BootsnAll Travel Community

January=Summer=my departure (tentatively).

Where to hit it up? Is 2 months there too much unnecessary time? Should I pop into Thailand, or Fiji......or is 2 months in NZ good? Maybe hit closer to Australia?

How is NZ.....cool, or is it just like Canada?

I know I am intelligent because I know I am nothing.
-Socrates

If you like the outdoors and natural beauty, you have to go see New Zealand. So much to see and do. Use the full 2 months there and more if you have it.

Has Time, Will Travel!

it's kinda funny my mom just came out and said something funny one day

she said if she had to move anywhere she would want to move to New Zealand - she has never been there or that part of the world

i just thought it was odd for her to say that out of the blue

i would love to go to NZ - hear it's a lot like Canada - attitude wise with nice weather

But im trying to escape Canada!
Attitude wise Im sure its similair. But not nearly as multicultural (Im caucasian and a minority in my university I think?- UBC)

Not that it matters.

But sweet, good good so far!

I know I am intelligent because I know I am nothing.
-Socrates

It really depends on what preferences you have. You you want something that is culturally completely different from what you have now, then you should definitely go to Asia or Africa. If it is your first time travelling, then NZ is perfect. I spent two months there - and would another two easily. I hitch hiked around, had a lot of time to myself, was welcomed to local homes, camped, hiked...an excellent time. But it won't be a revelation culture-wise (meaning: you won't go back to Canada saying 'Oh my god, they are completely different from us'). NZ is better for some 'spiritual' travelling, than for partying. Of course you can go for the Kiwi Experience - but then you could as well get pissed at home.

So, what do you expect from your travels?

www.aresthetics.ch/trav
My personal travel website

New Zealand is amazing, If you like scenery, SHEEP and nature, then NZ is the place to go. It depends about the length of stay, do u like to ski etc...I was there recently for 17 days and did a really rush tour of both the North and South islands by camperbvan, we saw everything we wanted to see though, but really quickly! if you are there to ski, staying a couple of extra days is a must. The 17 days I was there was plenty for me and I wouldnt go back to NZ for a while, I loved it, but ive had my fill.

By the way, spend most of your time on the South Island, it is much more beautiful and there is more to do..thats my opinion anyway and go to Milford Sounds on the South, they have boat cruises which are amazing and an underwater observatory, Queenstown is amazing and a lot to do there as well as Christchurch, Dunedin was my favourite, it is like a scottish town, the only castle in NZ is here

A fun thing to do while driving the long boring miles along the roads is to jump over the fence and chase the sheep and cows, such a laugh! (ok, so we were really bored) by the way, have u decided how you are going to get around? I met 2 backpackers who were travelling for 6 months, they had bought a cheap car and were driving from place to place and camping at caravan parks (which is the cheapest and most fun) say around $10AUS each a night

The weather kept changing, it was sunny, windy and snowy in one day! so be prepared and bring clothes for all types of weather...

I think stay the majority of the time in NZ and you could head over to fiji for a week or 2, why not?? and they are all close...Australia is only 3 hrs away by plane so u could go there as well...

Feel free to ask if you have anymore questions

Nugget

"Enjoy life. There's plenty of time to be dead." (touchwood!)
-Anon.

Check out my blog for some firsthand info. I found 3 weeks on the South Island alone to be a little short - so two months would be most excellent. I'll try to add more later.


Hang Loose!

http://blogs.bootsnall.com/logan/

MOST helpful, Mike and Nugs I'll PM you for sure. Just after essays are due, and exams.

I know I am intelligent because I know I am nothing.
-Socrates

I think you'll find NZ looks similar to BC because the locals are wandering around in polar fleece and hiking boots. The attitude is similar as well - NZers have a real frontier spirit: she'll be right. But if you spend any time on the North Island, you will notice the multicultural influence. There are more Pacfic Islanders in NZ than in the Pacific Islands! Maoris are a 'native' population with clout--unlike your native populations or ours [USA]. Go to south Auckland [Otara, Mangere or Papatoetoe] on a Saturday morning and check out the flea markets. Go to a Samoan church on Sunday. Hitch hike around the East Cape, and I guarantee you will meet some characters [perhaps a little too much inbreeding there!]. Rotorua is another cultural Mecca - but mainly for the tourists. Try to get to Hokitika [sp??] near Greymouth on the South Island for the wild food festival. There are several of these wild food festivals, even on the North Island. You haven't lived until you've eaten a huhu grub!

If you want to experience the NZ outdoors [highly recommended over bungy jumping, etc], stop by a local tramping [hiking] club whereever you are and join them on a weekend trip. You've never had an adventure like the one you'll have with 'real' Kiwi trampers. I'm convinced that if ever stranded on a deserted island, all I need is one Kiwi tramper with me & we will have no worries, mate.

NZ is beautiful and two months is not long enough to enjoy it. I lived there for 2 years and saw only a tiny bit. You will have travelled at least 24 hours to get there--might as well relax & spend some time. Forget Fiji, Aus, etc. The flights from NZ are too expensive [except you may find cheaper airfare to AUS]. Don't bother to fly within NZ either--too expensive. Buy a car, take the train [not too many options there], take the bus, hitch hike, ride a bike--whatever it takes to see the country. NZ looks small on a map, especially compared with Canada, but the country has extremely varied terrain, different cultures and surprising weather [hint, bring you're winter woolens if you are visiting the South Island in NZ summer--Jan/Feb. It can snow on Xmas in the southern Alps!]. Have a great trip!

no worries walkabout...btw, I know what you mean about essays and exams, im trying to finish my studies as well so I can organise my trip...agggh, but time goes too slowwww (but then it goes so fast when youre travelling and having fun, how unfair)

take it easy

Nugget

"Enjoy life. There's plenty of time to be dead." (touchwood!)
-Anon.