In New Zealand, one of the common ways to travel is by Campervan. You choose the destination, and carry your accommodation with you - you choose when and where you stop along the way. One of the key questions people wrestle with when considering a holiday does not necessarily have to do with the destination. In some cases, the big question has more to do with how they are … [Read more...]
Travelling to the USA – Do you Need a Visa?
Understanding ESTA The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an automated system set up by the United States government to determine the eligibility of people visiting the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows eligible citizens and nationals of 38 participating countries to travel to the USA for tourism or business purposes without a … [Read more...]
Finding Nemo Car
Have you seen this car? Who in their right mind? I wasn't in my right mind - I was a little tipsy. The normally shy and retiring sort, this purchase summed up my inner learnings I took from my time in New Zealand as a female solo traveller - to live life to the maximum, and it was at this time the inner extrovert in me made its first appearance. When I was in Nemo the car, … [Read more...]
Farm Sitter Wanted in July
Katherine is looking for a house/farm sitter on her farmlet in a very peaceful and picturesque part of eastern Wairarapa in the lower north Island of New Zealand, 30 Minutes from Masterton. July 7- 22 2016 We have 13 acres, 3 cows, 25 sheep, 7 goats, dogs, cats and chickens. None of these animals need anything more than feeding and watering and the occasional … [Read more...]
Choosing The Right Campervan For Your Trip
If you enjoy the freedom of the open road, and don't like being tied to an itinerary, then hiring a campervan for your trip could be ideal. It means that you can take off when you want, and enjoy seeing things that most tourists don't get to see. However, there are lots of different vehicles on the road that are considered campervans, and so hiring the right one might seem … [Read more...]
Staying in The Clarence Valley
Clarence is just north of Kaikoura at the top of the South Island. A group of us have decided to go rafting on the Clarence River, and since it is an early start, we decide to drive up the day before and stay overnight. We stayed at Ochiltree Retreat in the Clarence Valley A spacious character cottage set in a lovely garden – we all enjoyed the apples on the tree. Three … [Read more...]
Rafting the Clarence River
Rafting has been on my bucket list for ages – I am not that mobile on my legs, but love paddling, biking and swimming. The opportunity to raft the Clarence River in the South Island of New Zealand was definitely not something I wanted to resist. The Clarence River is just north of Kaikoura at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. We have opted for a 3 day/two night … [Read more...]
House Sitting in New Zealand – become a local
On my first visit to a country I like to get a quick once over of the key attractions, stay in some cities, get to know the culture and people a bit. Next visit I like to head off the beaten track a bit more, and to stay somewhere for a week or two or three and become a local. House Sitting is a great way to do this - you save on accommodation, and become a local for a … [Read more...]
Drive East – Discover East Coast New Zealand
Eastland - State Highway 35 from Opotiki to Gisborne - One of the Worlds Great Coastal Journeys The first time I headed out from Opotiki on this road, it felt like another world. Here was New Zealand in a more raw and untouched state, where development seems to have passed it by, and left a world where Maori were at home, and I was a visitor - welcome, but a visitor. 30 … [Read more...]
Nervous about Driving in New Zealand?
In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road - like the UK, India, South Africa and a few more - see them here If you are not used to driving on the left - here are some resources to help Take a Driver QUIZ: Detailed tourist/visitor driving quiz in English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French Here This is a great little interactive quiz - giving you … [Read more...]