Best and Worst of NZ

The Best of NZ (and 2 worsts) compiled by Gayle with input by everyone.

We have spent the last few days compiling a list of the best things we have experienced in the past 7 or so weeks of travel.  It's a long list, so I don't imagine many of you will read it through, but for us it was fun to relive some of the many wonderful experiences we have shared.  

None of this would have been possible without the meticulous planning of my sweet husband Bob.  How he even knew how long to stay, where to go and how to put it all together is beyond me, but I love him for this great talent he has!  (and for many many other talents as well)

I also want to say that at the top of my personal list of "the best of" is Pat and Marty Miller as traveling companions!  What a treasure to have friends who are so easy to travel, laugh, eat, and adventure with!

So, here is our list:

Best way to meet people in a motel - set off the fire alarm while making toast

Best Balcony - Paihia Copthorne

Best B&B hosts - Bev & Barry

Best Family experience - Pip & Phil Dymock

Best view from the room - Queenstown

Worst beds - Queenstown condo

Best snack food - Chili Lime Soya crisps

Best flat white- "The last one I had, or the next one" Marty. The Blah, Blah, Blah Cafe, Pat. "The first one I had", Gayle. "Is a flat white the same as a long black?", Bob. 

Best communal kitchen -  Milford Sound

Best Kayak Experience - Milford Sound (Pat & Marty)

Worst Kayak Experience - Milford Sound (Bob & Gayle)

Best Fish & Chips - Bully Hayes, Akaroa 

Best Alternative Accommodation -  Aguapackers in Abel Tasman Park

Favorite Bird - Tui

Best Breakfast - Gerri & Marty Farmstay hosts

Best Travel Bargain -unlimited one week bus/train/ferry pass Sydney

Best burger - Fergburger, Queenstown 

Best Savory Pie - Fergs Bakery, Queenstown 

Best cookies - Anzac

Best Farm experience - picking citrus in Gisborne/Dymock Sheep farm

Best Picnic Spot - Nugget Point in the Catlans

Best Curiosty - The Giants House in Akaroa

Best Museum - Koury Museum

Best Timing - getting out of a ticket in Wellington (policeman was writing a parking ticket and felt sorry for us)

Best Winery Visit - Sileni winery, near Napier

Best Waterfall - Lady Bowen in Milford Sound

Best Motel - Top Ten in Papamoa Beach

Best Farmers Market - Matakana, near Warksworth 

Best Wildlife experience - Yellow eyed penguins at Curio Bay

Best City - Sydney (o.k., this is in Australia, but still part of the trip)

Best Hike - Hooker Vally, Mt. Cook. Runner up is Abel Tasman track

Best Connection with people - Abel Tasman Aquapacker hotel

Best grocery store - New World 

Best Sauvignon Blanc - Stoneleigh 2013

Best Red wine - Jacobs Creek

Best beer- Monteith golden lager (Pat), Dark beer made by lady in Christchurch (Gayle), Monteith black (Bob)

Best supermarket - New World 

Best cheese - kahurangi creamy blue

Best purchase - chilly bin

Most exotic meal - kangaroo 

Most scenic drive - road to Mount Cook

Best rain storm - Fox Glacier (3 days nonstop)