Fourteen years ago this past winter, I was sitting at my desk at work when Pete called. How would l like to go to New Zealand, he asked. One of the airlines was running a deal so fabulous that we’d be fools to pass it up. Fools we were not. A month later, the two of us, plus our unborn Grace, were landing in Auckland.
Map courtesy of Wikipedia
When we planned our upcoming trip to Australia, we really wanted to include New Zealand on our itinerary. If we were going to be on the airplane that long — approximately 117 hours, give or take — it sure would be nice to see both countries. Unfortunately, all of the fare combos we tried were insanely expensive. Finally, Pete just took the plunge and bought the tix for Oz. Smart guy that he is, he put us in Sydney for a third of our trip, just in case he was later on able to find cheap airfare from Sydney to N.Z. later on. If he was successful, great, we’d have a terrific add-on adventure. If he wasn’t successful, no worries mate, we could easily entertain ourselves in Sydney and environs for that time.
Just in case became reality last night, when Pete scored airfare from Sydney to Auckland for a great deal. In fact, he calculates that it will actually save us money because Sydney is so freaking expensive that it’s less expensive for us to fly to Auckland, stay there, and maybe buy some souvenirs. We’re bargain hunters like that.
We’ll still spend time in Sydney, but now we get to go back to a country that is so stunningly beautiful that you have to see it yourself to believe it.
Milford Sound. Absolutely stunning, but the black flies will drive you mad. Photo: Wikipedia.
Yahoo Images
Yahoo Images
Yahoo Images
Yahoo Images
One of the great things about our travels around the U.S. and the world at large is that we’ve gotten to meet a lot of you fine folks and we’ve formed some wonderful friendships as a result. This will hold true on this trip as well. While in Brisbane, I’m finally getting to meet someone whose blog I’ve read for years. (Yes, she who dared me to eat Vegemite.) And then when we’re in the land of kiwi birds, feijoa, hakas, and so much more, we get to meet two more friends! I’m pretty excited about everything from start to finish.
Our World Heritage sites list just keeps getting better and better.
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You’re killing me with envy… those photos make me yearn to go along… the black flies keep me from feeling quite so bad.
jealous
You are going to have an amazing time, I just know it!
Just how long is the flight?
Depends on where you’re flying from and to. LA to Auckland is about 12. I think L.A. to Sydney is 14 or so. On the way out, we’re going through Dallas-Forth Worth, which is 17 to Sydney.
That’s a hella lotta Pacific Ocean to fly over and not ponder too much about Amelia Earhart.
Say hi to NZ from me. And please, eat some kumara chips in my memory, because I just died of envy.
If I could live two days again in NZ, one of them would be the day I walked the Tongariro Crossing and the other would be the Siberia Experience (Makarora). *BIG TIME SIGH*
I love how Legolas and Aragorn snuck in there.
your man scored, wow! I am all bargainy hunter like that, but have not used my powers to procur such a deal as yours, in, well, never. Color me that impressed. Add a tinge of green (for envy) and you’d have my feelings on this blog post of yours, Jen. I will just have to take the wee burst of delight I’m feeling reading about your upcoming travel adventures. I’m slowly letting go of the idea of having any of my own. Like a slow death, but I’m accepting. Probably somewhere on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs–self actualization? Yup. The 5th one where you accept facts. And let it be! Just call me a fully formed adult, lol.
Yeah! for seizing the day (and the good airfare). Who knows when you would ever get another chance to see New Zealand.
*does a happy dance for you* Sweet! Also – thank you for the Viggo & Orlando. I would travel to NZ just to visit all the spots from those films. Even better if I could score one of them for my personal tour guide. What? A girl can dream, can’t she?
OMG I am so excited. I will make you kumara chips! And take you to a rugby game! And do a big roast lamb…unless that’s still off the menu? *snoopydance*
Oh, how amazing! I dream of visiting New Zealand… and talking about world travels, why don’t you stop by Norway on the way to New Zealand? I am sure we can add some World Heritage sites to your list
)
I’m so excited for you–what a wonderful trip to look forward to taking!