Tag Archive | "New Zealand"

Budget Travel and My Love/Hate Relationship with The Internet

Budget Travel and My Love/Hate Relationship with The Internet

I am addicted to the internet. I am not a facebook junkie or a social networking enthusiast, but I like to read the news, and to research current and future destinations. I grew up with the internet and it is difficult for me to imagine how people traveled without it. I like that I can [...] [...more]

New Zealand Comments (1)

Box Office operators tell all

Box Office operators tell all

Today I ventured into Wellington’s theater district in an attempt to scout what shows are worth seeing.  After looking through several of the 2009 Season brochures and pamphlets, published by a dozen theaters or so, I found several that grabbed my interest. I think one of the best ways to select a live performance in [...] [...more]

New Zealand, Wellington Comments (0)

Urban Bowling

Urban Bowling

Upon arriving to Wellington, after the 3 hour ferry from the South Island, we discovered that this weekend is the busiest  weekend of the year.  All of Wellington is currently decked out in some of the strangest costumes I have ever seen in my  life and it’s all in the name of Rugby.  This weekend [...] [...more]

New Zealand, Wellington Comments (15)

The Difference Between a Good Hostel and a Great Hostel

The Difference Between a Good Hostel and a Great Hostel

A few months ago, we published a checklist for finding a good, or at least acceptable, hostels. Although helpful, this list fails to differentiate between a good hostel and a great hostel. To be fair, all that can be expected of a typical hostel is cleanliness, specifically in regards to the beds, kitchen(s) and bathrooms. [...] [...more]

Hostel Tips, How To, New Zealand, The West Coast Comments (3)

Find Your Local

Find Your Local

How can I travel and find the best experience possible? It’s not about the sights, monuments, landscapes, and museums.  Travel is about people.  Meet the right people and you will have the right experiences. After spending a day in Nelson, it was clear to us that we had discovered our favorite place in the South [...] [...more]

Insight, New Zealand Comments (4)

Strategies for Managing Your Relationship with New Zealand Sandflies

Strategies for Managing Your Relationship with New Zealand Sandflies

First off, sandflies in New Zealand are not actually sandflies. Rather, these pesky little bugs are female black flies more thirsty for blood that a dehydrated vampire. If you plan on going outside, or opening a window, in the Westland region of New Zealand’s South Island, you will encounter sandflies. True, they are more prevalent [...] [...more]

How To, New Zealand, The West Coast Comments (24)

No Ice Climbing for us…pancakes?

No Ice Climbing for us…pancakes?

After enjoying a sunny day of tramping (hiking) and geo caching around Fox Glacier, Justin and I woke up to find a drizzly and overcast day.  Although a bit discouraged, we ate breakfast and headed over to meet our Ice Climbing Guide. Only after we were 100% geared up (ice boots, pants, jacket, helmet, gloves, [...] [...more]

New Zealand, The West Coast Comments (0)

Sampling Pinot Noir in Central Otago

Sampling Pinot Noir in Central Otago

There are only two reasons to travel to the Central Otago Region: Adventure Sports (bungee jumping, canyoning, paragliding, ect.) and Vineyards. I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie but I can find most of the Queenstown area adventure sports in Colorado. Vineyards on the other hand are always a one of a kind experience. [...] [...more]

New Zealand, The West Coast Comments (3)

It’s 10:15 am. I now feel like an alcoholic

It’s 10:15 am. I now feel like an alcoholic

Being on the road again means more microbreweries to visit.  A few weeks ago I heard about Wanaka Beerworks, a brewery located in Wanaka, just north of Queenstown.  When it comes to beverages, the quality of water can make or break it.  Three words; Pure mountain water!  Anticipating our visit to sample the 3 different [...] [...more]

New Zealand, The West Coast Comments (2)

New Photo Album: Te Anau to Fox Glacier

New Photo Album: Te Anau to Fox Glacier

The Te Anau to Fox Glacier road trip pictures are now available. We spent the better part of two rainy days wandering from scenic turnoffs, through  vineyards and large (by New Zealand standards anyway) cities, past rain forests, waterfalls, and rock beaches. In the process, we managed to get lost once (my fault) and spend [...] [...more]

New Zealand Comments (5)