# Going to New Zealand in 2 weeks - suggestions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 5, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249 "2004-11-05T20:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/41 "2004-11-11T04:23:06Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > Calm Kiwi, I’m ashamed of you. The tunnels and gun emplacements pre-date WW1; they were built in the early 20th century, amid fears of a mounting Russian naval presence in the Pacific and possible invasion - at least, until the Japanese effectively kicked their arses in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05. Actually, the fortifications and gun emplacements date not from the 20th century at the earliest, but from the 1880s. ---
**Author:** ![Iceland\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@Iceland\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iceland_Blue)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/42 "2004-11-11T10:24:37Z")
> [@Ice Wolf](#): > > Just seen a recommendation from a Kiwi messageboard for Whakarewarewa in Rotorua. Have to admit, that gets a thumbs-up from me, too. Now trying saying it three times quickly 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/43 "2004-11-11T11:28:12Z")
> [@Ice Wolf](#): > > Actually, the fortifications and gun emplacements date not from the 20th century at the earliest, but from the 1880s. I hate it when I’m wrong. calm kiwi, I stand most humbly corrected. Ice Wolf, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/44 "2004-11-11T11:41:15Z")
Hey **Middlecase** I was more wrong (except I did know that…I was just being thick when I said WW1/2). My wrongness does not take away from the awesome view and “eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! a tunnel” moments though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/45 "2004-11-11T12:49:42Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Hey **Middlecase** I was more wrong (except I did know that…I was just being thick when I said WW1/2). > > My wrongness does not take away from the awesome view and “eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! a tunnel” moments though. 🙂 calm kiwi, long time no see. Yeah, that and the smell of pee. No, wait, we’re supposed to be encouraging him. {Blam Blam Blam: There’s no urination in New Zealand/ And no micturition in our holes./ Yes, there’s no urination in New Zealand/ We’re all clean Kiwis deep down in our souls. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/46 "2004-11-11T15:44:22Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > {Blam Blam Blam: There’s no urination in New Zealand/ And no micturition in our holes./ Yes, there’s no urination in New Zealand/ We’re all clean Kiwis deep down in our souls. Heh, heh! _That_ had me chuckling! Cheers, **Middlecase**! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/47 "2004-11-12T08:31:08Z")
> [@Ice Wolf](#): > > Heh, heh! _That_ had me chuckling! Cheers, **Middlecase**! 😃 Sadly, a Kiwis-only reference, I fear. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/48 "2004-11-12T10:39:37Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > Sadly, a Kiwis-only reference, I fear. …for today, **Middlecase** , I’ll remember your smile… Congrats **Dooku** on deciding to visit New Zealand! Although I haven’t done it, I must reccomend jumping off the Sky Tower!!! Its not everywhere that you can jump off a building taller than the Eiffel Tower! [http://skyjump.co.nz/skyjumpbackground.html](http://skyjump.co.nz/skyjumpbackground.html) Apart from that, the other Kiwi Dopers have pretty much given you the best of the touristy things to do around town…its a shame you can’t fit in a trip to Wellington, a visit to Te Papa would be a must! [http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapa/](http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapa/) …and of course, King Kong spotting is a fun game that Wellingtonians are playing at the moment…I was shopping at my local supermarket, and in the background, they were filming scenes on top of a whole lot of containers!!! If you do make it down this far, pop into the Wainuiomata Golf Club on the weekend, and I’ll shout you a beer! Seek out DB Export Dry, my favourite reccomendation for a kiwi beer… Enjoy your trip! ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/49 "2004-11-12T10:41:00Z")
All part of us educating the rest of the world, mate! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/50 "2004-11-12T10:42:53Z")
The above response meant for **Middlecase** , but I reckon it fits much o’ this thread. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/51 "2004-11-12T10:51:12Z")
Goddamn I’m homesick now! Just as well this is the North Island not the South island or I would be really sad. I plan to win the Freedom Air competition. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/52 "2004-11-13T20:00:51Z")
_my one final bump_ Thanks for the advice everyone - I’m off! ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/53 "2004-12-12T10:22:49Z")
OK, now **calm kiwi** has turned up alive and undismembered, where is **Dooku**? He should be back by now - inquiring minds want to know grisly details! ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/54 "2004-12-12T11:04:25Z")
> [@Primaflora](#): > > Goddamn I’m homesick now! Just as well this is the North Island not the South island or I would be really sad. Yeah me too. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/55 "2004-12-16T20:51:42Z")
I LIVE!!! 😃 Actually, I’m swamped at work since I’ve been back, and am leaving again for the Holidays, which will slam me at work again when I get back. I know I owe you guys a trip report - rest assured one is coming when I get time. Some quick things to tide you over: • I learned very quickly not to order a mixed drink. Those were some tiny pours. Luckily I discovered Speight’s Gold. Monteith’s was also very good. • Although you can buy a Sprite at the store, if you order a Sprite at a restaurant, it’s not a Sprite, it’s more like flat generic lemon-lime soda. For some reason, you call this lemonade, although it ain’t lemonade either. • Driving on the other side of the road was quite a challenge. Just when I thought I’d gotten the hang of it, I’d turn on the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal. :smack: • I almost got killed looking to the left and then stepping in front of traffic. • Your Savingnon Blanc is the best I’ve ever had in my entire life. Too bad I will probably not be allowed back on Waiheke Island (More later on that one). • The book “Way of the JAFA” is hilarious. • Allowing pedestrians to cross diagonally is a really good idea, one I can’t believe hasn’t been adopted in the more busy intersections in San Francisco. • P-Money rocks. So does Fast Crew. • As near as I can tell, cricket games go on indefinitely. Happy Holidays everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2004, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249/56 "2004-12-18T10:21:19Z")
Cricket tests only go on indefinitely if we aren’t playing Bangladesh. Or Australia {Sigh}. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-new-zealand-in-2-weeks-suggestions/273249.md?page=2)