{"id":16963,"date":"2013-12-09T09:37:00","date_gmt":"2013-12-09T09:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/new-zealand-final-stop-for-biggest-baddest-bucket-list-competition-winners\/"},"modified":"2013-12-09T09:37:00","modified_gmt":"2013-12-09T09:37:00","slug":"new-zealand-final-stop-for-biggest-baddest-bucket-list-competition-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/2013\/12\/new-zealand-final-stop-for-biggest-baddest-bucket-list-competition-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand final stop for Biggest, Baddest, Bucket List competition winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MarkoThe US winners of a global travel competition arrive in New Zealand next\u00a0<\/span>Friday December 13<\/b>\u00a0and are \u201cthrilled to finish their six month journey\u201d experiencing some of the country\u2019s best attractions.<\/span><\/span>

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Alex and Marko Ayling from San Diego won MyDestination.com\u2019s \u2018Biggest, Baddest, Bucket List\u2019 competition earlier this year and are at the end of a life-changing, all-expenses-paid, six-month round the world trip based on their own bucket list.<\/span><\/div>\n

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The brothers hand-picked their entire trip\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/i>including 25 \u2018bucket list\u2019 destinations\u00a0–\u00a0<\/i>and chose New Zealand as the closing chapter of their incredible journey so they could reunite with their New Zealand roots and find out more about their heritage.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\"Alex\n<\/div>\n
Starting in Queenstown on\u00a0December 13\u00a0the brothers\u2019 twelve-day Kiwi adventure will include taking on bungy jumping, jet boating, a cruise aboard the Spirit of Queenstown to Mt Nicholas Station and a scenic helicopter flight over the Remarkables.<\/span><\/div>\n

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They\u2019ll also enjoy a harbour cruise in Wellington, a behind the scenes tour of Weta workshop, a visit to Hobbiton, Skyjump off Auckland Skytower, racing an America\u2019s Cup yacht and experience a traditional Maori village in Rotorua.<\/span><\/div>\n

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The brothers are acting as ambassadors and reporters for the My Destination brand, earning $50,000(US) for their considerable efforts on completion of their journey, which ends on Christmas Eve in Rotorua.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\"Thehe brothers will showcase New Zealand to the world as a \u2018must-visit\u2019 tourism destination via blogs, videos, articles, social media posts and media interviews.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

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Speaking from Australia, Marko Ayling explained how the \u201ctrip-of-a-lifetime\u201d had been a huge exercise in overcoming a great personal phobia.<\/span><\/div>\n

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“I’ve had a fear of heights my whole life. Throughout our six-month trip my fear has been tested on a few occasions such as bungy jumping at Victoria Falls. I was petrified!\u201d he said.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cHowever the Nevis Bungy in Queenstown will be the ultimate test to conquer that fear. I\u2019m so excited but very apprehensive about doing it. They say you should always leave the best to last!”<\/span><\/div>\n

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Alex and Marko said the chance to come to New Zealand and \u201cfind their roots\u201d was an amazing opportunity and the \u201cperfect end\u201d to their tour of the world.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Their father, Robert Ayling, was born in Napier, grew up in Taradale and studied law at Victoria University before leaving to travel the world at the age of 27.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cWe have such a strong connection to New Zealand and there was no doubt it would make our Biggest, Baddest, Bucket List,\u201d said Alex.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\"The\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t believe we\u2019re nearing the end of this incredible journey already. The fact we\u2019re ending our trip in our father\u2019s home country makes it even more special.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cWe won the My Destination competition in London and just like our ancestors did, our journey from London will be complete when we reach New Zealand\u201d.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Alex Ayling said one of his highlights was going to be \u201clearning more about Maori culture and hanging out with locals\u201d.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cIn our eyes that\u2019s the real way to see anywhere, talk to the locals. Kiwis are known for their friendly nature and I\u2019m just looking forward to meeting people and finding out more about each of the towns and cities we\u2019ll visit.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

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The brothers have earned themselves a great online following and with the trip now coming to an end — North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia are already \u2018ticked off\u2019 — they\u2019re looking forward to \u201ccoming home\u201d to New Zealand.<\/span><\/div>\n

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My Destination New Zealand Managing Director Mike Watt said he was \u201cincredibly excited\u201d to be hosting the winners in New Zealand.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cNew Zealand truly is one of the most spectacular and unique destinations on the planet. The boys have been incredibly lucky undertaking some amazing experiences on their trip and seeing some fantastic scenery and sights,\u201d said Mr Watt.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cI know they\u2019ll be blown away by New Zealand though and I\u2019m confident we\u2019ll provide them with a unique and very Kiwi experience they\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cWe have sites dedicated to\u00a0Auckland<\/a>,\u00a0Rotorua<\/a>,\u00a0Wellington<\/a>,\u00a0Christchurch<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Queenstown<\/a>, and in conjunction with Marko and Alex we\u2019ve created an itinerary that\u2019s a fitting finale to their epic adventure.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
The Vagabrothers, as they\u2019re known, will release two New Zealand specific videos in January 2014, featuring Queenstown, Wellington, Auckland and Rotorua.<\/span><\/div>\n

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The global travel competition launched by My Destination in January 2013, invited contestants to submit a three minute video and showcase the unique aspects of their favourite destination.<\/span><\/div>\n

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The \u201cskills, enthusiasm and passion for travel\u201d that Marko and Alex demonstrated saw them beat off competition from 640 destinations and more than 110 different countries.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Alex and Marko\u2019s journey can be followed on\u00a0www.mydestination.com\/bbb<\/a>\u00a0, the YouTube channel atwww.youtube.com\/watchbbbtv<\/a>\u00a0and by chatting to the #MyBBB community on Twitter.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

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Key Trip Dates:<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
For information on specific activities planned and to pre-arrange an interview in any of the planned destinations please contact Naomi at Southern PR. Limited media interview slots still available.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n