Christchurch Archives - Australia 2000 Travel

October 30, 2019

A Ruined Woman

After returning home from our wonderful trip to New Zealand, people ask me “How was your trip?” The answer I have given is “I am a ruined woman.” I cannot imagine any future trip that I could take that could be as breathtaking as the New Zealand trip. This being my first real international trip, I needed someone to hold my hand. I could not have picked more helpful and secure hands than Karen’s Australia 2000 Travel. The itinerary was comprehensive and detailed. The people with whom Australia 2000 Travel collaborate were highly professional, giving my husband and I the utmost confidence from day one. When a plane was late taking off, their people had an alternative plan seamlessly in place so there was no disruption to our itinerary. Even when the Christchurch tragedy transpired the day preceding our flight to Christchurch, Australia 2000 Travel and their associates were reassuringly on top of how our travel plans would proceed. We simply needed to relax and wait for their directives. They handled it all. Upon reflection I realize that my greatest dilemma was whether to order an expresso or Americano. International traveling and tragedy should equate to stress, but if you are in the hands of Australia 2000 Travel expect reassurance and pampering while the professionals work it all out for you.

Lyanna Leibert

April 30, 2015

Thank you from Mary Jo Drew

Hi Karen,

My entire foodie trip in the Lands Down Under went off with nary a hitch. The business class flights were the best splurge I’ve given myself in years!

MEL - Downtown from Mary Jo Drew — Photo Credit to Mary Jo Drew

The Hotel Lindrum in?Melbourne was well positioned with easy access to shopping and attractions.? The Lanes and Arcades tour is an absolute must for anyone visiting Melbourne for the first time. As our guide pointed out, by not knowing to look down the city?s narrow alleyways?many Americans would walk right past them and miss out on so much vibrant local culture.

There is so much colorful history in Melbourne.? At our guide’s advice, I even stopped in and had a drink?upstairs?with the famous Chloe in her namesake bar across from Flinders Railway Station!? The?Yarra Valley?winery tour was great fun. I really enjoyed seeing the Chandon Estate and didn?t realize Chandon had a vineyard in Australia!

Hobart in Tasmania was a really nice respite after the hustle and bustle of Melbourne.? The Old Woolstore Hotel was so close to the downtown area and harbor that I was able to walk virtually the entire downtown during my stay.? My private tour and lunch at the Morilla Estate was fantastic though the artwork at MONA came as a bit of a shock!?? The trip to Bruny Island was great.? The weather started out very rainy but by noon everything cleared out and I had a lovely day.

ZQN view from Mary Jo Drew — Photo Credit to Mary Jo Drew

And then came Queenstown in beautiful New Zealand. The Dairy may have been my favorite accommodation – had I not stopped at The Manse later!? The view, room, breakfasts and staff service were all superlative.? I also enjoyed the hot tub on the back deck – a great place to sip wine while enjoying the view!? Although the weather was on again, off again, I had mostly great weather for my wanderings about town, the public garden, and the narrow streets.? I also enjoyed great meals at a couple of unique tapas bars on Lake Wakatipu.? The Doubtful Sound trip was quite majestic, but as The Sound is so remote?it was a very long day. The winery tour to Otago was great and the charcuterie lunch was quite good.

NPE - The Manse view from Mary Jo Drew — Photo Credit to Mary Jo Drew

Lastly came Hawkes Bay. I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the plane I?d be flying on the leg from Christchurch to Napier – a regional aircraft not unlike some I have been on in the Pacific Northwest!??After staying at The?Manse and being totally spoiled by the fantastic accommodation, the pool, the drinks before dinner, Gary’s sumptuous meals, and his and Dietske’s hospitality, I can only say that I wish I had had spent more time there!? My guide on the winery tour had spent years in the business himself, and it showed in his insights into the various wineries and producers.? My tour of Napier with Gary on the last day of my trip certainly cemented my wish to spend more time in stunning Hawkes Bay.

The trip was spectacular and I will have great memories to share for years to come.? Thanks for all your help in making this happen!

Best wishes,

Mary Jo

May 2, 2014

Thank you from Marlies and Helmut Kraemer

Hi Karen,

The ?Down-Under Travelers? of 2012 have now enjoyed a second trip with Australia 2000 Travel ? this time to New Zealand! How can we really thank you for putting together another amazing journey for the Kraemers? The answer became apparent these past few weeks. We spent 5 incredible weeks in New Zealand (February 1 ? March 8, 2014) and while the experience was a once in a lifetime, the retelling to friends is a special way of reliving the trip. And that is how we can really thank you. It is an ongoing experience with us every time we get the iPad out and share pictures and memories. And we see the looks on our friends? faces?..first a bit of envy, then joy, and then?.the question?.who did you use for this amazing trip? Then we can return the favor and say, well of course, Karen at Australia 2000 Travel! It was also interesting that during our New Zealand travels we met other guests during our stops who upon hearing our itinerary asked that same famous question?..who was your agent? Again, the joy when we could share your information with them!

Our 5 week journey took us from Auckland to Queenstown with our overnights at some of the most beautiful places one can imagine. Though each were wonderful, Helmut and I had some favorites: EdenHouse in the Nelson region, Otahuna Lodge outside of Christchurch, Huka Lodge in the Taupo area, and both the Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke?s Bay and Matakuri Lodge in Queenstown. And we should not forget Mollies in Auckland and Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura! But a trip is not about lodges, it is about what one learns. We met such wonderful ?Kiwis?, hospitable, kind, and fun-loving. We learned so much about New Zealand, its history, culture, and its life today both economically and politically. I have told so many friends that we attended the ?University of New Zealand? for 5 weeks!

I must confess that I was a bit hesitant to travel to New Zealand because I am not a ?sports? person and rather risk adverse to things that the locals find just plain fun-like jet boat rides and bungee jumping! But one need no athleticism to eat and drink one?s way through New Zealand?.only stamina!! With an agro/aquaculture based economy one certainly has access to the best foods in the world. The concept of paddock to table is everywhere and we were in good food withdrawal for days upon our return! The wines?..shall we say most of the good wines remain ?home? in New Zealand!

Finally, the natural beauty of New Zealand, alone, is worth a trip. I have likened New Zealand to California on steroids?..ocean, mountains, desert, rainforests, volcanoes, tectonic plates?..you name it, it is there! And the animals?.for all my days I will remember my ?baby??..Vortex, the kiwi bird, who has been so fortunate to be in a sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers and be able to grow up in safety in his natural habitat.

In a nutshell, New Zealand touched each one of our senses: our eyes took in the magnificent scenery, our ears heard the calls of native birds and the wind, our noses smelled the beautiful flowers and sheep, our taste buds burst with the amazing flavors of the foods we ate, and our hands touched and felt so much of the texture of this incredible world. All perfection?and because you helped to bring all of that into our lives by paying attention to every detail of our journey. That brings smiles of joy to our faces!

The three pictures say so much??.we enjoyed and we thank you, your US team, and the New Zealand team that made it all a beautiful reality for us!

Fondly?..Marlies and Helmut Kraemer

November 25, 2011

Dazzling Holiday Festivities in New Zealand

Holiday festivities abound in the glorious South Pacific!? Join the Kiwis this holiday season from the 1st of December through Boxing Day (December 26th) to watch the night skies come to life as dazzling lightshows beam from Telecom Christmas trees.

Telecom Christmas Tree - Ponsonby, Auckland, 2009 — Photo Credit to Daniel Ngu

For the first time ever, three twinkling Telecom Christmas trees will be displayed, bringing the joy of the season to New Zealanders at Te Wero Island on Auckland?s busy waterfront, Waitangi Park in Wellington and in the heart of Christchurch at Hagley Park.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors gather each year to take in the awe and splendor of the seven story Telecom Christmas trees as they burst to life when 375,000 twinkling light bulbs illuminate the sky at dusk each night and warmly glow until the break of day.

Featuring a light sequence that offers 16 million color combinations, this dazzling show not only delights crowds of all ages, but also in the true spirit of Christmas, gives back as gifts are collected for the children of Christchurch who have been affected by tough economic times.

September 12, 2011

New Zealand Adventure Vacations

CNN features New Zealand on its Destination Adventure series as a ?thrill seekers? destination for the explorer at heart.

A country of dramatically diverse environments, New Zealand offers an array of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

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New Zealand?s remarkably varied landscape includes beaches, mountains, fjords, glaciers and rain forests, making it one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.? The small country consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, each boasting a surprising variety of natural wonders as well as urban centers.? read more

Yes, it?s true, New Zealand is a place that will satisfy even the most thrill seeking adventurers? adrenaline rush; however it is also the perfect destination for anyone who appreciates natural beauty set amongst a stunning variety of landforms such as rugged mountains, spectacular fiords, glaciers that cut through the mountains, subtropical forest, bubbling mud pools, and miles of coastline dotted with sandy beaches.

Originally named ?Aotearoa? by the Polynesian settlers, which means the Land of the Long White Cloud; New Zealand is approximately the same size as?Japan and yet is compact enough that one can sample a wide range of diverse land masses in a single trip or even a single day.

[Read more…]

January 31, 2011

Thank You from the Luginbills

Karen and Hillary,

Our second trip from Australia 2000 was as sensational as the first. In January, we visited Fiji and New Zealand; and as was the case for our trip to Australia in 2007, it was expertly planned and went off without a hitch. The diversity of the vacation was ideal. There were so many highlights that one cannot be singled out. Each day was an adventure.

On the island of Nukubati, the lap of luxury awaited us. We toasted sundown with campaign at sunset, viewed the undersea world snorkeling on the pristine reefs, ate gourmet food at every meal cooked from fresh island ingredients, and had every whim taken care of by an excellent staff.

After a totally relaxing week, New Zealand beckoned from top to bottom, north to south. We arrived to our own limo in Auckland and after a grand couple of day?s visit, we were off to Waitomo to do Black water rafting. Since hiking is our thing, Karen had us walk the Tongaririo Crossing, an amazing 7 hour trek across a volcano with some of the most amazing scenery to be seen.

The South island proved to be as dramatic and varied as the North island of New Zealand. A three day 28 mile hike along the Abel Tasman coastal trail was followed by sipping wine in Marlborough. Next we had a spectacular drive to Kaikoura where whale watching was no fluke. Christchurch was a bustling city between earthquakes (no big ones when we were there) and off to Queenstown, a must see vacation wonderland, where we just might have seen Gandalf and Frodo. Finally but definitely worth waiting for was a two day trip to Fiordland National Park where the scenery was so awe inspiring that it could have only been created by our Lord.

Every aspect of our trip was taken care of. All we had to do was follow the customized, fully complete itinerary and have FUN doing it.

Ron and Barb Luginbill

Traveled to Fiji and New Zealand January 2011