New Zealand

New Zealand

Apr 8-17, 2011
Apr 8 AC793 YYZ-LAX, NZ5 LAX-AKL, NZ8361 AKL-NSN, Apr 14 NZ8146 NSN-WLG, Apr 17 NZ8 AKL-SFO, AC756 SFO-YYZ  

New Zealand is one of my favourite countries, and although I had only spent two weeks there in the past I definitely wanted to return and experience more.   Unfortunately for all its beauty, New Zealand is difficult to get to and has traditionally been hard to find free business class seats.  When I found available points flights to Auckland, I was quick to grab them and to build a vacation around them.  Our last time around we did not have enough time to see the north part of the South Island so made that the focus of this trip, while still covering new areas of the North Island and some of our favourites.  In addition to the always enjoyable Air New Zealand service, hiking (or trekking as the locals say) the Queens Charlotte was a highlight as was enjoying the wine and food.

Apr 8-10
Full travel days to Nelson via LA and Auckland and head out

Apr 11
Punakaiki to Blenheim

Apr 12
Drive to Picton and catch boat to Queen Chartlotte track hike to hotel

Apr 13
Leave the trail on boat and make our way to Nelson

Apr 14
Morning flight to Wellington on the North Island and drive to Napier

Apr 15
Napier to Rotorua

Apr 16
Stayed along Lake Rotorua and made our way to Lake Taupo

Apr 17
Overnight in Lake Taupo under somewhat rainy weather and then on to Aukland

Apr 17
Home to Toronto via San Francisco and a very long day

 

Seattle

Seattle

Tokyo

Tokyo