Visiting NZ very soon

[casso]

Hi,
my wife and I (sounds like royalty) will be visiting New Zealand for a few weeks in July and August, our first couple of nights will be in Christchurch, most of it will be spent getting over the trip from NYC. Are there any good boozers in Christchurch (I know, your Uncle Charlie was considered one of the best in his day) down by the watefront kind with a little bit of atmosphere from the old days because I'm sure I'm going to have a pint at sometime. We will be spending 12 days on the South Island and 12 days on the North Island.
We will be centred in Rotorua for our first week on the North Island and then up to Bay of Islands for our last few days. I think we will be doing a lot of driving trying to take in as much as possible, is there anything we should not miss? Our stay on the South Island is a big Question mark, I think as soon as we have got over the jet lag we will try and cover as much ground as possible before heading for Picton and the ferry.
What is the weather like over there at the moment? Don't tell me you've got 6 foot of snow everywhere. It's a bit late to be asking these questions but it only just dawned on me that quite a few members are in New Zealand. If I lose a day going out there will someone give me it back on the way home?
I'm not sure if this is the right forum so feel free to move me, I'll find it some how.

Cheers Casso.

[Neil Morton]

Hi Casso I seem to remember the best pubs were in Lyttleton that being the port for Christchurch.
The Aucland hotel which used to be a ripper, now known as the The Great Northern was a disapointment when I visited to relive old times in 1987.Then again it was 30 years later.
Enjoy your visit mate it is one terrific place.Mort

[Michael Lawrence]

Please can I come in your kitbag. I 'avn't seen Kiwi since 1961. Go on take me, Ipromise to be no trouble and will even polish your shirts and iron your shoes. Go on be a mate you know your'ed rather me than the Missus along to make sure you don't stray. Mike

[Dennis McGuckin]

That goes for me too please.
One of my favorite places.
Wonder if the girls are still as 'friendly'?
Nearly jumped ship in Christchurch.
Of course the ladies I knew back then will be in senior homes by now.
Funny thing that, as I havent got any older.
Den.

[Jack Jenkins]

Kia Ora Casso....Hope you enjoy your stay in NZ,it is winter,but not too bad,just watch out for the logging trucks !!!!

Jack

[Bob Cheeseman]

Hi there, you could strike it lucky ,here in the far north we have had a mild winter so far it was 18 degrees the other day and the sun was shinning,( dont no about that south island though.) If you get the chance dont get stuck in the Bay of Islands, go further north to the Doubtless Bay area ,its a great drive and the beaches and scenery will blow you away ,and if you like fishing its a must regards Bob c

[Derek Hain]

Hi Casso
I live in Melbourne nowadays but regularly visit NZ for business. I still get a buzz outof revisiting Lyttleton and the pubs and cafes there, the great Britain hotel is still there along with a few other old watering holes and you can always have a beer there with a Ruski trawlerman or the likes, there is a cafe called the Lava lounge great for a meal and a bottle of plonk. In down town Christchurch head for the river cafes and a pub called the bog for hearty pub food. Unfortunately the night life is pretty quite during the week even for the younger generation and for us oldies basically non existent. I had some wild old days and nights in Lyttleton and wondered why the hell a ship would call into such a place, I didn't realize that there was a big city through the tunnel, I only made it as far as the nearest pub or party on another Shaw saville boat.
I still love Port chalmers and Napier and the whole Kiwi coast

I spent 10 days touring the south island earlier this year with the missus and it is a pretty awsome but cold o'l place. The scenery in fabulous and the kiwi beer and wine is great.
enjoy yourself and watch out for hobbits.

Derek

[happy daze john in oz]

Going to N.Z. for a christmas/New Year cruise, calling at many of the 'old' ports, problem is her indoors will be with me! No doubt it will now result in a culture shock though I have heard the sheep are as good looking as ever.
Den mate, know what you mean as I am now a 16 year old with 51 years experience. Peter Pan eat your heart out.

[Geoff Anderson]

Hi Casso.
Best bet is to goggle for the tourist spots, you can also get the weather on NZ met office site.
Seems that you intend to do a lot of driving. Remember we drive on the left here and there are not many motorways. Most of the roads are 2 lanes , one each way and everybody has to use these roads so its slow going sometimes. especially when truck n trailer units are governed to 90kph. Just allow that extra bit of time .
Enjoy your stay.
PS Dont worry about our sheep, the ones John in a daze went out with have long gone to the paddock in the sky, still laughting.
Geoff

[alf corbyn]

hhi casso.
hope you have a very enjoyable time as did all we old fogeys. would love to come with you, but please feel free to look up my offspring in timaru wellington and bluff. haha. regards alf.