emma1420
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Joined: Jan 28, 2011 15:35:45 GMT -5
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Post by emma1420 on Nov 3, 2016 20:20:11 GMT -5
Current question: should we visit Hobbiton? I thought it was neat. But, some of it depends on if you are a fan of the movies and what you like to do. I wouldn't do Hobbiton over say Tongariro National Park if you like hiking. But the tour is neat and it's really pretty. Plus you get a free drink in the Green Dragon. I don't regret doing that tour, and I think it was about $70 and I felt like it was worth the money.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 3, 2016 20:43:59 GMT -5
I am interested. DH is not so much. Trying to determine the length of our stay in Rotorua. And if we should drive over to Hawke's Bay for wine tasting.
We are hoping to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing IF we can get in shape for it by then.
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emma1420
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Joined: Jan 28, 2011 15:35:45 GMT -5
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Post by emma1420 on Nov 3, 2016 20:53:46 GMT -5
I am interested. DH is not so much. Trying to determine the length of our stay in Rotorua. And if we should drive over to Hawke's Bay for wine tasting. We are hoping to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing IF we can get in shape for it by then. Are you going to try and do White Island from Rotorua? I didn't haven't chance to do that, and it's something I wish I had the time for. The one thing I'd suggest is that you don't overplan your trip. There are some places that you do need to make arrangements for in advance because things get booked up quickly, but there are many places where there is plenty of availability. And being flexible while you are there is a good idea. Hobbiton is neat, even if you aren't a fan of the movies, but i think there are better things out there. People say that Disneyland is the most magical place on earth. They lie. It's New Zealand.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 3, 2016 22:03:03 GMT -5
Yes we are planning on White Island. But staying on the coast the night before. And yes we are over planning. There is some flexibility, but most hotel nights are booked. A few excursions (Milford Sound, Swim with Dolphins, and white water river raft trip) are booked because of popularity. Most things we can cancel or change up to a couple of days before if necessary.
Currently trying to figure out Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, Corrmandel Peninsula, and Bay of Islands. I don't think we are going all the way up to 90 mile beach.
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Bonny
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Joined: Nov 17, 2013 10:54:37 GMT -5
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Location: No Place Like Home!
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Post by Bonny on Nov 4, 2016 10:31:37 GMT -5
We are not flying first class. It's about 17 hrs (2 hr layover in San Francisco). Airfare reasonable at $1350 each. Car rental at about $1000. Total cost for 37 days will probably be between $15000 and $18000 (for 2). Right now we are at around $100 a night for hotels. I'm not doing hostels. We are getting kitchens to try and cook part of the time. Excursions are the other big cost. Rafting, kayaking, boat trips, cultural shows, museums, wine tasting tours etc Lynne,
Who are you flying out of SFO and where are you landing?
It looks like we will be headed out of LA for a non-stop to Auckland then onto Wellington.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 4, 2016 11:07:33 GMT -5
We fly United directly from SFO to Auckland. Then spend 2 nights in Auckland before flying to Christchurch and renting a car. Drive around for 5 weeks and then fly home from Auckland.
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lynnerself
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Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 6, 2016 23:11:37 GMT -5
Booked our final hotel room tonight.
North Island itenerary:
Wellington (museum, WETA) Raft Rangitikei River Tongario Alpine crossing hike Lake Taupo Napier (wine tasting) Rotorua (thermal areas, Hobbiton, glow caves) White Island (volcanic island) Coromandel Pennisula (hot water beach) Bay of Islands (lots of water activities) Orewa (ocean trip to bird sanctuary) Return to Auckland
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 13, 2016 13:05:13 GMT -5
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Bonny
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Joined: Nov 17, 2013 10:54:37 GMT -5
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Location: No Place Like Home!
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Post by Bonny on Nov 13, 2016 17:11:56 GMT -5
I hope it doesn't either.
DH says we need to get on with planning our trip. I said, this might not be the best week to try to reach people.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 13, 2016 20:17:36 GMT -5
Most of our hotels have free cancellation policies. I'm thinking most everything will be fixed by the time we go. I am waiting to book my Auckland to Christchurch flight until I make sure Christchurch airport is open.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 14, 2016 11:17:09 GMT -5
So, I'm watching with great interest and because I travel vicariously through all of you until I'm done helping kids pay for college.
But, I have a dumb question: is OUR winter the busiest tourist season there? In other words, is the weather there temperate enough all year that one could go during an off season (if there is one)?
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lynnerself
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Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 15, 2016 16:23:17 GMT -5
The road to Kaikura where we have reservations to swim with the dolphins.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2016 16:41:26 GMT -5
The road to Kaikura where we have reservations to swim with the dolphins. I saw a fair amount of similar types of damage on the news last night. Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with.
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lynnerself
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Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
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Post by lynnerself on Nov 15, 2016 16:53:56 GMT -5
Kaikura is completely cut off by road or rail. Tourists and residents stranded. I heard months to fix roads and billions of dollars to recover.
We're just holding right now. We have a few months. I think worst case we will have to change our itinerary somewhat.
ETA I need to check what my refund policy is on the Swim with the Dolphins. It's one of the few things we prepaid.
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sapphire12
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Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:02:12 GMT -5
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Post by sapphire12 on Nov 18, 2016 8:20:32 GMT -5
I just came back from Australia and New Zealand. I wasn't there long enough. I will have to go back in retirement. Queenstown is absolutely beautiful. I hope New Zealand can recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake before your trip. It truly is a beautiful country.
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