Day 1: Hello San Francisco and Overnight Flight to Auckland
Well, here I am in beautiful San Francisco. Tonight I leave on a direct 12hr flight to Auckland with Air New Zealand. I’m really excited about flying Air NZ – I’ve heard very good things.
Today I decide to tire myself out so I could sleep on the plane and I head downtown. I’m staying at the Doubletree San Francisco airport (warm chocolate chip cookies on check-in were a nice surprise!) and they have a free shuttle to the BART light rail station that takes you right downtown. I ended up choosing City Sightseeing’s double decker bus tour so I could see as much as possible in my limited time here. Weather was just perfect and I texted Matt from the ferry terminal with this picture of the Oakland-Bay Bridge.
A couple of highlights for me today: Pier 39 and watching the sea lions, catching a glimpse of the Golden Gate bridge (even if most of it was shrouded in fog), and wandering through the Old Ferry Terminal building – now a delightful farmer’s market filled with amazing vendors. I love San Francisco!
Day 2: Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand!
Kia Ora! (Maori for welcome) Technically I have skipped a day, since we crossed the international date line. Nothing like leaving on a Sunday night, going to sleep and waking up Tuesday morning in New Zealand! Great flight over – Air New Zealand still serves food (for free!!) so we had supper on the plane shortly after take off, complete with wine (for free!!). We also got a pillow and a blanket and (free!) headsets – take that Air Canada. There seemed to be about a gazillion movies and tv shows to watch. I settled down to a couple of cute romantic comedies and then fell asleep somewhere in the middle of True Grit (I never did see the end…)
Arriving in Auckland we collected our bags and made our way to customs. Very straightforward and similar to American customs – fill out your form, show your passport, get your stamp. No visa required for Canadians traveling on Canadian passports staying for less than 3 months. After customs we head to the agricultural inspection. Here they are specifically checking for any food items, plants, and any dirt that may have arrived (like on your golf shoes for instance). New Zealand takes this very seriously as they do not want any unknown pathogens in their ecosystem – so declare everything, even the granola bar in your purse, just to be safe.
Unlike our tour next year, this group is flying to Wellington on a connecting flight, so we put our bags on the connecting conveyor belt and head over to the domestic terminal to board our next flight.
A short flight later we’re touching down in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. We collect our luggage and meet our airport transfer who takes us to our hotel. We get our room assignments and I’m very pleased to be sharing with a really nice travel agent from Toronto.
Tourism Wellington sponsors our lunch in the Cuba Quarter – a very trendy part of Wellington that showcases the city's “café culture” with a plethora of independent specialty restaurants and coffee houses. I have the most delicious sandwich made of things I can’t pronounce. As I look around, I’m starting to understand why Wellington has been called “the coolest little capital in the world.”
The weather could not be more perfect for our walk along the waterfront. I take some time to check out my group’s hotel for next year – the West Plaza Hotel. I am really pleased with the location. My group will have some free time in the city and the hotel is right across from the visitor information centre (called the i-Site), a block from the waterfront and right along the street where most of the shops and restaurants are located. With some free time on my hands I wander along Lambton Quay, popping in and out of shops. Things seem expensive at first, but remember, our money is worth about 25% more plus all these prices include their 15% sales tax. In the end I figure things work out to about the same as in Canada. Some things are cheaper and other things (like bottled water) more on the expensive side. I head back to the famil hotel, the Grand Chancellor, and take a short nap to refresh before dinner.
You’ll be pleased to know that if you come with me next year our first day in Auckland is completely free until dinner – so if you want to nap or just lounge around the hotel after that long flight you are completely free to do so. I would suggest easing in to that first day while your body adjusts to the time change.
Dinner tonight is a scrumptious buffet at the hotel and we have the chance to mingle with the other members of our famil – there are 10 of us from Canada and 6 from the UK. Then it’s an early night for me so I can be ready for our morning adventures.
Day 3: Out and About in Wellington
Back to the hotel restaurant for a buffet breakfast this morning and then we take a short walk to the Wellington Cable Car for a ride to the top. It is a breathtaking view and we are in store for another gorgeous day.
After some time exploring at the top we meet Dusty, our coach captain and driver for the remainder of our stay in New Zealand. We’ll be helping to break in a brand new coach, it’s only 6 weeks old and she’s a beauty. We see other Pacific Tourways coaches while we’re driving around and they are all equally nice. Most of them under 2 years old. After that the company usually sells them to transit companies, like a Gray Line, and buys new. I’m very pleased with the quality of the coaches and also the large panoramic windows. Unlike North American highways consisting just of trees, there’s lots to see in New Zealand and these windows made me feel like I was sitting right in the middle of it all.
Dusty takes us on a driving tour of Wellington, pointing out many of the stops that were too far to see on foot yesterday. Lunch today is sponsored by the folks at Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary in Wellington and a stop on JK Tours trip next year. I have a nice chat with Richard, the business development manager, about Zealandia and the work they are doing. I didn’t realize that New Zealand had no mammals originally, that all of these were brought over with explorers from Australia, the UK, etc. Consequently, bringing in these mammals has made many of the native birds and reptiles almost extinct. Zealandia is trying to bring back the original eco-system to this area and are having great luck bringing back some nearly extinct species. In fact, there are a couple of native creatures that until Zealandia, could only be found offshore on small islands. It’s fascinating stuff and after lunch we take a walk through the grounds and see the endangered takahe, a baby tuatara, and the home of a kiwi bird. Since kiwis are nocturnal we don’t actually see the bird this afternoon, but it’s still neat.
Then we’re off to Mount Victoria. Dusty can’t believe how calm the wind is at the top; usually it’s much, much stronger. I watch the Interislander ferry leaving to cross the Cook Strait and head to the South Island. I can’t wait to do that next year – it is one of the quintessential touristy things to do while in New Zealand.
This afternoon is free time for me so I head out and take the cable car again, this time to check out the botanical gardens at the top. I head back down to the bottom and head over the Beehive, the New Zealand parliament buildings, so I can take better pictures than what I could on the bus this morning. I also stop and take a few pictures of the Supreme Court building before heading back to the hotel, via some shops of course. I manage to squeeze in a little souvenir hunting.
Tonight we’re down by the water for dinner. I’m taking advantage of being in New Zealand to have lamb every chance I get and tonight is no exception. Dinner is fabulous. While some head out for a nightcap, I’m played out and so head back to the hotel for the night.
Day 4: Te Papa, Mountains and Wine
This morning we’re guests of Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. We get a bit of an abbreviated tour because we’re on a tight schedule today. I look forward to coming back next year and exploring more of it in detail. This place is huge! And fascinating! Our guide is a Maori school teacher who starts us off with a lesson in geology, followed by a lesson in history. We learn a lot about the Maori people and culture, including a chance to go inside a traditional Maori meeting house. I’m fascinated by the Maori, how they found this land, how they live, and how they now live side by side with the “white man”.
Then we’re off, traveling through the Rimutaka Mountain range to the Wairarapa winemaking region. This part is not a stop on the JK Tours itinerary, however, the tourist board of this region is trying really hard to increase tourism and so we’re off to have a look at this area. The company I’m using in New Zealand does have one tour program that stops in the area so it’s worth a look for those of us on the famil.
We stop for lunch in Greytown but after our huge buffet breakfast I pick up a yogurt and a granola bar from a little shop and just use the break to stretch my legs. The weather is still perfect – lovely sun and neither too hot or too cold. Lots of original Victorian wooden homes here which makes for interesting walk.
Arriving in Masterton mid afternoon we make a stop to look at some airplanes. Not just any airplanes, but the largest collection of still flying World War I aircrafts. And this collection just happens to be owned by non-other than Peter Jackson. Yes, that Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and a Kiwi himself. I’m slightly dismayed that Peter is not on hand to welcome us, but what can you do? Apparently he’s off filming something about a Hobbit…
Our host hotel tonight in the Millennium Copthorne. For those of you who have stayed with us at the Millennium hotel in New York City, you’ll know this chain is a 5-star so this is a treat. Bags dropped off, we’ve got some free time. Some of the group head to the pool, some to the private hot tub, some get a workout on the trampoline. I decide to walk in to town and explore.
Turns out the walk is about 45min, but it’s a nice day and I could use the exercise. I’m wearing a Roots “Canada” sweater and am stopped by a sweet little lady who asks if I truly am from Canada. She wants to know all about the country and we have a lovely chat. Pushing forward I find myself in the main area of town. I’ve found a grocery store called Pak ‘N’ Save, something similar to a No Frills, and I go inside. I love foreign grocery stores, I think you can tell a lot about people by what they eat. Prices are pretty similar to home and I stock up on some fruit and snacks for the rest of the trip and make my way back to the hotel.
Day 5: Art Deco & Thermal Hot Pools
This morning we pack our bags and head for Napier, the Art Deco capital of the world. The city was mostly destroyed by an earthquake in the 1930’s and they rebuilt most of the buildings in Art Deco style. We have a fascinating guided walk through the main downtown area.
For lunch I duck in to a Starbucks for a panini sandwich and then take it to eat ocean-side on the beach. Napier is directly on the ocean and is a beachy-resort kind of town. Lots of tour buses are pulling in and out from the main visitor centre and I wander over to chat with people about their experiences. A lot of the visitors are from Australia and they tell me what a fantastic time they are having.
Reluctantly, I head back to catch our coach – I would love to have more time here. Good thing we’re staying overnight on the JK Tours trip next year. I saw our hotel, it’s located right downtown in the Art Deco district and all those little shops I saw are within walking distance – look out Matt, I may be borrowing your credit cards. :)
We’re back on the road and stop to stretch our legs in the resort town of Lake Taupo at the Huka Falls. One of the most visited attractions in New Zealand, the Huka Falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River. What’s most impressive is the sheer volume of water – the river is normally 100 meters wide but at the falls it is suddenly squeezed through a 20 meter gorge creating lots of foam and rapids in addition to the falls. In fact Huka is a Maori word for “foam” – very appropriate. We head out over the pedestrian bridge for some pictures and watch at the Huka Jet Boat as it approaches the base of the falls, swirls around, and takes off back down the river – participants squealing in delight. Or terror. I would be screaming in terror for sure so please do not ask me to accompany you next year if for some reason you decide to take the jet boat ride…
Traveling along the Thermal Explorer Highway, we reach Rotorua shortly before dinner time. This is one of my favourite places so far, but, to be fair, I have to warn you what to expect when you come on the JK Tours trip next year. Rotorua is a geothermal paradise, renowned for its thermal hot pools and spouting geysers. But all of that geothermal activity comes with a sulphur smell. However, you get used to it fairly quickly.
After a lovely dinner with the hotel manager (and more lamb!) we head to the Polynesian Spa for the evening. This is one of the top 10 day spas in the world and it’s located just steps from our hotel in Rotorua, the Sudima! Next year, you might choose to enjoy the hot pools here during your free time. There are a variety of pools to choose from – in size, temperature, and amount of mineral content. We’re outside, but under a canopy so the fine mist in the air doesn’t really affect us. This is pure bliss and a great way to unwind before bed.
Day 6: Rotorua
It’s an early morning rise to take a gondola ride to breakfast, very similar to what the JK Tours group will do next year in Queenstown one morning. The view is incredible and the sun is just rising over the lake.
The more adventurous in our group take the luge ride down the mountain. I opt to take pictures, but feel slightly embarrassed by my own fear when a 70yr old lady from another coach tour whizzes down the mountain laughing hysterically. If she can do it… In fact, the coach behind us is a “real” bus tour (as opposed to our condensed famil) through our partner company and nearly everybody on board tries the luge at least once.
After breakfast and a ride back down the gondola we’re off to see the various tourism destinations of Rotorua. It’s a bit of a whirlwind day, so I’m glad I took notes. There is certainly lots to see here and I’m really glad with the choices made for the JK Tours group next year – you’ll get to see lots of kiwi birds at Kiwi Encounter and see the geysers and thermal steam action at Wai O Tapu – everything that to me makes Rotorua such an interesting place. Our famil group takes a quick tour around the area and we pass some people zorbing. A very good friend of mine spent time in New Zealand and insisted I “zorb” (roll down a hill in a giant plastic ball) but taking pictures from the window is the best I can do. If you travel with us next year, you can bring out your inner child by zorbing during free time in Rotorua if you wish.
Tonight’s dinner is very cool and is an experience the JK Tours group will also have. We’re guests for a traditional Maori hangi feast. A hangi feast is a traditional Maori dinner cooked in special ovens underground. Before dinner we are treated to traditional dancing and singing. Some of us even head up on stage to learn the Haka – the Maori war dance. The entertainers share stories of the Maori people and culture and then guide us to our dinner. I have just one word: yum! (and two more words: dessert bar!)
Day 7: Heading North to the Tropics
We’re up and off after our buffet breakfast – heading north to the subtropical area of New Zealand. That’s right, north. We’re on the other side of the equator, so you go south to cool off and north to warm up! The seasons are the opposite of ours as well. I’m visiting New Zealand at the very beginning of their fall. Next year, the JK Tours group will also be visiting during New Zealand’s late summer/early fall. It is a lovely time to travel here, but I must say it was interesting to see all the stores bringing out their winter clothing, since at home we’re just getting ready for spring...
Today's a travel day since we’re heading quite far north to the Bay of Islands and it’s late afternoon by the time we arrive in Paihia at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. We’re met by our Maori guide who explains the Waitangi Treaty – the agreement signed between the British and the Maori and the birth of the country of New Zealand. Our guide is fascinating as she points out details in the Maori Meeting House and explains how New Zealand came to be under British authority. The treaty is very interesting from a North American perspective because it recognizes the Maori people as being equal to the British, our guide describes it like a marriage where both groups are equally responsible for the country. There was no invasion here, nobody was “conquered”. In fact, it was the Maori who reached out to the British in the first place. Our guide sings a traditional song for us, a gift to the ancestors and a treat for those of us who listen to her. We are free to wander the grounds and the historic Treaty House, built for James Busby, the first British resident.
We check in to our hotel, close to the beach, just as darkness is getting ready to descend. It is typical of a beach town destination – ice cream shops, seafood restaurants, and souvenir stands line the street as I go for a quick walk before dinner. I’m amazed how much warmer the air is, even as evening approaches. I head to the marina, where the sightseeing boats are now tied up for the day. Lots of whales and sea life to see in this area and there are many tour boats offering everything from a few hours to a full day at sea. I love it here under the palm trees, the warm sea breeze caressing my face.
Day 8: At Sea
Today is Anzac Day, a national holiday and similar to our Remembrance Day. We are all given poppies to wear and we head down to the ferry boat for a quick trip over to Russell. The boat ride over is very special today, many New Zealand sailors in uniform are on board and we’re piped over to the tiny town of Russell.
Once on shore we meet our local guide and driver who takes us on a tour of the area. Some of the most expensive homes in New Zealand are here – many in the millions of dollars with the price going up with the view. It really is paradise here. From one of our stops we can just make out Eagles Nest – if you watched the Bachelor this is where one of them proposed while in New Zealand. It’s one of the most exclusive resorts in the world. Our guide tells us there’s a recession special on right now: $20,000 per night. That’s almost half price!
I’m really excited to see a Weta – the daytime sister of the Kiwi and also a flightless bird. She seems very tame and our guide tells us they are protected on the island and so are not very afraid of people. In fact, he has one that will come into his house and steal the cutlery because they love shiny things.
Back on the mainland we head to Opua Wharf to board the Ipipiri. This is a brand new feature of our partner and they want us all to try out this small luxury overnight cruise ship. We cruise past many of the same things the JK Tours group will see on their daytime sailing in the Bay of Islands; lots of coastal hideaways, sparkling blue water, and dolphins! I was disappointed not to see the little blue penguins but maybe next year. We dock the following morning just after breakfast.
Day 9: A City of Sails
We disembark from the Ipipiri and make our way to Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. It’s called the City of Sails because 1 in 4 people living in Auckland have a boat and, consequently, the city has one of the largest marinas in the southern hemisphere. Arriving in the city after lunch we have an orientation tour and then check-in to our hotel. I use my free time to go and visit the hotel for the JK Tours tour – the Mercure. I love it more than the hotel I am currently staying at. Location is perfect – it’s right downtown and next to the Westfield shopping mall. Easy walking distance to the Viaduct, Sky Tower and all sorts of activities for free time.
Dinner tonight is a buffet at the Sky Tower restaurant. You’ll be treated to the same dinner on your first night in New Zealand on the JK Tours trip next year. The food was amazing! Lots and lots of choice and so many good desserts that I completely ruined any semblance of a diet. After dinner we went up one level to the observation deck for a spectacular view of the city. Those of us with lots of energy head out to the Viaduct, a collection of over 30 bars and restaurants adjacent to one of the marinas. We end up at a great little Irish pub for a nightcap. It’s a perfect end to the day’s events.
Day 10: Adventures in Auckland
A leisurely breakfast eases our way into some free time this morning. I join some of our group and we head back to the Sky Tower. Five in our group have decided to do the Sky Jump, a controlled free fall off the tower. I elect to stay on the viewing platform and watch them, but if you join us next year Matt promises to do the Sky Jump. That alone should be reason to come on the trip! :)
Lots of shrieking and jumping later we’ve got some great pictures. I part company with the jumpers and head out to do some exploring. I wander around and just take in the atmosphere. Lots of shops, but my suitcase is close to being overweight so I restrain myself. Note to self: next year pack less and leave more room in the suitcase. Almost all of our hotels have laundry facilities, so packing for our 3 week tour next year need not be a headache.
The famil group has a farewell dinner tonight at Soul Bar and Bistro in the Viaduct. Imagine the excitement of the men when the Webb Ellis Cup appears in the restaurant and we can all have our picture taken with it. Think the Stanley Cup of rugby. New Zealand is hosting the World Cup of Rugby this year and this sport is very big deal in this country. It's on par with hockey to a Canadian. The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team, are insanely popular.
The food at the restaurant is amazing, as it has been this whole trip, and I’m sorry to say good-bye to such a great group of people.
Day 11: Flight
Our flight back to San Francisco leaves at 5pm so we’ve got some free time on our hands. I elect to take the hop on/off bus over to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World – I will see penguins yet! I am not disappointed. Lots of penguins and lots of cool fish to see. I have a great time and get to see a few more sites of Auckland before heading back to the hotel to pack.
Mid afternoon I’m at the airport getting my luggage weighed. I’m 22.9kg of a possible 23kg – the check-in guy winks and tells me I’ve done some good packing. I let out a sigh of relief that I will not be paying $70NZ for each additional kg I am over.
My roommate and I chow down to an early supper and take a last browse through the souvenir shops in the international terminal. Duty-free is popular with some as they grab up discount bottles of New Zealand wine to take home. I am tempted by Kiwi Fruit Wine, but decide on kiwi fruit chocolate instead. It’s delicious! This is a really nice airport; I’m very impressed with the variety of shops and restaurants and none of it really extortionate in price.
One last security check later, I’m boarding the plane. I settle into my seat for the flight to San Francisco, have some dinner (a very yummy dish of butter chicken) and wake up somewhere in some time zone over the Pacific Ocean.
Pretty soon we’re landing in San Francisco. We’ve crossed the international date line again so I get to re-live day 11 all over. I left on Thursday at 5pm from Auckland, I arrive in San Francisco at 11am on Thursday. I’m back from the future baby! I spend my free time in San Francisco today in Sausalito and finally get to see the Golden Gate Bridge fog-free. Tonight I’m back at the Doubletree by the airport and tomorrow morning I fly home to Moncton.
I’m sorry this trip is over, but I can’t wait to come back next year and show off all the things I’ve seen to my own group. I've only touched the tip of the iceberg with this blog and my descriptions really don't do justice to everything I've seen. Truly, New Zealand is an epic vacation destination! Hope to see you there!!
Kari
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