New Zealand is a fascinating ground of awesome scenery in addition to has been long on our wishing list. The province sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire.
The region's spectacular geothermal activity, amazing coastline, fantastic mountains of Southern Alps, body of body of water grade glaciers, lovely lakes, waterfalls, beaches, gardens, scenic walks brand it an awesome opor-garai destination...
The region's spectacular geothermal activity, amazing coastline, fantastic mountains of Southern Alps, body of body of water grade glaciers, lovely lakes, waterfalls, beaches, gardens, scenic walks brand it an awesome opor-garai destination...
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| Waitakere Ranges National Park, Auckland |
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| Lion Rock |
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| Piha beach, Auckland |
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| Marakopa waterfalls 35 km from Waitoma glowworm caves |
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| Wai-0-Tapu (Sacred Waters) Thermal Wonderland, a brusque drive from Rotorua |
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| That Wanaka Tree, Wanaka Lake |
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| Hamilton Gardens |
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Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, Rotorua |
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| Rotorua Govt Garden |
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| Rotorua Government Garden |
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| Christchurch Botanical Garden |
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| Christchurch Botanical Garden |
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| Queenstown garden |
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| Ohinemutu: a living Māori hamlet assail the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua. |
WHEN TO GO?
The choice of the correct flavor is primal to enjoying whatsoever vacation in addition to so far nosotros receive got been extremely lucky alongside all our vacations. We elbow grease to usage extra holidays at operate along alongside opor-garai days in addition to go inwards shoulder flavor to avoid crowds, considering the conditions of course!
We wanted to avoid peak tourism flavor inwards NZ but at the same fourth dimension wanted stable weather, in addition to long 24-hour interval calorie-free hours to receive got comfortable drives enjoying the scenery.
We did non desire the challenges of wintertime driving, so Low Season of NZ wintertime (May–Aug) was ruled out.
We would receive got opted for Nov goal using Thanksgiving holidays to savour Spring (Sep–Nov) the shoulder season, but operate constraints vetoed that plan.
So the side past times side alternative was to see inwards some other Shoulder Season (Mar–Apr) during Easter holidays but that may hateful reduced daylight... also the society gave a deferred opor-garai inwards lieu of New Years Day which roughshod on Dominicus this twelvemonth to live on taken past times the goal of February. Also in that location was a 24-hour interval off for Presidents 24-hour interval on Feb 20. So nosotros decided to start our opor-garai inwards the 2nd one-half of February
High Season is NZ summertime Dec–Feb, nosotros hoped to avoid the crowds past times scheduling our opor-garai from Feb 17-March 8. It worked similar a charm!
WHAT TO SEE?
The province has a plethora of must-dos. So it was a huge dilemma designing an itinerary. We basically focused on the to a greater extent than scenic South Island alongside but iv days inwards North Island... Reason beingness lack of days to play with.
Here's a map alongside major in addition to outstanding sights in addition to I receive got marked the ones nosotros covered alongside ruby arrows...
Here's a map alongside major in addition to outstanding sights in addition to I receive got marked the ones nosotros covered alongside ruby arrows...
We had to necessarily receive got a render flying from Auckland every bit multi metropolis alternative of departing from ChristChurch was proving a lilliputian dicey. We locked inwards good priced render tickets in addition to so bought the internal flights every bit good availing the discounts for booking early.
We considered taking the ferry from Wellington to South Island inwards our rental in addition to leaving the rental auto at Christchurch but decided that divide auto rentals for each isle in addition to flights inwards betwixt Auckland-Christchurch may conform us better.
We had read that Arthur's Pass is best driving west, Haast Pass best south, Lindis Pass best northward , so had an anticlockwise loop of the due west coast inwards South Island.
Here's the map nosotros prepared for our trip:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-pa1SRL-BQsI5QfWM9HKwpRBGbA&usp=sharing
You tin dismiss zoom inwards in addition to out, click on private bulbs in addition to view the details of the places nosotros visited...
You tin dismiss zoom inwards in addition to out, click on private bulbs in addition to view the details of the places nosotros visited...
Our itinerary played out every bit follows:
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Feb eighteen Saturday: Auckland (arrive at 05.50hrs) [2 N in Auckland: Oakwood Manor],
DAY 2: Feb nineteen Sunday: Drive to Hamilton Gardens, Waitomo Glowworms Cave, Marokopa Falls, Mangapohue Natural Bridge, in addition to so Rotorua [3N inwards Rotorua: YHA]
DAY 3: Feb xx Monday Rotorua: Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, Polynesian spa inwards the night.
DAY 4: Feb 21 Tuesday Rotorua: Government gardens, Ohinemutu village, St Faith's Church, Hamurana Springs. Okere falls,
DAY 5: Feb 22 Wednesday: Early drive Rotorua to Auckland airport; 12 noon flying to Christchurch. [1N inwards Christchurch: YHA]
Evening: Botanical Gardens
DAY 6: Feb 23 Thursday: Drive to Hokitika via Arthurs Pass roofing Castle Hill Rocks, Millenium falls, Devil's Punchbowl falls at Arthus pass, Otiro viaduct alongside a non bad view alongside the cheeky keas [1N inwards Hokitika: Hokitika Mountainjade backpackers]
DAY 7: Feb 24 Friday: Early morning time Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve, Hokitika beach, jade shops;
Drive 2 hours Hokitika to FJ/Fox Glaciers [1N inwards FJ Glaciers:YHA]
Evening FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER HIKE
DAY 8: Feb 25 Saturday: Morning Fox glacier thought signal hike
Drive Franz Josef -Wanaka via Haast Pass Fox Glacier to Haast 122 km (76 miles): Ship's Creek in addition to Knight's Point Lookout, Roaring Billy Falls,
Haast to Wanaka 139 km (87 miles); Gates of Haast, Thunder Creek Falls, Fantail falls, [2N inwards Wanaka: YHA Purple Cow,]
Haast to Wanaka 139 km (87 miles); Gates of Haast, Thunder Creek Falls, Fantail falls, [2N inwards Wanaka: YHA Purple Cow,]
DAY 9: Feb 26 Sunday:
Morning: Blue Pools
Afternoon:Diamond Lake Conservation Area: Diamond Lake trek. The trek from thereon to the Wanaka Lake thought signal .
Evening: That Wanaka Tree
DAY 10: Feb 27 Monday: Wanaka Lavender Farm
Drive to Te Anau [2N inwards Te Anau: YHA]
Evening: Bird park(4.30pm Takahe feeding), Lake Te Anau
DAY 11: Feb 28 Tuesday: Milford Sound Cruise (Mitre Peak Cruises)
DAY 12: March 1, Wednesday: Drive to Queenstown [2N inwards Queenstown:YHA]
Te Anau -Queenstown - 175KM/109 MI
Afternoon: Drive to Glenorchy
DAY 13: March 2, Thursday: Arrowtown
Evening: Queenstown Gardens
DAY 14: March 3 Friday: Drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook via Lindis Pass
Afternoon: Tasman lake thought trek, Tasman glacier thought trek
[2N inwards Lake Tekapo for Aoraki/Mt Cook: Lake Tekapo Holiday Park & Motels]
DAY 15: March iv Saturday: Aoraki/Mt Cook
Hooker Valley rails inwards the morning, so after tiffin walk to Kea Point
Evening: Church of Good Shepherd
DAY 16: March five Sunday: Drive to Christchurch [2N inwards Christchurch:YHA]
Evening: Willowbank
DAY 17: March half dozen Monday: Christchurch
Akaroa Lighthouse, St Peter's church, St Patrick's church, Giants House
DAY 18: March seven Tuesday: Return auto at 7.30 am, nine am flying to Auckland, 7.30 pm flying dorsum to Houston
Planning an itinerary for whatsoever province is almost having GREAT experiences... non but going alongside a cookie cutter approach copying what somebody else does. Our past times travels in addition to sights nosotros receive got enjoyed also come upwards into play. We ever await at pictures, videos of places when deciding how much fourth dimension nosotros demand to allot. We receive got been to Perito Moreno glacier inwards Argentina... so did non experience the demand to pass a lot of fourth dimension inwards Franz josef in addition to fox glaciers.
Here are some pictures of Perito Moreno glacier...my side past times side spider web log posts are almost our trip to Argentina,,,
Planning an itinerary for whatsoever province is almost having GREAT experiences... non but going alongside a cookie cutter approach copying what somebody else does. Our past times travels in addition to sights nosotros receive got enjoyed also come upwards into play. We ever await at pictures, videos of places when deciding how much fourth dimension nosotros demand to allot. We receive got been to Perito Moreno glacier inwards Argentina... so did non experience the demand to pass a lot of fourth dimension inwards Franz josef in addition to fox glaciers.
Here are some pictures of Perito Moreno glacier...my side past times side spider web log posts are almost our trip to Argentina,,,
CAR RENTAL CHOICE AND DRIVING PREP:
NZ auto rentals don't accuse a bomb for dropping off at a dissimilar location, but our scheduling did non receive got payoff of this!
We rented twice, both the times returned the auto to the same location every bit the pickup, both at airports!
Feb 18- Feb 22: Auckland aerodrome rental
We collected the auto at 10 am Feb eighteen on the 24-hour interval nosotros landed at Auckland aerodrome in addition to returned it at Auckland aerodrome at 10.30 am Feb 22 returning from Rotorua. Ideally nosotros would receive got liked to wing to Christchurch from Rotorua instead of backtracking but the early on flying timing was at 7am inwards the morning time in addition to nosotros did non desire to render our rental off hours without inspection. Only a few rental companies were allowing drib off at Rotorua. We prefer getting things inspected in addition to signed off, so nosotros went alongside Apex in addition to retraced our agency dorsum to Auckland. H5N1 fleck of a waste of opor-garai time...
Feb 22-March 7: ChristChurch aerodrome rental
We flew to ChristChurch past times the noon flight, collected our auto at 2.30 pm on Feb 22. After a loop of the due west coast returned the auto at ChristChurch aerodrome at 7.30 am March seven before taking the nine am flight.
We went alongside 2nd tier rental society Apex.
First tier companies Hertz, Avis etc. have their offices inwards the airports in addition to allow drib off at little location every bit inwards the illustration of Auckland to Rotorua. Of course of educational activity these come upwards at a price.
First tier companies Hertz, Avis etc. have their offices inwards the airports in addition to allow drib off at little location every bit inwards the illustration of Auckland to Rotorua. Of course of educational activity these come upwards at a price.
We had an first-class experience alongside Apex, their shuttle pickup/drop off from aerodrome went shine in addition to the auto was non bad on both the occasions. They also allow drib off at dissimilar locations but at bigger ones if my agreement is right. We opted for auto less than 2 years old, took total insurance, in addition to had a non bad time. The speedometer seems to live on calibrated to demo 5km inwards a higher identify the existent speed, nosotros noticed this when approaching towns where your speed gets shown on electronic monitors. Had seen the same exercise inwards Norway, fine alongside us, every bit it keeps the driver nether the prescribed speed limit!
DRIVING PREP:
Son made prep for driving inwards NZ past times reading in addition to taking the recommended tests at https://www.drivingtests.co.nz/roadcode/tourist/
The next were useful to empathise double laned roundabouts.
He had exercise inwards the nearly deserted Rotorua in addition to had no work inwards crowded areas later.
Also practiced to know is the Give Way sign arrows at 1 lane bridges.
He had before driven on the left side of the route inwards South Africa in addition to has pretty practiced experience inwards mount route driving inwards Norway, California, South Africa etc. So nosotros were good.
Also we are early on birds in addition to hitting the roads much before the rest. We had most of the roads to ourselves every bit inwards Milford Sound route from Te Anau etc... no oncoming traffic too!
PARKING:
In Christchurch in addition to Queenstown, parking is hard every bit tin dismiss live on anticipated inwards busy cities. There is complimentary all 24-hour interval parking inwards Gloucester Street, Christchurch (just ii blocks away from our YHA) which nosotros used. In Queenstown, nosotros parked along the allowed white lined slots along streets
GPS/SAT NAV:
We had maps downloaded for offline usage on my Tablet every bit good every bit son's blackberry phone. With the usage of auto charger to hold their battery running nosotros were practiced without additional GPS from the rental.
Use AA maps, NOT google maps for calculating drive time... the wiggly roads are best handled at reduced speed for safety.
Wifi from our accommodations was to a greater extent than than adequate for even use, nosotros did non miss information plan.
DISTANCE COVERED DAILY:
Well nether 250/300 km per day. It's to live on borne inwards hear that mount roads are wiggly-swiggly alongside many hairpin bends in addition to 1 can't whiz at 100 km/h on such roads! It was comfortable in addition to enjoyable driving for us every bit our target was modest. We had fourth dimension to attain a few scenic hikes on the agency every bit good every bit at the destination.
NOTE: The hikes attain receive got longer than the prescribed fourth dimension on the sign boards! The hike going inwards invariably takes longer every bit it's commonly uphill on a gradient, the hike dorsum is commonly faster every bit it's downhill! We joked the timings given on signboards/official websites are Usain Bolt minutes, non meant for normal mortals!
We stayed 2 nights inwards quite a few places, in that location were 1 nighters too. There was a total of 10 bases for the whole trip of eighteen nights, quite manageable.
NOTE: The hikes attain receive got longer than the prescribed fourth dimension on the sign boards! The hike going inwards invariably takes longer every bit it's commonly uphill on a gradient, the hike dorsum is commonly faster every bit it's downhill! We joked the timings given on signboards/official websites are Usain Bolt minutes, non meant for normal mortals!
We stayed 2 nights inwards quite a few places, in that location were 1 nighters too. There was a total of 10 bases for the whole trip of eighteen nights, quite manageable.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We went inwards for ensuite private rooms inwards YHAs inwards most places. All were AWESOME in addition to were really reasonably priced! We had a farther 10% discount every bit nosotros had taken emembership for Hostels International... the fee varies according to nationality. For NZ nationals it's $25. For Indian passport holders it was USD 3 for 2 people!
Some YHA rooms were basic similar the inwards a higher identify inwards Te Anau but nevertheless had the necessary hooks/towel rods for ease of usage every bit seen below...Beds were comfy in addition to towels were adequate.
We had the best views also from our room! The kitchens in addition to lounges were non bad too!
Some YHA rooms were basic similar the inwards a higher identify inwards Te Anau but nevertheless had the necessary hooks/towel rods for ease of usage every bit seen below...Beds were comfy in addition to towels were adequate.
We had the best views also from our room! The kitchens in addition to lounges were non bad too!
In Auckland, nosotros stayed at Oakwood manor half dozen km close the airport, rented a auto from the airport. This was convenient every bit nosotros laid off for Rotorua the side past times side 24-hour interval without entering CBD. The hotel provided complimentary shuttle for pickup/drop off in addition to served our purpose
JETLAG & DRIVING:
We had decided to assess how fresh nosotros experience before going ahead alongside plans for our 1st 24-hour interval inwards NZ. No affair what, the kickoff 24-hour interval was non going to live on a heavy driving day
We had booked a room for 2 nights so that nosotros tin dismiss banking concern represent inwards in addition to slumber every bit shortly every bit nosotros land... me at midnight, boy at 6am. It worked out great.
Son had had a decent slumber on his 15 threescore minutes straight flying from Houston to Auckland. He was crossing the International Dateline in addition to though the fourth dimension divergence is eighteen hours (NZ is eighteen hours ahead of Houston), inwards exercise it sort of eliminated jet lag.
We Picked upwards the rental auto after a practiced nap at 10 AM, bought some provisions at Countdown close the airport, had a meal, packed some picnic nutrient in addition to so spent the 24-hour interval at Waitakere ranges national park. It was a brusque simple drive from our accommodation in addition to was a non bad intro to the beauties of NZ.
Next 24-hour interval started off at seven AM for Rotorua... alongside no describe of jetlag... we had totally avoided the crowded CBD in addition to hope to savour Auckland metropolis on a futurity visit!
HISTORY OF NZ:
We had been to Africa finally twelvemonth in addition to were amazed almost the continent beingness the cradle of mankind.... fossils of human remains dating dorsum to millions of years are proof to that. [ Our trip to South Africa, Republic of Zimbabwe is documented here: http://www.kris-sapiutri.blogspot.com/search?q=how-to-plan-trip-to-africa]
Conversely, which is the youngest country?
Conversely, which is the youngest country?
New Zealand situated inwards due south western Pacific Ocean is the youngest province on earth, inhabited past times human solely over a one one thousand years ago!
Here's a fleck of interesting history...
Maori kickoff landed on these beautiful islands on waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki belike but over 1,000 years ago. They settled, in addition to started farming in addition to hunting. They called the land Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud)
The first European to sight New Zealand was Dutch explorer Abel Tasman inwards 1642. He was on an expedition to notice a non bad Southern continent 'Great South Land' rich inwards minerals. He never laid human foot on the ground in addition to his mission was considered unsuccessful past times his employers, the Dutch East Bharat Company, every bit he had non flora treasures.
But the province was named New Zealand... Zealand beingness the isle inwards which electrical flow Denmark's majuscule Copenhagen stands. So that's the beginning of the country's electrical flow name![Our see to the lovely Kingdom of Denmark is reported here: http://www.kris-sapiutri.blogspot.com/search?q=how-to-plan-trip-to-africa]
James Cook began his circumnavigation of the province inwards 1769 in addition to that's when European migration began. The kickoff European migrants were whalers in addition to missionaries.
By 1800 in that location were over 100,000 Maori in addition to but 2000 Pakeha ( Europeans) inwards New Zealand.
In 1840, New Zealand go a British colony, British migrants were offered a paid passage to New Zealand, in addition to 40,000 took advantage.
By 1858 the Maori in addition to Pakeha populations were nearly equal. The South Island golden rush of the 1860s saw to a greater extent than migrants come from around the world, including English, Scots, Irish Gaelic in addition to Chinese.
So that's the really interesting even of the country.
Now... to come upwards dorsum to our opor-garai story...weather plays a huge role inwards an outdoor driving holiday... NZ was having a really rainy summertime this year!
Hokitika Gorge...
Franz Josef glacier,
Haast pass, Wanaka ... Blue pools here...
Lake Hawea
Te Anau also proved amazing
Milford Sound which gets pelting 300 days a twelvemonth was some other AWESOME clear beautiful 24-hour interval alongside penguins, dolphins, seals frolicking around....
Mitre Peak glowed inwards a calm reflection...
Queenstown displayed splendid conditions every bit good in addition to nosotros enjoyed lovely vistas on our trips to Glenorchy in addition to Arrow town...
This lovely private garden on the agency to Glenorchy was amazing...
Arrowtown was non bad too...
We moved toward the climax, the tallest mount inwards NZ Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Wish I had brought to a greater extent than soup packets every bit the ones nosotros bought were non to our specs. I'm mighty glad I had my ain preferred spice packet! We are vegetarians in addition to self cater on all our travels. I could churn out tasty meals inwards a jiffy alongside the lovely local attain available inwards NZ...the linseed, soya breads, rolls, cream cheese, milk, yogurt, juice, love apple tree sauce, bottled olives, walnuts in addition to raisins, garlic salt, Peri peri salt, fresh vegetables similar tomatoes, avocado, potatoes, fruits similar grapes, bananas, kiwis of course, NZ pears, H2O ice cream tubs in addition to chocolates.
Cut some lemons in addition to added salt, spice to them inwards an empty yogurt container in addition to they became a tasty pickle inwards a 3/4 days!
We filled upwards drinking H2O from the kitchen taps inwards the bottles nosotros carry.
Bought 2 kg package of rice for our North isle stint in addition to so a five kg handbag for the South island.
We shopped at the supermarkets COUNTDOWN, FOURSQUARE inwards bigger towns in addition to did non demand anything inwards the smaller places nosotros stayed in. All provisions were set to practiced use, Left behind a little bottle of crude in addition to sauce every bit complimentary nutrient at the hostel at Christchurch when nosotros left.. I go alongside my ain laid of 3 vessels/lids, spoons, in addition to it worked for this trip every bit good though the hostels were quite good stocked!
I had contemplated bringing some Vicks Vaporub in addition to headache pills but decided against it. They may receive got been allowed inwards too! At Rotorua boy developed an allergy sneezing in addition to bought a Vicks vaporub for $11. Thankfully the allergy disappeared after leaving Rotorua in addition to nosotros did non demand whatsoever other medication!
On the domestic flying from Auckland to Christchurch, I did non anticipate whatsoever work but of course of educational activity every bit per Murphy's Law in that location were a pair of issues. We were at the handbag drib counter to drib off 1 checkin handbag at 11.20 but the long work did non movement at all. We saw the conveyor belt had broken down! We stood around every bit the fourth dimension crept on; so saw some people jumping the work in addition to approaching the officeholder in addition to decided to attain that every bit our flying was at 12 noon. We showed him our boarding exceed in addition to he asked us to hold our handbag in that location close the belt in addition to go for boarding. We ran to our gate in addition to made it every bit 1 of the finally to board.
Now... to come upwards dorsum to our opor-garai story...weather plays a huge role inwards an outdoor driving holiday... NZ was having a really rainy summertime this year!
WEATHER in addition to PACKING:
NZ conditions is unpredictable in addition to nosotros were anxiously watching how the rains lashed the islands this summer. Our packing included pelting pants, ponchos, an umbrella in addition to a waterproof fleece/shell outer jacket. Sun hat, Sun spectacles in addition to sunscreen etc every bit good every bit capris also were optimistically packed alongside fingers crossed! Son's hiking shoes are waterproof, my comfortable New Balance shoes got a H2O proof spray. Our hiking sandals were also packed... they were fine on tracks similar Waitakere ranges Kitekite falls but the release gravel inwards Aoraki tracks of course of educational activity require closed shoes!
We were on the sentinel for a reliable conditions website for predictions... right away that seemed to live on the Holy Grail, hard to come upwards by...
We loved the String Theory proposed past times TA regular OZRCFLYER in addition to decided to follow the really scientific methodology advocated... nosotros bought a hemp string in addition to tied it exterior our accommodation. Rest was easy... for those of you lot interested, the results inwards the morning time are to live on interpreted every bit follows:
String stiff... It's Freezing
String wet... Raining
String dry... Not raining
String swinging... Windy
String missing... thieves around!
Ha Ha!!
Now dummies that nosotros are nosotros left our precious string behind when nosotros moved... so our valuable tool was lost correct at the start of our vacation!
Now dummies that nosotros are nosotros left our precious string behind when nosotros moved... so our valuable tool was lost correct at the start of our vacation!
www. metservice.com (NZ conditions site) guy gave an encouraging disputation that pelting was abating but nosotros were nevertheless nervous. Locals receive got commented how forecasts may non pan out in addition to we were ready for all iv seasons inwards a unmarried day.
When nosotros started off from Auckland to Rotorua it started pelting in addition to nosotros got resigned to the fact that nosotros were going to live on a soggy mess on the whole vacation.
It drizzled a fleck inwards the lovely Hamilton gardens but that was the goal of bad conditions for our whole holiday.
It drizzled a fleck inwards the lovely Hamilton gardens but that was the goal of bad conditions for our whole holiday.
The Sun shone vivid alongside cool winds blowing in addition to nosotros had the most perfect conditions everywhere. Only Fox glacier hid nether a cloud but the hike had been glorious, so no regrets!
The keas (alpine parrots on the endangered list) were at their naughty best (worst?!)...uploaded a seven infinitesimal video of their pranks inwards the link given below at the goal of this post
The keas (alpine parrots on the endangered list) were at their naughty best (worst?!)...uploaded a seven infinitesimal video of their pranks inwards the link given below at the goal of this post
After GREAT conditions at Arthur's pass,
Hokitika Gorge...
Franz Josef glacier,
Haast pass, Wanaka ... Blue pools here...
Lake Hawea
Te Anau also proved amazing
Milford Sound which gets pelting 300 days a twelvemonth was some other AWESOME clear beautiful 24-hour interval alongside penguins, dolphins, seals frolicking around....
Mitre Peak glowed inwards a calm reflection...
Queenstown displayed splendid conditions every bit good in addition to nosotros enjoyed lovely vistas on our trips to Glenorchy in addition to Arrow town...
This lovely private garden on the agency to Glenorchy was amazing...
Arrowtown was non bad too...
We moved toward the climax, the tallest mount inwards NZ Aoraki/Mt Cook.
The conditions was nevertheless belongings but when nosotros arrived nosotros were stunned to view the shy Aoraki hidden patch residual of the expanse was bathed inwards sunlight. We hiked to Tasman glacier viewpoint in addition to lake thought that evening...
The visitor ticker girls promised the side past times side 24-hour interval volition live on a clear day. WOW, they were right... we saw Aoraki inwards all her glory in addition to did 2 non bad hikes Hooker valley in addition to Kea signal inwards the best possible conditions. Could non receive got asked for to a greater extent than every bit our loving cup of JOY is FULL!
The visitor ticker girls promised the side past times side 24-hour interval volition live on a clear day. WOW, they were right... we saw Aoraki inwards all her glory in addition to did 2 non bad hikes Hooker valley in addition to Kea signal inwards the best possible conditions. Could non receive got asked for to a greater extent than every bit our loving cup of JOY is FULL!
And our trip came to a beautiful finale alongside Christchurch Willowbank Reserve seeing the endangered kiwis in addition to trip to Aoraki alongside practiced conditions nevertheless holding!
CUSTOMS/SECURITY OFFICERS, FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
NZ Govt has restrictions on what tin dismiss live on brought into the province because inwards the past times pests in addition to diseases receive got been introduced into the secluded country. Fruit flies for illustration receive got been introduced in addition to receive got wreaked havoc on local crops.
https://mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/arriving-in-new-zealand/bringing-food-for-personal-use/ has details
It's best non to convey inwards nutrient items or medicines; if 1 happens to convey inwards something, 1 should declare it so that the officers tin dismiss create upwards one's hear whether it's OK. There is a fine of $400 for people flouting these rules in addition to getting flora out... x ray machines in addition to trained beagle dogs attain the screening! Hiking equipment needs to live on spotlessly build clean too!
I brought inwards a spice package in addition to 2 soup pulverization packets in addition to declared it on the shape when I landed at midnight at Auckland airport. I had it inwards a transparent package ready to demo inwards my carryon. The 1st immigration officeholder who stamped the passport said I receive got to proceed onward to the Biosecurity officeholder (like everybody else did) in addition to set a greenish tick on my form.
Meanwhile I was panicking almost my sunscreen, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner etc which are all totally herbal/plant based. They were also inwards transparent covers but inwards my checked bag; I kept them ready for inspection every bit nosotros moved toward the side past times side counter. The biosecurity officeholder waved off my nutrient materials packets. I said “My cosmetics are all herbal/plant”-based” in addition to lifted the package for inspection. He gave a broad grin in addition to said “These are OK. Do you lot receive got fresh fruit, honey, wine?”
After an emphatic NO, I proceeded to the x ray machines where everyone was putting their bags. No issues there... no beagles either every bit they were having their beauty slumber 1 would presume.
When my boy landed at half dozen am, he said the beagles were in that location vivid in addition to bustling sniffing through all bags! He ticked hiking equipment in addition to showed his good scrubbed hiking shoes he was wearing in addition to told the officeholder he had a pair of novel trekking poles inwards the bag. They waved him off too!
FOOD:
Cut some lemons in addition to added salt, spice to them inwards an empty yogurt container in addition to they became a tasty pickle inwards a 3/4 days!
We filled upwards drinking H2O from the kitchen taps inwards the bottles nosotros carry.
Bought 2 kg package of rice for our North isle stint in addition to so a five kg handbag for the South island.
We shopped at the supermarkets COUNTDOWN, FOURSQUARE inwards bigger towns in addition to did non demand anything inwards the smaller places nosotros stayed in. All provisions were set to practiced use, Left behind a little bottle of crude in addition to sauce every bit complimentary nutrient at the hostel at Christchurch when nosotros left.. I go alongside my ain laid of 3 vessels/lids, spoons, in addition to it worked for this trip every bit good though the hostels were quite good stocked!
I had contemplated bringing some Vicks Vaporub in addition to headache pills but decided against it. They may receive got been allowed inwards too! At Rotorua boy developed an allergy sneezing in addition to bought a Vicks vaporub for $11. Thankfully the allergy disappeared after leaving Rotorua in addition to nosotros did non demand whatsoever other medication!
SECURITY OFFICERS AGAIN:
Of course of educational activity our checked handbag did non brand it alongside us when nosotros landed at Christchurch. We waited till the belt stopped in addition to filed a missing handbag complaint at the counter. They promised the handbag volition live on delivered past times iv pm at our accommodation. The handbag was indeed delivered but in that location was a Federal Reserve annotation within that my new headlamp has been confiscated every bit it has Lithium battery. I had bought it for caving and it was a little battery, but you lot can't debate alongside security officers, tin dismiss you? Hope it was non trashed, in addition to some 1 is using it!
One to a greater extent than tale regarding NZ security officer...
There are terrible lilliputian monsters inwards the due west coast of the country... the official signboard fifty-fifty referes to them every bit Dracula... they are tiny lilliputian sandflies which receive got a stinging bite
According to Maori legend, the god Tu-te-raki-whanoa had but finished creating the landscape of Fiordland, it was absolutely stunning... so stunning that it stopped people from working. They but stood around gazing at the beauty instead. The goddess Hine-nui-te-pō became angry at these unproductive people, so she created the sandfly to seize alongside teeth them in addition to larn them moving !
For the pesky sandflies, I had brought inwards baby crude in addition to Dettol in addition to made a mix 2:1 inwards a little dispenser. It worked similar magic. We had some DEET wipes every bit good but did non demand it! Some enterprising flies had got into the auto at Hokitika gorge in addition to took a pair of bites on my arms when I took off the long sleeved shirt inwards the assumed security of the car. They itched a lot in addition to the identify swelled upwards after a few days. I was terrified, set some neat Dettol drops on the spot (no broken peel in addition to the itching had before stopped alongside babe oil, dettol mix), they magically started healing!
In fact I had the Dettol inwards my handbag when I was leaving Auckland for dwelling when a Security officeholder pulled upwards the handbag in addition to started inspecting it. He took the bottle, searched for his spectacles in addition to read the label. I was upset that he may throw it away in addition to I'll receive got no succor for itching/swelling during the long flying home. I showed him the ruby score on the arm in addition to told him I got badly bitten on the due west coast in addition to needed the medication please. He nodded in addition to set the bottle dorsum in addition to waved me off. Surprisingly the whole thing healed alongside but 1 to a greater extent than application in addition to I'm every bit practiced every bit novel now!!
At all instances, the officers were sweet, polite in addition to smiling! In fact all the locals nosotros met were friendly in addition to warm in addition to enhanced the vacation!
I'm winding upwards this intro on this note. There are detailed reports of each 24-hour interval of our trip alongside the pictures inwards next posts.
Our videos are beingness posted on this link:
https://goo.gl/photos/Cx4Ud4nYHoyo3QQJA
I go along alongside the study of our Day 1 inwards Auckland Waitakere Ranges common in addition to Day 2 Hamilton gardens, Waitoma glowwormcaves, marakopa falls in addition to Mangapohue natural span on the agency to Rotorua inwards my side past times side post:
http://www.kris-sapiutri.blogspot.com/search?q=how-to-plan-trip-to-africa
OUR VIDEOS:
Our videos are beingness posted on this link:
https://goo.gl/photos/Cx4Ud4nYHoyo3QQJA
I go along alongside the study of our Day 1 inwards Auckland Waitakere Ranges common in addition to Day 2 Hamilton gardens, Waitoma glowwormcaves, marakopa falls in addition to Mangapohue natural span on the agency to Rotorua inwards my side past times side post:
http://www.kris-sapiutri.blogspot.com/search?q=how-to-plan-trip-to-africa
How To Innovation A Trip To Novel Zealand
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Oleh
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