A fool's journey

Depart from Portland on February 3 for Auckland, NZ
Arrive back in Portland March 30 via LAX from Tahiti, French Polynesia

List of Possibilities so far:
1. New Zealand:

A. North Island
Auckland
Waitangi (Bay of Islands): for Treaty House, note: National Holiday is February 6
Waipoua: for giant Kauri Tree
Great Barrier Island
Wautoma Caves
Rotorua: for Waimangu Hot Springs, Wharkarewarewa thermal and geyser area, and California redwoods
Whakaari (White) Island (in Bay of Plenty)
Lake Taupo
Tongariro National Park: for Mt. Ruapehu and Huka Falls
Napier: for Totura tree at Gwavas Station
Wanganui: for Kiwi birds and Rata (strangler) tree in Bushy Park
Wellington

B. South Island
Marlborough Sound
Kaikoura: for whales
Christchurch
Oamaru: for blue fairy penguins
Dunedin
Queenstown
Fiordland National Park: for Milford Track, Routeburn Walk, Greenstone Valley Walk, Sutherland Falls, and Milford and Doubtful Sounds
Westland National Park: for Mt. Cook, Fox Glacier, Franz Joseph Glacier, Tasman Glacier, and Copeland Track

2. French Polynesia
A. Tahiti
B. Moorea
snorkel the reefs
C. Bora Bora (only maybe)
D. Marquesas (possibly)

After making this preliminary list, a route for NZ is shaping up: Auckland, to Northland (Waitangi), then back to Auckland. Then fly to Christchurch, and loop through Fiordland and Westland National Parks, then work my way north, back to Auckland.

My next issue to solve: arrange for storage of one bag in Auckland, while I am in New Zealand. It will have my wet suit, fins, and mask that I will only need once I get to French Polynesia. Airport lockers typically have a 30 day limit. So perhaps I will try to arrange this with my first night stay in New Zealand. I may check with the airline to see if they offer a luggage storage service at the airport.

posted by Evan @ 10:30 PM