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Home » Destinations » Oceania » New Zealand

Final Thoughts: New Zealand

Published: Jan 10, 2008 by Dave Lee |

Mt Cook and Lake

New Zealand surpassed my expectations, and while at times tiring and fast-paced, I would not trade my experiences for the world!

Highlights -

  • canyoning outside Auckland
  • haka dance in Maketu
  • volcanic mud bathing in Rotorua
  • Tongariro Crossing
  • trivia night in Wellington
  • bone carving in Barrytown
  • heli-hiking Franz Joseph glacier
  • cinema at Lake Wanaka
  • Christmas Eve dinner in Queenstown
  • jetboating
  • canyong swing
  • New Years Eve celebration in Christchurch

Christchurch CathedralDiscoveries -

  • self-catering is easy and can save me at least $10 per day in food costs
  • if the tap water is safe to drink, refill plastic bottles (do not keep buying water). bonus - you can downgrade to smaller bottles of water which means less to carry around.
  • the toilets have 2 buttons so you can choose between a light and heavy flush (yes, I had to ask someone why there were 2 buttons)

# of Nights Couchsurfing -

  • Zero (the holidays and tight bus schedule made it difficult)

Eating -

  • Mix of restaurants, cafes, and self-catering (everything from rack of lamb to instant noodles)

Average Daily Budget -

  • $115 (more than double the plan)

New Year's Eve Countdown in Christchurch - 2007/8

Let me know if there's another subject or topic you'd like me to cover in my "final thoughts" for each country I visit.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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