NEW ZEALAND

January 14 - April 13, 2009

A Critical look at a very lovely country





































































































































We spent a total of 3 months in New Zealand. One week was enjoyed in Auckland before renting our campervan. We stayed next to the Domain Park at Domain Lodge. A very quiet, very clean and comfortable accommodation and bus stops just outside. We toured the Museum, took a ferry to Rangitoto Island, to NZ Open Tennis tournament, to their great Museum, to Victoria Park market and visited the downtown and Newmarket area a number of times. Auckland is a very clean and beautiful city and has an excellent bus system.













SCENERY
A little of everything - mountains, glaciers, hot pools, lakes and farming land. This is a smaller version of Western Canada. They have millions of more sheep, and lots of cattle also. Spectacular sceneries along the ocean, especially on the South Island and every shade of green on hill and valleys. A number of attractive towns with well preserved old buildings.

BIRDING
We missed seeing the Kiwi in the wild due to heavy rain in the area. There were entrance fees of NZ$25-$35 to see them being fed in a habitat where day and night was reversed so they would eat during the day for the tourists - as they are only nocturnal.

We lucked into a personal visit to a Kiwi Nursery by the Keeper at Napier (a beautiful town). It really was exceptional what he did for us as we were allowed to hold a 13 day old chick, a 34 year old mother and view the 50+ year old father incubating the egg.

Species numbers are low unless you pay to go to a predator free island for viewing. The numbers are high for the imported species - House Sparrow, Magpie, European Starling, Common Myna - all from Britain. We did manage to see over 100 species on our own without paying. New Zealand is known for their pelagics and I scoped a number from shore.


ROAD SIGNS
If you think you are on a major street there will be no name placard. but only side street. The street name also changes every few blocks. Signage for tourists is confusing as they will state one name like "Harbours" and the next sign will have a name. When you come to a T in the road and the road goes both directions which shall you take to the Lighthouse. A 50% chance and we chose the wrong one.

An interesting fact is that the Country does not require you to have car insurance - it is not compulsory, therefore the majority do not have insurance.

They have very good notices about speeding, driving tired and driving drunk.
















INTERNET
Very expensive! It ranges from $6-$8 per hour. The main Library in Whangerei charges $7.50 per hour if you bring your own computer. Some libraries are free. We only had two campgrounds where the internet was included.



















NEW ZEALANDERS

On the whole - very friendly and helpful. Many either had visited Canada, knew quite a lot about the country and would like to visit. We spent a few days with friends that we met a few years ago in Mexico - it was great to renew our friendship. We were introduced to a family in Christchurch by a mutual friend in Winnipeg. They took us on a tour of their city and invited for a family dinner. These visits were one of the highlights.

When they get behind the wheel - some become indignant about slower campervans even if we try to go over and let them pass. They probably are just tired of tourists, but that is their main industry. There is more crime than we expected as NZ has a reputation for being very safe.






















ATTITUDE TO CLIENTS
If you buy an article it often cannot be returned.

We complained to a Campground manager at Punakaiki Beach Camp about the thick black coal smoke that wafted over the camp. It was a lovely camp but we had to leave with all the smoke. The manager became very defensive about her camp and the coal heater for hot water was just fine she said. They were not in the least bit concerned about pollution in the campground. We also left another camp on the west coast because of the coal smoke.

WEATHER
It is the land of the long white cloud. The weather is very changeable since it is an island and maritime weather. In the South Island we had about 1/4 of the days with some sun and the rest was rain, wind and cold. There were days where we had on two jacket and gloves and still were cold. On the North Island the weather was more stable but we were surprised how cold it was at night. We used our electric heater just about every evening and morning for the 3 months we were there (which was their summer). It was interesting that when standing in the sun you were warm to hot as it was intense, but moving into the shade it would be quite cool especially when there is a breeze.

WILD ANIMALS
There are none to speak of. We were seeing rabbits and road kill (opossums and hedgehogs). There really are only domestic animals - sheep and cattle and horses. I really missed seeing animals in the wild. It all seemed a little sterile.

TOURIST PACKAGES AND CHARGES
Almost all entrance fees were $25 and up with few exceptions. Entrances in current "Moon" book stated free but when you arrived they now charged. Wherever we turned it was charges here and there.
We did not pay them (except Rotorua) as we felt the tourist was being gouged and we became negative about paying any.

GENERAL - GOOD ITEMS
New Zealand have gotten rid of the penny and the nickel which is very sensible - Canada should do the same. Just about everyone takes Credit Cards (only 2 campgrounds did not).

The roads are in excellent condition - I think we only experienced one pothole - Imagine!

"Round-abouts" are great as traffic flows through intersections. They are widely used and traffic lights are only in the centre of the cities.

















CAMPING
All campgrounds have lots of facilities ranging from basic to excellent. They all have full kitchens with stoves, ovens, microwaves, stainless steel counter tops and many sinks for dish washing. Some also have pots, pans, dishes and cutlery.

Besides the campground you can rent a cabin with only beds to full bathroom facilities.


IN CONCLUSION

We have finally visited New Zealand and enjoyed the experience. We were busy every day and the time went by quite fast. We only drove to our next destination in the morning and spent the afternoon enjoying the area - we then decided if we wanted to stay another day. We spent extra time in the major cities and used the local bus system to travel to the city centre. We drove both North and South Islands but naturally there is still a lot to be seen and places we missed as it is larger than one imagines.

HONG KONG

January 6 - 13, 2009

This is nothing but spectacular!

We spent one week in and around the city. We walked miles, took the ferry a number of times to the Island (seniors ride free) and then buses and funicular to Victoria Peak, Aberdeen and just sightseeing around the Convention Centre. We were staying in Kowloon at the Imperial Hotel only 2 blocks from the ferries and Promenade. At night we could see part of the lazer show from our hotel although we went to the Promenade a couple of times to see it in its entirety. This show was a nightly spectacle.

We found it very clean and organized. Dogs were not allowed in the parks or downtown area and "No Smoking" in parks and many public outside areas. Sleeping on benches also was not allowed and we witness 2 security guards telling a backpacker to sit up and not lie down.

We visited parks, took the subway system to Mai Po marsh area about 50km out of town. walked through a huge multi-level indoor upscale shopping malls, sat and people watched, ate at noodle places and local eateries, bargained at the market and just enjoyed yourselves. Our hotel was very clean, small rooms, angled windows to view street level, pleasant staff and reasonably priced.

On our return from New Zealand we spent one night in Hong Kong to catch our flight the next day and we stayed at the nearby luxurious Novotel Citygate Hotel.

In the morning before leaving we walked the many connecting parkways and recreational areas lead ing out from the hotel and residential are a. This area was extremely clean with shrubs and tall trees bordering mini soccer fields, tennis courts, sitting areas and numerous children's play areas. We watched mothers with children, seniors doing Tai Chi, young people playing soccer and people fishing along the promenade.

Great place to visit! You would be awed and surprised.