NZ: Top Ten for 2020! Tips, Ideas?

[TLCOhio]

We are now a little less than two months away till we depart on Feb. 8 for Auckland. NZ.  We will have an 18-day cruise adventure on Oceania Regatta from Auckland to Papette/Tahiti.  We will be spending time on their North Island before sailing to Bay of Islands, NZ, with stops at both Noumea and Maré Island in New Caledonia,  Port Vila/Vanuatu, Fiji at Lautoka and Suva, Apia/Samoa and Pago Pago/American Samoa, two days in Bora Bora/French Polynesia, then a day at nearby Raiatea before finish and disembark at Papeete.  Any ideas, tips, suggestions, insights, etc., for the NZ's North Island and/or any of these South Pacific islands?   Like great scenery/setting, plus food, culture, architecture, adventure, etc.  

 

In early 2014, we did various exploring in Wellington, Napier/Hawke’s Bay and Cape Kidnappers/gannets, Tauranga-Rotorua/Maori culture, Bay of Islands/sailing and Auckland plus nearby Waiheke Island.  On the South Island, we did Milford Sound, Queenstown, Dunedin and Akaroa/Tranz Alpine rail/jetboat adventure.  This was during a cruise, from Sydney to Auckland, doing our first visits to Australia and New Zealand.

 

As I am researching, I noticed today this profile from Forbes magazine three days ago.  They had this headline: “Ten Bucket List Trips For The Next Decade” with this opening highlight for this listing of great potential future travel options: “With the imminent arrival of the Roaring Twenties, why not give your travel life a jolt? New decade, new you... New travel plans.”.

 

One of these top ten tips was for New Zealand.  Here is part of their headline to suggest: "Island-Hopping" .  Hare are some of their profile highlights: "New Zealand, also known as the 'real middle earth,' may be the best place on the planet for an outdoors-loving traveler to escape. The North and South Islands of New Zealand are all about the wilderness said species inhabit. Trust us that the natural environment in New Zealand is supernatural in its beauty—and, as an added bonus, the people of New Zealand (also known as Kiwis) are equally awe-inspiring in their friendliness. Which is perfect, considering you will spend quite some time navigating from place to place—and therefore relying occasionally on the kindness, aka directions, of strangers—though, in this situation, the journey truly is the destination.  Head to Hawke's Bay for some glamping and wine tasting along the nation's gorgeous East Coast."

 

Full story at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katherineparkermagyar/2019/12/11/2020-travel-goals-10-bucket-list-trips-for-the-next-decade/#19b69f8d5f9d

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 226,796 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

[Esilef]

Thank you for sharing. We are again spending 2 weeks in New Zealand for Easter. North island this year

[MicCanberra]

I am sure you have checked it out already but TripAdvisor and the ports of call forum may be of great use to see what is available in your field of interests.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Hi Terry, 

No doubt you have it all under control , but it would pay for you and your party to check they are up to date with required vaccinations.

Reason ...google ...measles Samoa.

[TLCOhio]

On 12/14/2019 at 3:48 PM, MicCanberra said:

I am sure you have checked it out already but TripAdvisor and the ports of call forum may be of great use to see what is available in your field of interests.

 

Appreciate these great follow-ups, comments, tips and ideas.  Keep it coming!!  Excellent sharing.   

 

Yes, I usually check out TripAdvisor for highly-rated tours, guides, dining locations, etc.  As to the measles potentials in Samoa by Kiwi Kruzer, I have my annual medical physical scheduled in mid January and I will have them check and verify that my immunity is still solid and strong for that health area.  As I re-call, I had measles during my childhood and should be protected.  BUT, smart to check and double-check. 

 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 16,867 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[MicCanberra]

Good advice about medical vacs. We always check out smartraveller which is an Australian government website with up to date travel information on all countries for Australians. Perhaps the US has something similar.

[TLCOhio]

From the New York Times Travel Section yesterday, they had this headline: “After Volcano Blast, New Zealand Asks if Adventure Tourism Can Last” with this sub-head: "The eruption on White Island has set off an intense debate on exploiting nature for thrills."

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “The tragedy has set off an intense debate among New Zealanders about tourism, including whether nature is being wrongly exploited for thrills and whether enough precautions are being taken. The country has a famed marketing campaign, '100% Pure New Zealand,' which includes ads filled with people rappelling down cliffs, helicopter snowboarding and white-water rafting — but also has a legal system that makes it hard to sue when things go wrong. Tourism is the country’s biggest export, representing nearly 6 percent of its economic output, roughly double the industry’s share of the economies of Australia and the United States.  And the business is booming. In a country where growth is hard to find, tourism revenue has soared 50 percent over the past six years.”

 

Interesting questions and background from this reporting about such "adventure" tourism in New Zealand and in other countries.  At our ages, we are not too "CUTTING-EDGE" for being too risky with such tourism that pushes close to any danger points.  Fascinating as to how much tourism has grown recently in New Zealand.  This profile also noted: "The industry directly or indirectly employs more than 14 percent of the work force, providing 393,279 jobs last year."

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/15/world/australia/white-island-volcano-tourism-new-zealand.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 29,144 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[Mr&MrsCookie]

We were in Pago Pago Samoa in March and loved it.  I couldn't find out much online beforehand so just thought it would be a quick walkaround before getting back onboard - but spent all day there.  Make sure you do a local tour in one of their colourful handmade buses.  We went with a company (can't remember the name) that were set up at the port.  Lots to see - hopefully they will take you to the top of the mountain for great views.  People are the nicest we came across on our cruise.

[TLCOhio]

On 12/16/2019 at 5:29 PM, Mr&MrsCookie said:

We were in Pago Pago Samoa in March and loved it.  I couldn't find out much online beforehand so just thought it would be a quick walkaround before getting back onboard - but spent all day there.  Make sure you do a local tour in one of their colourful handmade buses.  We went with a company (can't remember the name) that were set up at the port.  Lots to see - hopefully they will take you to the top of the mountain for great views. People are the nicest we came across on our cruise.

 

Super appreciate these great above comments, tips and insight follow-up about American Samoa.  Very interesting and helpful!!  Will share on the roll call for our Feb. 17 cruise from Auckland to Papeete.  

 

Did catch this item about an upcoming "BIG EVENT" set for New Zealand.  It will be the 36th America's Cup to be contested in the picturesque Hauraki Gulf of Auckland in March 2021. Considered as the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy, this much anticipated Cup race will involve continuous innovation and evolving technology in the sailing world.  Don't think that we will be returning to New Zealand in March 2021, but it's nice to know that it is upcoming for the Auckland area.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 65,302 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

 

[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Guardian this past week, they had this headline: “New Zealand's landscape under pressure from booming tourist industry” with this sub headline: "Country could face Venice-style overcrowding and lose tranquility that attracts visitors in the first place." 

 

Here are more of the story highlights: “New Zealand’s booming tourist industry is threatening to ruin its most popular landscapes and could see the country face the kind of overcrowding seen in cities such as Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona. International visitor numbers are approaching four million and could rise to 10–13 million every year by 2050, said the report by the parliamentary commissioner for the environment,  'The sheer numbers of people are eroding the sense of isolation, tranquillity and access to nature that many overseas tourists seek when visiting New Zealand.'  Increasing pressures from tourism have impacted six main areas, the report found: visitor density and loss of natural quiet, water quality degradation, solid waste generation and management, infrastructure development and landscape modification, biodiversity loss and biosecurity risk, and greenhouse gas emissions.”

 

Great that New Zealand is so popular and glad that we will be there in February 2020 before things get too busy and/or crowded.  BUT, there is a challenge and serious questions as to how the economic/job benefits of tourism are "BALANCED" . . . versus . . . the potential environmental pressures cited in this government report.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/new-zealands-landscape-at-risk-from-booming-tourist-industry-report-says

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 47,947 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[TLCOhio]

Many will be flying into and/or out of Auckland's airport before doing cruising as we will be in boarding the Oceania Regatta on Feb. 17.  

 

From Travel Section of the Sydney Morning Herald and other Fairfax newspapers in Australia earlier this week, they had this headline: “Best new travel discoveries of 2019” with these highlights: “If only every airport looked like this. Auckland Airport is investing $1 million every working day towards building one of the best airports in the southern hemisphere and one that is capable of handling 40 million passengers a year. A refurbishment of its restaurant precinct also earned it top honours at the 2019 Airport Food & Beverage Awards in Dallas. There's even a pizzeria here deemed the best in Oceania. Accessing the Pacific Islands has never been so easy. See aucklandairport.co.nz”.

 

Full story at:

https://www.traveller.com.au/traveller-writers-name-their-best-travel-finds-of-2019-h1kbew

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 227,033 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[GCHAN]

I remember the taxi from Auckland airport to the city was very expensive (maybe $90) They do have shuttles so if you don't have a transfer it may be worth looking into it.

[TLCOhio]

On 12/22/2019 at 7:38 AM, GCHAN said:

I remember the taxi from Auckland airport to the city was very expensive (maybe $90) They do have shuttles so if you don't have a transfer it may be worth looking into it.

 

Appreciate this above feed-back and info about the Auckland airport. Keep up the great sharing about New Zealand and the South Pacific.  Can't wait till Feb. 8 when we depart to return "down under" again.  

 

From the Sacramento Bee newspaper today,  they had this headline: “2020 is here: Auckland's Sky Tower lit up as New Zealand celebrates New Year” with these highlights: “New Zealand has welcomed in the new year with a fireworks display in Auckland. This footage shows the Sky Tower being lit up for the 2020 countdown, with fireworks bursting into the air on the stroke of midnight.”.

 

Happy New Year and best wishes for a great 2020.  

 

From the AP Newswire this morning, they had this headline: “Cheers, tears, prayers for 2020: A new decade is ushered in” with these highlights: “Revelers around the globe are bidding farewell to a decade that will be remembered for the rise of social media, the Arab Spring, the #MeToo movement.  More than a million people descended on a hazy Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas ahead of the ringing in of the new year despite the ongoing wildfire crisis ravaging New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state.”  

 

Full California newspaper and  AP stories/pictures at:

https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article238860558.html

https://apnews.com/5ad9012c0e0aa91f816d57da58a176a1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Recently completed Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Lots of visuals and details from our first visits to these scenic areas!!  That live/blog is at: 
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

 

From the Sacramento newspaper and the AP, here are visuals from Auckland and Sydney's super scenic harbor as they welcome the New Year!!:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

thanks Terry, great pics.