RadioRoryWant to feel stupid? Travel.
Before I booked a ticket, the only things I knew about New Zealand were that it was located “down there by Australia,” it’s where the Hobbit movies were made, and it’s a place everyone described using the phrase “Oh my God, it’s amaaazzzingg.”
I had a vague recollection about the earthquake in Christchurch and I knew they won an America’s Cup or two (actually, three).
I didn’t know that New Zealand is really wo big islands until one of those people who told me it’s “amaaazzzingg” also said “I HAVE to take the ferry” between the two islands.
So here’s the travel plan: Drive south from Hervey Bay, Australia to Gold Coast, fly from Gold Coast to Auckland, NZ, which is at the top of the two islands. From there, I would fly to Wellington on the southern end of the north island, ferry down to Picton, then drive counter-clockwise all around the south island. That would leave me to finish the trip in Christchurch.
Now comes the job of finding a place to stay in Auckland. Hotels are pricey so I get to work finding the perfect Air B&B. And oh boy, it’s in the ideal spot. The bus stop is down the block and Uber is available too. There is a restaurant/pub row that seems ideal that’s about a 10 minute walk away. The room itself is the top floor of a new home with a private, modern bath. I’ve been staring at the Google map so much, I have the whole neighborhood memorized. I am REALLY looking forward to this one.
You know what’s not on Google street maps? Elevation indicators. Ok, maybe they are, but who reads those things? Not only is my perfect Air B&B located at the bottom of a very steep valley, there is a big, barking, aggressive dog living there too. It’s one of those dogs that the owner can’t control either so I have to alert the family when coming and going so they can try to secure the beast. It’s the kind of problem you don’t have when you stay at the Holiday Inn.