Getting ready

I am looking at some serious options on how to accomplish between 14 to 18 days of travel in New Zealand. I haven't been home for 20 years, I wonder how much is still the same, and what is changed.



I don't have a clue where most of my relatives are living, my daughter is trying to find a place to stay. I want to visit with my grandson in Wellington, North Island, and my uncles who live in the South Island. I haven't seen Daniel and Harold for about 50 years and Phillip for about 40, so it should be interesting.

To the more practical side of things, the airfares between the US and NZ are really cheap right now, plus it's their winter, so I can't see much change as far as acclimatizing from Salt Lake City to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. We are just going into Spring in Salt Lake City.

Trying to decide which airport to use. If I use Auckland, then I can spend the weekend in the city. I was looking at train travel between Auckland and Wellington, which takes a day and has some pretty spectacular scenery.

Then there is the Ferry between Wellington and Picton, about three hours and the train from Picton to Wellington is also unbelievably pretty.

After visiting with family in the South Island, I will go back to Wellington, visit my grandson, spend a couple of days tracking my sister who lives there.

Rental cars or camper Vans are comfortable, very affordable. I will drive between Wellington and Auckland.