- SHOW INFO
- Home
- TV Schedule
- About the Show
- Meet Dhani
- Travel Guides
- In the News
- FEATURES
- Dhani's Blog
- Get in the Game
- Q&A With Dhani Jones
- How To Play
- PHOTOS
- Location Slideshows
- Photo Shoot
- VIDEO
- Visit New Zealand
- Bumps & Bruises
- Missing Scenes
- On TV Promos
- INTERACT
- Message Boards
- Mobile Fan Club
- MySpace
- YouTube
- RELATED
- Adventure & Sports
- No Reservations
- SHOP
- Travel Channel
I Am New Zealand
By Dhani Jones on May 11, 2009 10:08 AM | Permalink | 53 Comments
It wasn't like I knew what I wanted to do. I mean, who's born into the world, cries and subsequently says, "I want to be in the water all the time," or do they? You see, I believe that some things are just innate to your being and other things are impressed upon you. Take for instance, an over the top, I mean super expensive chain. You know bling, bling and all those diamond things. I truly believe that in some way the "industry" suggests that if you wear a chain, you've made it. Or even, Gucci loafers. What's wrong with Cole Hahn or even Cutter and Buck? Many things in life are made to be amazing because society builds its profile. On the other hand, like I said before, you come with your own profile and I'm not talking about Facebook. I'm talking about the resident DNA that occupies who you are.
Taking a 13 hour flight wouldn't be the most amazing thing for someone, but for this someone, it was the flight that brought him to the water he always knew he loved. Enter New Zealand, an absolute, fantastic country, fully equipped with all of the water you could need. New Zealand is a country that could truly give you your life back (big shout out to Travel New Zealand).
Yes. Water and yachting, I quickly found out, had called me and I never left. Joining Team New Zealand and its quest to dominate Oracle and Alinghi in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Cup Series proved to be an experience which I never wished to end. I mean, I had some fun doing the show but there is always a place that moves you. New Zealand impacted me because the society was impartial. They wanted to know everyone, no matter who you were. The Kiwi enjoy the outdoors. Everyone drives a Subaru and spends more time on their mountain bike then in their office. Most importantly, they believe in the power of water.
What is this water they speak of? What is this water that supposedly moves people? I tell you what it is, it's the 60 percent that makes up your body. It's the changing tide and the rouge waves. Water is what is innate to you and it's really innate to me. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I went to the hotel, which was next to the ocean. We spent everyday sailing against some of the most elite in the world. I was presented with an opportunity to compete with the best of the best and I never looked back. I look forward to visiting again.
53 Comments
Dhani Social
Become a fan of Dhani on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
- Sowande Osakwe: Love your show bro, because of your healthy lifestyle, I was incouraged to quit smoking after...
- Mindy: I'm just trying to find out when you are coming back? I really miss your program. I love to...
- orla: you should defentitly try out gymnastics haa i was there supporting you in ireland you came to...
- Cindy: My daughter and I love your show! We've been waiting for the start of your next season- we hope...
- Chocobella: SEASON 2!! SEASON 2!! SEASON 2!! I sincerely hope there is a season 2! Your show is one of...
I love your show. You have a way of making people want to be your friend. I beautiful soul. Now I think I might just take a trip to NZ.
Have been a huge fan since your Giant days. Love the show. Wish I could see more of the world myself. Maybe in the near future. New Zealand sounds awesome. I love the water myself, it is just so relaxing and calming.
can't wait for tonights episode! going to kinda suck when they run out of places for you to profile LOL!
I'm going to work on hearing what my DNA is saying and be more of the person that I really am.
Dhani, LOVE the show.
As a former college hockey player, I gotta say, watching this show absolutely fuels my inner-athlete desire to try a new sport and kick its @ss.
You NFL players are an impressive bunch of athletes. Serious props for taking on these challenges, and as far as I've seen, meeting and exceeding in everyone.
Chris Lee, NYC
P.S. How's about a little ice-hockey? Sweden perhaps?
Dhani - another fan here. My family is loving the show because of the sports aspect but mostly because of you. You shine through - I agree with Ani in post #1, you make us want to know you.
yogahz - Seattle
Hey Dhani,
This is the show that i have literally been waiting for ever since you did the commercial for it on the travel channel.You made me want to go to one of the places you've been when i saw it. OMG! i can not wait to see this one.I will tell you more of how i really liked it tonight after it aires. New Zealand!!!! WHAT!! =)CK
Wow! It is amazing how inspired I feel after reading each of your blogs. I think you are an incredible writer and an amazing human being. Thank you for your show, thank you for posting and thank you for inspiring the dreamers of the world (me) to get out there and carpe diem!
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SHOW TONIGHT.. THIS SHOW IS MORE THAN ENTERTAINMENT. ITS EDUCATION, FROM ONE OF THE LIVEST TEACHERS I'VE EVER HAD. IM READY TO TACKLE THE GLOBE!! BLACK FOLKS DO TRAVEL :)
-FOLLOW ME AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/ALLSTYLE7
I've always wanted to go to New Zealand, and I love the water, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this ep.
Love the show and enjoy seeing what challenge you come up with next!
I'll echo the ice hockey suggestion...or maybe curling? Oh yeah, I definitely think you should try curling!
The earth is about 70% of water
The human body is about 60% of water
If and only if both were a reflection of each other
Maybe, we’d live as big as the earth
We’d realize the beauty of our natural resources
Love would be everlasting as life itself
We wouldn't rush rivers and streams, we'd flow at a calming non-stopping peaceful pace
we'd reflect the warmth of the sun and the light of moon,just as the oceans do
If and only if...
Great show, but I think you should get off the Bengals and back on the G-men...you win a whole lot more in these sports you've never had training in as opposed to being on a perennial loser in cincy
Yea, it's Monday night, Dhani night! Ooohhh, New Zealand...I can't wait to "go" tonight! It's only 4:00 and I'm geeked! Exhale, distract yourself, look out the office window...ah that's better...it's Dhani night! ;0)
DHANI!!!!!! LOOOOOOOOVEE the show!!!!!! I get to "vacation" by wathcing your show on Mondays! LOL! You know we don't have exotic place like New Zeland or Ireland here in PG County. LOL! Anyway...keep traveling and keep enjoying this journey called life!!!
Love the show but I have to tell you. Please do not ever wear the Castro shirt again. Had to turn off tonights show. It looks as if your OK with what all of the wrong that dictator has done. Again love the show really hate the shirt.
Dhani - PLEASE stop wearing that communist dictator's t-shirt!!! Cubans are oppressed and don't have free expression. Love the show...hate the shirt.
Dhani! The travel and sport aspect of the show is initially drew me to your program. However, I'm realizing that I'm just as amazed to see your humility. It is so inspiring to see your willingness to learn new sports and not be frustrated or "too good" to try your best! I'm going to start practicing that humility... if not internationally, at least in my community :) Cheers to you and your crew!
Being one of the only teenagers to actually take time to watch the show and tell you how much I love it, let me just say Mr.Dhani Jones please don't stop what you are doing. The way you act around people, you are funny, respectful, articulate, and just a well rounded man. This episode, like the others in the past, has been a great eye opener to a teen like me. I want to travel the world, i want to try new things, i want to have new experiences. That is one thing my mother told me, I'm not afraid of the new. Also, I just have to add this in, Dhani you are a very good looking man, I keep telling my mom that when I turn eighteen I will be your intern on the show. (ha ha) I promise you, even after I graduate I will still be watching your show, I even tune in on Sundays to watch re-runs. Be Blessed Dhani, because you have truly been a blessing to my young soul.
Dhani,
Lose the Castro T-shirt, you have a good show, don't ruin it with that political bullshit.
I recently came across your show and feel inspired by your quarky humor and zest for life as you compete all over the globe.
As a former Peace Corps volunteer, I spent years outside the U.S. living in another country, feeling its heart beat, and traveling all over the neighboring countries (climbed an active volcano, canoed through a rain forest…).
The end of a relationship with my last boyfriend left me heart-broken and depressed for most of the last year.
You’ve helped remind me of who I use to be…who I’ve always been… a fearless person who loves to learn about other people and places. I’ve decided it’s time to live again so I bought a ticket and I’m headed to visit friends in Geneva this summer. I figure this will be a good start. CARPE DIEM! Thanks for reminding me to live life with zest. Good luck with the show and I look forward to seeing more episodes.
I LOVE THE SHOW! I dvr the show every week. It's one of the best show on cable!! You make the show watchable, itd the way you your try to learn the new culture and how you laugh at yourself when you do something new( fishing in NZ). You are very genuine and unique. I love how you will try something new no matter how weird or different it is from American culture (eating in Cambodia). All the best.
Sharif Bklyn NYC
Dhani,
My first thought in watching the trailers of your show was that somehow, someway, you had earned a tremendous gift.
To be able to travel around the world with the travel channels production budget and planning prowess;
just to express your charm, curiosity, and competitiveness. Priceless.
Fittingly, the initial ten minutes of the New Zealand show presented a bright athlete who can juggle audience entertainment on one hand and tremendous ambassadorship for American athletes with the other.
Yet out of nowhere you chose to wear a t-shirt that seemingly celebrates Fidel Castro’s revolution.
I have to assume that you don’t know that this man has murdered thousands of people in order to maintain and consolidate the power of a dictatorship which to this day continues to trample over most human rights.
I have to assume that you don’t know that this man almost caused a nuclear war and that his longevity is strongly attributed to a much forgotten resolution reached between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., preventing the U.S. from intervening again.
I have to assume that you understand that every neighborhood in Cuba has dozens of informants ready to report dissent to government officials which can lead to immediate harassment, arrest, or death.
Many people including President Obama feel that we need to take a measured re-engagement approach with the Cuban government. I guess some people are not sure in what is causing the oppression of the people?
Castro or the American embargo?
Whatever the politic behind it, it does not give carte blanche to Castro and his cronies. This man is a murderer, and by definition is evil.
So Dhani, please add to this debate your thoughts and remember that it would be impossible to do this in Cuba.
Sincerely,
Cesar Cajigas
show was crazy tonite--the yachting thing was amazing learnign to push urself to the point were you know someone needs you to step it up so everyone can win. Me personal i couldn;t see myself grinding and maybe thats because i never tried. lol. but in fact it was amazing. I have to comment--dont go fishing again and you don't want to touch your fish. LMBO!!! but anywho thanx for the adventure...let me know if u every come to texas ill show u a thing or two...LOL!!!
**Trease frm Texas**
Aye Dhani, me and my famz love your show. I used to play college ball with your Bengal teammates Johnathan Fanene and Domata Peko in Southern Califonia. Myself, Peko, and Fanene come from American Samoa which brings me to my next point.
In American Samoa we have a national sport that emphasizes team work, dedication, and cultural pride and we would love for you to take a trip to the 'real' South Pacific in Amerian Samoa and give it a try because we think you'll love it!
Its called the FAUTASI RACE (fow-tah-see) or long boat race. The race takes place every April and October when American Samoa holds its Flag Day celebration which honors the relationship between the United States and American Samoa as it is a territory of the U.S.
The FAUTASI RACE is basically a 45-man crew in Samoan built long boats and race into the harbor from 10 to 15 miles out. It is a test or team work and chemistry, determination, technique, and the will to win.
If you read this Dhani and are interested in a Samoan cultural lesson about our history and sport, then I think you should give this a real hard look maybe for your next season on the travel channel.
When you get back to Cincy just ask Domata and Fanene and they'll be glad to share the art of the FAUTASI with you! Tell those two I said "Malo Lava" and keep up the good work Dhani.
We look forward to you show every week and good luck this season with the Bengals. Oh and tell Maualuga to be more discipline in his drop zone coverage...j/k
p.s. you should have done your rugby show in New Zealand instead of England because that would have been more fun for you.
Looking forward to seeing you in American Samoa on a future edition of Dhani tackles Samoa!
Peace out from da Pacific
Go Blue! I love how even though you're a professional athlete you never act like you're above getting spanked in a training session by a complete stranger. I imagine there are a lot of pro football players who wouldn't welcome the opportunity to be filmed sweating it out and struggling to learn a sport (though you make it easier than most). You're so humble but equally competitive, driven and inquisitive. Always learning and ready for the next challenge or lesson to be learned. Must be that Michigan spirit in you :)
I'm proud to have you as an ambassador to the rest of the world for the US, pro sports and fellow Michigan Wolverines. Do I foresee a career in International Relations?
~Fellow Wolverine, Class of 2006
Hey Dhani,
I was a little tired last night, so that is why i am just now writing. The show was amazing. It did not show as much as the commercial did of all the beautiful places there are to see NZ but it was great just the same. I really loved the racing scene. You do look at home out on the water. The suit not so much or maybe just not the shirt. The suit in England was FIRE!!!! I think you only have one more show for this season right? Well for me it's not to sad because i record all of them so i can cathit=) when i get ready. I'll have my stuff ready to record your shows next season as well. Your second season. You will not be a rookie anymore then Dhani. You'll be a seasoned Travel Channel Host. Oh! Dhani about the suit again besides the shirt, it was FIRE too! Take care Dhani Jones. CK
WHY?????? are you so fine?
DHONEY...THAT BUNGY HAD YOU..I SAW THE HEART BEATING THROUGH THE SHIRT!!LOL!!!THE 70s SHIRT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE...BUT WE COULD SEE THE SEXY OOOZZZING OUT...LOL!!!GOOD TRAVELS TILL NEXT WEEK...
I loved your show - I thought you were an amazing ambassador for people. But yesterday's show with your Fidel Castro shirt killed it for me. I cant believe you would do that. I personally have loads of friends and family who suffered greatly because of Castro. It was irresponsible and horrible. I dont think you are the guy I thought so highly of.
What was up with that Castro shirt ? Did you never learn about communism ?
My friend had me watch this show and I thought you were funny, but I told her that you two are going to get married... She laughed. We have this inside joke (that's all) I have been trying to get her to send her picture, but she REFUSES and she’d beat me up if I did. :-) Heck she’d beat me up if she knew I wrote this note. She thinks that’s being a groupie and I see her point. Follow her on twitter or on blogger.com. She is an awesome writer.
P.S. Don’t ever ask for a handi wipe again when you go fishing. Tsk, tsk, tsk! That's her twitter page not mine.
Great comments on this posting. I love the show even though I'm not a huge football fan. It's nice to see something a little different on the travel channel. Thanks for keeping it real!
P.S. Keep wearing the Cuba and Castro shirts. It seems to upset the small minded folk.
Man you are definately right! New Zealand has a way of touching you like no other place. I spent a month there and tried some things I would have never tried at home!(Black water cave rafting) While there I had the experience of a lifetime! The people are great very warm and hospitable, only one thing I had to get use to was one of the greatings, it was the way they raise there eyebrows up and down when you are greeted. Often times I was asked if I was American not black American but just plain American and my resopnse would be jokingly what gave it away! Upon returning home I was depressed for six months thats how much I feel in love with the island of long white clouds!
Atoria Greg
Does anyone know what sunglasses Dhani is wearing in the New Zealand Episode?
Lovin' the show and the scenery and culture of each place...but you're the best part of the show...hands down.
Take Care! I'll be watching! Much Love...<3 ~Lori
Dhani! You are a beautiful soul! I just so happened to catch the New Zealand episode and fell in love with your beautiful spirit. You are not bad to look at either!!! I got so tickled when you were getting harnesses on for the bungee jump and you yelled "Who does this?" I was thinking the same thing and you said it! I could also relate to enjoying catching but not touching the fish! I can't wait to see you next week!
Love this episode esp the part when you caught a fish! You're hilarious! Looking forward to the next show. Happy travels!
I loved your show in New Zealand. I thought it was absolutely hilarious when you went fishing. I am also from Maryland near Solomans Island. I have always lived within feet or within a few miles of the water. I could not belive the way you acted with that fish. I couldn't STOP laughing. I dont blame you not baiting your own hook, I dont like it either. I also wanted to tell you that you are a true gentleman and OMG GORGEOUS!
ANYONE KNOW WHAT SUNGLASSES HE'S WEARING IN NEW ZEALAND?
The New Zealand show was my most unfavorite- I love your show and your love of adventure and pure, kind heart. I found the NZ show to represent the wealth and snobiness of the yachting crowd. Don't get me wrong, I live on a boat in Seattle, and have raced small-time. But I do enjoy you sharing your good energy and time with other pure hearted "good ole timer and locals". I will keep watching your travels and adventures!
I love your show very much. I like what you are doing. Keep up the good work
Hey, I realy love your show. I feal as I am there with you in all your adventures. I have always want to travel out of Brooklyn N.Y . With your show I have done that, you show the beauty of a country and history. Keep up the great work. I with you the best in all your adventures.
Great show!! It's awesome to see some of the places you go and experiences you have. Its good to see other parts of the countries and not just the high profile resorts, definately a good perspective towards other countries and their cultures. I hope theres a second season!!!
you are now my favourite travel channel host ever since i saw your NZ episode. we are NZ residents but live here in FL now. everyone in my family follow the america's cup. we now ache to go back home. love the show! how about going back and featuring the all blacks?
I too loved your reaction to the fish. Its funny, in previous episodes, you handle dead fish, let fish give you a pedicure, comfortably swim with enormous fish (sharks), and yet you get squeamish with the little 2lb wriggling snapper? : )
In any event, LOVE the show, keep it up!
Wow, my darling Irish girlfriend who I met when we were both living and working in Sydney, Australia, is now living in Dallas and I am back in NZ, my home. She just sent me an email link to your thoughts on New Zealand. Lucky aren't we ! I have travelled and experienced a lot in life ... there are lots of amazing places on our planet but what really makes it for me is the wonderful people. Nice to see a 'yank' ;-) keeping it real. We might have to make you an honourary kiwi.
Hello sailor, I am pleased you enjoyed sailing with me in NZ. I am now cruising the east coast of USA .
Hope you put your new skills to the test.
Regards Penny
Dhani, you are my HERO!
As for the right-wing clowns up above bashing your Castro shirt - they can go to hell. I loved the shirt and wish I knew where to get one myself. I've been to Cuba several times and hold Fidel up as a icon against imperialism. Viva Castro & Viva Dhani !
ps. If there's a season 2 - wear a Che Guevara shirt as well. That will really send the Miami mafia into a tizzy! haha
Love the show !
where can i get one of the new zealand sailing jerseys?
Thanks Dani for the great show and blog!
christian louboutin shoes
jimmy choo
i can not wait to see this one.I will tell you more of how i really liked it tonight after it aires.
I'm just trying to find out when you are coming back? I really miss your program. I love to travel but am short on funds right now so this is the next best thing for me. Any chance the Travel Channel is hiring?