Driving Around New Zealand - Yikes!

Our first night in Auckland we stayed at X Base Backpackers hoping to meet up with a friend from the Cook Islands but he already left. We hated the feel of the place, 7 floors and they PACKED you in a dorm room with 8 beds and not nearly enough space for eight people's crap! Had to do some laundry but Carrie almost scrapped with a girl who took our still wet laundry out! UGH! We realized we like much smaller backpackers with a more chill atmospher.

After some very stressful time trying to figure out our transportation for the almost 4 weeks we have in New Zealand, we rented a car. First we flew to Christchurch because it was cheaper to rent the car there and return to Auckland. Carrie did our first bout of driving, on the WRONG side of the road. Overall it went well, just a bit difficult parking on the left side of the road in the city of Christchurch. There went our cheapy hubcap cover. Despite that we loved Christchurch and stayed with some great people, Sian & Guy, who we met in the Cook Islands. They were sweet to feed us and help us figure out a plan of action for NZ. So here it is:

1. Leave Christchurch going through Arthur's Pass to the West Coast (approx. 7th)
2. Stop off in Greymouth for lunch and head thru the Franz Josef & Fox Glacier (on our drive we decided to stay at Fox Glacier because of the time - 7/8)
3. Head to Wanaka or Queenstown and stay a few days to check out Milford Sound, Bungee Jump (hopefully we'll have the nerve), and possibly do a jet boat shotover. (8-11)
4. Stop in Dunedin (stay with a friend from Cook Islands), maybe check out the Cadbury Factory, and other stuff (11-13)
5. Twizel and see Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook (13/14)
6. Christchurch (either stop or drive by depending on time) (14/15)
7. Kaikoura to swim with the dolphins (15/16)
8. Blenheim to check out some wineries (16/17)
9. Take the ferry to North Island(free with our car rental) from Picton (20/21)
10. Possibley Stop by Wellington but head to Taupo (22-24)
11. Check out the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (24/25)
12. Mount Manganui/Rotorua for Christmas (25/26)

The dates above are really just basic estimates of when we might arrive mostly. Our drive from Christchurch to the WEst Coast was beautiful and we both drove. A bit windy and very steep roads but incredible mountains and some Hobbit scenery. We are finding some funny sayings that are used a lot by Kiwi's.

• Flash - cool/exciting
• Wee - little
• Wicked - also cool
• Cheers (self-explanatory)
• no worries (said quite often as it's pretty laid back here)

Just a few to give you the feel for things, and the people are incredibly fun and welcoming. We are also getting lots of advice on where to go in other countries we will travel later on! Take care!