travelmuser

New Zealand is calling!

2009-07-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Gidday! How's it goin'?

Awlright mate!

Good one!

I miss the accent and miss the lifestyle. Here, it is getting rather hectic, but all going as planned, will result in me being able to go wherever I like. Which is NZ of course.

I see that Qantas has some low cost round trip flights in November. About $600. This is half what it cost me last time! But I just do not have the readies, and the time I need to go is close to Christmas to wish my mum a happy 80th birthday! So I need to save up $1,200 just for the flight! Oh boy! Time to get cracking!

Currencies

2009-03-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

What a tangled weave the currencies of the world create! The US dollar is strong against many currencies, but there are fluctuations going all over the place. For example, in March 2008 the New Zealand Dollar and the Australian Dollar were quite strong compared to the US Dollar. Now it is different! They are weak by about 30%. It makes it very worth while to spend USD in NZ and Australia.

I looked into the Forex trading market with a view to making a profit in exchanging currencies. I tried one of the practice accounts and was appalled at how risky it was. You really need to be able to discern the trends in order to place your trades. Otherwise you can lose markedly.

Immigration info for New Zealand

2009-01-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

For those who want to emigrate their country and immigrate New Zealand but escape the uncertainties and problems attendant on moving from one country to another, this is the book to get as it is unique in giving you what you need to make the decision.

There are government websites you can go to, but the data is vast. The link below takes you to a book that you can download and peruse at your leisure.

To be honest, unless you are willing to become a Kiwi, you should not go. But to find out what being a Kiwi is all about, read the book and find out. Once you know, then you should decide.

New Zealand Immigration book $50.00

Tips for going to New Zealand

New Zealand is unique in having a more natural lifestyle than most other countries of the world. More appealing to some is that it is uncrowded. It is also anti-nuclear and anti-pollution.

But read the book to get more details.

An Atlas for Christmas

2008-12-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

I got an Atlas for Christmas. A "Great World Atlas" by DK with digital mapping for the 21st century and satellite images and terrain models.

What a joy to gaze on the earth from a height. What a new perspective to see the earth from above the North Pole.

And I was smitten by a rekindled desire to travel. To see places I had not seen before!

South America, Antarctica, The North Pole, Egypt, Greece, Devon and Cornwall, the Fjords of New Zealand.

What an amazing gift for someone who likes to see different terrain and exotic peoples.

I'm saving up for my next vacation now!

Las Vegas, what a town!

2008-10-11T00:43:00.000-07:00

I drove to Las Vegas in my Nissan Altima. It was the first long drive in the car and I was well pleased. I filled up in Barstow and had half a tank still when I arrived in Las Vegas about 11pm. I went to the Travelodge near the MGM Grand which was very nicely priced compared to all the other places around. I got 1 night free, 1 night for an intro rate which came to $200 for the 3 days. Quite nice I thought.

I walked throigh the casino and espied on the blackjack, roulette games and the ranks of one-armed bandits with their attendant avid and intent gamblers.I was going to do a flutter, but could not bear losing the $10 so satisfied myself by observing others lose their money.

The pre-paid legal convention was inspiring and instructive. But not quite enough to break the reserve I have. For a service that is great for anyone who drives a car, and has enough money or property worth protecting, it is well worth the money. The identity theft protection is unique in that if you do get hit, professionals will handle it for you.

I drove up and down the strip. The city is in a fit of construction. Incomplete structures up and down the strip, bare acreages awaiting the construction crews. The buildings that are there are quite unique. And the girls all seem to be baring as much skin as possible to the sun. Quite distracting when you are driving!

Las Vegas is a town well worth checking out. I have it planned next time to have a flutter with $100 which I can afford to lose, go visit the atomic bomb museum, and the firing ranges where you can fire semi-auto weapons! Uzi anyone?

More about my favorite beach

2008-08-13T23:28:00.001-07:00

Now that you have had a top view of the beach, I can tell you more of the beach itself.

The sand is a heavyish, grey siliconish composition. the slope of the beach is quite gentle and enables one to walk out a good distance so as to be in line to ride the waves in by body surfing. There have been some waves good enough for surfing, but my impression is you need a good storm to create decent waves.

Sailing is possible from pretty much anywhere on the beach although to get onto the beach your only access is at the south end near the river. After getting through the waves you can sail out to the 3 sets of rocks "Noddy's car" "Punch and Judy" and "the Castle" and sail around those, or fish a while. Sharks are infrequent, but they have been spotted so check with the locals.

Picnicing can be done on the "green" areas along the beach. There used to be baches all along the sea front but these got moved back and replaced by turf where people can park and picnic.

For the fit, there is a hill to climb and a track to a waterall and a beach walk that is somewhat adventurous. More on that in the next post!

The best beach in the world

2008-08-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

The beach to go to is Kairakau. Of course I am biased, as I spent many childhood days there. But here is a bit of video for you see for yourself:

The beach can be seen in the bottom part of the picture while the rocks in the sea are about a mile out. The buildings at the rightmost part of the pan are at the southern end of the beach by the "river" that flows out to the sea and is a great place for skiing and wakeboarding etc.

2008-08-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

I just remembered the line of planes at the Wanaka air show. Parked there were planes from 1910 through to 2008 each with its own style and paintwork. There is the progression from the open cockpit to the totally enclosed cabin, from 2 or 3 wings to the monoplane. Just imagine the huge number of hours taht went into the design, testing, preparation and so on. It is not just a pilot. It is a team of engineers, craftsmen, financiers and so on who all contributed to the final machine.

Those people should all be thanked!

wings over Wanaka

2008-08-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

I am thinking over the trip to Wanaka. It was a great day and all too short. However, the sight of the F111 burning off fuel as it climbs away still remains strongly in mind as well as that special roar as the mustangs flew by, and the distinctive growl of the Polykharkhovs.

I did not get the best view and am determined to get a seat in the stands for next time so I can better see the mock battles on the ground. The aircraft are always easy to see when they are flying by, but there was a special event of a Formula 1 racing car racing an airplane taking off. I heard, rather than saw that!

1.5 years to go!

Trip to New Zealand part 1

2008-04-19T23:18:00.000-07:00

I took 3 weeks off to go to New Zealand to go to the Air Show at Wanaka as well as to visit the folks. I booked my tickets through a travel agent who managed to get me a ticket for $1,300 rather than the $1,600 on the internet.

I was expecting to use my laptop while waiting for the plane to load up. There were about 3 electrical sockets and none of them was near a seat. So I used up my battery power as the sockets were taken up by people willing to sit on the floor.

I am used to boarding a plane via a walk-on bridge. However, Qantas ( and in earlier years when I went by Air New Zealand) bus passengers to the waiting aircraft. So boarding was a matter of riding the bus for perhaps 10 minutes to be dropped off at the base of the boarding walk for our walk onto the 747-400, parked in all it's splendor on the taxi-way.

The flight was smooth and un-eventful. There were a wide choice of movies, way more than I could hope to watch and a lot more audio than could be listened to despite my preference for classical music.

The food was tasty and enough to keep away any hunger. I was pleased to have some salad which was quite crisp.

I landed in Auckland and wandered through the duty free looking for some Brandy for my Mom and some chocolates for my brother. I already had something for my brother brought all the way from Sears in the USA - Levi 505's.

Immigration and customs were no problem and I emerged out the overseas arrivals gate to find my brother just arriving through the door from the carpark. As I was flying on to Napier in about 3 hours, we had a cup of tea in the lounge and caught up over whatever events had occurred since we last saw each other 16 months prior.

I tried out my cell phone and was pleased to find it worked. And my landlady had left me a message berating me for giving her spare door key to a friend of mine who was staying while I was away. Well, I must admit I should have let her know as she spent 5 minutes of confusion looking for the key which was no longer on her key chain of 16 years. Then she had to dive in her handbag to pull out the spare.

So we walked to the Domestic terminal after dropping off the jeans and 6 Kg of books in the car for my brother. The suitcase was a bit lighter after that.

You can get your own boarding pass and your own baggage tags at a station for this at the Air New Zealand station. I was somewhat befuddled with how to do the baggage label properly, but reading the instructions put me right eventually.

Then onward to Napier! On the approach it struck me that the hills were not very green and there were no sheep, cattle, deer or goats. The paddocks seemed empty.

My little brother was late. I was waiting outside for him for about 10 minutes enjoying the sun. And not enjoying that my cell phone did not work. It was searching and failing to find the cell signal. This is because T-mobile in NZ operates at a different frequency than in the USA. Not what I wanted!

Anyway, that is it for now. Next blog is about the trip to the Warbirds over Wanaka!

The 787 is a plane I would love to travel on

2008-01-21T01:44:00.000-08:00

This is a promotional video from Boeing. Looks like a very nice plane.

link

2007-05-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

Why is it that the US airlines failed after 9/11? Granted planes were grounded for 3 days or so, and people were scared to fly for a while. But does this really explain it? Sounds more like an excuse. Maybe it was decided to bring the loan restructuring into play on balance sheets. But has anyone got a few balance sheets tha show this?

On the Travel Industry and where it may be headed

2007-01-25T00:38:00.000-08:00

There is a disquieting trend occuring.

One datum I saw was that the traffic to the USA has decreased by 17% since 9/11. This is a brutal blow to international airlines. How can they survive the revenue drop and also how can they cover the increased fuel costs?

Of course, the number of flights can be reduced. But this makes it more expensive per traveller as you have the same overheads in buildings, aircraft facilities,repairs etc.

Air travel might be a wee bit unpopular because of the global warming factor. But there is still a desire to travel to exotic places. A bit of marketing can handle that.

There is the hassle factor when boarding a plane. It is rather discouraging to know that your belongings have togo through a scanner, your shoes removed, all liquids left at home, in order that you get on the plane. This is annoying at a level below one's awareness perhaps, but still annoying!

So, the traffic volume decreases. Is this a good thing?

I think no. The reason is that international cooperation depends on face to face meetings between people of nations so that they can see their differences and similarities, can formulate together a solution that helps all concerned. This can be done in a meeting around a table, and with a great deal more trouble, by a video conference. But shaking the person by the hand, seeing them for real as a living breating entity makes a big difference. Going out to a dinner with them or going to a show has an extra that is missed in a video conference.

That is my argument for increased travel abroad.

How can it be implemented? Let me ponder that a bit!

Stephan

A "free" cruise on the Carribean

2006-11-26T23:30:00.000-08:00

I was called up by an employee of Ramada Plaza Resort who own a cruise line. She asd me if I was sittng down. She then told me I had won a trip on a cruise liner.

This sounded really good.

And was a good deal. But I had to get myself and partner to Fort Lauderdale and there was additional expense of Port fees in the Bahamas $59 per person and also for your own drinks and gratuities. But the meals are free. And was also going to get 2 nights at theRamada Plaza Resort for free, plus 2 days at a hotel in Orlando so I could go to Disney World

The reason for doing this is to get out word of mouth.

I was asked to come up with $498.00 so as to be able to go on my "free" cruise. The cruise I had won!

So, be advised, when you click on one of those free Caribbean Cruise offers. It might cost you close to $500!

On the difficulties attendant on travel

2006-10-29T22:15:00.000-08:00

There is a problem with travelling. Gone is the stablity of our home base, and arrived is the randomity of things that are just a little buit different from home. For example in New Zealand the electrical socket has three pins, two ofwhich are angled so that american plugs just will not fit. A small detail, but a big effect.

So get an adaptor in NZ for $15 at LV Martin and son

Cheers,

Stephan

On Farm Stays and Lord of the Rings Tours

2006-09-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

Well another possibility came to mind as to why you would go to New Zealand.

Lord of the Rings. There is tons of sights to see all over the islands.

But what I thing is really good is staying on a farm. You can start off with this link to see what types of farm there are

see what stays are available

Cheers

Stephan

Reasons to go to New Zealand

2006-09-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Traveller,

So why would you want to travel to New Zealand?

Is it to drive on the wrong side of the road?
To see a sheep farm in action?
To see how Rugby is really played?
To go hunt deer?
To go deep sea fishing?
To taste lamb that has not been frozen?
To see the greatest airshow in the world?
To see the only nocturnal flightless bird in the world?

Well check it out to see what you want to go to NZ, as there might be more reasons than the above!

Cheers for now,

Stephan Hokke

2006-09-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

A little bit shorter today, but here is a bit more advice on visiting New Zealand.

If you love to go to airshows, go in march 2008 as that is when the "Wings Over Wanaka" air meet is on. In past years they have had a Spitfire, a Hurricane, a Lancaster bomber, Australian military aircraft, Russian Poliakovs, Mig 15 etc. This is a truly amazing event. For the military enthusiast, there is a show put on of military vehicles including tanks, artillery and accurately uniformed enthusiasts. So "give it a go mate!"

cheers,

Stephan

What to see in New Zealand

2006-09-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a trip to New Zealand, the country of my birth, and as a result of that trip felt there were some tips I could give that would be of use to those wanting to make the same journey.

If you do not like the cold I do not recommend that you go in August, when I went, nor in July which is when I was supposed to go! It was so cold I had to wear two jerseys. Perhaps I am getting sensitive to the cold, but when I was younger, I do not recall having to do that!

I can recommend a few museums for you to see as they give an insight into what New Zealand is about.

Royal New Zealand Navy Museum: Devonport, Auckland
Admission: Voluntary donation.
This is packed with exhibits starting from the earliest visit by Captain Cook in his Royal Navy ship, through the Royal Navy ships funded and manned by New Zealanders in World War I, Royal New Zealand ships in World War II where the N.Z. navy was key in bringing down the Graf Spee and through to the present time Navy. There are uniforms, small arms, ships bells etc that give a picture of what a navy is all about. I spent about 2 hours in there following along the time line of development. The battle of the River Plate takes a significant part of the exhibit and is a very interesting show all by itself!

Museum of Transport and Technology, MOTAT: Auckland.
Admission:
This is actually two museums. One in Auckland, the other in Western Springs an outer suburb. You could spend a day at these two, easily. At Western Springs there are aircraft which you can clamber into for a great concept of what these were like to fly in. I did not visit these on this trip, but on an earlier one. But the exhibits are well done with excellent descriptions.

Waitangi Treaty house: Waitangi, Bay of Islands.
Admission:
This is where you find out about the Treaty of Waitangi. Here you can see the different translations of the original document, the difference between the intent and the actuality, and the way of life of the people at the time. Just compare what they had to do then to wash clothes as to what you have to do now!

Te Awamutu museum: Te Awamutu, Waikato
Admission: Voluntary donation
Heard of the Finn Brothers (Split Enz, Crowded House)? This is their home town. And there is an exhibit showing photos of their early years and interesting snippets from their lives. But even more interesting is the history of the local psychiatric asylum. You can follow through the history of when it was first set up to the time it was disbanded. Decide for yourself which is the most enlightened treatment of those unable to cope with ordinary living, and where mental care went off the rails! There is also a display of where the local Maori originated and where they settled and how they lived.

Wellington: Wellington
Admission:
This is THE place to go to find out about the peoples of the pacific. There are houses, artifacts and information sheets galore and you can easily spend a whole day getting to know how the Maori lived before the white people arrived. I have not been there for 10 years or so, but it is a well cared for museum.

Up in the Bay of Islands, near Kemp house, there is the ultimate in finding out how the Maori lived. It is a Maori village, built on the hillside by a river. There are the actual food, sleeping, and meeting houses with cooking fires etc. See this and you appreciate what progress we have made!
I will provide more details on this when I re-post in about 3 days.

Now, be advised that when you arrive at Auckland Airport, before you go into immigration and customs, you can get duty free goods. What I could not understand was how come these items were so expensive! Wines started at NZ$22 a bottle when I know there are wines for NZ$10 in the supermarkets. So, to be charitable, I must assume they are only selling the more expensive wines. Honey was also pricey. And chocolates. Perhaps someone would care to do a comparison of Wine with Wine and see if there is really an advantage in shopping duty free.

There is a sales tax in NZ, called GST. The tourist only gets out of that by shipping the item abroad, or arranging for pick-up at the airport on departure. There used to be a means of providing your receipts at the airport and getting the tax back, but that was years ago.

Sorry to end off at this point, but there will be more later. If you wish to make suggestions on content then send an e-mail to stephanhokke@hotmail.com but do not expect a reply!