Holidays

[skippy]

Nef suggested I give a run down on my recent trip to NZ so I thought I’d start a holiday thread so everyone can share their adventures here.
I originally planned to go to Japan a couple of weeks ago but due to the uncertainty going on in that part of the world I postponed that until next July and booked a trip to New Zealand where I have never been before.
To sum it up in one word it was amazing, a beautiful country full of beautiful people.
I was a bit disappointed not to be going to Japan and thought NZ was just a make shift replacement but I was really surprised how much I loved it.
The county side is as good or better as anywhere I have ever seen sooo green and the seaside is the same. Fantastic clear waters where you can see fish swimming about while you’re standing on a wharf.
I did about twelve days there flew into Auckland which was pretty good, a typical city with great cafes and restaurants I did the local tourist things went up the sky tower spent time on the harbour, museums, art galleries and also did some fun things like the great escape which has half a dozen different rooms to choose from where in a set time you attempt to break out. We chose a prison cell. You need to look for clues to find keys and hints to escape, pretty good fun, we also did some other things like that as my fifteen year old got to choose what he wanted to do for a day while we were there too.
We stayed in Auckland for a couple of days then I hired a car and drove to Rotorua which is the adventure capital of the North island.
That was great hot pools, glow worm caves, lake cruises,zorbing which is like a big ball where you get inside and roll down a hill a luge track which you can catch a gondola up to and see for miles.
We also went to Hobbitton where the hobbit trilogy and Lord of the rings were filmed a movie set still exists there. That place was amazing so beautiful so green all of these things are around the Rotorua area. We went to a hangi too that was great, good food but also a cultural experience.
We did so much I have probably forgotten half of them.
We stayed in the Rotorua area for around four days before we drove up to the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North island.
That was my favourite place, soo beautiful plus a bit warmer than elsewhere where it didn’t get past 16 Celsius, up at Paihia it was around twenty Celsius which is qa bit closer to what I’m used to.
I stayed in a resort next door to where the treaty of Waitangi was signed, that was a good spot.
We went and did the tour there and checked out its museum and a show, again great culture the Maori people are so proud but also so friendly.
We went on a great fast boat tour out to some tourist spots around there as well.
We stayed there around four nights before driving back to Auckland for the last day before flying home.
I loved it so much I would go back, great county great people heaps to do and it was pretty reasonable given the Aussie dollar buys about $1,10 NZ.
Next time I will do the South Island, I want to go skiing in Queenstown.

[Black Orchid]

Sounds like you had a great time Skippy. My oldest used to go snowboarding at Queenstown regularly and loves it. I should make the effort to go before it breaks apart and disappears into the sea.

I haven't had a real holiday in a very long time. I think I am about due for one too.

[Super Nova]

Envy.

[Outlaw Yogi]

I haven't worked for a bit over 3 weeks ... so sort of on holidays without pay .. and starting to run out of money.
It didn't rain for months, then got 12 & 1/2 inches in 9 days (couple of weeks ago) .. the ground's still soft.
Been using some of my free time to dig a new dam ... nowhere near finished yet.
And making a bumper for the back of my ute to house the tail lights I've dubbed "Hard Arse"
It's 5' X 3' box section tube that's 6mm thick ... pity anyone who slams up the back of my ute

The mice keep moving into my caravan .. I wipe them out with Surefire baits and more move it.
I suspect there's a big wet coming ... soon

[Redneck]

The missus and I am off to NZ on a 13 day cruise on the 26/11,

Really looking forward to it.

sounds great Skip!

[Neferti]

The missus and I am off to NZ on a 13 day cruise on the 26/11,

Really looking forward to it.

sounds great Skip!

Thirteen days to get to NZ? Are you sure it isn't a slow boat to China?

[Nom De Plume]

The missus and I am off to NZ on a 13 day cruise on the 26/11,

Really looking forward to it.

sounds great Skip!

I've done a 14 day cruise to NZ. Stopped at various ports in the north and south Is. Hope you have a great time. I did.

[Redneck]

The missus and I am off to NZ on a 13 day cruise on the 26/11,

Really looking forward to it.

sounds great Skip!

I've done a 14 day cruise to NZ. Stopped at various ports in the north and south Is. Hope you have a great time. I did.

Thanks buddy looking forward to it!

[Redneck]

The missus and I am off to NZ on a 13 day cruise on the 26/11,

Really looking forward to it.

sounds great Skip!

Thirteen days to get to NZ? Are you sure it isn't a slow boat to China?

Settle petal and I was going to invite you along!

[Black Orchid]

Enjoy Red, but don't get drunk and fall overboard.