1. Were there any Visa requirements?
No, none for people from the USA...
2. What places did you go to?
I went all over the North Island. I started in NAPIER which i the wine capital of NZ and is also the "Art Deco" capital of the world and I have lived in Miami, FL so I can honestly say that as a complete community, they could be. The building are very nice and themed throughout the community. Even the houses
Next I went up to Taupo Lake which is a very large fresh water lake and is surrounded by "Hot Springs". They were great and clean.
Then I went to Tauranga City (100K pop.) located in the Bay of Plenty. I the beaches were big and ran for miles. The Mount Maunganui tourist area was very nice and had some great beaches.
Then is was off to Auckland for some city fun. The city has some great sailing, restaurants, coffe shops, but BEWARE!!! EVERYTHING IN NEW ZEALAND SHUTS DOWN AT 5:00PM except most of the coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and supermarkets. However, the coffee shops will close at 7:00pm (even Starbucks), but most acually shut down at 5:00pm. GO FIGURE?
Next, I went up to the BAY OF ISLANDS. This place was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! It was a paradise.
Then, I went back South to Whangarei (i.e. fang-garee). This harbor area was beautiful.
3. What Airline did you fly and how did you find it (you can share as mush information as you like about price, etc...)?
Air New Zealand. The service was great! However, make sure your luggage isn't over weight. They charge you $35 a kilo. Highway robbery! I didn't have to pay, I was lucky.
4. What was the cost of the plane ticket?
$1,300 from South Korea to New Zealand
5. Where did you depart from and arrive at?
South Korea to Tokyo and Tokyo to Auckland, NZ
6. How where the airports and were there any hidden 3rd world fees...?
Yes, NZ has some third world leaving fees. I didn't pay it though. They had some trouble with my luggage and I think they waved it for me, but it is $25.00.
7. What was the most exciting thing you did and why?
I was there. The whole trip was a great experience. I met people from all over, mainly Europe and had some great conversations with them.
8. Did you feel safe in this country?
Yes I felt safe, but you should be careful not to go to some of the Maori neighborhoods. They can be quite dangerous.
9. How was the transportation services and what was the best way to travel around?
This is funny. I bought a car that was on-line at "trademe.co.nz". All I needed was a US licience. You have to make sure the car has a WOF (Warrent of Fitness). This is a inspection sticker that any of the local mechanics can do ($35). If the car has any rust on it you have to fix it or anything else that cause the car to be disfuctional. You can also buy insurance for about $125 for one month, but you don't have to have insurance. It isn't law, but you would be dumb to not to.
However, if buying a car isn't for you. The country has some great bus plans for under $300 that give you flexability to go all over the islands. For example, you can get off the buss and stay in an area and then catch the next buss comming through. There's also a train system that gives you the same option.
Finally, you can always rent a car for a month ($1000, doesn't include gas)
10. What did you eat and drink and do you have any health tips to share?
No concerns, but remember you are on a island. This would be New Zealands only negative. There serves at there restaurants was not that good. It was kind of surprising. They are almost so laid back, that is seems like they are LAZY? Sad, but true.... Good food though...
11. What were the health conditions like?
They were great. EVERYTHING is clean. PLUS!!! If you get hurt in New Zealand (i.e. accident). You can go see a doctor and you are covered by their National Health Plan. This actually happened to me. I picked up a big piece of driftwood on the beach and torked my back. I went to a Chiropractor and paid a much smaller bill because it was a "Accident".... Cool Aah!
12. How did the local people treat you, and are there any cultural things that you can share to help travelors treat the local people with respect?
The people were very friendly. However, once they found out that I was from the USA they usually expressed their opinion of how we should tell the world that we are sorry for all the things that we have done. Of course I would asked them what were these things and they would never have an answer for me. So, whatever. Most of them were very helpful, nice, and friendly...
13. Was it hard to communicate?
No, they speak 95% English. Their accents were hard to hear sometimes and there slang was different, but once they heard you speak they wouldn't use the KIWI slang...
14. What was the high point(s) and low point(s) of your trip?
High Point: Meeting the people.
Low Point: Torking my back.
15. What would you recommend other people do when they go to this country?
1. Go to the local Travel / Tourism office where you can get all the information you need for New Zealand. These places are the best I have ever seen. They can also book everything you want to do right there. I mean anything throughout the country.
2 Stay in the GREAT HOLIDAY PARKS. Don't stay in hotels. These camp grounds all have some kind of cabin service that are a lot cheaper and nice. They range around $40. I just paid for an overnight camp space that was usually only $12. They had great showers, Kitchens with clean stuff to use, and talking to all of the people who were traveling was great. You can really find out a lot of information from other people who have been traveling the islands as well.