Rotorua's adventure activities will hit a potential audience of 86 million American television viewers in a series about a man grateful to be alive.
Aaron Carotta was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and describes the experience as a "real wake-up call" that set him off on a global adventure. His
online blogs caught the attention of a nationally syndicated American cable television group, resulting in a six-episode series called Alive. It will screen across the United States in May.
Mr Carotta has been in Rotorua for a week trying out the city's adventure tourism attractions.
The Daily Post caught up with Mr Carotta at NZONE, nervously awaiting his first skydive.
"We've just come from Cape Town where I did the world's highest [commercial] bungy jump - what better way to follow that up than coming to Rotorua to do the world's highest [commercial] skydive?"
But excitement replaced nerves after the 15,000ft jump.
"It was excellent. You are so lucky in Rotorua to have all these adventures in one place"
His favourite activities in Rotorua were heli-sledging on the Kaituna River with Kaitiaki Adventures and Rainbow Springs' Kiwi Encounter.
He also visited Kerosene Creek, Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa, Sculpture open air art gallery, Tamaki Maori Village and Polynesian Spa and had adventures with River Rats, Agroventures, Offroad NZ, Volcanic Air Safaris, Zorb, Quadzone and Skyline Skyrides.
Mr Carotta is still fighting to stay on top of the cancer but said it had made him realise how important it was to make the most out of life.
"Americans don't have much time to travel and New Zealand is off the beaten track. I want to show how much you can see and do here in a week on a budget."
Mr Carotta left Rotorua yesterday.
