New Zealand Experience

New Zealand now has a small peice of my heart!

Advantages: Amazing country!1
Disadvantages: Weather unpredictable

New Zealand is such an amazing country I have truly fallen in love with it! After 6 weeks of traveling the North and the South Island I fill very happy that I covered most of what this country has to offer. I am going to give a brief over view of New Zealand as I am planning some more in depth reviews about each place. I hope this will give you an idea of how long you need in each place, the highlights and the best advice for getting around etc Traveling ...
...you, camper vans and cars are the best way as you get to create your own journey stopping along the way from place to place, just make sure you get a good guide book so you know where to go etc. I don't drive so I opted to go with magic bus Tours which is a hop on hop off bus service, Magic bus where the cheapest option and I was more than satisfied with the service they provided. Similar companies include Stray and the Kiwi Experience. How Much ...

LIZKEMPO 02.04.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of General: New Zealand

  Tamaki Hangi - on electric firepit ! Tamaki Concert & Hangi Eve

Advantages: None that I can think of
Disadvantages: Embarressing, awful food, too crowded, dagerous driving

...: "Show Times Tamaki Village Maori performance and feasting run every night of the year except for Christmas day. 5.00pm – 5.30pm Pickup from Rotorua accommodations and transfer to Booking Office for Ticketing/Table Numbers 6.00pm Board your “waka” (Coach) and depart for Tamaki Maori Village, with full commentary en route 6.30pm Traditional Powhiri (Welcome) and start of “Journey of Ages” experience 6.40pm Interactive tour of Pre-European Village ...
...of farewell) 9.00pm Depart Tamaki Maori Village for your safe return to town 9.30pm Latest drop off time back at your Rotorua accommodation **Please note, as seasonal demand requires, alternative shows at 7.30pm or 5.30pm will be opened. " SUMMARY: I’m not sure that I would recommend the evening because of the audience participation part and the sheer numbers of people there which made it hard to see anything. If you like being entertained and joining ...

catsholiday 05.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Tamaki Maori Village, Rotorua, New Zealand

Magical Memories with Magic Bus

Advantages: Cheap Easy to use and friendly
Disadvantages: Not very comfy bus

Magical Memories with Magic Bus New Zealand is an amazing country but with so much to see and do it is hard to fit it all into 6 weeks, thankfully I discovered The Magic Bus! What is the Magic Bus? The Magic Bus offers affordable 'Hop on Hop off' bus tickets valid for up to 12 months, the passes cover different areas of New Zealand so depending upon your length of stay you can chose the one that's best for you. Passes: Some passes cover both islands ...
...$645 NZ which is £240. Magic Bus often have offers like buy one get one free as well so it is worth checking the website when planning your trip. Compared to the other bus companies Kiwi experience and Stray Bus, they were defiantly the cheapest, I was also drawn to them as I had heard good things from other travellers. Who uses Magic? Kiwi Experience I had heard was more a party bus geared towards 18 year olds who only want to drink and play games, ...

LIZKEMPO 25.06.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Magic Bus, New Zealand

Shine on me little glow worms - Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Advantages: An amazing natural light show
Disadvantages: Long way to go and quite expensive

WHERE ARE THE WAITOMO CAVES? We drove from Auckland to Rotorua and on the way we stopped at the Waitomo caves near Otorohanga on the North Island of New Zealand. The caves are about two hours south of Auckland and two hours west of Rotorua so it made a good break in our journey. I really knew nothing about these caves prior to our arrival and was expecting the typical limestone rock formations and variations on stalagmites and stalactites. When we ...
...GEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: In the Waitomo area there are about three hundred know caves below the grass covered sheep filled hills. This limestone area was formed 30 million years ago when North Island was under the sea. Limestone is a rock which is formed by millions of dead marine animals built up over many millions of years. This part of the world has also been involved in vast geological movement, earth quakes and volcanoes. Cracks in the rocks created ...

catsholiday 30.09.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, North Island

Shotover Jet- apparently the world's most exciting jet boat ride.

Advantages: Fun, excitement, safe, family friendly
Disadvantages: Expensive, a bit tame

Shotover Jet is the name of a New Zealand adventure company based in Shotover Canyon, near Queenstown, New Zealand. They offer what is apparently the world's most exciting Jet Boat right through the steeply walled canyon. What is a jet boat and how does it work? You may be wondering what jet boating is. Imagine, if you will, a cross between a hovercraft and a motor boat that can carry up to 28 passengers. These are very rapid boats that can ...
...the trip. Shotover Canyon Shotover canyon is a steeply walled narrow gorge, filled which white, churning water and a myriad of rocky obstacles, only some of which are visible above the water line. It is through this treacherous passage that the boats journey. Very rapidly. The pilots know their boats well, so drive extremely close to the walls for maximum adrenaline rush. You are being filmed for the duration of the ride by a camera at the ...

beckyXX 26.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Shotover Jet Boat Ride, Queenstown