New Zealand AbD meets

[Mathmagicland]

Hi, or Kia Ora ! AbD is going to New Zealand! The Inaugural tour season is October 2021 thru April 2022.

Looks like there is a lot of interest in the new AbD New Zealand Adventure as a couple of them are already waitlist only & all early booking discounts are taken. I don’t find a NZ meets thread, so thought I’d get one started for people to share thoughts, ideas, and planning.

Who’s going to New Zealand and when? Any pre or post tour plans yet? Have you been before or will this be your first visit?

I’m on the October departure, currently planning two pre-nights but that might change as plans evolve and flights get booked.

 

[notaprincess]

I’m solo on the 1/24/2022. Planing to add a Lord of the rings tour. There are 9 more folks booked from a China AbD I’ve been on.
It’s a bucket list item for me, never been. Also my longest flight ever, 18h.
Really needed something to look forward to!

 

[chuff88]

My mom and I are on the March 14 departure! We’re so excited. We don’t have any pre- or post-tour nights booked currently but that might change.

 

[tink1970]

Hi, or Kia Ora ! AbD is going to New Zealand! The Inaugural tour season is October 2021 thru April 2022.

Looks like there is a lot of interest in the new AbD New Zealand Adventure as a couple of them are already waitlist only & all early booking discounts are taken. I don’t find a NZ meets thread, so thought I’d get one started for people to share thoughts, ideas, and planning.

Who’s going to New Zealand and when? Any pre or post tour plans yet? Have you been before or will this be your first visit?

I’m on the October departure, currently planning two pre-nights but that might change as plans evolve and flights get booked.

Enjoy! We were there on a cruise in March and it was a lovely, lovely place. I asked my DH if we could return but he wants to wait a bit to make that flight again, lol. I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Enjoy! We were there on a cruise in March and it was a lovely, lovely place. I asked my DH if we could return but he wants to wait a bit to make that flight again, lol. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Thanks! I was there many years ago, have always wanted to go back.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Thanks! I was there many years ago, have always wanted to go back.

We are going in March 2022---so looking forward to it!

 

[kerry annette]

We’ve signed up for February 2022....cannot WAIT! So many exciting activities on this one. We always enjoy arriving a couple days early, but nothing planned yet. I’m happy you started this thread!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Planing to add a Lord of the rings tour.

Nice idea! Our tour does not seem to include anything LOTR. Pls share what you find. I’d looked into some a few years ago for my son, shortly after the movies had come out as he was a huge fan. Might have to consider one here even though he’s not with me on this trip..not yet anyway, LOTR may up his interest level LOL. .

 

[2-pointdoe]

We are on the Dec 23 2021 - this is our egypt replacement. It will be our first trip there. The husband has one request and it is to go fishing for a day. I will be researching where the best fishing is to decide if we have pre days or post days. Since we are on the west coast the flight times are about the same as getting to Europe for us. I will be looking for something besides fishing for the daughter and I. She will be 14 then.

 

[Networth]

My wife and I our booked for the October 2021 inaugural trip as well. This trip is in lieu of our Greece trip this year that was canceled. We plan to do one or two pre days in and around Auckland. We are planning to go see “Hobbinton” during one of the pre days.

 

[ImprovGal]

I’m solo on the 1/24/2022. Planing to add a Lord of the rings tour. There are 9 more folks booked from a China AbD I’ve been on.
It’s a bucket list item for me, never been. Also my longest flight ever, 18h.
Really needed something to look forward to!

I'm solo on the 1/24/22 trip as well! I've been to Auckland before, but only for a few days as a stopover en route to Cairns for the Australia ABD in 2009. I've wanted to return and see more of the country, but kept thinking cruise. When ABD announced this itinerary and had a tour date starting on my (milestone) birthday, I couldn't resist!

 

[notaprincess]

Nice idea! Our tour does not seem to include anything LOTR. Pls share what you find. I’d looked into some a few years ago for my son, shortly after the movies had come out as he was a huge fan. Might have to consider one here even though he’s not with me on this trip..not yet anyway, LOTR may up his interest level LOL. .

I’m looking into redcarpettours. Dates are not out yet, but seem to follow the same pattern so far.
It’s quite far to travel there, so I might never get back.
If anyone has another suggestion of LOTR tour, let me know please...

 

[notaprincess]

I'm solo on the 1/24/22 trip as well! I've been to Auckland before, but only for a few days as a stopover en route to Cairns for the Australia ABD in 2009. I've wanted to return and see more of the country, but kept thinking cruise. When ABD announced this itinerary and had a tour date starting on my (milestone) birthday, I couldn't resist!

Sounds like a good birthday idea!
Looking forward to meet you!

 

[EllinK]

The husband has one request and it is to go fishing for a day.

My son would like to do fishing on a pre day. Please let me know what you find out.

 

[Mathmagicland]

I’m looking into redcarpettours. Dates are not out yet, but seem to follow the same pattern so far.
It’s quite far to travel there, so I might never get back.
If anyone has another suggestion of LOTR tour, let me know please...

Is it tour planning research if you binge-watch the entire Hobbit trilogy, to check out scenery? TNT ran all three last weekend: while I couldn’t watch all 10-11 hours of it, I did catch the first one and then a checked in to the other two from time to time, including the last several minutes of the third one with the return to Hobbiton.

Thanks for sharing this. I was thinking of a day tour out of Auckland, this company seems good with links to transportation options - Hobbiton Tours https://www.hobbitontours.com/

However, the Red Carpet Tours look amazing! And every one of the hundreds of reviews on TripAdvisor is 5 stars! I may have to rethink this. Their six-day north island tour aligns a bit too nicely with my AbD dates.

Decisions...decisions...

 

[Networth]

Is it tour planning research if you binge-watch the entire Hobbit trilogy, to check out scenery? TNT ran all three last weekend: while I couldn’t watch all 10-11 hours of it, I did catch the first one and then a checked in to the other two from time to time, including the last several minutes of the third one with the return to Hobbiton.

Thanks for sharing this. I was thinking of a day tour out of Auckland, this company seems good with links to transportation options - Hobbiton Tours https://www.hobbitontours.com/

However, the Red Carpet Tours look amazing! And every one of the hundreds of reviews on TripAdvisor is 5 stars! I may have to rethink this. Their six-day north island tour aligns a bit too nicely with my AbD dates.

Decisions...decisions...

The https://www.hobbitontours.com/ company is who we intend to use on one of our pre days in Auckland as well. They look very convenient and the pictures look great. I will admit I may be guilty of buying the box set of extended edition LotR movies right after I booked this trip in April and then binging them with my wife just as a refresher lol.

 

[Mathmagicland]

The https://www.hobbitontours.com/ company is who we intend to use on one of our pre days in Auckland as well. They look very convenient and the pictures look great. I will admit I may be guilt of buying the box set of extended edition LofR movies right after I booked this trip in April and then binging them with my wife just as a refresher lol.

I have that same box set & also plan to watch it once or twice before our adventure.

 

[ritravelgeek]

I’m solo on the 1/24/2022. Planing to add a Lord of the rings tour. There are 9 more folks booked from a China AbD I’ve been on.
It’s a bucket list item for me, never been. Also my longest flight ever, 18h.
Really needed something to look forward to!

Hi @notaprincess! Make that 10! My husband and I are off the waiting list, so we'll be joining @DollyM and the rest of you! Our other sister @Poohlie is coming too and suggested a LOTR tour as well.

 

[ritravelgeek]

I'm solo on the 1/24/22 trip as well! I've been to Auckland before, but only for a few days as a stopover en route to Cairns for the Australia ABD in 2009. I've wanted to return and see more of the country, but kept thinking cruise. When ABD announced this itinerary and had a tour date starting on my (milestone) birthday, I couldn't resist!

Where in RI are you? We're in SK and will be on the 1/24/22 trip too!

 

[DCPhotoGal]

My family is booked for the Dec 20, 2021 tour. My girls will be 18(!) and 16.