Entirely World Famous :: Follow Craig and Linda ::

It's not over...

2009-09-08T21:38:00.000+12:00

OK, we've lost out on Entirely Kiwi paying our way around New Zealand ... but it's not over.

We're planning a Summer trip through New Zealand with highlights including:

Walking the Milford, Keppler and Routeburn tracks (probably back to back).
Time in tourism hotspots including Queenstown and Rotorua.
City-seeing in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Lots of lazy afternoons at beaches up and down the North Island.

We're also hoping to be joined along the way by a special guest from Britain.

And you can still follow along in three easy ways:
1. Get the Indie Travel Podcast in iTunes or via RSS.
2. Sign up to our weekly website mailing list:

3. Join our Facebook page in the sidebar.

There's also going to be a New Zealand feature in the December edition of the Indie Travel Podcast Magazine. You can read for free online on buy a print subscription.

If you hate New Zealand, that's ... not OK, but in 2010 we hope to visit:

South America
The UK and hopefully some more of Europe
Northern Africa
and get into Asia around 2011

If you would like to sponsor a part of our trip or partner with us in creative ways, get in touch.

We lost to Nicquel...

2009-09-08T20:14:00.000+12:00

More later, but for now - thanks for your support and votes.

By the numbers ... for the last time

2009-09-08T13:12:00.000+12:00

It's over; the voting period has closed and WE MADE IT! We're amongst the top three finalists, so now we're waiting on the organisers, Entirely Kiwi (@entirelykiwi) to make their decision.

At 12:01pm, here's what we found:
Lindy 506
Nicquel 469
Craig and Linda 403
<- the cut off
Cat 380
Matty 259
Anthony 209
Christina 205
Lauren 185
Maria 113
Dominika 97

Cat was fighting hard over those last two hours. At times she got within a dozen votes, but massive Twitter and Facebook support helped us through that; two mediums we'll need to use well if we get the position.

I just got off the phone with Vanessa from Entirely Kiwi. She asked some final interview questions and I think that all went well.

What happens next?
The winner is announced on http://entirelyworldfamous.com at 8pm tonight, New Zealand time.
See this time in your timezone.

Who are we up against?
We are Craig and Linda Martin; world-travelling Kiwis who run the Indie Travel Podcast and take an active role in the international travel-blogging community. We think we'd make great candidates for this position for several reasons outlined here. Other people agree. We have passion, experience and know our way around blogging, video editing and social media while on the road. We can do an excellent job.

Nicquel is studying for a Bachelors in Hotel and Tourism Management in Queensland, Australia. She says, "I'm a fun loving person, who enjoys life to the fullest and is always laughing. I'm a thrill seeker and am always up for a new adventure..."

Lindy is living in South Africa and doesn't give much background on-site. Apparently she's "Wacky, Crazy, Fun Loving, Thrill Seeking, Busy Body, Friendly, Caring. Faith, Family and Friends!!!!!"

Now we wait for the organisers' decision...I'm off for a beer with co-competitor Matty Lynch!

~ Craig

One hour and counting

2009-09-08T11:05:00.000+12:00

There's one hour left in this competition stage. We're attempting to win a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand and we need to be in the top three "followed" blogs to have a chance. The judges will choose from those final three.

PLEASE CLICK FOLLOW IN THE SIDEBAR
PLEASE TWEET/FACEBOOK/CALL A FRIEND

With less than an hour to go, we are in by the narrowest of margins; about 25 votes. We need to keep going and keep the momentum up until the very end in order to win.

Please follow and ask someone else to do so too; this is the last hour. We have a great chance with your help.

Two hours and counting

2009-09-08T10:18:00.001+12:00

With less than two hours left on the clock, our hold on third place has been cut to just 25 "follows".

We are competing in a competition to win a paid, three-month blogging trip around New Zealand. While on the road we'll be recording video, taking photos and writing about our experiences both on and off the beaten track. With years of travel blogging experience -- and a Lonely Planet award -- under out belts, we feel we can do an excellent job for you our readers and Entirely Kiwi the promoter and organiser of this event.

Please hit "follow" in the sidebar and consider a tweet, email or Facebook status update to support us!

Example tweets:
Under two hours left in http://su.pr/2nrtQU competition stage. @craig_martin needs your help more than ever!

Help @craig_martin and @LindaJMartin win a 3-month NZ blog trip. Visit: http://su.pr/2nrtQU <- follow this blog

We've come so far...help us hold our top three position to get a chance at this excellent opportunity.

Current stats:
Craig and Linda 360
<-- cut off point
<-- small margin
Cat 335

By the numbers...

2009-09-08T09:19:00.000+12:00

There is less than three hours to go in our quest to win a three-month trip travel-blogging around New Zealand with Entirely Kiwi. One of the top three bloggers -- by the numbers -- will be chosen for this excellent adventure.

This is how things stand at 9:15am NZ time (the competition element closes at 12pm NZ time).

Lindy 490
Nicquel 412
Craig and Linda 353 <-- That's us
<-- This is the cut-off point
<-- This is a small margin
Cat 314
Matty 254
Christina 204
Anthony 203
Lauren 182
Maria 112
Dominika 79

As you can see we need to keep a close eye on Cat and we rely on your help to keep us in the top three spots. We think we have the personality, the skills and the experience to do this job well (and judging from the Twitter comments below, you do too!). If we can stay in the top three, we have a good chance so thank you for all your support and rallying to help here. Let's stay strong for the next few hours.

Kia kaha -- Forever strong

Please click "follow" in the sidebar.

Last four hours

2009-09-08T07:59:00.000+12:00

Sunset over Lake Waikaremoana

Over the last seven days we have been gaining "follows" on this blog to support our application for a three-month blogging trip organised by Christchurch-based travel agents Entirely Kiwi. They will be deciding on the winning candidate from the top three most-followed blogs.

We've been lucky enough to have great online support and have always stayed in the top three. With only four hours left, we need your help now more than ever. Nipping at our heels is fellow finalist Cat and we need to stay ahead of her until midday today.

Remember this round is entirely dependent on numbers, so there's no getting around this.

Please help us: click "follow" in the sidebar.

You're all awesome! Yes - you!

2009-09-08T01:27:00.002+12:00

We're in the final hours of a competition to win a chance at a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand. From ten remaining finalists, the organisers will choose one of the three people with the most "followed" blogs. You can help us stay in the top three by clicking "follow" in the sidebar.

When we started this application, we did it with a video. We knew the large, international crowd of applicants were being pared down to ten finalists by the organisers. What we expected was an interview; what we got was this blog and the knowledge that we had entered a popularity contest...It was time to spend some social capital.

We've been blown away by the supportive emails and messages we've received from so many virtual friends. Thank you. Really. Since Twitter information is all in the public timeline anyway, we wanted to share some encouragement we've got:

NZ blogging competition! Help @craig_martinwin a 3-month paid trip: http://su.pr/2nrtQU <-- just click Follow. They deserve it! @siobhanbulfin

now following, good luck! @grahamhills

@craig_martin & @lindajmartin are now 50 behind leader. Please click & follow their blog for NZ comp. Awesome people! http://su.pr/2nrtQU @amalchik

Best of luck with the comp ;-) @Hostelworld

congats on getting into final 10, goodluck! @trixnz

You're welcome! Good Luck to you and Linda! @guyngirltravels

Help @craig_martin win a trip to blog NZ - you'll get quality travel writing and podcasts for sure! @shanesakata

Vote 4 @craig_martin http://su.pr/2nrtQU <-- click "follow" to help them win #greatpeople @_Jamesstewart

just followed ...good luck @BasseCopette

Congrats to @craig_martin and @lindajmartin -- finalists in Entirely Kiwi contest. Let's help them win @chris2x

Well fingers crossed for you and Linda :) @travelrants

I clicked follow on your blog,now I hope to hear some great stories and see some beautiful pictures from NZ soon @scrio

Need some good karma? Send @craig_martin on a NZ blogging trip! http://su.pr/2nrtQU <-- click "follow" @CarrieAWilliams

You've got my support. Good luck.@travelwonders

Good luck Craig & Linda - you've got my vote too @knomad16

Good luck to you. I look forward to hearing the results as this has been a big buzz on Twitter lately. @Jasonstravels

going up fast now Craig - Well Done! @NomadsHostels

I ask all my followers to get behind @craig_martin & @LindaJMartin in their Entirely Kiwi entry! http://su.pr/2nrtQU and follow! @adamaxon

wow-your numbers are really climbing!! Just a day or 2 ago it was barely 100!! Congrats!! @traveldesigned

Hope you win and look forward to reading about your adventures. @karenbryan

done - good luck @akianz

Help these guys out.. they are legends! @tashmcgill

I'm also supporting @craig_martin & @lindajmartinquest to win a 3-month blogging trip in NZ. Please follow their blog! http://su.pr/2nrtQU @niltiac

3rd place is pulling away but we can catch'em ...I like @craig_martin so lets just shoot for #1 !!! spread da word!! @mattylynch808

Good luck @globtrav

Good luck! @EscapefromNY

Good luck!! @umarket

posted tweet 4 u but not being able to follow blog with iPhone for some reason- buona fortuna- you guys deserve 2 win !! @ExpatCoachMegan

I am now following you....good luck! @LadyExpat

Our pleasure! You + @LindaJMartin are great #travel peeps and we wish you all the best with http://su.pr/2nrtQU @authenticcoast

Best of luck! @megoizzy

How about backing the local team! @craig_martin @entirelykiwi

excited for the two of you.. hang in there. @gotpassport

Follow Indie Travel Podcast couple @craig_martin and @lindamartin and help them win the Entirely Kiwi contest @travelgreen

we will be there in October and I'm counting on you guys for great ideas. @mountainmandy
Just added myself to the blog. Best of luck! @ilivetotravel

give my pal @craig_Martin a follow on this site, would ya? http://bit.ly/NXPD7 @andrewghayes

You guys have my vote. Good luck! @globetrotteri

Help Craig and Linda win a paid NZ blogging trip - http://su.pr/2nrtQU <--need to click "follow" (good luck, you two!) @roadup

Going to win that trip around NZ?! :) @samdaams

In addition to this we've had over 100 retweets from these and many other Twitter users! That's people asking their social networks to vote for us. I can only say, we're overwhelmed with your generosity and support. We've also had dozens of private messages and emails showing support on services all over the web.

With only ten hours to go, we're going to fight to stay in third place and get a chance at this job. After all you've done for us, that's the least we can do...and hope that the organisers at @entirelykiwi agree with all of you!

To visit these people on Twitter, replace the @ sign with http://twitter.com/. You can find Craig @craig_martin and Linda @lindajmartin. Before you go, please click "follow" in the sidebar.

Video o'clock! Dunedin

2009-09-07T21:11:00.000+12:00

Heavily influenced by Scottish culture, Dunedin is sometimes called the Edinburgh of the South. Take a look around the amazing wildlife you can find around it:

Please click "follow" in the sidebar!
We're competing in a competition to win a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand. You can help
us stay in the top three finalists by clicking "follow" in the sidebar. The organisers are choosing the final candidate from the top three most-followed blogs. There's about 15 hours left...

Our little secret

2009-09-07T19:36:00.000+12:00

We're competing for a three-month blogging job - travelling New Zealand. We're currently in the top three candidates, which is where we need to stay to have a chance of winning. There's only 17 hours left, so please hit "follow" in the sidebar and share with your friends. In a non-spammy way, of course.

One of my favourite spots in all New Zealand is a little-known gem.

Tapotupotu Bay is just minutes from Cape Reinga, near the top of New Zealand's North Island. 10 minutes down a gravel road will take you to a small horseshoe bay surrounded by steep bush-cover hills. It has silky-white sand, clear waters and all the amenities one would expect from a standard DOC campsite: longdrop toilets, running water, a flat place to pitch a tent, and an information board to pay your NZ$7.50 per person per night.

A small river runs down the southern side of the bay, bringing a neat end to the campsites and allowing quick access to the sea -- simply float down avoiding a few rocks on the way! There's good fishing from the cliffs on either side of the bay and it's also excellent grounds for kayak or small boat fishing.

Windy day in Tapotupotu - river and bush behind campsite.

There's a gentle swell most days; safe for children, excellent for body boarding but no good for the local surfers who hang out further down the coast.

Why is this so great a spot? Even over Christmas and New Years -- the time beachside campgrounds in New Zealand probably see the most action -- it's relatively quiet. Being far away from the nearest McDonalds has its advantages, as people need to bring most supplies with them. It's seldom rowdy here and you have all the time in the world to lay on the beach, snorkel in the clear water, fish along the shore and generally do what comes naturally near the bush: swat mosquitos.

~ Craig

Northland video, including Cape Reinga and camping at Tapotupotu:

By the numbers...

2009-09-07T15:08:00.000+12:00

With 21 hours to go, here's where things stand:

Nicquel 327
Lindy 291
Craig and Linda 263 <-- that's us!
Matty 223
Cat 220
Christina 196
Anthony 193
Lauren 167
Maria 87
Dominika 76

The judges are chosing the winner from the top three by the numbers. NUMBERS ARE THE SOLE DETERMINING FACTOR OF THIS ROUND.

Please click "follow" in the sidebar and help us catch up with Nicquel. There's less than a day left, so we need your support more than ever.

South Island, NZ photo tour

2009-09-07T13:44:00.001+12:00

This post is in support of sending us on a three-month paid blogging trip. With less than 24 hours to go, we need you to hit "follow" to help us stay in the top three. The judges will be making their final decision from the top three blogs, based purely on numbers. Hit "follow" and help us win!
South Island, NZ photo tour
Picton

Entry to Picton on the Wellington-Picton Interisland ferry.

Queen Charlotte Sound

Fox glacier

Lake Tekapo

Kawerau

Moeraki Boulders

Mirror Lakes, Milford

Catlins

Slope Point / Southern-most part of the mainland

All these photos come from our photostream and are available under a creative commons by-nc-nd licence. Some of them are really old, and other ones are really bad! Help us improve by clicking "follow" in the sidebar to get us an interview for a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand!

What are you waiting for? Our next goal is 165 followers. We need your help. Click "follow" in the sidebar.

What's this all about?

2009-09-07T10:31:00.000+12:00

Linda and I are competing in a competition to win a three-month paid blogging trip around New Zealand with Entirely Kiwi, a Christchurch-based travel company. If we win, we'll spend our time travelling New Zealand taking screeds of photos and video footage plus writing articles on the various places and activities we encounter.

We made a video application to get this job, trying to show we're competent with the medium and to display some of the personal and professional skills needed to pull off a new media campaign:

With just one day remaining in the competition, you might ask why you'd vote for us by hitting "follow" in the sidebar.

1. We have passion and fun

Travel is what we live for.

Since 2006 we've been enjoying ourselves in about 40 countries; leaving NZ and hitting Europe big time, with a little bit of time in Asia too. After Entirely World Famous we plan to head to South America then back to Europe, and on to Africa then Asia. We love and live travelling: new places, new foods, new people are so important to us.

That said, we're far from jaded! We really enjoy ourselves while we travel; getting out and doing as much as we can, while also taking some time to relax and enjoy the places we're in. An afternoon people watching in a cafe can be just as much fun as waking up camping by a lake or jumping 134 meters off the Nevis! You can help us live the dream by clicking follow and then spreading the word.

2. We have skills and experience

While we've been travelling, we've built up the Indie Travel Podcast; a Lonely Planet award-winning travel podcast and blog. We currently publish five posts a week, which includes audio and video, photos, and articles for independent travellers. We have just launched a print+digital travel magazine. We do social media consulting for travel companies and Craig is also a partner in Top Travel Content and Seriously Board. We have been blogging since 2004 and know our stuff.

We also know what it's like to blog "on the road". With dodgy internet connections and the pull to hit the beach, it takes commitment and time to put together engaging articles, sort photos and edit videos. If we win, we'll commit to doing the hard yards (and not complaining about it!) to ensure you get the goods. Craig studied Film, TV and Media Studies while Linda studied English and she also has a qualification in editing, so you'll get great content from us. We'll upload our video to Youtube for you to embed and licence our photos under a license that allows you to use it in non-commercial blogs and projects.

As employees, we'll bring our years of experience into play and help to build a comprehensive strategy for quality traffic generation which will add immense value to Entirely Kiwi and their partners.

3. We have local knowledge and are constantly curious

We grew up in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and have taken quick trips (three to four weeks) road-tripping around New Zealand. We know something of New Zealand's unique culture(s) but have also spent enough time overseas to see it with fresh eyes.

With our local knowledge, we can help you to see beyond the guidebooks; introducing you to places and characters you wouldn't normally find. Getting "off the tourist track" is a useless cliché though: we will ensure you see and learn about all the things that make New Zealand famous.

We want to move beyond travellogue though. It would be great to research the places we're moving through and document our findings for future travellers and those hopelessly curious souls like ourselves.

We need your help

This round of the competition is solely built around numbers: we need more than seven of nine competitors. The judges will be making a final decision from the top three blogs by the numbers. Right from the start of the competition, we've stayed in the top three. As we enter the last 24 hours of the competition, we need your help more than ever. This is going to get tight. We would love you to do two things:

1. Hit "follow" in the sidebar and make sure you're publicly following.

2. Post a note on Twitter or Facebook (or anywhere else you are online) to show your support.

Here's an example status message/tweet you can post:

Help @craig_martin and @LindaJMartin win a 3-month NZ blog trip: http://su.pr/2nrtQU <-- just click Follow.

Thanks to everyone who's supported us so far and thanks to everyone who's gone beyond the call of duty. People have told us they called their mum or grandpa, emailed their friends or Facebook contacts and many, many people have tweeted in support or changed their Facebook status to show their support. Thank you! We'll do our best to make your support worth it.

Video o'clock! Moeraki boulders

2009-09-06T22:42:00.000+12:00

We've got just over 200 votes and the current leader has 250. It would be great to wake up after our night's sleep and be kicking butt! Remember, for us to stay in the top three and win a trip around New Zealand it's purely a numbers game. Thanks to everyone who has followed, tweeted, Facebook'd and shared the love. We're still in with a really good chance of winning. Let's keep it up!

Playing on the beach with the Moeraki boulders is always fun. Hoping around and dreaming of where those giant rock marbles came from...

We're dreaming of a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand this summer and we're close ... so close. We've been chosen as one of ten finalists in the Entirely World Famous competition.

To help us win, follow this blog by clicking the "follow" button in the sidebar.

Co-opetition

2009-09-06T15:47:00.000+12:00

We're amongst 10 finalists competing for a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand. You can help us be in the top three (and win!) by following this blog using the "follow" button in the sidebar.

Yesterday afternoon we were lucky enough to sink a couple of beers with Matty Lynch at Mission Bay.

Matty has previously written on solo overnight trekking for us at Indie Travel Podcast, so it was good to finally meet him. Ironically, Matty is also a finalist in this competition!

We headed down to the beach to record this quick video; unfortunately the sound quality sucks and I haven't got the time to sync it up with the external mic. In any case you can vote for all of us, so vote for us by clicking follow in the sidebar, then head over to Matty's site and consider doing the same for him.

By the numbers...

2009-09-06T13:48:00.000+12:00

We're competing with ten other finalists to win a three-month paid blogging trip around New Zealand thanks to Entirely Kiwi. Three final finalists will be chosen depending completely on the "follow" numbers of this blog.

Please click "follow" in the sidebar.

This round of the competition ends at 12pm Tuesday 8 September, NZ time. With just under 48 hours remaining, here's where things stand...

Lindy 239
Nicquel 237
Craig and Linda 196 <-- That's us!
Matty 170
Anthony 170
Christina 162
Cat 152
Lauren 150
Dominica 76
Maria 63

As you can see, we're just holding third place -- and a chance at winning. We are falling behind the two leaders and there are no less than five contestants within striking distance! We really need your help in recruiting followers via Facebook and Twitter.

There's two days left to hold our position and make an attempt at becoming a clear first place. I hope you're with us!

5 adventure sports to try in New Zealand

2009-09-06T13:24:00.000+12:00

Help us to 201 "follows" -- our next target -- and help us win a blogging trip around New Zealand. Click "follow" in the sidebar.

I'm assuming you know New Zealand's reputation for adventure sports like whitewater rafting, bungy jumping and jet boating. Here's five adventure sports you might not have heard of, but can try in New Zealand.

1. Zorbing
Imagine getting in a giant bit of bubblewrap and rolling down a hill. With slightly more complex equipment, this pretty much describes zorbing to a T! One can choose from multiple options including a wet ride or tandem zorbs.

2. Black-water rafting
Apart from the water and the paddle, black water rafting has very little to do with it's white-water cousin. In wetsuits and inner-tubes, one paddles through sedate underground rivers admiring rock formations and glow worms abounding on the ceiling.

3. Fly by wire
This crazy ride allows you to strap yourself into a jet-propelled flying machine and swoop around the skies tethered by a rather thin looking wire. You have to see it to believe it.

4. Schweeb
Tested in Aussie, erected in New Zealand the Schweeb is a proof-of-concept for a novel form of public transport. Hanging from steel beams this aerodynamic cross between a bike and a bullet can move at high speed. As Schweebs coonnect together they move faster and with less resistance making them extremely efficient. At present you'll have to be content with racing your mates around the track rather than catching one to work.

5. Blo karting
As seen on a recent series of The Amazing Race, blo-carting is a cross between go karting and sailing. Keeping a weather eye out for fellow racers, you can make your way around a track or head offroad and scream along the beach.

We'd like to give these all a try, so please help us win a blogging trip around New Zealand. Hit follow in the sidebar, as only the most followed three out of the ten finalists go to the next step.

Please hit "follow" in the sidebar!

Mission Bay - in photos

2009-09-05T10:26:00.000+12:00

We've made it to 166 follows in our attempt to win a three month blogging trip. We're in the top three most-followed finalists and need to stay there until Tuesday afternoon, NZ time. Please help by hitting "follow" in the sidebar.

Mission Bay is one of Auckland's premier city beaches and cafe strips. Just a ten minute bus ride from the CBD, it's easy to access and safe for swimming. I took a walk along the beach earlier today to snap these photos for you.

All these photos come from our photostream and are available under a creative commons by-nc-nd licence. You can help us win a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand (where we'll take more photos to share with you) by clicking "follow" in the sidebar.

Video o'clock! Feel the fear - Nevis Bungy

2009-09-04T17:42:00.002+12:00

We just hit 150 followers, so here's our next offering. We're competing to win a blogging trip around New Zealand, so please hit "follow" in the sidebar and help us go from the 10 finalists to the top three interviewees.

New Zealand is well known for its adventure sports. For some reason jumping off of, out of, or in to something comes up all too often. We're ready to face evil heights and dangerous stunts head on ... just for your viewing pleasure of course.

And we're not afraid to say when we're scared, like in this video of us jumping the Nevis -- New Zealand's highest bungy jump.

Help us to jump off more things! Click follow on the right hand side of this blog to help us get an interview for a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand, thanks to Entirely Kiwi.

Just DO IT! Click FOLLOW and help us win.

By the numbers...

2009-09-04T14:43:00.001+12:00

This competition is all about the numbers, so while we're only half way through, let's take a look:
Lindy 173
Niquel 141
Craig and Linda 139
Christina 130
Anthony 117
Cat 102
Matty 101
Dominika 72
Lauren 56
Maria 44

The top three -- by the numbers -- get an interview for the New Zealand blogging trip. As you can see, we're holding on but only just. There are just over three days to go and lots of votes between then and now.

I know many site visitors will have voted already, but if you're dropping by to see what this is all about, please help us get this interview. The final job is a three month, paid blogging trip around New Zealand.

Why should we win?
Because we love travel and new media communication. Because we can entertain, educate and tell damn good stories. Because we have experience in new media publishing and also know New Zealand well enough to dig below the surface and really highlight some interesting characters and places.

We've proven our ability to create high-quality independent travel content while we travel by building the Lonely Planet award-winning Indie Travel Podcast over the last three years (and over 35 countries). We also publish the Indie Travel Podcast Magazine, a quarterly print+digital publication.

Help us get an interview
So all we ask right now is that you hit the "follow" button on the sidebar. If you can, post a link to this site from Facebook or Twitter and ask your friends to help out too. It'll help us get an interview and help us share more great travel stories, pictures and video with you.

Travel well,
Craig and Linda

10 bits of kiwi slang

2009-09-04T14:04:00.000+12:00

We're competing to win a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand. Help us by clicking "follow" in the sidebar.

10 bits of kiwi slang
Sweet as
Similar to the Australian "no worries", sweet as means you agree or something's all right.

I'm just dropping by to pick up a pavlova.
Sweet as.

Jandal
Jandal is the kiwi word for flip-flop or, as the Aussies would have it, a thong. Apparently it's a mongrel version of Japanese Sandal.

Take your jandals off before you come inside!

Togs
Sticking with clothing, togs are swimming clothes. Whether that's a bikini or a pair of shorts, don't forget your togs when you head to the beach!

Go bush
To go bush is to disappear for a while, normally into the forest...or bush. Whether you're heading out for a tramp or keeping away from your ex, going bush is a chance to find some solitude.

I'm feeling stressed. Going to go bush for a couple of days.

Hard case
A hard case story is something unusual and funny. A hard case person is someone displaying similar characteristics.

...and we never did see that sheep again.
Hard case, mate!

Uncle Bob's a bit of a hard case.

Pissed
Is what you are after a few too many beers or a bit too much of that Marlborough sauv blanc.

I'm as pissed as a newt!

Spew
Is the messy stage of being pissed. Try and clean up after yourself.

Stop the car. He's gonna spew!

Kapai
Our last three words are Maori words which have passed into common usage amongst English speakers.
Kapai means "good" and it's often used as a sign of praise or encouragement.
I'm going to run a marathon this weekend.
Kapai!

Pakeha
Pakeha is a term used for non-Maori, especially Kiwis of European descent. Sometimes derogatory, its use can be a bit contentious at times as setting and tone can change it from label to insult. That said, it's commonly used in a friendly or descriptive way.
The offender was described as a pakeha in his mid-thirties...

Whanau
Whanau means family. It's used to talk about extended family more than close family, so dinner with the whanau is normally a bigger-than-normal event.

What are you doing this weekend?
Spending some time with the whanau.

So now you know some Kiwi slang, you'll be able to follow along...if we win this blogging trip.

Please hit "follow" in the sidebar.
After a strong start, we're losing momentum and need to keep these numbers going. The competition closes at 12pm Tuesday NZ time...so keep those "follows" coming.

Next target: 135 followers

2009-09-03T14:43:00.001+12:00

We've done it! It just under 48 hours we've made it to our first goal: 110 followers. To everyone who's followed, tweeted and otherwise promoted this amongst their friends and family, thank you.

Our next goal is 135 followers. When we get there, we'll post our next blog post on Kiwi slang...and there's some strange stuff in there, you can be sure!

What's the preoccupation with numbers, you ask? Linda and Craig are trying to win a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand. We're in the final ten, but to get an interview we need more numbers than most of our fellow finalists. At the moment, we're holding a narrow lead so can really use your help. The whole thing is over next Monday...so it's a seven day numbers race.

Let me re-iterate: Numbers are the sole determining factor in this competition. Please click FOLLOW in the sidebar.

10 beautiful North Island destinations...

2009-09-03T14:37:00.000+12:00

There are a lot of beautiful places that we've missed. Some because we don't have any photos from there. Help us win a three-month trip around New Zealand to shoot photos, write and take video by clicking "follow" in the sidebar. We'll share the results with you if we win.

Starting from the top...

A. Cape Reinga

B. Auckland

C. Cathedral Cove

D: Waitomo Caves

E: Rotorua

F: Taupo

G: Mt Ruapehu

H: Tatapouri Bay (Gisbourne)

I: Cape Kidnappers (Napier)

J: Wellington

All these photos come from our photostream and are available under a creative commons by-nc-nd licence. Some of them are really old, and other ones are really bad! Help us improve by clicking "follow" in the sidebar to get us an interview for a three-month blogging trip around New Zealand!

What are you waiting for? Our next goal is 135 followers and you won't get another post until then!

Click follow in the sidebar.

Let's make a deal...

2009-09-03T10:57:00.000+12:00

So, we're trying to win a three-month, expenses paid blogging trip around New Zealand. To get an interview, we need to have more followers that the nine other finalists. To be precise, we need to be in the top three.

Many of you know us from Indie Travel Podcast, twitter (Craig, Linda) or maybe even in real life. Some of you we've never met or talked to before.

But let's make a deal...

We're about to hit our first target: 110 followers. To have done so so quickly is an awesome feat, and we thank you all! When we hit 110 followers, we'll post a blog post here, highlighting some of our favourite photos from around New Zealand. We'll do the same thing with other arbitrary goals ... each time we hit one, we'll post a story, an article, a photo essay...something to make you laugh, catch your interest or just burn time at the office.

What are you waiting for? We're four "follows" away from blog post one...Let's do it!

HIT FOLLOW ON THE SIDEBAR. NOW. PLEASE.

Video o'clock! Christchurch

2009-09-02T18:32:00.001+12:00

Thanks for all your amazing support! I can't believe we've so many followers in just over 24 hours! You all rock and have earned yourself this video break. Go on...it's only a few minutes.

While this probably won't be the style of video we go for during the Entirely World Famous tour, we think we've got the on-camera, shooting and editing skills to do a great job of showcasing New Zealand, Entirely Kiwi and their partners.

If you think so, help us out. We've been nominated in the top ten contestants, but we have to have more blog "followers" than any other contestant to hit the interview stage. In fact, we've got to be in the top three, but why not aim high! Help win us a three month blogging trip around New Zealand by
Clicking the "follow" button on the right sidebar.

Video magic

2009-09-01T19:30:00.003+12:00

The first and open round of the Entirely World Famous competition was a video application. We squeaked in with a last day entry, showcasing some of our lifestyle and trying to convince the judges we were competent in front of a camera and also in the editing suite.

Over the last three years, we've been working on the Lonely Planet award-winning Indie Travel Podcast and have produced piles of short videos for our "travel talks" series. Luckily, we've been getting better over time! You can find more of our best travel videos on Youtube or subscribe in iTunes.

What we really need you to do though, is click follow on the side of the blog. The sole determining factor for entry into the top three finalists is number of blog followers: that's it! The prize, for us, is a three month blogging trip around New Zealand, so you're sure to enjoy our pictures, videos and stories over the coming months.

Click follow on the sidebar of this blog.
Click follow to help us win

Follow Craig and Linda around New Zealand

2009-09-01T15:48:00.003+12:00

This blog exists to showcase our skills as bloggers, new media producers and generally cool people.

We're applying for "Entirely World Famous" a competition being run by Entirely Kiwi. Over the next week -- finishing at 12pm, Tuesday 8 September -- this blog needs to gain as many followers as possible. There are ten remaining contenders for the prize: a three-month paid blogging trip around New Zealand. We think you'd enjoy following us around and hope you decide to throw your weight in behind us.

Follow this blog
To move into the next round of interviews, we need to have more followers than anyone else. So the first thing to do is follow this blog using the widget near the top right of the sidebar.

Click the follow button.
Log in using a Google account, Yahoo! account, openID or another service.
Double-check that you're following.

Numbers are the sole determining factor in reaching the interview stage.

Following the video application stage where we outperformed dozens of people from all around the world, we're left with nine other contestants. From this ten, three finalists will go to the last interview stage. At this point, the only thing that matters is sheer number of followers.

Ask your friends
Your social capital is important, so don't spam your friends. If, however, this is something they'd be into don't hesitate to jump on email, Twitter, Facebook or your favourite social services to recommend, nay! demand, they follow us.

Thanks in advance

We look forward to showcasing New Zealand for you. It's an awesome place. With your help, we'll make it happen. So thanks.

And yes, you DO look good in that.