An Adventure to New Zealand - Part 1

Author Message   Pat G Intermediate Member Username: Pgun Post Number: 76 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 76.197.1.127 Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2010 - 01:04 am:    Hi Hal, I'll fill in the prices for you. The cab/van from the airport to the YMCA was $45.00NZ about $32.00 (US). Less than 6.50 for each of us and well worth the cost after the long night at the airport. Franz Josef tour was $47.36 (US) per person. The Glow Worm was $31.43 (US) per night per room. I agree about the rooms. George says to remind you about the highly advertised hot tub. NOT! No water just mud in the bottom. You guys are great travel buddies. We would do it again in a minute. Pat and George   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 5988 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 06:40 pm:    Harold, good information, especially about the Y. Thank you.   Harold J. Saling, Jr. Member Username: Hal_s Post Number: 13 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 76.118.135.59 Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 06:23 pm:    On October 28, 2009, I was manifested, then bumped, manifested again and bumped again for a flight to Christchurch, New Zealand. This was at Stewart AGB, NY. We knew that a C-5 would be returning in February to bring home the troops that they were taking. So, January 1st I signed up. By keeping in constant contact with the retirees that operate the Pax Terminal we learned that the departure date was February 18th. We showed, 73 seats available, and all 25 pax made the flight. After take off we landed at Travis AFB for minor maintenance and then on to Hickam AFB. We had an RON and we were able to get a room at Lodging for one night ($38.00). Four of us (Hal, Kevin, Bill and Nick) were manifested through and we picked up two paxs (Pat and George) at Hickam. As we were checking our bags the Civilian Pax Representative came out and told us that we would not be able to go to New Zealand because we did not have a return ticket. After some exchange with the six passengers he did somemore research. After about 15 minutes, the NCOIC came out and said that we were able to go. We talked amoungst ourselves and said "haven't they been through this before?" Anyway, we were on our way and departed at 1600 hours. We arrived in Christchurch at about midnight, Saturday. The Pax Rep greeted us and told us that normally he would tell us to tell Immigration that we would be leaving in two weeks. But our flight was the last one in for the season , leaving in two days. While clearing Immigration the supervisor had to get a clarification on the six of us since we had no return ticket. After a minute or so we were "good to go." I used a courtesy phone to get lodging at three hostels, but were all filled up. Pat had a reservation for the YMCA but not until Sunday night. I called them and they had room. We got a taxi-van at around 0700 and went to the "Y". We left our bags and walked around town. Of the five different places Kevin and I stayed at in NZ, the "Y" was the best. It was quieter, served a breakfast and a dinner for a modest fee, and the rooms were a good size. The Deluxe room (with private bath) was $90NZ per night (about $63US.) Their website is www.ymcachch.org.nz. We met some interesting people while there. They had been to The Ice (Antartic) and shared some stories and pictures. Nick was staying a few days in Christchurch and was going on to Australia to visit his daughter. The five of us went to a local travel agent, Backpackers World Travel - www.backpackersworld.com - at Shop 8, 47 Cathedral Square, Christchurch 8011. We booked a tour for the Franz Josef Glacier. We rented a van from Jucy Rental Cars. For four days the van cost $416NZ ($293US) and gas was $179NZ ($125US); all divided by five cost us $84US each. We were booked at hostel called the Glow Worm. Not the best. Hind-sight I would have stayed at the YHA. I don't recall the exact price because Pat paid it on her charge and we paid her. Somewhere along the way I lost my lttle notebook with some vital info. We had booked a walking tour of the glacier. Just before our tour departure we were given a briefing. If you have had heart surgery, a stint, taking medication for high blood pressure or meds for use as a bata blocker, then you could not take the tour. That was the case for two of us. So, we opted for an eco-tour of the glacier. We were satisfied with that. It was worthwhiled. The drive was about 5 and a half hours each way. It was awesome. We traveled trough the Southern Alps. We say a lot of sheep and cattle. More to follow in Part 2.