The Kiwi-Flavored Vacation of a Lifetime
From October 9th to the 23rd Melody and I will be in New Zealand celebrating my graduation,
our two year wedding anniversary and our (successful!) 5 year climb out of credit card debt. We've
decided that since we only live once, what good is a savings account if you don't blow it on
international travel?
Our Itinerary
| Tue, Oct 9 |
Travel Hell begins at 9:00am. |
| Thu, Oct 11 |
Land in Auckland at 6:30am local time (1:30pm Wed Ohio time). Massages to relieve jet lag, then kick around Auckland for the day. Visit the Promenade at Mission Bay for lunch and shopping. |
Fri, Oct 12 -
Sun, Oct 14
|
Explore the Coromandel area on the North Island while staying at the Kuaotunu Bay Lodge B&B. Back to Auckland on Sunday for short flight to Christchurch. |
Mon, Oct 15 -
Wed, Oct 17
|
Explore the city of Christchurch on the South Island, visit a wildlife preserve, go punting on the Avon river, eat at some fancy restaurants, etc. Celebrate our 2 year wedding anniversary. |
Thu, Oct 18
|
Drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo. Enjoy the rural scenery and attend a stargazing experience at night. |
Fri, Oct 19 -
Mon, Oct 22
|
Drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown. Enjoy a gondola ride, helicopter winery tour, canyon swings and nature walks. |
Mon, Oct 22
|
Get on a plane back home. Try not to cry. |
Wed, Oct 24
|
Back to work. Try not to fall asleep at desk from jet lag. |
Annotated Map
(Click the map for a larger view)
Flight and Contact Info
The best way to reach us is via email. My phone won't work over there; Mel's will, but it's $2 a minute if you call. Our flight and accommodation info is below.
Columbus -> San Francisco: Oct 9, 9:30 AM, American Airlines flights 4160 (to Chicago) and 451 (to SF).
San Francisco -> Auckland: Oct 9, 9:15 PM (California time), flight NZ7.
Auckland -> Christchurch: Oct 14, 3:30 PM (NZ time), flight NZ967.
Queenstown -> Auckland: Oct 22, 3:15 PM (NZ time), flight NZ644.
Auckland -> San Francisco: Oct 22, 8:10 PM (NZ time), flight NZ8.
San Francisco -> Columbus: Oct 22, 11:55 PM (California time), American Airlines flights 1608 (to Chicago) and 4342 (to Columbus).
Oct 11: Best Western President Hotel
Oct 12-13: Kuaotunu Bay Lodge
Oct 14-16: Langdon House B&B
Oct 17: Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort
Oct 18-22: Matterhorn Chalet