Subject: New Zealand |
My son and I just got back two weeks ago, and we tried both South and
North Island. We were exhausted but indeed saw a lot of New Zealand.
I prefer South Island. It is magnificent. You pick a perfect time of year to
go.
We started our trip on Nov. 11th, and it is a twenty four hour flight from
Philadelphia
stopping in Los Angeles with unbelievable layovers. For example, there was
a nine hour layover from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, and the return was
sixteen hours long.
There are two must sees one is Fiordland National Park and the other is
Mt. Aspiring National Park. They are unbelievably beautiful. My son also
climbed Franz Joseph Glacier. I was not thrilled with the accommodations
at Franz Joseph, as they were booked solid with bus tours, and we were
treated like second class citizens. There are two trips from South Island
we enjoyed very much. One is a power boat trip to the White Heron
Sanctuary which takes you to a boardwalk rain forest to the white herons
and spoonbill birds. I wish I had a macro lens, as I could not get a close
view of the white herons and the spoonbills, but it is worthwhile. The
other side trip was to a farm across Queenstown to a farm where you are
treated to a sheep shearing and round up by the working collie of the
sheep. There are flowers everywhere on this trip, and you are treated to
tea and cakes before you take the steamboat back. On the return trip, they
have a sweet lady who plays piano, and you sing along. It was a memorable
and relaxing trip. Much to our disappointment, it drizzled the day we saw
the Fiordland on the ferry, and it was really not condusive to
picture-taking, but remember this is a rain forest atmosphere, and the
clouds often loom over the fiords. Christchurch was my favorite place on
the trip. The botanical gardens enjoy two days of sightseeing, and they
have a sighseeing vehicle through the gardens. I am sure you will enjoy
this. Be sure to take the tram up to Port Hills in Christchurch. I also
did my shopping in a flea market arrangement on the other side of Cathedral
Square. The North Island is pretty, but certainly does not compare to the
South Island. Near Queenstown, there is the shot over jet boat on the
Shotover River in Queenstown. I was too chicken, but my son loved it. I
never did get to Doubtful Sound which Richard suggests but time was short.
I also regret not being able to venture to Kaikora near Christchurch which
is unbelievably beautiful with its turquoise waters and jutting boulders,
but complete with a beautiful beach area.
Elaine |