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editorialsonlife · 3 years ago

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Well

Welp, feeling like doing an update because there's been a lot going on to be honest. its one of those weird dichotomies where every day feels like an eternity and there's so much going on and then you look back and you're like oh, ok its just my brain making it difficult and making things take forever but anyway.

LOCKDOOOOOOOWWWWWWNNNNNNN

Lockdown life was good, apart from being thrust into it so suddenly dave left a banana on his desk. Wasn't great to come back to after 5 weeks out of the office - mummified mouldy banana!! Classic. We luckily got our first jab before lockdown started so that was good, and we were reasonably well stocked up on food and were generally a lot healthier this lockdown that last. honestly, there's a level of chill and serenity in lockdown that i just love. the ability to set my own schedule and only work the hours I actually work to get the job done? Amazing. getting 8.5 hours of sleep each night without having to wake to an alarm blaring? AMAZING. getting to go for walks every afternoon? SO FLIPPING GOOD. I love it so much, I really really do. I need this to be my life permanently.

WORK

Work is just ongoing and draining and honestly, coming back to the office was so fucking stressful and it was only one day. Being at home is just the fucking bomb. Pending home decisions, I wanna go contracting I think, but also ideally two part time contracts to have more flexibility? I dunno. You'd think a big 4 would provide variety but it really doesn't and honestly, with Richie leaving, wellington is just a sinking ship. Sean's off on parental leave, Kirstyn is down to four days a week, ben will be gone if he doesn't get promoted (and I don't think he will be tbh). Jack is just muddling along, Nigel wants to swap to consulting as well, Matt's going to be a shit leader in terms of bringing in work so it's just not going to work. and in our wider group it's going to get even more messy with heaps of the analysts leaving and a couple of senior hires too. so I think it's probably time to jump ship in general, pending the home stuff below. Also, coming back after a break again, I'm like, I don't actually like a lot of you? All the people I enjoy here are in other teams and groups, and I'll be sad to leave you all, but like, not enough to stay anyway lol.

Pending the home below, two options are to just going and get a job with a $30k payrise to make up for the maternity leave benefits I'm gunna leave behind when I leave this role - 18 weeks full pay, $100 a week for the first year back and a full year of maternity leave. It's basically 30k post tax which is a bit nuts to walk away from to be honest.

Otherwise the other option is to go contracting. Less security overall but holy shit so much money. If I went in as a project coordinator at the lowest rate to build up a bit of a portfolio I'd need to work 40 weeks of 40 hr weeks and Id basically match my current salary plus the lost family leave benefits and still qualify for govt maternity leave payments. Realistically I could go in as a project manager for $140 an hour ($60 more an hour than the above math) and absolutely smash it at that level as well so ya know, there's a bunch of other info. I like the idea of the flexibility of it and only having 6 months even if its a shitshow and beign able to walk away at the end of it. I really don't want to get a govt job and this is a v govt town which is fine but also, if I can avoid it that would be great. I just know I'm not gunna thrive in that environment.

Need to talk to Dave to get him across the line on the security issue part of that though. I've mostly come a long way in terms of my financial management (thanks YNAB) so I think he'd be ok with it mostly.

So there's a lot to toss up there because......

HOME

We got the reno plans done during lockdown, finally. which was super good. but holy fkn jesus $$$$$$ ++++++++++. The guy is coming around for the final quote on Thursday. We indicatively said $100k total because we're doing kitchen laundry bathroom and toilet. so only the most expensive rooms and when I was talking to him last week he said 'that might cover it' and they're seeing cost escalations of 7-10% a week which is just insane. we're not doing anything structural apart from putting in a cavity slider in the bathroom, and the quote they'll give us won't include flooring since they won't do it.

Meanwhile, the prefab homes I were looking at for our site were $425k fully done. Like, I'm not going to spend $130K on doing up my 1940s ex state house ya know? That's not good cost benefit ratio.

So depending on what that comes out at on thursday we'll be able to make some plans.

We also want to start trying for kids next year and need these renos done first - I am not having kids and no dishwasher lol.

Also we need bank financing so good to be in a permanent stable job for that application. the good thing is we have so much equity we know we can borrow whatever we need, I just don't want to spend that much money on it because it's fkn ridiculous. and if I'm going on maternity leave we need to be able to cover it all on dave's salary and whatever benefits I have as well so there;s a lot of financial planning and spreadsheeting going on at the moment lol. it's fab.

either way. we've got plenty of options up our sleeve. we've got friends who's brother owns a building company so we can talk to them, we've got the garage so we can get things prefabricated even if they're not installed til next year, Dave can get shit at cost through his work for whiteware, there;s plenty of things to like cost control we can do, we just need to know where we're starting from basically. thats the challenging part. but we'll figure it out, its just taking longer than I want it to basically.

We also planted up the vege garden for the spring/summer which was lovely, super jazzed about that. we've finally got the garden to a reasonably low maintenance level where everything is mostly under control and it's such a relief, honestly.

PERSONAL

Man what a shift to lockdown last year honestly. I think the last 8 weeks in particular has just been like, a massive reality check of how absolutely shit the last year was and how fucking glad I am to be rid of it. I spent a week absolutely spiralling 2 weeks ago now and honestly, I don't know how I lived in the state for more than a year. I actually don't know how I did it. and I could not be more glad that I'm finally on the other side of it, for the most part. There's still a bunch of other stuff to work through (hahahahahaha when is there not like damn) but fucking hell its nice to just not be anxious and nauseous and wound up constantly. life is actually accessible. miracle.

My workmate had his bebe - I went round and got newborn cuddles and was like, oh, is this what it is to be clucky? this is odd. so there's that as well. I think we'll probably start trying next year pending renos and jobs etc. If the renos can be done in jan I'll prob just stick it at the job to get the benefits but I dunno. it's a tough call to make really. we shall see. This all assumes we get knocked up without any issues which is questionable these days. I really want to feel healthier before getting pregnant as well, and part of that is losing weight. however, given discussing that is what triggered the spiral we're working on that one slowly.

Also, lets have a moment for counselling, because fkn bless anne and all her hard work honestly. I actually ended up emailing her being like, I;m losing my shit on the monday and then talked to her on thursday. And its so funny because it's such a counselling thing but I didn't realise until afterwards what she'd done but she was like you're clearly not doing well and then the night before dave got a fkn miserable migraine and he was up for like, 2 hrs powerchucking except he didn't make it to the bathroom in time so guess who was cleaning up vomit at 130am trying not to chuck herself but I digress. anyway, not doing well, couldn't even explain why, didn't even have words and super tired and she's like, what lynaire up to this week how's she going with izzy and chat about that and then be like how are you feeling about your body and then 5 more mins of chat about the cat and the chickens and then like bam hard question and then hows it going with x and y and z and its like, it wasn't til I was on my walk afterwards when I FINALLY started feeling marginally better I was like damn woman work your magic for figuring it out for me and helping me reregulate. all over the phone as well since we were still in lockdown. GREAT WORK FRIEND.

and then last week was like totally fucked theoretical discussion about religion and the role it's played in my life and fate vs free will and all this nutty shit but genuinely just a great discussion. She's the best and I love her. thank good for good counsellors. thank god I can afford to pay for it honestly.

Dave and I are just chugging along, god bless that man. I love him. its amazing. I miss having friends close by but understand why they had to move (boooooo f u house prices). Family is pretty chill, still not really talking to dave's parents which is nightmarish but we'll deal with that when we need to. gunna have to go and visit them at some point coz dave misses them and I feel for him, I really do. It's the whole boundaries renegotiation I went through with my family last year post wedding blow up and its just not a fun place to be. oh well. can't fix it for him but also I'm not putting up with that level of BS from either of our families once we have children. not gunna happen.

Either way, life is busy and full and fun and I'm enjoying it. Daylight savings starts this weekend too, its october next week WTF and I'm just waiting for 4pm to find out what's gunna happen to our girls trip. Clearly we cancelled our sept trip to christchurch and akaroa and hanmer springs so my covid travel curse continues. fkn ridic. Still dunno what we're gunna do with $2500 of flight credits coz if we get knocked up theres def no international trips happening any time soon.

thus concludes the almost 2000 word write up of life. hope you've enjoyed it. I'll throw up some pics in a separate post if people care about reno plans. such a good time!

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aspenlodgemotel-blog · 5 years ago

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Spend your vacation perfectly with 2 bedroom units in Hanmer Springs NZ

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#Hanmer Springs motels

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mx-rylie-blog1 · 5 years ago

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we are sorry!

Christchurch to Auckland

Afterwards you take the ferry to Wellington on the northern peninsula (approx. 3.5 hours). The city is located at the southern tip of the North Island and is nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills. You will take a short orientation drive and see and feel the beauty of the city. Embedded in the French Bay is the small, French-influenced village of Akaroa. There you will stay overnight in a Victorian Bed&Breakfast with a beautiful garden. The house exudes an old-fashioned charm, but the guest rooms are very stylishly furnished and have a great view. There is even a small vineyard, which is well looked after by the owners. Highlights of your trip to New ZealandFree choice of rental car. Our recommendation for individual experience and nature lovers. Discover New Zealand or one of the paradise islands in the South Pacific - truly the most beautiful end of the world. There is no compulsory vaccination for direct entry from Germany or Austria. Hanmer Springs is the perfect destination to relax and enjoy. Lean back in the hot thermal pools or let yourself be pampered with a spa treatment. Outdoor enthusiasts also get their money's worth in Hanmer. You can choose between forest hiking trails, horseback riding, trout fishing, jet boat trips, bungee jumping and golf.

We can also book the kayak tour with guide for you, ask us about the possibilities.

not included services

The north of the North Island is subtropical, the climate on the South Island is Central European, but a little warmer. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.

We make a trip to Mount Victoria to enjoy the best views in town. After breakfast we will have a city tour in Auckland. Among other things you will enjoy the panoramic view from Mt Eden over the city. In the afternoon a boat trip to nearby Waiheke Island, famous for its picturesque bays, sandy beaches and excellent wine growing, awaits you. Read more about campervan hire New Zealand here.

#discovering new zealand

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hanmerspringsretreat-blog · 5 years ago

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Meetings in Hanmer Springs

Are you finding for Meetings in Hanmer Springs? Hanmerspringsretreat offers both high quality conference facilities and on-site accommodation for your event, meeting or conference. And they also recommend a wide selection of fun and reasonable hotel special deals and packages.

#Conference venue in Hanmer Springs #Budget Accommodation #Rooms in Hanmer Springs #Best Hotel Deals in Hanmer Springs

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aspenlodgemotelnz · 3 years ago

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Aspen Lodge Motel is the ideal disability access accommodation Hanmer springs and the famous thermal hot pools and spa; with years of experience, Our Motel Team will ensure a memorable stay for anyone holidaying in Hanmer Springs.

#disabilityaccessaccommodation #hanmersprings

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rentcampervan · 3 years ago

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Travel Itineraries through Campervan Rental Services in Christchurch!

Are you planning to experience the largest city on the South Island in New Zealand- Christchurch? Then a campervan would be the ideal holiday choice as it has spectacular sightseeings to offer to every traveller. From diverse landscapes to stunning sceneries, this place is a great spot to pick up a campervan rental in Christchurch. A motorhome rental road trip is worth considering as you look for a hassle-free journey all around the city. Campervan Rental in Christchurch Christchurch, the city has plenty of things to offer to every visitor, though the trip remains incomplete without a campervan ride. Even if it's a small trip of between 5-7 days, a campervan gives you the freedom to travel around the place at your own pace. When you hire a campervan, you won't have to worry about booking a hotel room. You also won't feel captivated by a small car, as the motorhomes are just as big as your private room. So yes! A campervan rental in Christchurch would be ideal, indeed! Why choose a Campervan and Motorhome to Hire in Christchurch? If you're planning for a short trip, then opting for a campervan is a great option as the city has a lot to offer for a freely moving traveller. It gives you the option to not carry anything and travel around the places, enjoy and relax the whole day as you would do when you are at home. Campervan rentals in Christchurch would allow you to explore things like expensive public parks, adventurous activities, gardens full of flowers, museums, fish and whale aquariums, seafood, and a lot more. Things to consider before hiring a Motorhome in Christchurch Whether it is a short outing or a long trip, just planning to visit any city is not enough. Before you go there, you'll need to have a complete roadmap of the transportation system available there. Even for campervan renting in Christchurch, there are a few things to consider. That includes the following. •Number of travellers The very first thing one needs to count is how many people are going to join the trip to Christchurch. This is important because every campervan allows a different number of passengers. •Amenities Another important thing to consider before choosing a motorhome hire in Christchurch is whether it has proper berth facilities for passengers or not. Apart from the basic facilities the motorhome rental provides, you can also choose extra amenities at your convenience. What are the places you can enjoy exploring when you Rent a Campervan in Christchurch? Christchurch is the best place to jump in for any campervan hire because of the facilities and amenities it offers. Places like Lake Tekapo, Nelson, Akaroa Harbour, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura, Donegal House, the alps to the Arthur's Pass, Franz Josef Glacier, Mt. Cheeseman, Fiordland National Park are easily accessible by campervans. To conclude... Christchurch has always been among the top tourist attractions for years. It is the gateway to discover the culture and natural beauty of New Zealand, and what else can offer the best travelling solutions other than a motorhome hire in Christchurch!

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rynakaranistudio · 3 years ago

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Research

Maori are known for their thermal pools so I decided to do some research into the meaning behind them.

Māori people used springs for cooking, bathing, washing, and treating ailments. European settlers also enjoyed the springs, and they built bathhouses and sold the water in bottles. But they often made Māori use separate pools.

In the 19th century in Europe, spas (health resorts built around natural springs) were very fashionable. The New Zealand government copied this idea, for two reasons: to treat medical problems, and to attract tourists. From 1880 they built big spas at Rotorua, Te Aroha and Hanmer Springs. Visitors soaked in the pools and enjoyed the tea rooms, bowling greens and beautiful gardens.

People hoped that bathing in or drinking the waters would cure problems ranging from arthritis to insomnia. Invalids were given massage, and some strange-looking treatments with electric wires. Later there were also spa hospitals, such as Rotorua’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which still treats rheumatic diseases.

https://teara.govt.nz/en/thermal-pools-and-spas

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3moisauboutdumonde · 6 years ago

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Nouvel an avec Tom Cruise

Comme dirait cette star incontournable du petit écran : “C’est parti let’s go, allons-y les amis”, bye bye Christchurch, cette fois c’était bel et bien la dernière, et en route pour Hanmer Springs ! Pour célébrer le nouvel an on a décidé avec Oriane de se faire plaisir en se payant une nuit dans un B&B (god, un vrai lit et PERSONNE pour nuir à notre sommeil avec des ronflements) et surtout un massage au spa des piscines thermales d’Hanmer Springs. On a bin hâte de se faire pétrir le cuissot après nos récentes expéditions sportives ! Et autant vous dire que niveau pétrissage on a pas été déçues… Mais chaque chose en son temps.

On commence par se rendre à “Annerleigh luxury accomodation” (oui maggle, “luxury”, t’as bien lu ! On se refuse rien aujourd’hui). Ce B&B est tenu par Lynn et Ian, un couple de charmants petits vieux tout droit venus du Royaume-Uni. La déco, savant équilibre entre portraits de caniche, canapés à frange et par-dessus de lit brodés-main, révèle toute la finesse du style victorien, et de fait l’héritage britannique du lieu. Il est trop tôt pour investir notre chambre (“The Rose Room”), mais Ian nous propose de laisser nos affaires dans l’espace commun pendant que nous irons faire un tour en attendant de pouvoir nous installer. Ni une ni deux, on part à l’assaut de la ville. Petite séquence émotion quand je montre à Oriane la pharmacie où j’ai acheté la crème anti-piqûre à vingt mille boules quand j’ai cru perdre ma cheville la dernière fois que je suis venue. Hanmer Springs reste une petite ville de montagne, donc après avoir fait un aller-retour dans le rue principale on a vite vu l’essentiel… On se pose donc devant la bibliothèque pour pique-niquer et taxer le wifi gratuit

Vis ma vie de dame du CDI

Un passage rapide par le B&B pour prendre possession de la chambre, se moquer gentiment du mobilier (non mais en vrai, allez voir ça par vous-même : http://annerleigh.co.nz/ ) et choper nos maillots de bain, et nous voilà de retour en ville. Avant d’entrer dans le spa Oriane m’emmène dans un des magasins de la montagne, voir s’il n’y aurait pas à tout hasard un ptit pull en merino qu’elle n’aurait pas encore acheté (“Non mais tu réalises pas ! Du merino, à ce prix là ! DU MERINO LOUISELLE !”). Merino-less on s’en retourne au Spa où l’on enfile peignoir et pantoufles et sirotons un thé dans l’espace zen en attendant que nos masseurs viennent nous chercher. On a choisi l’option “Deep tissues”, décrite sur le site comme “A therapeutic massage tailored to your individual needs which utilises techniques to work on the deeper levels of your muscles.”, en se disant que comme on est des grandes sportives maintenant, nos muscles ont besoin d’être chouchoutés. Key words dans la description ? “deeper levels”. Je sais pas comment Serena Williams vit ses massages de récupération, mais personnellement j’ai un poil eu l’impression que mes os ont été réduits en une poudre fine sous la pression du massage. Après, moi j’ai la conception d’un massage comme un moment de détente, tout doux, avec huiles essentielles, bougies et compagnie, donc oui forcément, se faire passer au rouleau compresseur c’est surprenant la première fois. Mais c’est très bien dans son genre aussi ! On en ressort 1h plus tard, vidées et le cheveu gras.

Comme on a pris la formule comprenant un accès aux piscines thermales, on enchaîne en testant tous les bassins. Ce sont les “Sulphur pools” qui remportent la palme : une eau à 40°C qui nous permet de finir notre après-midi détente en beauté.

You bet you will

Seul petit bémol, elles portent très bien leur nom et s’accompagnent donc d’une forte odeur, qui, couplée à la chaleur, me donne l’impression d’être un oeuf en train de cuire. Ce qui ne nous fait pas perdre notre appétit pour autant puisqu’en sortant on se précipite dans un restaurant repéré plus tôt, où l’on continue sur la lignée de la journée plaisir en dégustant chacune un plat classos de gnocchi (car, oui, le gnocchi PEUT être classos). Bon du coup on est de retour au B&B à 20h, ce qui annonce assez clairement qu’on va passer une soirée du nouvel an plutôt festive… A 21h, en pyjama et déjà au lit, on se dit qu’on peut peut-être trouver un bêtisier du nouvel an ou autre connerie du genre à la télé, et je suis à peu près sûre qu’on aurait pu tomber sur l’un d’eux si la télécommande avait fonctionné. Hélas, non, et puisqu’il est également impossible de passer les chaînes manuellement, ce soir ce sera “The Last Samuraï”, car qui n’a jamais rêvé de passer son nouvel an en regardant un stereotypical white male s’approprier une autre culture ? (pardon, j’aime pas particulièrement Tom Cruise. Sauf dans M.I.2. Mais j’étais jeune et probablement amoureuse du personnage de Thandie Newton anyway.). L’avantage c’est qu’avec un film de cette durée, il est bientôt minuit au moment du générique ! On attend donc que nos téléphonent affichent 00:00, on se souhaite la bonne année et… on va se coucher. #partygirls

#bye bye christchurch #hello hanmer springs #thermal pools #spa day #le massage qui te remet les os à leur place #presque comme chez le kiné tiens #gnocchi festifs #nouvel an avec tom cruise #3moisauboutdumonde #les soeurs debiez en nz

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pukkatravellers · 4 years ago

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What to Know Before Traveling to New Zealand

Overview

Welcome to the most beautiful country we ever saw in our life. New Zealand is truly remarkable place. Combination of outstanding nature and western country all in one place. New Zealand requires some travel planning if you want to see all good locations because the wather change fast (some people says you can all the 4 sessions in one day).

Besides, the travel distance between the locations is big, that’s why you need to plan in advance. In this post, we are going to cover everything you need to know before your arrival.

Weather

since it is on the other side of the world – it could be different weather within your country, so pay attention. The weather is quite tricky. Some people say it’s ruined their trip. So you need to be flexible.

How long to Travel?

Well, it depends how much time you have? Many travelers go for 3 months. This is the best time to see the country and to take some side trips. If you don’t have lots of time (like myself), you can go for one month of traveling. It’s enough time to see both islands. Again it really depends what kind of travelers you are? ( if you like tracks – you need more time, some of the trails takes days). If you have less than 15 days to travel – you need to focus exclusively on one island.

this trip require planning

Flights

The flight to New Zealand is quite expensive – the best TIP here is to order the tip in advance. When I say in advance at list nine months or more, otherwise you are going to pay a high price for the tickets. Furthermore, if you are traveling for Europe, it’s better to stop for one day (or for a few hours) on Thailand or hong kong. Take a break; the flight is hard ( we travel for 37 hours!! & 3 connections).

Transpositions in New Zealand

New Zealand has really poor public transportations, so don’t count on it. The best way to travel is by car. the main question is which rent or buy? (you can see more about it here in this post ). In New Zealand, they drive on the left side, so if you’re not used for it, practice in the parking lot a bit. They don’t have lots of cars on the road + the local people are really nice . So don’t sweat if you took the wrong turn. In New Zealand, you have a verity of different vehicles to choose from, again the main question is rent or buy? The answer is another question how must time you have? Until 1.5 months, in my opinion – the best option is to rent a car. Why? It takes time to sell it, and you need to be in one spot when you sell it (3-5 day minimum), so if you don’t mind doing that, buy a car. More than 1.5 months go to the second category – buy a car only!

Our Campervan

To recap:

Pros of buying a car vs. rent a car :

Price – it will be the cheapest option.

Ownership – the car is yours so that you can change the infrastructure of the vehicle.

Cons of buying a car vs. rent a car:

Time-consuming: when you buy the vehicle and when you sell.

Comfortable: If a car is rented, you have no worries when the vehicle is broken, someone will replace it for you.

Major Tip: take the screen protection insurance. It saves our life twice!

Second major Tip: drive at the right speed, there are lots of speed trap ( we got a speed ticket)

Communication

not the strongest in New Zealand. Most of the places don’t have good reception, and in some areas, it completely blocks. Usually, you are going to use the Wifi in different hostels and campground – but you need to know that in most places, the Wifi is limited (or cost money). The best option, in this case, is to buy a local sim if Vodaphone or spark. And you need to buy a data package with an internal call. Both companies have stores at the airport.

Where to Travel?

New Zealand has 2 islands, the north islands and the south. in my opinion both of them are incredible and very different. The north island is the smallest one. The travel distance between place is shorter (huge advantage), and this island has a lot of geothermal and volcanic activities. You can also find the Maori culture in different places on this island. Furthermore, here you can find the glow worm cave ( there is plenty of these caves in new Zealand, but the one here on this island is really impressive). The south island is different. He’s much bigger and has wild nature. There are plenty of different trails and landscapes to see, like lakes, glaciers, and wild animals. In my opinion, the south island is much more beautiful, but the north island has a diversity of attractions.

We visited both islands (and we add a short side trip to cook islands).

We started in Auckland and moved south. we pick all the primary area that we thought we couldn’t miss:

Auckland -> Netherland -> Coromandel -> Hobbiton -> Waitomo caves -> Rotorua -> Taupo -> Tongariro -> Turangi -> Wellington -> Nelson & Golden bay -> Abel Tasman -> the west cost -> Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers -> Wanaka -> Queenstown -> Milford sound -> Catlins -> Dunedin -> Mount cook -> Christchurch -> Hanmer Springs -> Kaikora -> Christchurch.

Some countries don’t have a direct flight to Auckland, so they start from Christchurch.

Hobbiton-New-Zealand

Few things to Consider:

Distance – the travel distance is quite big from area to area. Sometimes you want to see 2-3 places in one day, so it’s better to check in advance. Use google maps to check the distance between the 2 points ( some days we drive more than 4 hours ).

Opening hours – New Zealand is for morning people’s life start very early, approximately 8 and end at 16-17.

Where to fall asleep?

well, there is plenty of options since we rent a campervan, we slept on a different campground. but again it depends on what kind of trip you want:

If you’re renting a mini car/ family car – so most of the time, you’re going to sleep on hostels or hotels. Our recommendation is YHA BBH’s best hostel we saw there ( slept there twice at the beginning and at the end). Most of the time, we parked in TOP 10 facilities – they are wonderful and equipped with everything you need (you can rent a room if you want the price is not high).

Top10 has facilities around new Zealand, and they have a member card. You can get tons of discounts on different attractions, and when you stopped over to sleep there, you get another 10% discount. In total, you can save lots of money ( the membership cost 49 NZ money – in my opinion, it worth the price).

Supermarkets

the 3 top one that we use are:

The Warehouse – the best place for camping gear, they have excellent pricing.

Pac ‘N’ save – the cheapest supermart in new Zealand. They also have a membership card, and they have the own gas stations, so if you buy there and fuel, you can have lots of points on your card (look for the yellow sign).

Countdown – one of our favorite – it’s a bit expensive, but they have everything. Countdown has a membership card (under the AA group).

So you can get a discount for gas stations.

Applications & Coupon sites:

Well, there is a few you need to know:

Campermate– one of our favorite we can live without it. In this app you can where to stay , where to park your campervan. Point of interest, things like that. The application is free of charge.

Bookme – Well, if you want to save money, this app if for just for you. We found tons of discount coupons for all the main tourist attractions.

Download it to your phone and plan ahead (don’t try to order the attraction on the same day, check 3-5 days before your arrival).

Viator – another coupon website, they have outstanding customer service.

Groupon – the popular coupon website – sometimes, you can find outstanding deals there.

TOP10 – one of favorite, buy their membership cards for 49 NZ money.

With this card, you get a discount for there holidays park and for the main attraction in every area – Recommended.

We use this card almost every day.

Visa

Since the end of 2019, you should file a NezTa request for tourists.

Check if your country is on the list.

Cost 29$. the process is simple – usually, you get an answer within two weeks.

New Zealand Custom rules.

Another thing that is important to know is that you don’t allow to bring food to New Zeland (like: fruits). Also, they will check your camping and hiking gear (especially the boots) to make sure they clean. they will scan your bags so don’t try to play with them (unless you want to get a fine

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petervansiclen · 5 years ago

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Song 2: Broken Pig

Year in New Zealand: 12 Months 12 Songs is an audio journal of an album, that is being written song by song, month by month. Each month a new track is posted at https://petervansiclen.bandcamp.com

This is the second in a series of posts breaking down the story of each song

HANMER TIME!

It’s dark. We’ve just listened to 2 hours of the Frozen soundtrack and the girls are finally asleep in the backseat. The gravel crunches under the tires of our Honda Fit as we roll up to the vacation house. The lights are on and inside I can hear the dulcet tones of a xylophone playing. We each pick up a sleeping child and bring them into our home for the weekend. Cory and Michaela greet us, and their 2-year-old son Hamish drops the mallets and runs over to meet our girls. Groggily they take in our surroundings, including the marimba-like African instrument at the center of the living room. Hamish runs back over to demonstrate. He isn’t as sleepy as our kids, since he’s coming from his home in Australia, and hasn’t adjusted to the time difference yet. Before we even have a chance to get Annie and Cora tucked away in bed Hamish is quick to show us the Broken Pig. Yes, this vacation house comes complete with a Broken Pig! In this modern and lovingly cared for home, right next to the wood stove, is an abstract sculpture of a pig. The stone pig’s back has a concave section, which is currently occupied by kindling. Hamish runs over, lifts one finger, and proclaims “Broken Pig! Oh no! Broken Pig!”

We spend the weekend in Hanmer’s famous hot springs “relaxing” with two toddlers and an infant. We hike past giant sculptures of rock-climbing possums and floating heads.

The kids take turns playing the marimba, and I am happy to get my hands on a real guitar and djembe. I begin recording samples of Hamish on the marimba and the various instruments, anticipating that they could be used in what will become a very silly song.

Over the course of the next week our guests get the full Darfield experience, complete with swim lessons at the Selwyn Aquatic Center and the Very Scary Moa Ride at the the top of the Christchurch Gondola. Cory and I find time to relive our college a cappella days by sneaking off to the garage while everyone is asleep. We set up a mobile recording studio on the dashboard of the car. In the sound booth that is the Honda Fit, we belt out lyrics about deer farms and chocolate fish. We even include our hidden talents of beatboxing and tuvan throat singing.

After Cory leaves I sift through the sounds I recorded and incorporate samples of Annie talking and Hamish on the Marimba. Annie helps me write the lyrics for my verse, and I make sure to include important words like “princess,” “purple,” “mermaid,” and “lunchbox.” Annie is very proud of her contributions, and she asks to hear “Broken Pig” in the car. Again. And again. And again.

I talk with Cory about the final mix, and about including a bridge about the joys of nocturnal parenting. He informs me that Hamish also has been asking to hear “Broken Pig” on repeat. If nothing else, we have a hit with the 2 and 3 year old crowd…

https://petervansiclen.bandcamp.com/track/broken-pig

Original article with more pictures can be found in the “Year in New Zealand” blog: https://yearinnewzealand.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/song-2-broken-pig/

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