Hello,
This is Phil, one of the four friends headed for New Zealand. I too am a blogging neophyte but eager to chronicle our preparations for our grand trip in March 2009. I must start by saying that Colleen has done a marvelous job of doing the web research as well as making the necessary contacts and booking arrangements for our trip. My wife Dianne and I have not traveled much aside from some cruises. Our international experience has been limited to Mexico and Canada. So when Colleen and Ed proposed in October of 2007 that we might join them on their New Zealand journey, we surprised ourselves by saying, "Let's go". Much of the joy of traveling is in the planning and anticipation. We have had a lot of fun discussing our trip, and we haven't gone anywhere yet.
New Zealand is such an enticing place to visit. Two relatively small Pacific island groups in the southern hemisphere with incredibly diverse scenic beauty, friendly people and geographic variety ranging from tropical beaches and areas of geothermal activity, to glaciers and deep river gorges. The natives speak English and American tourists are tolerated there. As a bonus there is now a favorable currency exchange rate and fine wine to spend it on. If only they drove on the right side of the road.
As Colleen mentioned, we will be touring the south island. We will fly to Auckland and then Christchurch in early March. We've arranged a rental car and will head south and travel the perimeter of the island in a clockwise direction. Our itinerary is leisurely with plans to spend 2 to 3 days at most of our destinations and see as much as we can. Driving distances will be relatively short, leaving more time for exploration on foot, bike or kayak. We hope to see rare penguins, the kiwi, glorious glow worms and swim with dolphins.
We are in various stages of procuring proper clothing. A trip like this requires careful planning. Clothing choices must take packing volume and weight into consideation. Again, Colleen has taken the lead and has directed us to various web sites featuring proper raingear, pants etc. We will likely experience cold, wet weather in many areas we'll be traveling (Stewart Island, Milford Sound) and we want to be prepared to hike in all conditions, so lightweight raingear will be essential. Last weekend's storm was an opportunity for a trial run, so we all took to the streets for a short walk in the rain wearing our New Zealand gear.
Regarding waterproofing our shoes, Colleen has a funny story about her search for boot grease.
Phil
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Four Friends New Zealand Itinerary
March 5: Leave home in the late afternoon.
March 6: Don’t want to talk about it.
March 7: We arrive in Auckland where we have a 6 hour layover, hopefully enough time to take a taxi into town, look around a bit and maybe have dinner. Then we fly on to Christchurch, pick up our rental car and Ed, our designated driver after way too many hours of travel, will try to keep in mind which side of the road to use while driving us to our first night’s accommodation.
March 8: We wake up in our townhouse in downtown Christchurch. We will be within walking distance of Cathedral Square, Botanic Gardens, the Avon River, many art galleries and cultural attractions. We’ll take a walking tour of the city.
March 9 & 10: On to Oamaru, where we will stay for two nights in a backpacker overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Oamaru attractions include a Victorian downtown area built in the late 1800’s of locally quarried limestone, museums and galleries, a historic theatre production and Yellow Eyed and Blue Penguin colonies.
March 11, 12 & 13: Drive along the coast to Dunedin, with a stop at the Moeraki Boulders. We will be staying three nights in a Victorian Villa within walking distance of the historic Scottish influenced downtown area with many gardens, museums, galleries and historic buildings. During our time here we will also explore the Otago Peninsula with Blue and Yellow Eyed Penguins, a Royal Albatross Colony and Lanach Castle and gardens.
March 14: Drive along the wild Catlins Coast with many opportunities for short walks and wildlife viewing. We will spend the night in Invercargill.
March 15 & 16: We leave our rental car behind and fly to Stewart Island for two nights in New Zealand’s southernmost town, Oban. Here we will stay in a holiday home with ocean view, explore the Ulva Island bird sanctuary on a morning tour, then return after dark for a kiwi spotting tour. Other possibilities include hiking and kayaking, or maybe by now we’ll be in need of some time sitting and gazing out over the ocean from our cozy living room.
March 17: Fly back to Invercargill and reclaim our car for the drive to Te Anau, where we’ll spend one night in a motel unit with a view of the lake. In the afternoon, we’ll head across Lake Te Anau on a catamaran for a tour of the glowworm caves.
March 18: We’re up early for the drive to Milford Sound in Fiordlands National Park. We’ll pass breathtaking scenery with many opportunities for short walks and picture taking. We spend the night in Milford, in two riverside chalets. And though we'll be far away from our youngest offspring, today we'll be wishing Stefan our love on his 19th Birthday.
March 19: Up early again for a cruise of Milford Sound where we’ll see steep mountains rising directly up out of the sea, stunning waterfalls that crash down into serene waters and wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins in their natural environment. After our morning cruise, we’ll drive back to Te Anau for another night in our motel accommodation. We will call Stefan today to wish him a happy birthday because today in New Zealand is yesterday in California. Happy Birthday Stefan!
March 20 & 21: Drive to Wanaka, a town at the feet of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wanaka and gateway to Mt. Aspiring National Park. We’ll spend two nights here in a holiday home with a mountain view.
March 22 & 23: One of our longest drives, about 4½ hours, and one of the most beautiful, through Haast pass in the Southern Alps to the West Coast. We will be staying two nights in the quiet town of Okarito, population 30-ish (34-ish while we are there.) Within a half hour drive are the more touristy towns of Franz and Fox at the bases of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in Westlands National Park. Closer to our accommodation is Okarito Lagoon, home to a great variety of native birds with bird watching and kayaking possibilities.
March 24 & 25: Drive up the West Coast to Punakaki where we will stay in two hand built cabins nestled in the rain forest. We’ll be within an easy walk through rain forest to the beach. A short drive away are Pancake Rocks, kayaking on the Pororari River and many beach and forest walks.
March 26, 27 & 28: Drive on up the West Coast, then inland through the beautiful Bueller River Gorge to Motueka. We spend three nights here, in a two bedroom cottage ten minutes from Golden Bay, Kaiteriteri Beach and Abel Tasman National Park and less than an hour drive from the town of Nelson where art and wine tasting opportunities abound. This area has the most sun and mildest weather on the South Island. Possible activities include hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, boat trips, relaxing on the beach and a day trip to Nelson to explore galleries featuring local artists and taste local wines.
March 29 & 30: Drive to Picton where we catch a water taxi for two nights in a lodge along the Queen Charlotte Track. We will hike a bit of the track, kayak in the bay, lounge in the many hammocks among the ferns overlooking the water and stroll through the sculpture gardens on the grounds. In the evening we will take a short walk to the glowworm dell and perhaps soak in the hot tub.
March 31 & April 1: Drive to Kaikoura where we will spend two nights in a holiday home with an ocean view and pool table in the basement. We will go on a whale watching cruise in Kaikoura, with other possibilities including day walks and fur seal, sea bird and dolphin viewing by kayak.
April 2: On to Hamner Springs for an extended soak in rock pools of natural hot spring waters. We spend one night in a two bedroom townhouse here with balconies overlooking rolling hills.
April 3, 4 & 5: Back to Christchurch for our last three nights in a cottage near city center. We will continue our exploration of Christchurch, attend a Maori cultural performance, and take a drive to the town of Akaroa to celebrate Dianne's Birthday by swimming with dolphins.
April 6: Ed and Colleen head home. Phil and Dianne make a stop in Fiji where their adventure will continue for a few more days.
March 6: Don’t want to talk about it.
March 7: We arrive in Auckland where we have a 6 hour layover, hopefully enough time to take a taxi into town, look around a bit and maybe have dinner. Then we fly on to Christchurch, pick up our rental car and Ed, our designated driver after way too many hours of travel, will try to keep in mind which side of the road to use while driving us to our first night’s accommodation.
March 8: We wake up in our townhouse in downtown Christchurch. We will be within walking distance of Cathedral Square, Botanic Gardens, the Avon River, many art galleries and cultural attractions. We’ll take a walking tour of the city.
March 9 & 10: On to Oamaru, where we will stay for two nights in a backpacker overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Oamaru attractions include a Victorian downtown area built in the late 1800’s of locally quarried limestone, museums and galleries, a historic theatre production and Yellow Eyed and Blue Penguin colonies.
March 11, 12 & 13: Drive along the coast to Dunedin, with a stop at the Moeraki Boulders. We will be staying three nights in a Victorian Villa within walking distance of the historic Scottish influenced downtown area with many gardens, museums, galleries and historic buildings. During our time here we will also explore the Otago Peninsula with Blue and Yellow Eyed Penguins, a Royal Albatross Colony and Lanach Castle and gardens.
March 14: Drive along the wild Catlins Coast with many opportunities for short walks and wildlife viewing. We will spend the night in Invercargill.
March 15 & 16: We leave our rental car behind and fly to Stewart Island for two nights in New Zealand’s southernmost town, Oban. Here we will stay in a holiday home with ocean view, explore the Ulva Island bird sanctuary on a morning tour, then return after dark for a kiwi spotting tour. Other possibilities include hiking and kayaking, or maybe by now we’ll be in need of some time sitting and gazing out over the ocean from our cozy living room.
March 17: Fly back to Invercargill and reclaim our car for the drive to Te Anau, where we’ll spend one night in a motel unit with a view of the lake. In the afternoon, we’ll head across Lake Te Anau on a catamaran for a tour of the glowworm caves.
March 18: We’re up early for the drive to Milford Sound in Fiordlands National Park. We’ll pass breathtaking scenery with many opportunities for short walks and picture taking. We spend the night in Milford, in two riverside chalets. And though we'll be far away from our youngest offspring, today we'll be wishing Stefan our love on his 19th Birthday.
March 19: Up early again for a cruise of Milford Sound where we’ll see steep mountains rising directly up out of the sea, stunning waterfalls that crash down into serene waters and wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins in their natural environment. After our morning cruise, we’ll drive back to Te Anau for another night in our motel accommodation. We will call Stefan today to wish him a happy birthday because today in New Zealand is yesterday in California. Happy Birthday Stefan!
March 20 & 21: Drive to Wanaka, a town at the feet of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wanaka and gateway to Mt. Aspiring National Park. We’ll spend two nights here in a holiday home with a mountain view.
March 22 & 23: One of our longest drives, about 4½ hours, and one of the most beautiful, through Haast pass in the Southern Alps to the West Coast. We will be staying two nights in the quiet town of Okarito, population 30-ish (34-ish while we are there.) Within a half hour drive are the more touristy towns of Franz and Fox at the bases of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in Westlands National Park. Closer to our accommodation is Okarito Lagoon, home to a great variety of native birds with bird watching and kayaking possibilities.
March 24 & 25: Drive up the West Coast to Punakaki where we will stay in two hand built cabins nestled in the rain forest. We’ll be within an easy walk through rain forest to the beach. A short drive away are Pancake Rocks, kayaking on the Pororari River and many beach and forest walks.
March 26, 27 & 28: Drive on up the West Coast, then inland through the beautiful Bueller River Gorge to Motueka. We spend three nights here, in a two bedroom cottage ten minutes from Golden Bay, Kaiteriteri Beach and Abel Tasman National Park and less than an hour drive from the town of Nelson where art and wine tasting opportunities abound. This area has the most sun and mildest weather on the South Island. Possible activities include hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, boat trips, relaxing on the beach and a day trip to Nelson to explore galleries featuring local artists and taste local wines.
March 29 & 30: Drive to Picton where we catch a water taxi for two nights in a lodge along the Queen Charlotte Track. We will hike a bit of the track, kayak in the bay, lounge in the many hammocks among the ferns overlooking the water and stroll through the sculpture gardens on the grounds. In the evening we will take a short walk to the glowworm dell and perhaps soak in the hot tub.
March 31 & April 1: Drive to Kaikoura where we will spend two nights in a holiday home with an ocean view and pool table in the basement. We will go on a whale watching cruise in Kaikoura, with other possibilities including day walks and fur seal, sea bird and dolphin viewing by kayak.
April 2: On to Hamner Springs for an extended soak in rock pools of natural hot spring waters. We spend one night in a two bedroom townhouse here with balconies overlooking rolling hills.
April 3, 4 & 5: Back to Christchurch for our last three nights in a cottage near city center. We will continue our exploration of Christchurch, attend a Maori cultural performance, and take a drive to the town of Akaroa to celebrate Dianne's Birthday by swimming with dolphins.
April 6: Ed and Colleen head home. Phil and Dianne make a stop in Fiji where their adventure will continue for a few more days.
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