September l988

Volume I, Number 1

September l988

Published quarterly by

Eva and John Trapani

BED AND BREAKFAST, FARM OR HOME STAYS

If bed and breakfasting is your style, or if you would enjoy a stay in a New Zealand home or on a farm, we suggest you contact one or both of the following for assistance with your arrangements. Mentioning our names might help.

Roberta Conway	Don and Margaret Hoare
11 Clissold Street	P 0 Box 14—345
Christchurch, NZ	Wellington, NZ
Tel. 554—806	Tel. 889—124

Because she is American herself, Roberta has a particular understanding of the travel needs of Americans. If you are fortunate enough to stay at Eleven Clissold Street, you will enjoy a lovely home and stimulating conversations with a charming couple (Alan and Roberta).

Margaret and Don Hoare, both Kiwis, have put together a network of New Zealanders who offer hospitality in their homes at reasonable prices. They also offer personal automobile tours geared to your interests throughout North Island. Don and Margaret are well-traveled and are thoroughly qualified jo help with your plans. We recommend them without qualification.

THE KEA

Some of you past visitors to New Zealand, like us, admire the saucy Kea (a NZ parrot) who lives below the heights of Mount Cook and in other back-country areas of the South Island. We love to hear its penetrating, cat-like call ("Kee-Ah") from the hills and canyons. There is a great, fairly new Kea poster ("Monarch of the High Country") available now in national park areas and conservation offices. Watch for it. Or write for information to The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, Inc., P 0 Box 631, Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND TRAVELERS, INC.

If you're longing to experience the true flavor of the New Zealand back country, there is available an unusual cultural backpacking tour of the South Island. You can steep yourself in solitude and discover glorious, pristine beauty——mountains, meadows, rivers, all off the beaten track--and, in your three weeks, enjoy a bit of Kiwi culture, such as visiting in rural homes, eating traditional New Zealand foods, living in the "shearers' quarters" on a high—country sheep station.

The groups are small, ten or less, and each member is given personal attention. Country—gourmet dinners are served, both on and off the trail. Adults of any age are accepted, providing they are healthy and able to do a modest amount of hiking. Those more vigorous are given plenty of opportunity for challenging mountain peaks and mysterious gorges.

Alan Riegelman, American—born founder and director of NEW ZEALAND TRAVELERS, is an "unabashed" New Zealand lover. He delights in sharing the special places he has discovered in his years of wandering throughout South Island. You will visit "Tealcot," the magical home he found nestling above the crystal clear Teal River just north of Nelson and meet some of his friends and neighbors. (He also has special fishing tours).

For information (and an irresistible brochure), contact:

NEW ZEALAND TRAVELERS, INC., P 0 Box 605, Shelburne, VT 05482

(802—985—8865). Or: Alan Riegelman, "Tealcot," Teal Valley, RD 1,

Nelson, NZ (054—521—141).

TAKING THE FERRY

When you plan to take the ferry across Cook Strait, you might want to get reservations on the Arahura, the newest of the ferries presently operating. The Arahura entered service in December 1983, and is bigger, faster, and far more comfortable than the Aratika. The ship has a bulbous bow to reduce wave resistance, and an advanced type of stabilizer fin to keep the ship from rocking. There is a great difference in comfort.

You can make your reservations at any NZTP travel office, or AA travel office in NZ, but if you go to a NZ Railways ticket office (located in most towns), you can look at the Cook Strait Cruise Guide and select a crossing time when the Arahura sails. If you're crossing the Strait, you might as well do it in comfort and style. The price is the same.

MARCIA VENNE, TRAVEL AGENT

It's reassuring to have a travel agent who seems to understand your travel needs, who is responsive, who is willing to spend time and effort to research for you the best car rental deal, the just-right hotel reservation-—and who will keep you informed on what is going on while you wait for arrangements

to come through.

John and.I are fortunate to know Marcia Venne, President of Berkshire Travel Centre in La Canada-Flintridge. She has been helping us with our travel needs for almost ten years now, and has not let us down. She is always cheerful and will not spare herself in handling details. She doesn't even get mad when we change our minds! Thank you, Marcia! (Berkshire Travel, 818— 790—0300).

STOP THE SALE OF AIR NEW ZEALAND

You'll find a "Stop the Sale of Air New Zealand" page attached to this newsletter. This is a zeroxed copy of a flyer handed to us in the Auckland domestic terminal back in April. Perhaps you want to help in the effort to keep Air New Zealand what it is: an internationally respected representative of a unique and lovely country, a national treasure if you will. Air New Zealand has won more passenger awards for safety and comfort than any other airline in the world. It is paying its own way, and is actually making a profit, which makes it unusual in today's travel world. That's why they can give good service.

John and I traveled Air New Zealand even when we flew to London last year, and to our surprise, they offered the best price. If the airline is swallowed up by a merger with another nation's carrier, it will never again be what it is now, with its special services, unique flavor, its particular Kiwi identity.

As Americans we can't "protest to our M.P.," but we can write to Prime Minister David Lange, Wellington, NZ. If you agree with us, please write. To receive letters from international air travelers who love Air New Zealand could make a big difference. Kiwis are encouraged to call their Member of Parliament at any time. I think it's refreshing to have that privilege. Since you're a Kiwiphile, as John and I are, a letter from you could be significant.

In reply to John's recent letter to Mr. Lange, he received a response from the private secretary stating that the P.M. had noted his views and had forwarded a copy to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises for his attention.

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FROM US:

(1) International Travel News, 2120 28th St., Sacramento CA 95818 (916) 457—3643. ITN is almost entirely tourist—written, pulls no punches, and is an invaluable tool in planning a trip to any place outside the US. We have asked that they send a sample. copy to each one of you.

(2) Motor Lodges of New Zealand. This isn't the very cheapest chain of motels in NZ, but is probably the finest. We especially enjoyed the Coastal Motor Lodge in Thames and the Sherwood Manor in Queenstown. prices start at around $6ONz. For reservations: 1-800-235-8222.

(3) Frommer's book "New Zealand on $40 a Day."

(4) Elizabeth Hansen's two books: "Bed and Breakfast, New Zealand" and "woman's Guide to New Zealand" (excellent for everyone, not just women).

(5) McDermott's "How to Get Lost and Found in Upgraded NZ." If you can't find some of those books in a bookstore, try Banana Republic, 800—527—5200.

(6) Get package of material from the nearest NZ Tourist and Publicity Office (address and phone no. in your white pages).

(7) Air New Zealand. (Only airline to provide direct service to South Island from the US. This is a bonus, especially if your trip time is limited. You avoid back-tracking by landing in Christchurch, touring South Island, then seeing North Island on your way to Auckland for your return trip.)

COUNTRY LUNCH

There were many new contacts on our 7-week trip to NZ this past spring. Among them is an unusual, vibrant young lady on North Island near Waitoma (glowworm caves). She is the neighbor of Basil and June Douglas, our farm friends in Otorohanga, and her name is Elizabeth Robertson. She provides a "country lunch" stop for tour groups.

Her home is beautiful, English style, with colorful gardens. The house is built of all reclaimed exotic timbers; the imposing open staircase is particularly lovely.

The food she provides is served buffet-style from a long, flower—laden table, and guests can eat inside or out. The view is of high green hills, with sheep grazing here and there (her sheep). The day we were there the sky was a deep clear blue with the low-lying puffy clouds peculiar to New Zealand.

Elizabeth serves salads, exotic fruits such as feijoas, nashi, tamarillos, and kiwi. Meats served always include lamb. There is home—made ice cream in huge bowls made of ice with fresh flowers frozen in the ice, and baskets of berries on the side. There are cakes or cookies fresh and warm from the oven.

Unfortunately she doesn't accept casual tourists. You must be in a booked tour group. So if you're going with a tour operator, why not request that a luncheon stop be made there? You will have a truly unusual and delightful experience.

Her name and address: Elizabeth Robertson, "Crosshills," R.D. 4, Otorohanga, NZ (Tel. 848 Kio Kio).

K-MART

K—Mart has spread from Australia to New Zealand now and is opening in several cities. Not especially good news to American tourists perhaps, but great for the Kiwi's, who will revel in the "things" they can buy at competitive prices. This could help their economy and bring some of the present prices down, too.

HELP!!

We are enjoying the advance work of getting this newsletter out and we hope it will be successful. Since we must at present spend the great bulk of our time here in La Crescenta, 6,000 miles from our subject, we're going to need news, tips, views from all of you. If you are traveling to New Zealand soon please bring back news and tidbits to share, and send us accounts of interesting, exciting, pleasurable experiences you have while there. We might edit your writings a bit, but we promise to maintain the flavor of your story.

If you were there some time ago, we still would like you to share your impressions and memories with all of us. And if you're still in the warm, fuzzy, anticipatory stages of hoping for or actually planning your first visit, why not share your concerns and queries? Some one of our subscribers might have the answers to your questions, even if we don't.

Write letters to us. We'll include them in a "letters to the editor" page. Were not anxious for criticism, being human, but we'll take it because it's good for us. Criticisms, suggestions, comments, questions—-all are welcome. (So are phone calls).

Note: Our recommendations throughout the KIWIPHILE FILE are made from a purely personal point of view, and are not solicited by any organization or individual.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We were entranced with New Zealand. Of our many journeys, we concluded this one was the best. Greece was our favorite till we encountered NZ. Possibly one reason we loved it so was the form of transportation we decided on. Traveling by caravan was so great--we'd never done that before--oh, of course we had rented cars, but had never taken our snug little home right with us.

Occasionally we broke loose and stayed overnight at some interesting place we'd heard of, but we always were glad to return to our little van, which behaved nobly. One catastrophe only and that wasn't its fault. We drove a good many miles over a horrendous road, really AWFUL—-we were warned but went anyway. One tire perished completely--but we encountered, just at the right moment two lovely, plump young Maoris—-Margy conjectured they were probably on their way to town to get some refreshments--they fixed us up. Aren't they NICE! At the shop where we stopped to get another tire, the mechanic said reproachfully to Margy, "You took your mother over that road? Why shame on you!"

Ruth Crawford

Claremont, California

MOUNT COOK LINE "DOWN UNDER VACATIONS"

To get Mount Cook Line's new 52-page brochure, ask your travel agent or call (800)468-2665. Mount Cook Line has several products: Friendship coach tours, motor homes, and the Kiwi Coach and Air Pass. They are offering some new packages for Americans, including short—stay vacations, fly—drive options, farm stays, and "walking" vacations on several famous tracks in New Zealand.

NEW EASELAND

Three—year-old Bonnie Lawler and her sister, Samantha, five, accompanied us for the first two weeks of our recent visit to New Zealand (along with their parents, Mike and Pam). At that time Bonnie hadn't quite mastered the pronunciation of "New Zealand." It always came out "New Easeland." Even when John would try to correct her, she would say, "Yes, Grandpa, that's what I said-- New Easeland."

Finally Grandpa came to a realization: the little girl was right. It IS New Easeland. A land, "New" to Americans, where life is a bit easier——a land where one can "be at ease."

UNTIL NEXT TIME, KIA ORA