For the past several years, we’ve escaped the cold of upstate New York for a warmer location.    We usually drive somewhere within the continental United States, like Florida or Texas, which means I can bring a bunch of kitchen items including spices, a cast iron pan, my blender and anything else I think I might need. Hal organizes everything as he’s the packing guru.  We’ve had lively discussions as to whether our winter trips are a vacation.  I say they’re not because I still have to cook, clean, food shop and do laundry.  We’re always in a neighborhood, never in a lovely resort on the beach.  As far as planning?  We find an Airbnb rental in our price range and pack a couple of days prior to leaving.

Not the case in 2025, when we’ll take the most extravagant and complicated winter trip ever!  Our planning began in June 2024 for a trip to explore the south island of New Zealand and the east coast of Australia.  You know that joke about spending your children’s inheritance?

Hal’s spent hours and hours researching things to do in both countries.  I’ve spent hours and hours researching clothes, luggage and a wetsuit.  I plan to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, hoping I don’t encounter either Irukandji or Box jellyfish.  I can rent a wetsuit, but I’m  bringing my own because surveys say 90% of divers admit to peeing in wetsuits. The remaining 10% lie. I also have my Lord of the Rings locations guidebook, which I’m particularly excited about. 

In total, we’ll fly in 11 airplanes: Albany to Baltimore, Baltimore to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Auckland, Auckland to Christchurch, Christchurch to Sydney, Sydney to Cairns, Sydney to Christchurch, Christchurch to Auckland, Auckland to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Las Vegas and finally Las Vegas to Albany.  We’ve also booked a scenic flight in New Zealand.  I’m pretty sure I’ll wrangle a story or two from all those airports, airplanes and fellow passengers.

Additional transportation will include: four different rental cars, four types of water vehicles, a train and a partridge in a pear tree (gotcha).  Accommodations will include twenty-seven hotels or Airbnb rentals.  

We’ll share our awesome 66-day adventure and invite you to sit back, grab a drink and join us!!!