Last weekend say the Bay abuzz with excitement with the news celebrities and camera crews were in town filming the next Air New Zealand safety video which will be watched by millions of people globally! Kiwis and people from all over the world that travel with the wonderful Air New Zealand carrier love the safety videos that play on every flight. The last video stars our famous winning RWC All Black team with Ritchie McCormick, Dan Carter, Izzie Dagg, coach Steve Hansen etc plus our own Stan Walker! I never get tired watching a few times over a couple of months this year when I had to fly for tourism meetings.
Like all Northlanders, I am very excited and so looking forward to seeing the new video which took scenes in the Bay of Islands, Hokianga and Cape Reinga. I know when I get to watch the video on flight one day, I will be not only super proud to have my home being showcased around the world but I dare say I will find it emotional also!
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Many of the locals saw the filming on the beach and other spots around the area? It was exciting news - and the filming included shots of some lucky locals and of course New Zealand celebrities such as our own Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter! (above)
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Tane Mahuta - The King of the Forrest and our magnificent Kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest and Shortland Street star Jayden Daniels will soon be seen by millions of people globally!
Other scenes include the amazing Ninety Mile Beach which you can access with Fullers Greatsights
So look out for the video and come and visit Northland! Stay at Outrigger Motel of course!
It's November! Where did that year go and where did Spring go?? Summer is here in the Bay of Islands!
Overnight we have gone from long sleeved shirts to sleeveless shirts (unless of course you are Greg and wear short sleeved shirts all year round in out tropical paradise!)
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as the planning for the Paihia annual Christmas parade has come upon us already. You know it's nearly Xmas when the parade planning comes around!!
In saying that...we are looking forward to the famous Paihia Xmas Parade on Dec 2nd 2016 @ 5.30pm as we are known for the town that really out-performs on spectacular as far as Christmas Parades go!! You need to see it to believe it! School principals flying through the air and men in drag. Come check it out for sure!
We are also looking forward to the annual Paihia NYE Fireworks display and Paihia Summer Festival running from Jan 8th to Jan 14th 2017.
We also super excited to have the "Biggest Little Circus" in town again too. There will be daily and evening shows from Dec 31st to Jan 9th 2017. In past years the crowds returned daily for the show entertaining people of all ages. Fun, fun, fun in the Bay of Islands! We hope we see you here! Get your accommodation with Outrigger Motel booked now!
I got away to watch our youngest daughter compete in the Auckland Half Marathon, for her first, ever half marathon.
Watching all these amazing people compete whether they were seasoned athletes, people with disabilities or amateur walkers certainly creates some warm fuzzies inside us all. It was so inspiring and I'm sure that 90% of the spectators walked away that day vowing, that they too, would compete next year.
I felt very grateful and humble that I could get away for the day to see all these people and especially, our daughter cross the finish line with her mile-wide smile and realised this is the whole reason we are Outrigger Motel and why we do motelling and hosting of all you fabulous people! Why? Because of "The Human Spirit"!
The whole purpose we all do what we do is to connect and help one another and I feel very blessed that I have a "job" that I can do just that! This "job" has also let us be able to work alongside our friends and peers to give back to the community which then supports us all. This "job" has helped raise our children to be good people and to be able to go off into the world and talk to all sorts of people and organisations.
So yes...I'm feeling pretty dam grateful and blessed and if it takes one of the family to run a half marathon for me to see that then I hope I attend many, many more.
You never know....perhaps it will be me next year??
"Great place to stay and really nice hosts. Situated in great place - walking distance to everything. Would definitely recommend this place to stay. Priced really reasonably not over the top at all and..."
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