Goodbye Oz and Hello NZ (plus photos)
So we have departed Oz and returned to rolling hills and sheep! Long gone are jungles and Elephants and instead we look out the window and see cows and sheep – a little taste of England.
So what were are final thoughts of Oz?
1. It is expensive – accomodation starts from at $20 for a large dorm and4 bed dorms will set you back about $30. In the summer these prices will inflate and camping is no cheaper – you can pay $70 a night for a pitch!
2. Be prepared to drink GOON and a lot of it – alcohol is expensive, even beers but goon is dirt cheap!
3. Look around before you book your trips – don’t do it in sydney you are liekly to get a better deal as you go up the coast and plus you can ask people what they have paid to insure you get the best deal.
4. The greyhound pass was an awesome investment and easy to use.
5. If you want to fly book your flights well in advance!
6. Beware the shops are good – so steer clear if you are on a budget. lol!!!!
LEAVING OZ!
Our flight was from Brisbane so after 26 hours of being homeless we checked into Banana Bender Backpackers in Brisbane at 9am – we had pre-booked a 3 bed dorm for $30, knowing we would have not slept in a while. From the airport we got a taxi which between us cost $40 which was cheaper then 3 bus tickets ($45).
Bananas claimed to be the “friendliness hostel in Brisbane” and we quickly found this to be true – the owner even put a keep quiet and do not disturb note on our door!
We were spent most of the day sleeping but in the evening had the most amazing thai meal at Caxton Thai on caxton street (the main strip) and the prices were very reasonable.
In the morning our flight to new zealand was at 9am, so we pre-booked a taxi to take us to the airport at 7am.
We arrived in New Zealand to sunshine at 3pm. We had decided to stay with Charlie’s Granparents in New Plymouth on the West coast and had booked a flight to New Plymouth for 50 pounds which was cheaper then hiring a car or going via bus. We had researched the bus and decided we will also buy a naked passport where you can either buy a 5 journey pass or 10 or 15, from 70 pounds and the passes cover the whole of NZ and it appears to be the cheapest way to travel.
We arrived at Charlie’s granparents at half 8, after experiencing the smallest airport ever – it made a BP garage look big and the luggage came into the terminal on the back of a tractor and you went up and grabbed it!
Charlie’s Grandparents house was a taste of home and paradise – exactly what we needed after 5 months of travelling. We were served up home cooked grub (and haven’t stopped being fed amazing food since we got here), we were able to sit on a sofa, our beds are soft and we even have two pillows – I never want to leave.
New Plymouth is situated on the west coast and is one of the best surf spots in new zealnd. The beaches are black sand and are an amazing site.
Today we went to Gill cousin’s farm and we learnt where milk really comes from!
Firstly we were taken on an hilly 4 x4 drive which ended by being driven up a steep hill and left on an edge with a view of the whole of the valley, sea and the backdrop was a mountain.
After we were taken to see two three day old calves and try our hand at milking cows!!!
Then we were able to drive quad bikes around the farm.
Before finshing of the day on the black sand beaches.
A whole new experience and an awesome day out!
So we are off to the shops tomorrow as we need to invest in some winter boots as Charlie auntie is taking us to her luxxury ski chalet on the south island (queentowns) on Sunday – we are definatley liveing the high life now!!!! xoxoxo
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