OT but congratulations to the New Zealanders
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:37
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Member - barry F (NSW)
SWMBI & I have just returned from a three week escorted tour of both islands & are more than a little impressed by what NZ has to offer by way of scenery, tourist attractions & their hospitality.
Everywhere we went was also pretty much graffiti free as
well as not much litter scattered all over the place which was a pleasant change from what we are subjected to here in
Newcastle.
Many of the caravans we saw in caravan parks & on the road appeared old fashioned looking a bit like they were made in the 70's which we are a bit curious about. There were heaps of motor homes wherever we went, most of which were from rental companies & all of them were more or less current models. Pity to read in their local press that
free camping areas are being subjected to users not disposing of
toilet waste in a proper manner & consequently there is talk of closing these areas off which would be a shame.
Anyway, its a great place to visit & they know how to look after us visitors & relieve you of your money & its all done with a smile on their dial. LOL & cheers
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:59
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:59
Thank you from a Kiwi member.
I used to live in Milford Sound Did you go there.
The van industry has never taken off in NZ like it has here.
Some of the tourist roads like Milford and other busy windy roads prohibit them as
well.
A lot of the time its too bloody cold to be in a van. LOL
Imagine
Queenstown in winter at minus 17 and a gale blowing.
Been there done that,
Also the distance between towns is not so far and lots of motels.
The motor homes were probably full of Aussies.
Glad you enjoyed it a lot of variety in a relatively small area compared to here especially in the South Island ( The Mainland)
ROFL
Cheers
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361514
Follow Up By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:25
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:25
Yep we did go Milford Sound & fully enjoyed the Cruise, it rained a bit which added to our enjoyment by way of the many (hundreds!!) of waterfalls that it created.
You are right about the motor homes being full of Aussies, But as to the South Island being the "Mainland"?? Coach Captain on the North Island told us as he dropped us off at the ferry to go to the South that we should be prepared to turn our clocks back 10 YEARS?? LOL.
We can appreciate your comment ref. the roads as they are full of of hair pin bends & one way bridges, but we loved our short visit.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:50
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:50
He was obviously an Aucklander they coined a phrase for themslves a few years ago Called themselves JAFAS
Just a FRIENDLY Aucklander
The rest of NZ have a very differnt word beginning with F
There are three islands in NZ
There is the South Island ( Mainland) Stewart Island and the other Island to the north.
Especially since all of NZ gets an extra tax to pay for Aucklands roading problems.
Milford is nice in the wet but even better in the sunshine. Been in there with 2ins of snow around the hotel and one day when it was 105deg F.
Flew in one season cos there was 50 feet of avalanche snow over the Hollyford end of the tunnel.
Best 6 years of my life.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:53
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:53
Graham, I have known some who like to also claim the Western Island as their own.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:23
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:23
Western Isle as In Where???? Australia HE HE.
No we dont want it We already have Phar Lap and Pavlovas Dont need anything else .
cheers
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629262
Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:08
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:08
Couldn't agree more. Was there early last year, South Is, for about 3 weeks, and had a great time. The highlights had to be Milford and Doubtful Sounds, but wherever we went the scenery was fantastic and the people were really great (and spoke more or less the same language ;-). The dollar is good at the moment against the $NZ, and if we're gonna spend money overseas, then I'd rather spend it on our NZ cousins.
We looked at hiring a campervan, but in the end decided on hiring a cheap car and staying at B&Bs or motels, being a bit cheaper in total than a camper. This gave us lots more flexibility - we didn't have to drive a lumbering campervan thru city streets, etc. A camper would have allowed us to
cook our own meals, but at the end of a long day, we enjoyed eating out, rather than cooking anyway. The rental car was an oldie import, but worked a treat.
Having chosen our way of travel, we couldn't believe the number of campervans getting around, so they are still very popular. Not so sure about hiring one to travel in winter, tho - would prefer a warm room! At the time, we did read about the Govt introducing restrictions as to where people could
camp with a campervan. It seems that a few inconsiderate campers were dumping their loads in the bush, with no consideration to others. There was talk of colour-coding the vans to show which ones had chemical
toilets and those which didn't, with a view to which vans could
camp where. Everywhere we drove in the country, we saw roadside chem
toilet dumping stations. Great idea.
Will now have to visit the North Is. before too long.
Thanks, NZ
Gerry
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