This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within New Zealand. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:835 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-05-07T01:59:23Z 340038http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within New Zealand. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2006-02-17:973052 2006-02-17T08:38:52Z 2008-05-07T01:59:23Z worldwanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m833889-worldwanderer.html <p><em>"we spent all afternoon lounging in hot pools"</em></p> <p>a entry by worldwanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rotorua-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8171.html">Rotorua, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Tal and I knew we wanted to see a Maori Concert and Hangi, so as soon as we got settled, we went to the information site and booked one for this Friday. Along with that came free entry to the Polynesian Spa pools, so Wednesday night, we spent practically all afternoon lounging in hot pools that were 41 degrees Celsius. We could only spend about 10 minutes at a time in the hotter pools before we felt faint, and had to step out and chill in a cooler pool (and by cooler, I still mean fairly warm bathwater.) It was fun. The springs are famous for curing all sorts of joint illnesses, like ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rotorua-journals-j973052.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8Qn-SfyxdXPuTFBUeZJ.kpHlc8w_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frotorua-journals-j973052.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rotorua-journals-j973052.html tag:realtravel.com,2006-03-13:1081023 2006-03-13T06:34:06Z 2008-05-07T01:57:23Z worldwanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m833889-worldwanderer.html <p><em>"The trail up to the crater summit takes an hour to climb, according to the signs, so Tal and I figured we could probably do it in 45. We were wrong."</em></p> <p>a entry by worldwanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8082.html">Auckland, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Today we visited the 600 year old volcanic island, Rangitoto. After deciding against the dolphin watch when we found out you rarely get to swim with them, we bought a quick lunch at a Mexican place on Prince's Wharf, and took an early afternoon ferry to the island. The day began pretty hot, and continuted as such. (Volcanic rock has a nasty habit of reflecting the heat back up at you, making you feel like you just might melt into a puddle at any moment.) The trail up to the crater summit takes an hour to climb, according to the signs, so Tal and I figured we could probably do it in 45. We ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j1081023.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fEWxB7FilQmwNr-j5SPebpTqlGw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fauckland-journals-j1081023.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j1081023.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-01:6787617 2008-04-01T04:36:09Z 2008-04-14T08:08:16Z icehockeypunk11 http://realtravel.com/member-m4792444-icehockeypunk11.html <p>a entry by icehockeypunk11 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8176.html">Te Anau, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>And I was on my way to humble little Te Anau. Another spectacular day with equally spectacular views as our little van coasted along an open road through the mountain ranges that bordered both sides. Te anau, te anau, te anau…that name ring a bell? Well…that’s actually because it’s my current home-sweet-home! But let’s go back in time when I was just a mere traveller through such a lovely place that sits so nicely on a beautiful outstretching lake up to peaked mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see…(ya…I kinda like it here) The place is aptly named “gateway to fiordland”. Now…fjords ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j6787617.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=FExeDWEDKU5C6vrLWnFSeSUgEdM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fte_anau-journals-j6787617.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j6787617.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6829199 2008-04-09T10:14:09Z 2008-04-09T10:14:09Z Career Suicide http://realtravel.com/member-m2383576-career_suicide.html <p>a entry by Career Suicide from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/lake_wanaka-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d4818229.html">Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>After Te Anau we drove back near Queenstown as we continued up north. Krystal had to drive up a huge moutain with switch backs which was a little scary. We climbed so high that at one point an airplane flew by.. even with us.. as it landed in the Queenstown airport. If we had been a few minutes earlier I could have snapped a picture of it. It was pretty cool. We are finding the roads very narrow and there are 1 way bridges everywhere where 1 car can only go at once. The scenery is amazing. Mountainous views everywhere. We stopped for a coffee on a mountain plateau before driving some ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/lake_wanaka-journals-j6829199.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=UWFcjKcp9bRetm3qej7XBFxe.Os_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flake_wanaka-journals-j6829199.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/lake_wanaka-journals-j6829199.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6782898 2008-03-31T01:02:32Z 2008-04-07T01:38:22Z Mike & Madeline http://realtravel.com/member-m5010611-mike__madeline.html <p><em>"all around us, a pod of about 450 Dusky dolphins!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Madeline from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kaikoura-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8126.html">Kaikoura, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>The Ferry…or Le ferry?! So up we got and headed down to the InterIslander ferry port for our 7.30am check in. It was reminiscent of waiting at Plymouth to catch the channel ferry and then became much more so when we noticed that our boat had the name ‘Pride of Cherbourg’ painted out on it’s side! I couldn’t believe it as I’d been on this boat when I was younger back home and here it was on the other side of the planet and still going! And literally all they’d done was paint over the embossed writing and there were even still signs up in French! Bizarre!!! The crossing was a blur as when ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kaikoura-journals-j6782898.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=h1JvIOMsDl3EInIYy131MUsUyHA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkaikoura-journals-j6782898.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kaikoura-journals-j6782898.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-05:6809349 2008-04-05T06:36:45Z 2008-04-06T01:35:51Z Eternal Wanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m4184853-eternal_wanderer.html <p><em>"I walked across the top of the brown sugar sand that rejected the footprints my sandals wanted to leave like they were an insult to its isolation."</em></p> <p>a entry by Eternal Wanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/napier-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8146.html">Napier, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>‘Peacock!’ I said surprised as a pair of kingly birds flew over my car as I traversed the hilly Highway 35, that encircles the hump of the North Island that is the East Cape. Instead of the coastal highway I pictured, the narrow road cuts inwards up, over and around hills with no sea in sight, returning to the coast only to connect the small communities and their attached beaches. The roads on the cape are still more coastal than those in the Wairapa, which I reached by crossing the Rimutaka’s from Wellington. There one main road runs north through the region like a life line with smaller ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/napier-journals-j6809349.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=uTUKbOI.7HBzzK.XiJIaX3OSqEw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnapier-journals-j6809349.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/napier-journals-j6809349.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-04:6803316 2008-04-04T01:16:26Z 2008-04-04T07:37:59Z Char and Andy http://realtravel.com/member-m5942979-char_and_andy.html <p>a entry by Char and Andy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/picton-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d1697061.html">Picton, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Hi all,</p><p>The 3 hour boat ride from Wellington to Picton was beautiful – weaving in and out of the Queen Charlotte Sounds and its luscious green hills. Am afraid you’re just going to have to take my word for it on this one as I accidentally deleted all the pictures (honestly why make the delete all button so easy to push?!). Picking up our hire car in Picton we headed straight to the Abel Tasman National park on the opposite side of the island, stopping off just long enough in Nelson to enjoy a lovely (and completely un-pronounceable) native fish dish in a restaurant overlooking Nelson ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/picton-journals-j6803316.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_W2RRCbiWZL0yjp9W8iBG.VTsHmY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/W2RRCbiWZL0yjp9W8iBG.VTsHmY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_W2RRCbiWZL0yjp9W8iBG.VTsHmY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=W2RRCbiWZL0yjp9W8iBG.VTsHmY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpicton-journals-j6803316.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/picton-journals-j6803316.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-04:6803302 2008-04-04T00:56:22Z 2008-04-04T01:26:46Z Char and Andy http://realtravel.com/member-m5942979-char_and_andy.html <p>a entry by Char and Andy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/north_island-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d842840.html">North Island, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Hi all</p><p>Well we arrived to Auckland pretty jet lagged after a delayed flight from Santiago (airline did chuck in a free meal at the airport so can’t really complain!)</p><p>Our hostel in Auckland was located in a pretty little area called Parnell, old colonial buildings and lots of cafes, restaurants. Sadly we quickly realised how expensive NZ is (especially in comparison to South America) and decided meals out were a thing of the past!! At the supermarket the next day as we managed to get some massive green lipped mussels for less that 5p each which made a very tasty Thai soup, if I do ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/north_island-journals-j6803302.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_sShzjGXbwq.gU.w3.NiS62iDNv4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/sShzjGXbwq.gU.w3.NiS62iDNv4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_sShzjGXbwq.gU.w3.NiS62iDNv4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=sShzjGXbwq.gU.w3.NiS62iDNv4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnorth_island-journals-j6803302.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/north_island-journals-j6803302.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6783015 2008-03-31T01:22:26Z 2008-03-31T01:22:26Z Mike & Madeline http://realtravel.com/member-m5010611-mike__madeline.html <p><em>"my first fresh free range oyster!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Madeline from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d4067483.html">Auckland, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Raglan</p><p>We set off to check out the famous break for the weekend with Karen &amp; Aidan and Danny &amp; Ellie on campervan mission! Drove down and it was such a beautiful sunny day! We all met up at the campsite and booked our spots then headed off to check out the famous break. We got there to find it was working and it was small and clean so hopped in to have a great surf on a fun little wave. Also just nice to chill out on the beach in the sun! After that we all went for a wander into the town to stock up on beers and BBQ food and had a lovely chilled out evening chatting away til the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j6783015.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_DQutBn-G2Bg2A3DRD90n4rU8v4k_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/DQutBn-G2Bg2A3DRD90n4rU8v4k_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_DQutBn-G2Bg2A3DRD90n4rU8v4k_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=DQutBn-G2Bg2A3DRD90n4rU8v4k_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fauckland-journals-j6783015.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j6783015.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6782738 2008-03-31T00:48:20Z 2008-03-31T01:20:24Z Mike & Madeline http://realtravel.com/member-m5010611-mike__madeline.html <p><em>"we think he may have been Santa!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Madeline from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/cape_reinga-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d1100383.html">Cape Reinga, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Well, finally we finished getting Bonga ready for our Christmas holiday…2 weeks off and we were so excited as we’d been working since the wedding and were looking forward to a break. We got everything packed and headed up the coast towards our first stop then, disaster! Only half an hour out of Auckland - we were coming down a hill when we heard banging around inside the engine (we’re sat right on top of it in the van so it was quite noticeable that something was amiss!) so we pulled over as soon as we could. We opened up the engine access and steam hissed out from everywhere!!! Not a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/cape_reinga-journals-j6782738.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_O5rcf9qwZzTxe9D5.DAFlNpZwZU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/O5rcf9qwZzTxe9D5.DAFlNpZwZU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_O5rcf9qwZzTxe9D5.DAFlNpZwZU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=O5rcf9qwZzTxe9D5.DAFlNpZwZU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcape_reinga-journals-j6782738.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/cape_reinga-journals-j6782738.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6782752 2008-03-31T00:54:39Z 2008-03-31T01:15:29Z Mike & Madeline http://realtravel.com/member-m5010611-mike__madeline.html <p><em>"bee stings hurt!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Madeline from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/wellington-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8191.html">Wellington, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>We had finished work, we had packed up, we had prepped the van, we had said our goodbyes to Kris and Andrea, we were on the road at last! Heading towards our first destination of the Coromandel. We travelled across country then to the coastline of the Coromandel peninsula and stopped of for a pie with a view at Thames and then meandered our way up through gorgeous little bays with lovely views. Then we had more of a challenge as we hit some of the hills I’d heard about but we made it then into Coromandel town. We’d planned to stop the night here but arrived earlier than we expected so ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/wellington-journals-j6782752.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_loozW8eeLZJdc0-Yd-B1N.dorC4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/loozW8eeLZJdc0-Yd-B1N.dorC4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_loozW8eeLZJdc0-Yd-B1N.dorC4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=loozW8eeLZJdc0-Yd-B1N.dorC4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fwellington-journals-j6782752.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/wellington-journals-j6782752.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-25:6756286 2008-03-25T13:01:56Z 2008-03-25T13:01:56Z Eternal Wanderer http://realtravel.com/member-m4184853-eternal_wanderer.html <p>a entry by Eternal Wanderer from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8176.html">Te Anau, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>MacKinnon pass is the highlight touted and talked about when New Zealand’s most popular Great Walk, the Milford Track, is mentioned. Spectacular is the most common adjective describing the view onto Milford Sound. My view was more like potato soup (not green enough for peas). Fortunately, in Fiordland there’s always a trade-off.</p><p>The Milford is a four day hike through lush Fiordland National Park greenery. It was the second national park created in New Zealand and in 1986 it was designated a World Heritage site. The first day barely qualifies as a warm up, walking only an hour ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j6756286.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_6ll48FVmzDpdw5C3exr037wFKR0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/6ll48FVmzDpdw5C3exr037wFKR0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_6ll48FVmzDpdw5C3exr037wFKR0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=6ll48FVmzDpdw5C3exr037wFKR0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fte_anau-journals-j6756286.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j6756286.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-26:5390256 2007-08-26T10:11:21Z 2008-03-19T08:21:08Z nzers http://realtravel.com/member-m5389806-nzers.html <p>a entry by nzers from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com//d-1167-new_zealand">New Zealand.</a></p> <p>We travelled to Great Barrier Island on Jan 2 2008 on the Fullers Fast Cat which took approx 2 hours. The sailing was mostly smooth with a few swells when we crossed the tip of the Coromandel. Nothing this sea-puppy can't handle. The ferry was modern and came complete with cafe and plenty of comfortable seating both inside and out. It certainly proved to be the better option to the 5 hour slow boat alternative.</p><p>We took all our mountain bikes with us and travelled with packs rather that suitcases. Upon arrival at the Tryphena wharf we were met by all the rental car / shuttle buses ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/new_zealand-journals-j5390256.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_HaIMlGCe71NN71cX.dPi0RhdB2s_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/HaIMlGCe71NN71cX.dPi0RhdB2s_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_HaIMlGCe71NN71cX.dPi0RhdB2s_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=HaIMlGCe71NN71cX.dPi0RhdB2s_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnew_zealand-journals-j5390256.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/new_zealand-journals-j5390256.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-13:6693140 2008-03-13T01:37:27Z 2008-03-17T13:37:13Z Sam&Nen http://realtravel.com/member-m5696219-samnen.html <p>a entry by Sam&amp;Nen from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/christchurch-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8096.html">Christchurch, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>WARNING: Do not start reading this if you are in any way busy or important!! We apologise in advance because this is quite long... but we are marketing folk and we just can't help but waffle! - enjoy...</p><p>As predicted England got panned by the NZ Black Caps in Christchurch (we were in the front row so saw the disgraceful butter fingers in close up!) Needless to say, Rob and Allan were delighted and proceeded to rub it in for the rest of the weekend. Sport talk was banned however, as we said sad goodbyes to Linda, Allan and all the farm creatures. Felt like royalty as we planted a tree ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/christchurch-journals-j6693140.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JdIADJWtXYJWcblGGUQzFbXqgwk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JdIADJWtXYJWcblGGUQzFbXqgwk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JdIADJWtXYJWcblGGUQzFbXqgwk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JdIADJWtXYJWcblGGUQzFbXqgwk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchristchurch-journals-j6693140.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/christchurch-journals-j6693140.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-19:4025427 2007-03-19T23:24:14Z 2008-03-13T17:08:56Z Un Petit Tour http://realtravel.com/member-m2516035-un_petit_tour.html <p>a entry by Un Petit Tour from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8176.html">Te Anau, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Après avoir pris le ferry de Wellington à Picton (3h30 de bateau quand même), on est allés tout droit à Castle Hill, superbe site avec tout plein de rochers au milieu des montagnes, et vous l'aurez deviné j'en suis sûre, comme c'est un site connu pour l'escalade... on en a profité un petit peu pour grimper !</p><p>Là bas, on a aussi trouvé une grotte où l'on pouvait remonter une rivière souterraine et on s´est régalés pendant une heure parce que c'était vraiment joli, la roche était blanche et toute douce avec tout plein de formes arrondies... On avait un peu peur de la température de l'eau ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j4025427.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_LRWlQil6f49gkX0ATrBVmajMHxc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/LRWlQil6f49gkX0ATrBVmajMHxc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_LRWlQil6f49gkX0ATrBVmajMHxc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=LRWlQil6f49gkX0ATrBVmajMHxc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fte_anau-journals-j4025427.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/te_anau-journals-j4025427.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-02-04:3567773 2007-02-04T09:28:20Z 2008-03-13T16:45:14Z Un Petit Tour http://realtravel.com/member-m2516035-un_petit_tour.html <p>a entry by Un Petit Tour from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8082.html">Auckland, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Nouvelle Zeéande: l'Ile du Nord</p><p>C'est début février qu'on est arrivés dans le pays le plus eéoigné de la France : la Nouvelle Zélande!</p><p>A Auckland on a eu une impression de "déjà vu", de retrouver un peu de la culture anglaise à laquelle on est bien habitués, sauf que pour une ville d'un million d'habitants, c'est vraiment paisible, pas speed du tout par rapport à nos grandes villes européennes, aéré, avec des espaces verts et surtout, extrêmement propre... C'est chouette Auckland même si les néo zélandais disent que ça n'est pas la Nouvelle-Zélande!</p><p>En 3 jours on a acheté un ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j3567773.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_OPfWU7cMQuBulgkZjfRGOzVirao_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/OPfWU7cMQuBulgkZjfRGOzVirao_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_OPfWU7cMQuBulgkZjfRGOzVirao_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=OPfWU7cMQuBulgkZjfRGOzVirao_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fauckland-journals-j3567773.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/auckland-journals-j3567773.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-11:6682786 2008-03-11T01:07:16Z 2008-03-13T00:25:14Z joe and tracey http://realtravel.com/member-m5488798-joe_and_tracey.html <p>a entry by joe and tracey from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/carters_beach-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d3706017.html">Carters Beach, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>We drove along the Highway towards Murchison, which followed the Buller River the whole way, Lake Rotoiti being its source. We had planned to stop after Murchison to walk over the longest rope bridge in NZ, which crossed the buller river on the Buller Gorge, and was 110 metres long. We pulled in to the car park and after deciding not to go on the zip wire or jet boat payed for just the rope bridge. We slowly made our way over and then carried on with the 15 minute loop walk. Half way round we came to the start of the jet boating, and had a chat with the driver. He convinced us to do the jet ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/carters_beach-journals-j6682786.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_yxrHcm.12qh.7sFr5OoZ5ODkTkQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/yxrHcm.12qh.7sFr5OoZ5ODkTkQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_yxrHcm.12qh.7sFr5OoZ5ODkTkQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=yxrHcm.12qh.7sFr5OoZ5ODkTkQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcarters_beach-journals-j6682786.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/carters_beach-journals-j6682786.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-18:6211444 2007-12-18T07:10:09Z 2008-03-02T06:44:16Z GWiZ http://realtravel.com/member-m4854972-gwiz.html <p><em>"For LOTR fans only! All others may die from nerd exposure."</em></p> <p>a entry by GWiZ from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/wellington-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8191.html">Wellington, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Beware! This blog entry is not for the faint of heart. The following passages contain some very dorky facts and photos. Parents should screen the content before subjecting children to such blatant nerddom.</p><p>Many of my readers already know my passion for these films. I think they are nothing short of the finest pieces of work ever to hit the cinema. They are lacking nothing in content, creativity, and character, in my opinion. Therefore, it would be somewhat blasphemous to my love of movies, and to these especially, if I did not dedicate some of my vacation to seeing where these ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/wellington-journals-j6211444.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_wrQScWbrRtpjQOj4nbfQVUhmHPw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/wrQScWbrRtpjQOj4nbfQVUhmHPw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_wrQScWbrRtpjQOj4nbfQVUhmHPw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=wrQScWbrRtpjQOj4nbfQVUhmHPw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fwellington-journals-j6211444.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/wellington-journals-j6211444.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-23:6589207 2008-02-23T22:21:36Z 2008-02-28T08:23:43Z icehockeypunk11 http://realtravel.com/member-m4792444-icehockeypunk11.html <p>a entry by icehockeypunk11 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/queenstown-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8166.html">Queenstown, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>So I arrived into the welcoming arms of the “adventure capital of the world” eager to try all of the crazy things my mind and body would allow me to sign up for. And these queenstown arms are indeed so welcoming to any and every tourist because it is basically what the town thrives on…scratch that…what the town survives on. As you walk through the little town that does have the energy of a city almost every single store is either a tourist shop (i.e. t-shirts, shot glasses, and 20 different kinds of stuffed animal sheep to decide from…not to mention some interesting prints featuring kiwis and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/queenstown-journals-j6589207.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_MhLij1QfmjpG-4K8keihAgo52z0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/MhLij1QfmjpG-4K8keihAgo52z0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_MhLij1QfmjpG-4K8keihAgo52z0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=MhLij1QfmjpG-4K8keihAgo52z0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fqueenstown-journals-j6589207.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/queenstown-journals-j6589207.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-18:6562816 2008-02-18T08:07:16Z 2008-02-21T22:30:29Z alex f http://realtravel.com/member-m2878197-alex_f.html <p><em>""Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom...Sidebottom""</em></p> <p>a entry by alex f from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/napier_city-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d4076310.html">Napier City, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Alex is a nice girl, she said that she'd come along to watch the cricket. We didn't think we'd still be in New Zealand for the England cricket tour, but seeing as we were I thought it would be a shame to miss out.</p><p>We had a really really sunny day, and got a little bit sunburnt sat out on the embankment, got to the ground really early and got a nice space to put our blanket. Buy the time the game started it was absolutley packed around us, and by then end we were surrounded by schoolboys and drunkards. It was just like watching cricket back in England, more and more 'hilarious' ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/napier_city-journals-j6562816.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JngtlwDDeKEVRHUKWZ5A8p72rho_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JngtlwDDeKEVRHUKWZ5A8p72rho_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JngtlwDDeKEVRHUKWZ5A8p72rho_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JngtlwDDeKEVRHUKWZ5A8p72rho_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fnapier_city-journals-j6562816.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/napier_city-journals-j6562816.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-21:6573984 2008-02-21T04:32:49Z 2008-02-21T04:32:49Z L & B http://realtravel.com/member-m5670253-l__b.html <p>a entry by L &amp; B from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tongariro_national_park-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8181.html">Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Tongariro National Park was the first declared national park of NZ, in 1887. It features three volcanic peaks (I won't bore you with the names), two of which feature in the Lord of the Rings films. This is LOTR country. The park was a gift from the local Maori tribe who probably saw it as the only way to preserve an area of spiritual significance. In Winter this area is a busy ski area.</p><p>Although there is a three day 'Great Walk' of this area, being short for time (and not that interested in walking), we opted to do a one day, 18km version that takes in the highlights of the longer ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tongariro_national_park-journals-j6573984.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_XfW9S92REnfyZ4T5Z9j1ikHHNbs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/XfW9S92REnfyZ4T5Z9j1ikHHNbs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_XfW9S92REnfyZ4T5Z9j1ikHHNbs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=XfW9S92REnfyZ4T5Z9j1ikHHNbs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftongariro_national_park-journals-j6573984.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tongariro_national_park-journals-j6573984.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-21:6573929 2008-02-21T04:12:24Z 2008-02-21T04:12:24Z L & B http://realtravel.com/member-m5670253-l__b.html <p>a entry by L &amp; B from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/waitomo_caves-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d1161881.html">Waitomo Caves, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Dotted throughout the countryside in and around Waitomo are numerous shafts (300 documented) dropping abruptly into underground cave systems and streams. We booked a trip to go 'blackwater rafting', which is not white-water rafting underground, but basically walking and travelling along underground caves and rivers, by walking, swimming and using big inflatable rings. Kitted out with wet suits, wet suit jackets and socks, wellies (gum boots for the Aussies) and a helmet with light, we climbed down a ladder through a tight hole in the ground. I think Brad and I both realised that although we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/waitomo_caves-journals-j6573929.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_AJq.3dgly34drkZiMMfJD2VCFx8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/AJq.3dgly34drkZiMMfJD2VCFx8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_AJq.3dgly34drkZiMMfJD2VCFx8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=AJq.3dgly34drkZiMMfJD2VCFx8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fwaitomo_caves-journals-j6573929.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/waitomo_caves-journals-j6573929.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-21:6573665 2008-02-21T03:13:07Z 2008-02-21T03:13:07Z L & B http://realtravel.com/member-m5670253-l__b.html <p>a entry by L &amp; B from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rotorua-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8171.html">Rotorua, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>This place absolutely whiffs of rotten eggs - you could fart to your heart's content here and no one would know (of course I don't do things like that). People come here to visit areas of thermal activity (hence the sulphur-rich air). Even in the heart of town there are lakes covered in smoke - which would look quite mystical and romantic if is weren't for the stench, bad enough to make you almost retch at times.</p><p>We visited 'Waiotapu ('thermal waters' in Maori) Thermal Wonderland', a compact area of cold and boiling pools of mud and water, steaming fumaroles (vents in the ground), ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rotorua-journals-j6573665.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_iOqSoR.FYG5gb1cRM3fa7GwNynM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/iOqSoR.FYG5gb1cRM3fa7GwNynM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_iOqSoR.FYG5gb1cRM3fa7GwNynM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=iOqSoR.FYG5gb1cRM3fa7GwNynM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frotorua-journals-j6573665.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rotorua-journals-j6573665.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-19:6566912 2008-02-19T08:05:29Z 2008-02-19T08:05:29Z stuartsfraser http://realtravel.com/member-m1402365-stuartsfraser.html <p>a entry by stuartsfraser from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tongariro_national_park-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8181.html">Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>I was dropped off along with 150 other people on 3 buses at around 7:20am. I got myself ready as quickly as possible and rushed off to get ahead of the main crowd. If I had hung around a bit I would have met a friend I had made in Melbourne. She was in the bus behind me but I didn't know that at the time.</p><p>It was a lovely morning with a clear blue sky but it was very chilly. We were in the shadow of the volcanoes and the air was very sharp. Hat and gloves wouldn't have gone amiss. The first section to Soda Springs was flat and easy. I was able to keep up with the fastest day walkers ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tongariro_national_park-journals-j6566912.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_TLIkpHae86CJT8YLuk23yvueF00_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/TLIkpHae86CJT8YLuk23yvueF00_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_TLIkpHae86CJT8YLuk23yvueF00_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=TLIkpHae86CJT8YLuk23yvueF00_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftongariro_national_park-journals-j6566912.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tongariro_national_park-journals-j6566912.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-18:6562804 2008-02-18T08:03:15Z 2008-02-18T08:03:15Z Scott & Nancy http://realtravel.com/member-m4179993-scott__nancy.html <p><em>"Our last days in NZ!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Scott &amp; Nancy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/christchurch-new_zealand-reviews-hotels-d8096.html">Christchurch, New Zealand.</a></p> <p>Our final few days in New Zealand! From Dunedin, we took time to check out the Moeraki boulders along the coast. These boulders are very large and very round and were actually formed while under the sea and then uncovered through erosion.</p><p>Scott also decided to take a small detour and spend one night in Lake Tekapo so that we could enjoy the gorgeous turquoise color that you love to see in glacier lakes. Unfortunately for us, the clouds had rolled in and there wasn’t much sun remaining to enjoy it. We arrived late in the afternoon and settled in before having a fantastic dinner at a newly ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/christchurch-journals-j6562804.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ljzYMCUxxTezp.c2DfdBR5-8bgA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ljzYMCUxxTezp.c2DfdBR5-8bgA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ljzYMCUxxTezp.c2DfdBR5-8bgA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ljzYMCUxxTezp.c2DfdBR5-8bgA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchristchurch-journals-j6562804.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/christchurch-journals-j6562804.html