New Zealand is such a fantastic (nuclear free) country, with some of
\n the friendliest people on this earth, wonderful outdoor life, good wine,
\n glaciers, fjords, beaches, lakes, caves, geysers, mountains, you can ski,
\n trek, hike, white water rafting, bungee jumping, diving, surfing and ?;?;?;?;.Get
\n the idea! The first to thing to understand about New Zealand is that there
\n are two islands connected by ferry and air and Auckland, Wellington (the
\n capital) and Christchurch are the three largest cities. If New Zealand
\n takes Beetles, this is where a Beetle would retire to! <\/p>\n
The following itinerary is a very general route and aimed at “taking
\n in” the best of both islands in a relatively short time from Auckland
\n to Christchurch. It is incredibly easy to travel around New Zealand. The
\n Beetle used the bus, which are plentiful and comfortable and there’s also
\n a rail network. You can buy discounted books of tickets and hop on-hop
\n off, or you can do it in an organized way on something like the Kiwi Experience
\n if you are under 25, can get by on 3 hours of sleep a night and enjoy
\n partying or you can hire a car. It would be a total waste of time to pay
\n for a package tour to visit New Zealand, and anyone thinking of doing
\n this must report immediately to the Beetle! <\/p>\n
Arrive in Auckland – there is lots of accommodation ranging from
\n the ubiquitous 5 stars, to boutique hotels to hostels. Do any shopping
\n you may need, there are several excellent outdoor shops selling waterproofs,
\n sleeping bags, stoves, sleeping bags etc. If you have plenty of time,
\n head north up to Kohukohu and stay at the Tree House Lodge – a truly
\n wonderful place, go walking, fishing, relax and chill out. From here you
\n can continue north still to Kaitaia where you can take trips to 90 mile
\n beach, do the 9 km Kaitaia Walkway, then head east to Russell which has
\n to be one of the world’s prettiest spots by the sea. Divers can dive the
\n Rainbow Warrior from Pahaia or you can swim with the dolphins. <\/p>\n
If you have time, detour to Waitomo Caves (amazing!) en route to Rotorua
\n via Hamilton. They are slightly south and west of Rotorua and then on
\n to Rotorua where you must visit the geysers and boiling mud pools and
\n inhale the malodorous school lab smells of hydrogen sulphide. Lake Taupo
\n is a short bus ride away – there’s lots to do and see here, the
\n lake itself, Huka Falls where you can take a speed boat and experience
\n death defying handbrake type turns under the Falls, another several other
\n infrequently visited geothermal park called Craters of the Moon and Orakei
\n Korako. Don’t forget a night time Maori concert – amazing! <\/p>\n
Then head south for Wellington (not called the windy City for nothing!),
\n enjoy the cafes, see the sights: take the cable car, visit the botanical
\n gardens and the zoo, go mountain biking, check out the talent rollerblading
\n on the waterfront, the museums and when you are through, take the ferry
\n to Picton on the south island. ON both sides, there is a free bus service
\n to the bus and railway stations as they are a way out of town. From here
\n you really should explore the Abel Tasman National Park. You can walk
\n the 58 km long Abel Tasman Track, or do part of it, or you can take organized
\n sea kayaking tours of the Marlborough Sounds. <\/p>\n
Bring your rain coat – it always seems to rain on the south island
\n – and head south and west and stop at Punakaiki and rest, walk through
\n the beautiful forests or admire the rock foundations on the beaches, then
\n head down the west coast to the two glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox. You
\n can take helicopter rides and land on the top, or you can climb up part
\n of them or you can stand and admire them at their base. Continue down
\n to Milford and take a boat trip on the Sound and see the beautiful glaciated
\n valleys and if you are a hiker, do the four day Milford Track. If you
\n are into all things that make the adrenalin pump, head straight up to
\n Queenstown and enlist in bungee jumping or whatever is your thing. Otherwise,
\n head south to the small lake town of Te Anau, known for its beauty and
\n calm. Do visit the caves with a glow worm grotto – mystical! It’s
\n time to head back, so either head form Queenstown and stay at Wanaka,
\n just north of Queenstown, a gorgeous small town with vineyards by the
\n lake and head back to Christchurch. Or alternatively, from Te Anau, head
\n east to Dunedin and then back to Christchurch. <\/p>\n
Next month: the best of Argentina and surrounds. <\/p>\n