The Amazing New Zealand

 

My most amazing trip was New Zealand. My son Lance was doing a semester abroad in New Zealand and when he was finished with school I met up with him and we spent three weeks traveling New Zealand. Thankfully he was in the airport when I arrived because I didn’t have a phone number for him his phone never worked right. Of course this was 2011 I’m sure things are a little better now.

He picked me up from the airport made me take a bus to his flat and had me walk up this huge hill with my luggage. Of course he had been out the night before and had only a couple hours of sleep so he showed me where he lived and around campus and met lots of his friends. We then walked down the hill through the city to the Sky City Grand Hotel. I picked that hotel one it had a casino and two it was nice and I knew I needed some rest before we began our journey.

He picked me up from the airport made me take a bus to his flat and had me walk up this huge hill with my luggage. Of course he had been out the night before and had only a couple hours of sleep so he showed me where he lived and around campus and met lots of his friends. We then walked down the hill through the city to the Sky City Grand Hotel. I picked that hotel one it had a casino and two it was nice and I knew I needed some rest before we began our journey.

 

We had a couple days in Queenstown before we had to hike the Milford Sound. Me being in not so good shape got conned into hiking the Milord track by my son who I would do anything for. He called me before I was coming and said mom do you want to hike the Milford sound with me. It’s a four-day hike they drop you off in a boat and pick you up on the other side. It’s a mere 53-kilometer I thought not knowing how much that really is in miles. If you don’t want to do it I am going to do it so you’ll have to come a week later. A week later!! No way Ill do it I said. So he booked us the tickets for the hike. We arrived at the boat not knowing you have to buy tickets for the boat also but they fit us on. So remember if you are hiking you need to get a ticket for the boat also. He also didn’t tell me you have to share bunks with others. He also didn’t bring enough food thinking we could eat a jar of peanut butter and bread. So if you’re not a hiker like me bring enough sugar and protein and a pot to boil your food in. The huts have bunks but no kitchen gear and a fireplace but you only get three pieces of wood. One day it rained all day so everything in our pack and on our person got wet. Honestly it was the amazing hike you will ever do in your life. Walking was the only way you get to see these waterfalls and mountains. The water out of these falls was the most amazing water I’ve ever put to my lips. I found out half way through that they have guided walks where all your meals and accommodations are included. It’s also a 5-day trip instead of 4. You have to climb up a mountain the top of the Mackinnon Pass. It was a pretty hairy path so Lance ended carrying both his pack and mine. I did ask if a helicopter could pick me up and for $1000.00 it would. I didn’t need the helicopter but I was very afraid I wouldn’t make it. The last day Lance said I did the best because I was damn sure I wasn’t going to miss the boat back to Queenstown. Just so you know it’s 33.5 miles to the end but it felt like 100. To be honest I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

From the boat to the bus to the hotel, which was the Rydge Lakeland Resort nice place, we went in to see if they had a room. I needed a bath and a shower. And I told them to not to worry about the smell it was just me. I wanted to just stay at the Novotel but the prices were higher on the weekend and Lance said no. Seeing our luggage was stored at the Novotel, which was very nice of them, Lance took another hike to the other hotel to retrieve out luggage.

 

 

Queenstown was my favorite. We rode on the Shotover Jet up the Shotover River canyon. It turns 360 degrees and you feel like your going to run into the rocks. Its crazy fun. Then there’s the famous Fergburger. It’s a must stop! The one thing we should have done was bungee jump. But I have to admit I was scared I might hurt myself.

 

 

 

 

We fly back to Auckland where I rented the car form Hertz so we received a nice car this time. We drove up to Paihia in the bay of islands. which has beautiful beaches, fun shopping and resorts. The temperature was a lot warmer which is more my kind of vacation. We went fishing and I being the only woman on the boat caught the biggest fish a shark.

The best part of this trip was spending three weeks with Lance just the two of us. If you can, take a trip with your son or daughter just the two of you. It’s a trip you will never forget. They grow up so fast, get married then your time to take a trip will be gone. New Zealand was far the best trip I’ve ever been on.