Experience Crew.Nomads Queenstown Vs. Shotover RiverAuckland Live Music – Bands on the BeachNomads Queenstown voted Best Hostel in NZ – AGAIN!

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Our view of Byron Bay

2010-12-01T05:52:00.000-08:00

Today was the second day of spring and it was just glorious in Byron Bay. We really couldn’t have asked for more. The weather was fantastic with a gentle offshore wind, the birds were singing like crazy(thanks for waking me up;) and the surf was pumping! We visited the beach which was a picture perfect view. Looking out one way towards the wreck people were enjoying the surf and beach beauties were tanning their sunhungry bodies. Can you hear the excitement? I still have it ringing in my ears. After a nice walk on the beach we went for lunch to the local Pizza shop. Honestly guys, what do you want more? Oh, yeah not to forget Mister Tooheys went for a stroll with us;)

The cool thing about Byron Bay and our life in and around Nomads Byron Bay backpackers hostel is not only the location and the cute shops NO its the PEOPLE!

From the crazy stoner Hippie with dreads, to the nice Australian next door, to the backpacker and the etno granny! And the funky thing about it is…..We are all just here for a good time, not all of us for a long time BUT good! Byron Bay is one of those places where people intend to get stuck. How often did I meet people who said they just stay for a few days and then weeks later you ran into them again and you know that the Byron Bay fever got them. No matter what country you are from or what age you are, what religion you are part of or what political views you may have in Byron Bay it all comes together and everybody is a happy unit.

I often thought about why and how Byron Bay works like that and I have to say my answer for this question is: BYRON BAY VIBE.

Next to the awesome beaches we have great bands which come to visit Byron Bay like just recently Cat Empire and Grinspoon. The food is great and the shops in town give you whatever your heart and wallet craving for.

In other words I never met anyone who did not enjoy our Byron Bay. And to chuck the topping on the Ice cream stay with us at Nomads Byron Bay Backpackers hostel! Happy days and we hope to see you soon, so that you can see and experience the magic of this place by yourself;)

My German Story leading to Nomads Byron bay backpackers HostelSurf Safety in Byron Bayhttp://nomadshostels.com/backpackers-blog/a-normal-day-nomads-byron-bay-backpackers-hostel/Dutch intern at Byron Bay Backpackers HostelsThe Perfect Sunday for Nomads Byron Bay Backpackers

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New look Fort Street, Auckland

2010-12-01T01:27:00.001-08:00

Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel is proud to be part of Fort Street and part of the Fort Street Family!

Here it is – the promised renovation works of Fort Street, Auckland, New Zealand (also known as party-street). After Dane Rumble and stuff.co.nz had their campaigns in the car park opposite our hostel, nothing much has happened since. But one thing for sure is still going on – Fort Street is becoming popular.

The street is being revamped for a week already and so far you won’t be able to see any difference apart from the wide open holes. Thanks to Auckland City council, everyone who’s passing can learn a few facts about Fort Street. That’s already a well known practice for the city council to put up signs with historical facts and future look after the renovations.

It is amazing how such small parts from the city have been marked in the history of Auckland.

Some interesting facts cited from the Auckland City Council signs:

Fort Street was the original shoreline and the area was known as Commercial BayThe land was reclaimed in 1859 to create a port for the growing city.The tide still rises and falls under Fort Street.The area was a hub of trade and transport for Maori and early settlers.Fort Lane was valued pipi shellfish site for Maori. Shortland Street was a Mooring place for waka the Imperial Hotel (1883) and Jean Batten building (1942) is some of our city’s most treasured buildings.

All good, apart from the tide that rises and falls under our street! It sounds too scary if you give it a thought. I knew that this remarkable street was once some kind of a hub as it continues on nowadays – to surprise us with all those new businesses arising every day.

And for those who don’t pass it every single day as I do, the plan that Auckland City Council has is to create an attrractive destination for people to spend more time in and enjoy, a shared open space with no car parking and restricted loading hours. I wonder, where would the Police park their cars if not able to do it anymore in front of Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel?

We’ll wait and see what the council has planned for Fort Street in the near future! It will be for sure a great place when the Rugby World Cup 2011 comes!

Fort Street, Auckland getting popular!Fort Street, Auckland’s Movie SetTHE Westie Party – only at The Camel Bar Fort Street, AucklandSo, Why is Auckland the best city in New Zealand?Auckland International Street Buskers Festival

Posted by Nomads Auckland on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 10:19 am
Filed under Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel · Tagged with Auckland, Auckland City Council, Jean Batten, Maori, New Zealand, nomads auckland, Nomads Auckland Backpackers Hostel, renovations, Rugby World Cup 2011

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