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backpackingmatt April 5, 2010

Monday Escape: Kaikoura, New Zealand

Today’s Monday Escape takes you to sunny Kaikoura, found on New Zealand’s South Island south of the world famous Marlborough wine region.

It’s a beautiful spot for a town – tucked between the sea on one side and the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range on the other. Kaikoura translates to kai – food and koura – crayfish and was once known soley for the crayfish (lobster) which were caught off its coast. Today, Kaikoura is a tourist mecca for those who want see and swim with dolphins, whales, seals, and other marine life.

The road north and south of Kaikoura slowly meanders its way along the seaside. It’s a jaw dropping ride, so allow plenty of time to stop and take in the views.

I only had a short day to spend in Kaikoura, so was unable to sample the tours which make the town famous. Stay tuned to Backpackingmatt in the coming weeks for my take on the whale-watching and dolphin-swimming experience.

backpackingmatt April 3, 2010

Franz Josef New Zealand Travel Video

New Zealand, Travel Videos 21 Replies

Below you’ll find the newest edition to Backpackingmatt – Travel Videos. I’m excited at the opportunity to share my tips and experiences in video format. This will hopefully allow you to better get a feel for the destinations I travel to.

I look forward to any feedback about my first video – be it positive or negative. Please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

The first (of hopefully many) travel video takes you to the rugged, West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. I hope you enjoy Episode 1 of my Budget Travel Videos in Franz Josef, New Zealand.

Additional Franz Josef Tips

For any glacier viewing you plan to do, start early. Clouds often come in during the early afternoon.
Everything is extremely expensive in Franz Josef – plan accordingly. Stock up on food, drink, and petrol before you arrive.
In the high summer season, book your accommodation well in advance as the village will fill up.
Your cheapest option for food in Franz Josef is the fish and chips shop on the street parallel to the main road (there are only two streets, I trust you’ll find it!). It’s a fish and chips shop, internet cafe, and laundromat combo.
The glacier is found about 5kms outside of the village. If you don’t have your own transportation, you should have good luck hitching to the glacier carpark. Otherwise, you can catch a shuttle for about $10 return.
For good nightlife, check out the Monsoon Bar – their motto is, When it Rains, We Pour. And it rains a lot in Franz Josef. It’s a busy place especially when the Kiwi Experience bus shows up. On Wednesday nights, head up to the Blue Ice Bar for the best (and only) karaoke in Franz.
If you want to attempt to get away from the tourist crowd, consider checking out the Haast Public Bar. It’s about 1km north of the village center and offers the only reasonably priced pint in Franz Josef. With a pool table, a juke box, and a tough, West Coast barmaid, you can have a good night out. Ask about their Riggers and you can take away two liters of beer for about $12.
For more about the Franz Josef Glacier Guides hike, check out this post.
For pictures from a helicopter ride over the glaciers, check out this photo essay.

backpackingmatt March 29, 2010

Monday Escape: Sognefjord, Norway

Europe, Travel Photos 4 Replies

Today’s Monday Escape takes you to the stunning Sognefjord in Western Norway. It’s the longest fjord in Norway and the second longest in the world.

Norway is not an ideal place to be as a backpacker as it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful place – even in the dead of winter.

If you want to take in as much of Norway as you can with limited time, consider doing a segment of the six-day Norway in a Nutshell tour. From Oslo, you can experience part of the Oslo – Bergen Railway, the majestic Naeroyfjord, and the historic Flam Railway.

The Oslo – Bergen Railway stretches the length of Norway – some 471 kms through dramatic mountain terrain. The Naeroyfjord is one of the narrowest in the world. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be at the base of sheer mountain faces reaching 1800 meters from the icy water.

Lastly, the Flam Railway stretches 20 kms and takes you down deep ravines, through tunnels, past frozen waterfalls, and alongside snow-covered cliffs. It’s the steepest railway in the world.

Do you have a photo and a brief write-up you’d like featured on Backpackingmatt’s Monday Escape? Email me at matt (at) backpackingmatt (dot) com. I’ll gladly post your photo with a link back to your blog. Cheers!

backpackingmatt March 27, 2010

Interview with Backpackingmatt at Sosauce

Uncategorized 1 Reply

Alisha over at Sosauce contacted me a couple weeks back and expressed her interest in interviewing me as part of Sosauce’s Travel Talk series. I was flattered and thought it was a terrific idea.

In their Travel Talk interviews, Alisha seeks out travel bloggers and other members of the online travel community and interviews them on their experiences traveling, writing, and their involvement in online travel. She’s interviewed names such as Mike Barish and Matador’s Julie Collazo so needless to say, I was excited she also picked me.

Sosauce is a social networking site for Travel Geeks, and is home to travelers who are enthusiastic about sharing their travel experiences with the world. Sosauce is also a meeting ground for like minded travelers who have an interest in making connections with other cultures. They also provide applications to help travelers share their photos and stories with the world.

Check out what Sosauce’s Blog.

And of course, don’t forget to check out my interview here.

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Monday Escape: Kaikoura, New Zealand

Franz Josef New Zealand Travel Video

Monday Escape: Sognefjord, Norway

Interview with Backpackingmatt at Sosauce

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Hello! I’m Matt. Thanks for checking out my blog. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for loads more New Zealand travel inspiration. Comment on one of my photos so I know you came from here!