Flights to New Zealand: With whom and what stop over?

craptakular

craptakular

craptakular

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As titled really...

Now I have secured employment again I can plan my dream trip to NZ, I have a mate on the North Island so that should cut the hotel costs down :D

As it's a massive distance, price depending, I would like to travel with an airline half descent that offers good legroom in economy, do they offer free drinks on flights? We had that when I went to USA last year, which was a nice touch.

Where is nice to stop over for a night or two? Hong Kong or somewhere on West Coast USA?

Also I am probably going to have to travel alone which I'm a little worried by, my mates are either married, boring or mortgaged up the hilt and I have no lady companion so I'll have to go on my own :/ I guess the best thing for me to do would attach myself to some sort of studenty/ back packer type organisation out there?

I have looked at Air New Zealand so far :p
 
Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.
Legroom was fine, but I'm not the tallest guy in the world.

The films are awesome too.

You might as well spend a good few days in HK and you'll pretty much be able to do all the touristy bits of it.
 
Cathay have shell seats that have a fixed back so no one can recline on you.

But the lower part of the seat slumps so you can recline in your own space.
 
Kewl looks like I'll look at Cathy and Singapore Airlines.

I'm gonna try get 3 weeks off in March, haven't actually started my new job yet lol.

So Maybe a couple of days in HK, what is there to do in HK?
 
Oxy said:
So Maybe a couple of days in HK, what is there to do in HK?
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tibbsey said:
Been twice, once for a week and a bit, once for almost a week.

Fortunately have an Auntie and Uncle who moved out there so I could stay with them in their nice apartment.

First time I did all the touristy things, Ocean Park (was on my own and felt a bit weird... single white guy walking around :s lol), The Peak, Stanley Market and of course all the computery districts. :D
Second time was a bit more relaxed, visited the Botanical Gardens, the Zoological Park and the Wetland Reserve.


Well worth a visit, the contrast you'll find is amazing. Between the high rise buildings you'll turn a corner onto a small street harbouring a temple.


Love it, can't wait to visit again.


p.s Oh my, nearly forgot the Harbour Light Show. Epic.
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:)
 
Emirates are fantastic as well, I usually fly with them these days when I go back home to Oz. They also fly to NZ.
 
I went Virgin via LA then Air NZ to Auckland.

Whatever you do, just make sure you go to the South Island asap.

So much to do. I am so jealous. I miss the place. :(
 
Oxy said:
What did you do out there?
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Big question.

How are you going planning to get around? There is no real public transport system so it is either by car or on a tour bus, which is what I did (Stray Bus).

I have lots of recommendations but it all depends on the above. :)
 
I used the Magic bus to get around.

You basically find the company who are doing the best deal at the time. there's even some bus company where you can for a ridiculous price for Wellington to Auckland and vice verse for £1. All through the night though so you miss out on all the amazing scenery.

Also check out www.grabaseat.co.nz for cheap flight fares all the time. Got to be quick though. I managed to get a full return fare from Auckland to Tokyo for $1 yes that's $1 dollar from Grabaseat. I've never flown so cheaply on Air New Zealand hahahah

What there is to do in NZ ? That would make for one serious list !!

Top highlights for me was:

North Island:

Tongariro Crossing -17km across around and through a volcanic, mountainous region of the North Island

Lake Taupo - bungee, skydiving, on the lake, also the base for Tongariro Crossing.

Wellington - where I lived for 8 months, loved it, smallish city, plenty to do and the girls are hot !!

Coromandel Peninsula - hire a bike go for along ride, climb Lion Rock and check out the 360 degree view can almost see across to Auckland too. Stunning beaches and scenery.

Northland - Cape Reinga - very special Maori place, giant trees and giant sand dunes to surf

Loads more stuff to do too.

South Island:

Milford Sound: the journey there is stunning in itself, dolphins, waterfalls, mountainous scenery

Queenstown: The place to be for a tasty Fergburger, cocktails out of a teapot, skiing and apres ski, also stunning in the summer too. Where I did the Nevis bungy jump too (134m)

Lake Tekapo: Astronomers sanctuary up on Mt John, very peaceful place, loved it, hired a bike and rode for hours.

Christchurch & Akaroa: Small city, looks like Stratford upon Avon, dolphin and whale watching

Franz Josef: Glacier walking

Absolutely loads more but as you're only going for a few weeks doubt you'll get too much in. Just head for most of those.

If you pick 3 it would have to be Tongariro, Queenstown and Milford Sound and maybe getting a few others in brief too.
 
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