So basically my trip has come to an end here in NZ. I have just one more full day and then I fly back to Australia.
It’s quite sad to think that I might never see anyone of these lovely people I’ve travelled with ever again but at the same time it’s great to think I’ve got friends from around the world and the memories are all good ones. I am hoping to meet at least one of them back in Australia since we will both be there at the same time, not necessarily in the same city but travel in Australia is cheap!
I love New Zealand and would come here again. Beautiful country, beautiful people. Laid back culture, very community feel.
It’s been so much fun and I have loved every minute of it. I recommend Magic Bus to everyone. I’ve seen people of so many different ages, there were retirees on the bus as well and they have also spoken highly of the company themselves. One couple we nicknamed Mom and Dad.
I have spoken with people who were travelling with the newish company called Stray. Conceptually, it is a brilliant company (more off the beaten track stuff and more inclusions) but since it is still very new it has problems. This one girl has had her bus break down a couple of times so they couldn’t visit a place on the day they said. She had to get a partial refund. Then this same gal was left behind at one of the hostels and in the end didn’t get to see Milford Sound.
Also, I’ve met people on the Kiwi Experience and let’s just say that their reputation for being a party bus is well founded even if they are trying to move away from that kind of thing. At many hostels Magic stayed at I asked the owners about Kiwi and they don’t let Kiwi stay there because of all the cleaning they have to do after Kiwi leaves!
Bertha