Category Archives: New Zealand

Australia/New Zealand Retrospective – 2019

After 24 hours at home, here are our final thoughts about the trip plus some advice for next time! Dani Australia Highlights Place: Pamela’s living room Activity: Petting Aubry the Dingo Sight: Pamela narrating her photo book Meal: Angeleno’s with … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Australia/New Zealand Retrospective – 2019

Waitomo – 3/24/2019

This was our last day in New Zealand. Our most important task was to get from Rotorua to Auckland in time to fly back to Chicago tonight. We booked another Great Sights tour to do this, which also includes a … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Waitomo – 3/24/2019

Rotorua – 3/23/2019

Our hosts at the B&B served breakfast at 8 AM, which felt a bit early after the disturbance last night! I took one for the team and got up to claim it and chat with our hosts while Trish slept … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Rotorua – 3/23/2019

Rotorua – 3/22/2019

This morning we got up early to bid farewell to Christchurch (and the south island) and head to Rotorua on the north island. We had breakfast at the airport and adopted a new friend. I take full responsibility for suggesting … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Rotorua – 3/22/2019

Christchurch – 3/21/2019

We only have one day in Christchurch so we wanted a broad introduction to the city. Our main activity today is a half day tour called appropriately enough, “The Grand Tour of Christchurch.” Breakfast isn’t included in our room rate … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Christchurch – 3/21/2019

Queenstown to Christchurch – 3/20/2019

This morning we got up before the crack of dawn (again) and enjoyed one last breakfast at Bazaar (and I finally remembered to take pictures of the spread). At the tender hour of 7:10 AM we said farewell to Queenstown … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Queenstown to Christchurch – 3/20/2019

Queenstown – 3/19/2019

We slept in this morning and then made our way downstairs for another wonderful breakfast buffet at the hotel’s restaurant, Bazaar. We briefly contemplated going to ride the gondola after breakfast but decided to have a leisurely morning at the … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Queenstown – 3/19/2019

Queenstown – 3/18/2019

This morning started before the crack of dawn (again). We had booked an 8 AM flight-cruise-heli excursion to Milford Sound. The final weather check happened at 6:45 AM, and if the flight had been a go, we would have had … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Queenstown – 3/18/2019

Sydney to Queenstown – 3/17/2019

When Trish and I planned our trip we though we’d give ourselves an extra day after Pamela’s birthday to recover from the festivities before flying out, which was an excellent plan in theory. We didn’t realize the party wouldn’t be … Continue reading

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Sydney to Queenstown – 3/17/2019

Auckland to Sydney – 3/10/2019

Morning dawned bright and virtually cloud free. Our two full days in Auckland/Waiheke happened to fall on 2 of 4 rainy days Waiheke has had this summer! Ah well. It just means we’ll have to come back. We discovered a … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Auckland to Sydney – 3/10/2019