BootsnAll Travel Network



Winter Break Trip to New Zealand

We’re now back in Nanning (not) enjoying the dreary, cool Nanning winter with the poor air quality. The AQI (air quality index) has been holding close to 200 for the past several days. Less than 50 is considered good, 151-200 is unhealthy and 201-300 is very unhealthy.

We had a great 19 day trip to New Zealand. It was a somewhat upscale group tour operated by Grand Pacific Tours with most of the travel being done on a large bus. There were 25 of us on the North Island portion and 32 on the South Island portion. It was a great group of people to travel with and most of the group were retirees from Australia or the UK. We stayed in nice hotels (3.5 to 4 stars) and had many nice meals. On most days breakfast and dinner was included. We had great weather most of the time with only a couple days of cool, rainy weather. NZ has a lot of beautiful scenery, lots of farms and farm animals (mostly cows and sheep), and not so many people. The population of NZ is about 4.5 million which is a bit less than Nanning, the city where we live. The cities and the countryside all seemed to be clean and tidy. I didn’t notice areas that looked trashy or like a ghetto. It seemed that most people had economical cars as I saw very few big SUV’s, pick-ups or premium brand vehicles. It’s a pretty expensive place to live or visit but the quality of life there seems very high. There are lots of parks and nature areas and they do a great job making it convenient for travelers.

I’m not going to write about all the things we did or the places we visited but some of the highlights were learning about the Kauri tree, seeing the Lord of the Rings movie set, learning about the Maori people and having a Maori ceremony and dinner, seeing the Southern Alps and glaciers, learning about the gold rush, taking a cruise through Fjordland, and enjoying a Scottish Haggis ceremony. If you’re interested in our detailed itinerary, I have copied the travel company’s itinerary below. To see some of the pictures from the trip click on the “Pictures!” link on the right hand side of the blog just under the heading “My Links”. Until next time……….

DAY 1: HOMEPORT – AUCKLAND (D)
Fly from your homeport to Auckland where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to
your hotel. Once you arrive in the Main Hall at Auckland International Airport, having cleared Customs and
Immigration, look for your Grand Pacific Tours representative who will be holding a “GRAND PACIFIC TOURS” sign
standing immediately on the left as you come out from the Customs Hall at the first row of desks. For travellers
residing in Australia, please ensure you are wearing your personalised name badge on arrival in Auckland for
easy identification. Please reconfirm your dinner arrangements with hotel reception upon check in. Dinner on Day 1 is
not included for travellers arriving at the hotel later than 8.00pm.
Accommodation: Skycity Hotel Auckland

DAY 2: AUCKLAND – BAY OF ISLANDS (BD)
Today breakfast will be at 7:00 am and your luggage must be left outside your hotel
room ready for collection by this time. Please ensure the luggage tag provided in your
Documentation Pack is attached to the top handle of your main piece of luggage. You
will be met by your Tour Guide and Coach Captain to board the coach for departure at
8:00 am. Depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent
example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in
Matakohe, then travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay
of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the
signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. Two night stay.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

DAY 3: BAY OF ISLANDS (FREE DAY) (B)
Today is a free day. Choose from the many (optional) activities available; including the
Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening
is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). The choice is
yours and your Tour Guide and Coach Captain will be available to assist.

DAY 4: BAY OF ISLANDS – AUCKLAND (BD)
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the
Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia.
Travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This afternnon includes a visit to Sky Tower at
your leisure, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular attractions.
Accommodation: Skycity Hotel Auckland

DAY 5: AUCKLAND – ROTORUA (BLD)
This morning enjoy a city sights tour before continiuing through the picturesque
countryside to Longlands Farm & Restaurant to enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch
hosted by a rural New Zealand family. This afternoon travel to Hobbiton where you visit
the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy on a fascinating guided tour. Two
night stay in Superior Rooms.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

DAY 6: ROTORUA (B SD)
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Stratosfare Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and
spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep,
a shearing display and sheep dog trial. This morning a tour group photo will be taken
which you may wish to purchase as a memento of your New Zealand holiday. Enjoy
some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools
and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an
entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.

DAY 7: ROTORUA – NAPIER – MASTERTON (BD)
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake
Taupo. Continue to Napier known as “The Art Deco Capital”, where a city tour will
showcase an impressive collection of art deco buildings. Enjoy some free time to explore
the fascinating architecture before travelling through the Wairarapa, an emerging coolclimate
wine region.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park Wairarapa

DAY 8: MASTERTON – GREYTOWN – WELLINGTON (BD)
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before travelling to Greytown where you see the most
complete example of original Victorian wooden architecture. Drive through the scenic
Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington, then enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital
which will highlight the history and culture on show here.
Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

DAY 9: WELLINGTON – PICTON – BLENHEIM (BD)
Enjoy free time this morning to explore Wellington. Options include a visit to Te Papa,
New Zealand’s National Museum. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry, cross
Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton where you board your
coach for the short journey to Blenheim.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Marlborough

DAY 10: BLENHEIM – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH (BD)
Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the
seaside village of Kaikoura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch for an
introductory city sights tour.
Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms

DAY 11: CHRISTCHURCH – ARTHURS PASS – FRANZ JOSEF (BD)
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the
world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend
to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel
to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to Franz Josef where time is
available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the
spectacular glaciers. One night stay in the Douglas Wing.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

DAY 12: FRANZ JOSEF – QUEENSTOWN (B)
See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West
Coast to Fox Glacier. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before
arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of
magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of
the many fine restaurants. Two night stay in Lakeview Rooms.
Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown Resort

DAY 13: QUEENSTOWN (FREE DAY) (B SD)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Tour Guide and
Coach Captain are available to assist. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride,
a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi Bird. This evening
board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter
Peak Station. On arrival sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbeque dinner which the
chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short
farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise
back to Queenstown.

DAY 14: QUEENSTOWN – TE ANAU (BD)
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining
village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to
Fiordland. This afternoon you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Two night stay in Deluxe Rooms.
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

DAY 15: TE ANAU – MILFORD SOUND – TE ANAU (BLD)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for
a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre
Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some
free time is available. Why not visit the Fiordland Cinema and catch a screening of the
breathtaking “Ata Whenua Shadowland” movie.

DAY 16: TE ANAU – DUNEDIN (B SD)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the “Edinburgh of the South” and
enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Tonight a
Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis
Ceremony and gift.
Accommodation: Mercure Leisure Lodge

DAY 17: DUNEDIN – TWIZEL (BD)
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and
scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Restaurant for a delightful morning
tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Explore the
Victorian Precinct including the Loan and Merc restuarant, the Woolstore complex, auto
museum, shops, galleries and the Penny Farthing shop. Follow the Waitaki River and see
Lake Benmore as you travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Hotel

DAY 18: TWIZEL – MT COOK – CHRISTCHURCH (B SD)
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is
available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the
Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This
evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new found friends. Your transfer arrangements
will be confirmed with you tonight (if applicable).
Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms



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