I must admit that blogging and running an online business started off as a hobby and became a lifestyle. Like any successful business, they grow, which of course means more work. I thought it was about time I got an intern.

I do need to manage your expectations. The work you will be doing isn’t glamorous, may even lean towards tedious at times but it’s fundamental to what I do.

What will you be doing for me?

• Search Engine Optimization
• Social Media
• Article writing
• Networking
• Research for my new book
• Advertising
• Reviewing tours and activities in Australia and New Zealand

What I am looking for?

• The ability to commit to approximately 15 hours a week.
• Available for a 6 week period starting August/September.
• You have plans to travel to Australia and New Zealand end of 2010 or 2011.
• A keen interest in writing, travel and social media.
• The ability to work efficiently and self-motivate.
• Professionalism. You will be representing Gap Year Escape and that means me.
• Good written English.

What do you get in return?

• My knowledge on social media and online marketing.
• Ongoing mentoring through the life of your blog.
• A reference should you apply for an online media or marketing role.
• I have also arranged for you to attend on my behalf (worth over $1200):
• 5 Day Sydney to Byron Bay Surf Tour, Australia
• Great Ocean Road, Australia
• Mornington Peninsula, Australia 
• White Water Rafting, New Zealand
• Franz Josef Glacier Hike, New Zealand 
• Additional tours and activities may be arranged nearer the time.

To summarise, in exchange for doing some less than glamorous work online from the comfort of a computer anywhere in the world you get; knowledge, experience and awesome trips. Sound reasonable to you? So if you’re planning on travelling to Australia and New Zealand in the near future and are interested send an e-mail to amar.hussain [at} rocketmail [dot] com. I’m a businessman so I appreciate a CV but this is online media. Be creative if you want to get my attention and a writing sample would help. Also, don’t try and astound me with eloquent prose. I’m not that kind of writer.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Amar

P.S If you think this may be of interest to someone else please pass it on or Digg, Stumble or Tweet. Thank you.

Treble Cone is 35 minutes from Wanaka and 90 minutes drive from Queenstown. Standing at 2088m it offers a great mixture of slopes and some rather challenging black runs.

As I step off the Kiwi Discovery Ski Link bus it really dawns on me; it’s winter and I’m on a mountain! I love hot weather but I’d trade it in for this kind of scenery. The view alone from the top of Treble Cone is worth a visit in itself.

I’m booked on to a 3 Day First Timer Burton Learn to Ride Package. At $400 for 3 days; which includes 4 x 2 hour lessons, full day lift passes and quality Burton gear, it’s one of the cheaper ways to learn to snowboard in New Zealand. Treble Cone is also a Burton Learn to Ride (LTR) Centre. Coupled with the Burton clothes rentals I got from SnowRental in Queenstown I am ready to roll.

Personally, I think the three day package is spot on. Day 1 has a lesson on the beginners slope in the morning and the afternoon is free time. I did a bit of snowboarding in the afternoon but to be honest I was working muscles I didn’t know I had so I didn’t do much. The package does include a scenic pass up the ski lift and a free drink so I just enjoyed the view. Day 2 is a morning and afternoon lesson and day 3 is just a morning session. I think this set up is perfect for beginners as I found I was shattered on the first day and on the last day I just needed to go on my own way and practice in the afternoon.

Learning to snowboard initially can be quite frustrating. The thing I found most difficult was standing up! Not the best way to start but trust me it gets much easier. I was surprised by how quickly I improved, even on the first day. I think this comes down to the instructors. Treble Cone has an exceptionally high standard when it comes to the instructors and they don’t make it easy to get a job teaching there. You can be rest assured you’re being taught by some of the best.

I really do think that it would be a shame for anyone to come to New Zealand during winter and not try snowboarding. From my experience, if you’re a complete beginner I would strongly recommend at least two days of lessons, three if you can afford it. Two days of lessons had me comfortably doing green runs but by day three I was trying blue.

Why pick Treble Cone over another mountain? It’s an interesting question. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are popular due to their distance to Queenstown but does that necessarily mean they are better? Not at all. Treble Cone is a great place to learn. If you are already a snowboarder and come to Queenstown on holiday I would urge you to make a trip to Treble Cone. I honestly believe you’ll be converted.

What’s wrong with snowboarding at Treble Cone? I guess the main concern is the distance, perfect from Wanaka but not so close from Queenstown. Still even though the driving times are longer I think it’s worth it.

All in all a great experience. Loved the instructors at Treble Cone. They were such a friendly team and they taught me well. Will I continue with Snowboarding? Hell yeah I will! I really did get the bug for it and I am considering doing a season somewhere else.

I now count myself a snowboarder; 50% more attractive and 75% more cocky…

This post was sponsored by Treble Cone, Kiwi Discovery and SnowRental.

Let’s give you a bit of background. Franz Josef is a 12km Glacier located in Westland National Park on the west coast of New Zealand’s south island. Franz Josef terminates 19km from the Tasman Sea and 300m above sea level. It is one of the few glaciers in New Zealand still growing. Franz Josef is a major tourist attraction on the West Coast. A quarter of a million visitors a year can’t be wrong!

Franz Josef Glacier Guides offer five options:

• Glacier Valley Walk
• Half Day Glacier Experience
• Full Day Glacier Adventure
• Ice Climbing
• Heli-Hike

The company really do well to offer various packages to suit different levels of ability and cost. I went along on the Full Day Glacier Adventure.

There was a large group doing the full day and we were split into five groups. One being for those who were the fittest. You should know by know that I always like to do things the hard way. However, due to a pre-existing injury I was advised against going into group one. This actually worked to my advantage. I ended up in group three which meant that the pace was rather comfortable and I had plenty of time to stop and take far too many photos! If you are concerned about your ability or not sure which option would be suitable just pop into their office. They were really helpful in discussing it all with me.

The initial walk is through the valley which is rather easy and the excitement builds as you draw closer to the looming glacier. There is a slightly steep climb right before the Glacier but it really didn’t cause anyone any trouble and you go at an easy pace. Just before the ice, you stick on your crampons (spikes that go on over your boots) and then you are away!

It’s strange to be in such an environment. One minute you are walking on rocks and the next you feel like you are in Antarctica. It’s not as difficult as you might think. Wearing the crampons makes it relatively easy to get around on the ice. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some incredible photos which are all the more impressive with the stunning ice backdrops.

Our guide was pretty good at reading the group. We never rushed but we didn’t hang around either. He was also particularly knowledgeable. I wasn’t deliberately being a pain, I just had a lot of questions like an inquisitive five year old. He was able to answer everything I threw at him.

Is this tour for you? If you can walk then yes it is. I loved it and I also love the photos I have from the trip. I would highly recommend the Full Day Hike. Our guide pointed out where the Half Day Hike went to. Although you get to reach the ice you definitely get better value for money doing the Full Day. So unless you are strapped for time, the Full Day hike is a must.

This trip was sponsored by Franz Josef Glacier Guides.

Sorry, I clearly get defensive about Fergburger and my habit. I’ve been here just shy of a month and had one nearly every day. I did cheat on Fergburger the other day to have a pizza instead. I felt more and more guilty with every slice. So what is Fergburger I hear you ask? Gather round children and let me tell you a tale.

Fergburger is one of those fairytale ‘rags to riches’ type affairs from a back alley burger joint to main street success. Global giants such as Burger King were unable to compete with the might that is Fergburger. As an individual with a business background I can’t help but be impressed and totally suckered by Fergburger, their success, brand and how they operate.

Fergburger is open 21 hours a day, has an incredibly efficient kitchen and lovely ‘fluffers’ to keep you entertained while you wait. Each time you order a burger you know it will be just as good as the last. All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. The only way it could be fresher is if they kept Bambi in the back. They also cater for different dietary requirements and have a wide variety burger options. My personal favourite is the Codfather (It really does make an offer you can’t refuse), but frequent the Bun Laden from time to time.  I would like to set a challenge. Can anyone eat the ‘Big Al’ and chips? Seriously if you manage this please leave a comment because you deserve a medal or a cookie or something.

Fergburger’s burgers are great but this isn’t just about the food. Fergburger is an experience, a rite of passage. Remember when you were six years old and you went to McDonalds for a Happy Meal? It was the most exciting thing ever right?! Fergburger is like that for adults! Whether you wake up in the morning and crave a breakfast burger or stumble out of World Bar with the munchies, Fergburger is always a good idea.

When you travel to New Zealand one of the things that always gets mentioned is Fergburger. I heard about it months before I got here and it really does live up to the hype.

As for my addiction I am willing to go with it until I leave Queenstown. Then we might have a problem. I’ll be kicking and screaming not to get on the bus. I mean look at the picture, I am far too happy. I think an intervention and a twelve-step programme are in order…

Written by Amar Hussain: Writer. Traveller. Fergburger Addict.

It’s been a few weeks since my accident. Whether it’s down to my positive thinking or due to the fact I am awesome (probably the latter) I have made a rather speedy recovery, much to physiotherapists surprise and dismay I am sure. (He charges $150 an hour).

I can’t say that I am 100%. Most of the time I am fine but on occasion I will have a bit of pain but that’s to be expected. Medically speaking I have been given the all clear and am now free to continue on my merry way. Getting that bit of news actually confused me. I wasn’t expected to get better for another month or so and all of a sudden I am now free to leave Sydney. I’ve been using Sydney as my base to travel around Australia and it feels like home. It will be sad to leave. Onwards and upwards though!

So what’s the plan?

I will be reviewing a Shark Cage Diving trip in South Australia (Port Lincoln) so I am heading there next week. From there I will head across to Melbourne to catch a flight to New Zealand.

I thought I would post my itinerary here in case anyone was going to be around.

June & July – New Zealand (travelling from Christchurch to Auckland)

End of July – Fiji

Beginning of August – Vancouver

August – LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas

September – New York

If you are going to be travelling these parts at the same time or better yet if you live there and want to show me around, let me know!

Just a further note that I will be on the road and therefore my internet access will be limited at times. I am also starting to write my eBook which means my posting schedule may be less frequent. It will all be worth it in the end though.

I will be reachable though. I’m sure you can use one these of the many tools to keep in touch:

Follow me on Twitter

Facebook Page

Watch my YouTube videos

Subscribe to my RSS Feed

Send me an e-mail (even if it’s just to say hi)

This might just be exactly what you need…

Could you handle an amazing, adrenaline pumping, white knuckle, all expenses paid, 4 weeks in New Zealand? Global Production company Endemol are auditioning for five 18-26 year olds from the UK and Ireland to star in a new series of The Gap Year.