Australia and NZ summary (by Joe)
Five weeks to see Australia and New Zealand was never going to be enough.
We've nonetheless had a wonderful time here and feel privileged to have had the chance at least to get a taste of life on this side of the world.
After India and SE Asia, coming here took us firmly back to the first world in terms of culture, society ... and also, unfortunately, in terms of cost.
It's also been back to a world with which we naturally hold a deep 'connection'. As a Brit touring both Australia and New Zealand you simply cannot escape the feeling that you are visiting 'family' (albeit perhaps a sibling with which we often squabble!).
As for the places themselves:
We were greatly impressed with Sydney and Melbourne. These were striking cosmopolitan modern cities with tremendous confidence in their futures. We liked them very much.
If for us Australia was about the cities, New Zealand has been all about the nature. Throughout our tour we've felt deeply exhilarated by the continual sense you get here of being on the edge of enormous nature -specifically the wilderness of the Southern Ocean/ South Pacific.
We particularly liked New Zealand's South Island. In an area the size of England, this incorporates an incredible diversity of lansdscape: fjords, Alpine mountains, fells and rugged coastlines. Driving through it on clear, well-maintained roads was an absolute joy.
Though we spent less time there, we also liked North Island and leave in awe of its smoking craters and volcanic landscape.
Finally, New Zealand was a happy and healthy time for us. We did a lot of outdoor activities (walking and mountain-biking mostly) and lived well. We've had a great tour here.
We're now over halfway through our trip: it's on to South America.
Joe
We've nonetheless had a wonderful time here and feel privileged to have had the chance at least to get a taste of life on this side of the world.
After India and SE Asia, coming here took us firmly back to the first world in terms of culture, society ... and also, unfortunately, in terms of cost.
It's also been back to a world with which we naturally hold a deep 'connection'. As a Brit touring both Australia and New Zealand you simply cannot escape the feeling that you are visiting 'family' (albeit perhaps a sibling with which we often squabble!).
As for the places themselves:
We were greatly impressed with Sydney and Melbourne. These were striking cosmopolitan modern cities with tremendous confidence in their futures. We liked them very much.
If for us Australia was about the cities, New Zealand has been all about the nature. Throughout our tour we've felt deeply exhilarated by the continual sense you get here of being on the edge of enormous nature -specifically the wilderness of the Southern Ocean/ South Pacific.
We particularly liked New Zealand's South Island. In an area the size of England, this incorporates an incredible diversity of lansdscape: fjords, Alpine mountains, fells and rugged coastlines. Driving through it on clear, well-maintained roads was an absolute joy.
Though we spent less time there, we also liked North Island and leave in awe of its smoking craters and volcanic landscape.
Finally, New Zealand was a happy and healthy time for us. We did a lot of outdoor activities (walking and mountain-biking mostly) and lived well. We've had a great tour here.
We're now over halfway through our trip: it's on to South America.
Joe
posted by Joe and Laura at 12:55 am
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