It’s been pretty quiet here on the blog front over the previous weeks; my Spring, Summer and Autumn consisted of me either learning to paraglide, going on backcountry mountain bike rides, or running NZByBike.com. I’m stoked to finally get a post up, and couldn’t be happier to give my good mate Bruce a chance to plug some out-of-the-way New Zealand destinations you’ve probably never heard about.
I’ve based myself in New Zealand for the past 22 months – give or take, that’s about 660 days.
The time just slips away. They say that happens the older you get, and while I don’t doubt this is true, I’m confident the happier you are someplace and the more content you are with your life, the quicker the hours, days and weeks disappear.
I originally left home in 2007 to explore the unknown; I wasn’t ready to settle down and had a deep desire to see more of this world we live in.
The journey to where I am today has been a roller coaster of highs and lows – undoubtedly, the moments of pure elation outnumber the challenges.
I’ve traveled the world by way of working holidays in an effort to gain a better understanding of the cultures of the countries I’ve traveled through. In between or during these working holidays, I’ve managed to backpack to some exceptionally special places. Without a doubt, there is so much more of this world I’m yearning to see – the rest of Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, China, South & Central America and the list goes on.
Many of the posts in the archives of this blog encourage others to leave the comforts of home, pack a bag, and explore far away places. As the tagline of this blog says, Life’s a Journey; I believe the world begs to be explored, experienced and learned from.
Each day that passes here on the beautiful South Island of New Zealand reinforces my indescribable love of this area of the world. Weekly Daily, I’m reminded of how special this place is and I find this terribly frightening.
While I still have the desire to travel to new places, right now I’m beyond content with my life in New Zealand. Most of the time, at least. I do still get that itch that only those inflicted with the bite of the travel bug know. Reading about Adventurous Kate’s travels through Europe to TBU or the Mobile Lawyer’s adventure on the Ultimate Train Challenge still leave me with that taste for wanting to experience new things and face new challenges.
The problem is there is so much here I still want to do. I want to climb Mitre Peak. I want to compete in a multi-day adventure race. I want to go surfing in the Catlins. I want to ride my bike in a brevit. I want to get into backcountry snowboarding.
I love my job, my quaint rented lakeside bach with lake and mountain views, my mates and the lifestyle that New Zealand brings on. The budding minimalist that was me in Thailand traveling with only a Macpac daypack is slowly beginning to acquire things – a bike, bike gear, a snowboarding. Potentially a kayak and climbing gear? A second bike?
At what point do I become a hypocrite who encourages others to leave home and travel the world while I stay in this comfortable bubble which I like to call paradise?
I haven’t moved on permanently from being a backpacker. I continue to read travel blogs, add experiences to my bucket list and still yearn to see more of this world. And I will. This working holiday has simply continued on for longer than anticipated. I’m one of many who have come to Queenstown and stayed longer than expected – if you’ve traveled here, you’ll certainly understand why.
I love my life here and for the time being I’m content with that. There is certainly more of this world I want to see – but for now, that’ll have to wait for another day.
This post is by contributing author Lauren Fritsky of The Life that Broke.
If you’re considering a RTW trip or perhaps a working holiday abroad, you’ll have heaps of things to consider when planning your life changing trip. Flights, visas, trip itineraries and … health insurance. Arguably not the most exciting aspect of planning a trip, yet going prepared could save you literally $1,000s in medical expenses. Lauren provides some fantastic tips to get you started in the post below.
After paying for flights and accommodation, tour bookings and trip essentials, the last thing you want to do is spend money on overseas health insurance. Premiums, co-pays and extras all add up. Plus, you’re fit as a fiddle.
But even fit fiddles can contract malaria or meningitis or get bitten by a poisonous spider. The treatment that could’ve cost $200 with health insurance is now $2,000 without. There goes that extra trip to Bali.
If you’re from a place with reciprocal health care agreements with certain countries, you might not need additional insurance.
Consider these tips for choosing a health insurance plan while traveling or backpacking abroad:
Often the cheapest health insurance you can get only covers hospital stays. Plans will vary by company, but some cost less than $50 a month. Certain plans have different coverage levels, with the less-expensive ones only permitting treatment at public hospitals, while others give you the option of private hospitals for a few extra dollars.
Read the fine print on whichever plan you choose. Some won’t cover a pre-existing condition, and you may have to wait up to 12 months for certain services related to pregnancy or mental health.
Extras can involve everything from massage therapy to prescription coverage. Be smart about the type of care you’ll need. If you have vision problems, get an extra that covers seeing an optometrist. If you always have problems with your teeth, get dental. If you don’t, you could spend hundreds or thousands of dollars seeing these specialists.
Some visas require health insurance from the moment you step into the country until the moment you leave it. Double-check so you know you’re covered through the correct dates. Also, if you’re trying to switch visas, you’ll often need to have continuous health insurance to get approved for — and keep — your new visa.
In countries like Australia, it’s customary to go to your general practitioner for everything from a cold to a skin problem.
Often, these doctors can diagnose and treat your condition themselves, and it’ll be included in your health cover. If they can’t, they’ll refer you to a specialist. If you don’t have coverage for that particular specialist, it can cost hundreds of dollars you can’t claim back. Even if you don’t have coverage, it’s better to try the GP first, as a visit there can cost about $50 compared to $200 at a specialist’s office.
Now that you’ve secured your health cover, here are few other tips for staying well on the road.
Certain medicines and ointments you’d expect to find in your supermarket pharmacy back home may sit behind the counter at chemists abroad. In addition, chemists often close by 8 p.m., even on the weekends. So if you know you’re getting sick or have something funky happening in some area of your body, plan ahead and get your meds early in the day.
Even in a place with a fairly mild climate, you can get sick from various factors.
If going from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere or vice versa, the backwards seasons can be enough to knock your biological rhythms and immune system out of whack. Plus, a new country means new germs. If you’re a backpacker flying frequently and staying in hostels, you’ll be exposed to even more bacteria.
If you get health cover but still have out-of-pocket costs, look for free or low-cost services. Some cities may have free clinics or university health resources available to the public. These can range from free gynelogical options for women to low-cost mental services. Do a little research and ask locals to find this type of option in your area.
This post was sponsored by HBF. If you’re backpacking in Australia, HBF offers a range of overseas visitors health insurance options that you might find useful.
An ideal backpacking trip will take in both stunning scenery, world culture and history, and city life. Some of the top backpacking destinations in the world offer an unbeatable combination of urban life and jaw-dropping scenery.
New Zealand has Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, and also the most diverse range of landscapes anywhere in the world.
Thailand has the chaotic, polluted, yet strangely addictive city of Bangkok and some of the world’s most pristine beaches.
One of the great ways to experience the world is through its greatest cities – these destinations contain the very best culture and allow you to explore iconic sights, take in great museums, and treat yourself to world-class cuisine.
London is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world and is home to a staggering array of cultures, cuisines and tourist attractions. Shows here are as captivating and exciting as Londoners themselves, yet you don’t need to buy a ticket to experience the city – simply walk through its streets, dine in its historic pubs and take in the multicultural atmosphere of this buzzing metropolis.
Shanghai is one of China’s most modern cities and well worth visiting. Ultra-posh shops and restaurants exist for the elite in the city’s world class business district directly beside more traditional manifestations of Chinese culture. For a taste of the old head to Yuyuan Gardens, for the new look no further than Pearl Tower.
Rio is the rising star on this list: as the future host of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, it is clearly on the way up. The best time to visit is during Carnival when the city erupts into a huge party dominated by parades of local samba schools. Rio is worth visiting at all times as it is home to gorgeous sites and a lively music scene.
Barcelona is both a classic European city and top backpacking destination in Spain. This beautiful city is best explored by wandering its gorgeous streets and sampling the food in local cafes. A great time to visit it is during the Festes de la Mercè on September 24 when the city teems with hundreds of dazzling shows celebrating local and Spanish culture.
Toronto is one of the most overlooked cities in the world and boasts a level of multiculturalism comparable to London. There is a thriving Canadian music scene that is ground-breaking and folksy at the same time. Also don’t miss out on its restaurants, as it is home to some marquee establishments as well as the best Asian food in Canada.
Do you have a favorite city that didn’t make the list? Leave your top picks for city breaks in the comments section below.
It’s hard to believe that 2010 is coming to a close – yet what a year it’s been for travel. In 2010, I inadvertently circled the globe. While not your typical RTW trip, my year was a fantastic mix of backpacking, working, and of course blogging. I met like-minded 20-somethings, experienced new things, was challenged, and continued to live an unconventional, yet satisfying life. Hopefully in 2010, Backpackingmatt.com has provided you with some inspiration, some advice, and plenty of tips for your own experiences backpacking around the world.
New Zealand quickly became one of my favorite countries and was the country where I spent most of 2010. Backpacking in New Zealand is easy, relatively cheap, and everything you’d expect it to be. Look forward to more New Zealand specific information in 2011. The first destination I traveled to in New Zealand was Raglan. Found about two hours south of Auckland, Raglan has the feel of a surf town of the 1970s. It’s also one of the best spots in New Zealand to watch the sunset. Check it out at Manu Bay – home of the world’s longest left hand break.
I’m not typically a fan of big, chaotic cities (blame it on my Iowa upbringing), yet I fell in love with Bangkok. Ironically, it was the chaos that won me over. I enjoyed wandering the streets, soaking up the foreignness, and treating myself to Thailand’s unbeatable street food. With a nightlife scene that is unsurpassed by most places in the world, cheap prices – from accommodation, to food, to transportation, and awe-inspiring temples, I imagine you’d fall in love with Bangkok if you visit in 2011 too.
Australia‘s largest city is situated directly on the stunning Sydney Harbor, has world-class restaurants, quaint cafes, historic pubs, and plenty of sunshine. What more can you ask for? Beaches? Deal. There are heaps that are only a short ferry ride away. I unfortunately only budgeted for two short days in Sydney, and expect it will be one of the first places I visit when I head back to the Southern Hemisphere. Sydney is sexy, sophisticated, and terribly addictive. If you’re spending a day there, check out these Sydney Travel Tips.
Koh Lanta is an absolute island paradise that presents an excellent combination of chilled-out beaches, local culture, and plenty of nightlife options if you seek them out. Found in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is an easy two-hour ferry ride away from Krabi in the south of Thailand. Compared to the neighboring Koh Phi Phi Island, Koh Lanta offers a bit more space to explore, get away from the crowds, and get a taste for untouched Thailand paradise.
The Bay of Islands in New Zealand’s Northland is a spectacular area with year-round warm temperatures, white-sand beaches, emerald blue waters, and you guessed it – hundreds of small islands in an inlet off the South Pacific Ocean. It’s an absolute must on your backpacking trip to New Zealand; there is an excellent nightlife scene, friendly local Kiwis (and Kiwi birds nearby!), heaps of backpackers passing through, and plenty of ways to get out and experience the beautiful Bay. I recommend dolphin watching in the Bay of Islands as the ideal way to see the area and also meet the Bay’s resident Bottlenose Dolphins.
Exploring Bali on a motorbike stands out as one of my greatest memories from Southeast Asia. It was a fantastic way to see Bali’s diverse island scenery, meet local Balinese, and was significantly more budget friendly than using the island public transportation. Bali is an intensely spiritual island with hospitable locals, vivid green ride paddies, nearly untouched beaches where you can get $10 / hour massages, and some of the world’s best surfing. Visit Bali now as tourism is quickly beginning to take over much of the island.
I often say that Queenstown might be one of the most spectacular places for a town anywhere in the world. If you’ve traveled to Queenstown on New Zealand‘s South Island, chances are you’d agree. Set on the brilliant blue waters of Lake Wakatipu with shocking views of The Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown is a resort community that offers up everything for the adventure sports junkie or outdoor enthusiast. Try bungy jumping, skydiving, jetboating, or paragliding all on your visit to the Adventure Sports Capital of the World. If you’d prefer to stay grounded, check out some of the world-class hikes or Great Rides in the Southern Lakes area.
The Windy City is not only one of the favorite places I visited in 2010, but it’s one of my favorite cities in America. I love Chicago’s downtown scene, the old neighborhoods surrounding Wrigleyville, the waterfront, the Shed Aquarium, and come Christmas — the Christkindlmarket.
Another epic South Island New Zealand town, Kaikoura is tucked between the Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. Kaikoura – kai, meaning food and koura, meaning crayfish – was once only a small crayfishing (lobster) town. Today it’s a mecca for anyone interested in seeing the whales that run up and down the East Coast of New Zealand. Whale Watch Kaikoura runs excellent half day tours where you’re almost guaranteed to see whales. It’s a fascinating experience being so close to such massive creatures.
My home in New Zealand for almost three months was Franz Josef on the wild West Coast of the South Island. Franz Josef is home to the world’s fastest moving glacier – the Franz Josef Glacier. Visiting Franz Josef is a must on any trip to New Zealand – just don’t try to spend three months; you might go crazy. Check out this travel video for tips on visiting this epic area of New Zealand. Thanks for your support throughout 2010 – here’s to seeing more of the world in 2011. What about you? List some of your favorite travel destinations from 2010 in the comments section below.
Backpacking Matt 
