If you are friends with me on Facebook you already know that I am in Australia! And now that I am here I find myself thinking fondly about my time in New Zealand. So I thought I would do a review- one tailored specifically to backpackers, young people, or anyone traveling on a budget.
0-5 stars?
The People: 5 stars
Across the board the people were ridiculously nice, and super accommodating. Most people are really good to talk to in any setting- from day to day interactions to in depth discussions. Imagine meeting somebody you want to hang out with every time you say hello to somebody. Look back at my hitch hiking post for some more on that!
The Places: 5 Stars
I cannot stress how beautiful NZ is- words, pictures, movies- none of them do it justice. There are so many places to find amazing views. Scenery that has no equal. It doesn't matter where you go, sure, some places are different than others- but few places are really better than others in NZ- just a different kind of awesome. Forest, rivers, mountains, beaches, cliffs, lakes, snow, sand, sea- NZ has legit places to offer in all categories.
Travelers Accommodation: 4 Stars
Backpackers/Hostels in any city you go to are not hard to find. Average price is not to bad- usually between 20-26$ NZ per night for a 8 person dorm room. Prices jack up close to airports or in tourist areas as can be expected. I didn't stay at a huge amount of hostels in NZ but the ones I did were mostly nice, clean, secure for belongings, and fun places. The camp grounds are usually clean, cheap, and have a great community feel.
Transportation: 3 Stars
A vast majority of the traveling I did was either by hitchhiking or hiking. And it was super easy. And while most of you reading this will never hitchhike anywhere, maybe not even in NZ, the other modes of transportation in NZ are great. The bus system can get you anywhere as can the trains. The only reason for the less than awesome 3 stars is the price. Most bus routes and train tickets are a bit more expensive than I'd like. Cars are also easy to purchase and worth it if you're wanting to see a bunch of different areas in NZ or are gonna be spending a long time in NZ.
Prices: 2 stars
New Zealand is unquestionably expensive. Fresh food from Pack N Save is the best way to get food. Beer? 16 bucks for a drinkable 6 pack. Tobacco? 15 bucks for a pack of cheap cigarets. Petrol aka Gasoline? $2.30 per liter! (4 liters in a gallon FYI) Everything is pretty pricey in general. Going to NZ? Buy everything you can in the states. Especially outdoor equipment of any kind. Camping, hiking, anything at all- USA quality and prices are better. I would suggest REI.com. While hostels aren't to pricey, and cheap food can be found... It all adds up
Fun Level: 5 stars
If you're willing to look hard enough, go off the beaten track, or try new things out- New Zealand could be a great place for you. Tons of fun things an opportunities to really experience joy.
Giving NZ an average of 4 stars!
I loved NZ thoroughly just really was surprised by the prices. Now I'm in Australia- Staying with a CouchSurf host, Chris, in Sydney. Soon I'll be getting up to Brisbane and celebrating my birthday! All I really want for my birthday is emails from friends!
Y'all Take Care,
Steve
Monday, April 15, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
New Experiences in New Places
Internet far from a sizeable town can be very hard to find- but I managed to find some!
So, what's been goin on? I've done loads of camping, hiking, climbing, and all other sorts of outdoor fun! Ive been staying busy, losing weight, an relaxing heavily. Now I'm at a host in Decanter Bay- outside of Little Akaloa. Haven't hear of it? Surprising because it is a very large town. They almost have 50 people now. It's an amazing location. Far from tourist. Beautiful bay-
Sorry for my email list people you get to read this next bit again!--
Decanter bay. A long bay with steep hills on either side. It only has a beach at low tide, at high tide the waves crash on the rocks that roll around slowly turning into sand themselves. At the mouth of the bay there is a row of rocks that dog legs left from the right. The rocks are tall spires showing the only evidence that the ridge used to extend into the sea. They have iconic sharp shapes that any local could recognize instantly. Looking from the beach to sea they do not block the view, instead the compliment it. It takes about 30 minutes in a sea kayak to get to them from the beach. Once on the rocks themselves they change nature entirely. On a heavy swell day it is one of the more terrifying experiences I have endured. Big waves crashing on the rocks from the sea side, each time one hits you realize that the rocks are not solid. Instead they are covered in tubes that have slowly eroded for who knows how long. Each time a big wave comes, parts of the wave of rushed through the tubes and dozens of blow holes erupt with spray. It's awesome. Literally. It fills me with awe.
The host here- Brad and Marie- emailed me to request that I come work for em- it came at just the right time. Right as I was starting to look at my bank account. Yes- I am over budget- NZ can be expensive- luckily I have my Australia Working Holiday Visa now so I'm not really worried! I allowed myself to splurge one to many times. Back to being strict once I get to Australia!
For my last days in New Zealand I've decided a nice place with good work on the beach would be nice! Been doing a lot of digging holes, transplanting plants, harvesting just about everything, and eating tons of animals. Lot of chainsaw work to come- I'm very excited about all of that!
However, sadly and happily at the same time, in one week I will be moving to Australia. I will miss this country for sure. But I am very excited to move to my second country. While my world wide trip is 3 months down, it doesn't really feel like I'm really "under way" so to say. I feel like moving from one foreign country to another will really make me feel more like my trip is going along. It's kinda snuck up on me. I remembered to revise my visa and make CouchSurfing plans and email people and everything but next week I'm flying.... That just hit home again.... 7 nights from tonight Ill be falling asleep in Australia. Stoked.
I have been receiving a lot of emails that always keep me very happy. I even received 4 books from my cousin JJ for my kindle app! Shout out! I know my trip abroad could not have been as successful or fun without all of you. Thanks so much!
Before I leave NZ I will try to do one more post and make it a good read! What do you want to hear about NZ guys? Ask and you shall receive!
Take Care!
Steve
So, what's been goin on? I've done loads of camping, hiking, climbing, and all other sorts of outdoor fun! Ive been staying busy, losing weight, an relaxing heavily. Now I'm at a host in Decanter Bay- outside of Little Akaloa. Haven't hear of it? Surprising because it is a very large town. They almost have 50 people now. It's an amazing location. Far from tourist. Beautiful bay-
Sorry for my email list people you get to read this next bit again!--
Decanter bay. A long bay with steep hills on either side. It only has a beach at low tide, at high tide the waves crash on the rocks that roll around slowly turning into sand themselves. At the mouth of the bay there is a row of rocks that dog legs left from the right. The rocks are tall spires showing the only evidence that the ridge used to extend into the sea. They have iconic sharp shapes that any local could recognize instantly. Looking from the beach to sea they do not block the view, instead the compliment it. It takes about 30 minutes in a sea kayak to get to them from the beach. Once on the rocks themselves they change nature entirely. On a heavy swell day it is one of the more terrifying experiences I have endured. Big waves crashing on the rocks from the sea side, each time one hits you realize that the rocks are not solid. Instead they are covered in tubes that have slowly eroded for who knows how long. Each time a big wave comes, parts of the wave of rushed through the tubes and dozens of blow holes erupt with spray. It's awesome. Literally. It fills me with awe.
The host here- Brad and Marie- emailed me to request that I come work for em- it came at just the right time. Right as I was starting to look at my bank account. Yes- I am over budget- NZ can be expensive- luckily I have my Australia Working Holiday Visa now so I'm not really worried! I allowed myself to splurge one to many times. Back to being strict once I get to Australia!
For my last days in New Zealand I've decided a nice place with good work on the beach would be nice! Been doing a lot of digging holes, transplanting plants, harvesting just about everything, and eating tons of animals. Lot of chainsaw work to come- I'm very excited about all of that!
However, sadly and happily at the same time, in one week I will be moving to Australia. I will miss this country for sure. But I am very excited to move to my second country. While my world wide trip is 3 months down, it doesn't really feel like I'm really "under way" so to say. I feel like moving from one foreign country to another will really make me feel more like my trip is going along. It's kinda snuck up on me. I remembered to revise my visa and make CouchSurfing plans and email people and everything but next week I'm flying.... That just hit home again.... 7 nights from tonight Ill be falling asleep in Australia. Stoked.
I have been receiving a lot of emails that always keep me very happy. I even received 4 books from my cousin JJ for my kindle app! Shout out! I know my trip abroad could not have been as successful or fun without all of you. Thanks so much!
Before I leave NZ I will try to do one more post and make it a good read! What do you want to hear about NZ guys? Ask and you shall receive!
Take Care!
Steve
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