highplanesdrifters

Headed out tomorrow for Antarctica followed by Cape to Cape on Cloud. I havent decided if I'll do a live, but perhaps occasional reports. Do you think there's interest?

Caveat, this trip dates pre Covid, things may have changed. Dunedin Started here, lots of places to say, charming town. Easy flight from Aukland, picked up car. Curio Bay Drove through a hellacious storm so can't comment much on the drive. Got a place on the ocean to chill and explore for a few days, wild and remote. Loved it. Gave us a feel for the real people in the country. So warm and welcoming. https://www.bookabach.co.nz/ Te Anau You might begin your trip here if there are time constraints. Great lodge and place to explore from. https://www.fiordlandlodge.co.nz/ They arranged for a private heli tour (must do). Picked us up from the lawn. We did the short version and wished we had done the long. We did a Dusky tour on our own, take the early boat, less crowded with tour busses. Dusky is much bigger than Milford. There is a small boat ride and then a bus to get to Dusky, all crazy scenic and part of the experience. Left our luggage and car at lodge and did an overnight on Milford. https://www.fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz/ These folks were fantastic. We arranged a pick up at the lodge. They gave us a mini tour on the way to the boat with a few stops and very short hikes. Overnight on Milford was as perfect as it gets. The fiord is actually quite small. To spend the evening and morning without crowds of tourists, the light, the silence, oh ya. Food and wine excellent. Queenstown/Wanaka Another stunning scenic drive. We had 3 nights booked but only spent one. Things may have changed post Covid, but at the risk of offending some, we didn't want to stay in a town that catered 95% to Chinese tourists. We hightailed it to Wanaka. Just charming. As a side note, our friends who went to Mt. Cook felt the same as we did about Queenstown. Perhaps others can chime in to what it's like post Covid. Franz Joseph Glacier Another gobsmacking scenic drive. Again lots of places to stop with mini hikes/walks. Perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 mile walks to see more amazing things. Longer ones if you like. https://rainforest.nz/ Stayed in a Deluxe TreeLodge. We loved this place. Simple and charming. Every morning they bring a delightful breakfast tray to your door. Did a glacier hike and had some great food at King Tiger. All very memorable. Hokitka One nighter. A charming beach town known for its jade. I like jade.😃 You will find the usual tourist stuff, but also some excellent carvers. FYI, a lot of the jade sold in NZ is from Alaska or Canada which isn't necessarily bad. Find some locals if you want NZ jade. Plenty of little hotels on the beach with balconies to sip wine and watch the waves roll in. Greymouth to Christchurch Drove in morning to Greymouth to catch the train to Christchurch. Easy drive and you drop your car off next to train station. Check in, drop your luggage and have a walk around and a pint. Here things become a bit fuzzy for me, picked up a nasty bug. Between the weather and sleeping, didnt see much on the train and nothing of Christchurch. Folks do like the train and Christchurch, but I remember very little. Perhaps others can chime in. Christchurch to Aukland. Easy flight. You do need to transfer from domestic to international terminal which is a short walk, unless things have changed. Air New Zealand had some great fares in biz. I hope this helps. Reach out if you have any more questions.

Augh, had it all written up and disappeared. Will get you details, I promise.

I'll poke my head in again and piggyback on great points made by others. South Island and specifically the Fiordland area is amazing and easy to explore on your own. There are many tour boats that do day trips to the sounds. Half the enjoyment is the scenery getting to the boat. An overnight on Milford was a highlight. We used this company: https://www.fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz/ You could do #2 and then pop down south for a quick land tour and really explore the gobsmacking scenery and experience the excellent hospitality New Zealanders are know for. All those bonds you had to wrestle to get here, you deserve it! If you want our road trip details, happy to share.

R&T, have to join in the #1 chorus. South island trumps north. More mountains and scenery. Hope you can carve out time in NZ after your trip. Milford is stunning, much smaller than Doubtful which is also stunning. Depending on the time of year Whales can hang our at the mouth of each. The pennuslia north of Aukland is worth a look see. Check out Russell, Bzynof Islands. Perfect for a post trip reflection. Keep us posted.

Fair winds Terry. Wishing you the best voyage.

Thanks @AussieBoyTX Sorry, I should have linked the Raja Ampat trip I was looking at and been more specific. https://paspaleypearlbyponant.com.au/the-spice-islands-raja-ampat-the-whale-sharks-of-west-papua/ Only one date, and there was only one cabin (Pearl Suite)in the category I priced. That specific cabin came back priced 20% above the "from" price advertised. After numerous conversations with Ponant my TA surmised that it was a new venture and they weren't really sure how to price it. When they saw the demand they raised prices. I felt they should have honored the advertised price and not hidden behind the "from" caveat given that the trip and cabin had no alternatives. But, C'est La Vie!😃 Just wondering if others had the same issue with pricing. I'm trying to figure out if I need to add 20% to Ponant Paspaley advertised pricing when comparing lines before I go to my TA. Was it perhaps just this itinary, which is now sold out. Or, a new joint venture which is still getting its sea legs. Or both!

Wowza! Look at that. Very jelly.

Well.....my TA grabbed a cabin on the Raja Ampat cruise. They came back with a price $10k more than what was posted on the website, approximately 20% more. Even though there was only one cabin in the category they said they could because of the wording, "From AU$38k". Didn't have a good feeling after that so we canceled. Did have the TA check to make sure it wasn't some AU vs. US pricing. They said pricing the same for all markets. Anyone else have this issue? Now looking at Aqua Expeditions.

Thanks all! Your comments and advice were a big help. We are booked for Japan April 2025. Prestige Suite on the first leg, Grand Deluxe on second. Now just need to decide what to do before or after.😄

Congrats on the flights. It is such a challenge lately and has become as important as finding the right cruise. Fingers crossed for some great Northern Light CME explosions. We're at solar max this year so good chance. And more importantly hope eruptions stay away from KEF.

It begs the question, How did they get up there? I guess the Orcas will have trouble tipping this iceberg. Thanks. Hoping we'll get to see this amazing site in a few weeks.

Thanks. It looked like that on deck plans. Always nice to hear from someone with firsthand experience.

NZ? Time is flying by. It seems like you just left.

Quick question. As per your excellent suggestions, ditching the 6th floor. Any spots on the 5th floor to avoid?

You're ahead of the curve. I hear it's all the rage.

Hope the Sacred Lake was worth the ride!

Great Intel, thanks. Heading back in 2025 and was just poking around. Afternoon flight sounds perfect. I know exactly what you're saying about the overnight flight. Very disruptive sleep wise. Arriving in decent shape is becoming more of an issue as the years tick by.😁

Wow! Thank you. I wonder why I'm not getting this email. Hmmmm. I've been looking for something that does Raja Ampat and the Whale sharks. Almost pulled the trigger on Aqua Expeditions. They dont have balconies. Interesting partnership. I know Ponant have offered trips on their famous planes. My partner once did a private tour of Paspaley Pearl farm on it. Great experience.

Excellent report, thanks!

Glad you enjoyed. It really is different, perhaps the Kava. Some might say bringing a bottle of Gin onboard is Coals to Newcastle! One of my fondest memories of that trip was sitting out on our balcony sipping a Blue Turtle and Tonic watching the stars. After more than a few, our butler popped his head out and asked if we wanted some dinner. And that he had brought more lemons, limes and Tonic. We were pampered.

Weeeeee

I suspect the last thing you are thinking about is a Gin and Tonic. But should the occasion arise, treat yourself to a bottle of Blue Turtle Gin. Be well M.

That scene looks heavenly. So happy we got the GDS for the second leg.

Sounds like you had your own little water park. Did they charge extra for that? 😃 From videos it looks like it takes up a bit of room on the deck. Did you feel that way?