N e w Z e a l a n d help - 1 month Trip on June 1

[River_Rat]

Trip: New Zealand
Time: Start June 1 - 1 month long (New Zealand will be Dec.)

Why:
Always wanted to and am graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Who:
Got my bro, whom is graduating high school at same time - we are both high energy river rats, up for tons of adventure and having a good time.

What*:
Heli Mountain biking
Skiing
Backpacking
Surfing
Scuba Diving
Sailing

* I realize that it will winter there, but have not done much research to find out how feasible heli mountain biking will be - are the long epic-like downhill trails covered in snow by mid December (New Zealand December).

Any insight would be appreciated, in respect to activities which would be feasible during this time. Is this something that should really wait for New Zealand fall or summer? One semi-constraint is committing to a job and the company leeway for later start date.

I have saved up money from working with Schlumberger, and have decided that i will pretty much have to pay for my brother (he is going to pay me back). Small price to pay dont you think, to spend this time with my brother (damn near best friends) before we end up taking unknown paths in life. I can foresee myself in my middle age really regretting this if i chose not to do it.

Anywho, appreciate any input.

[Rat]

[QUOTE=River_Rat]Trip: New Zealand


I have saved up money from working with Schlumberger, and have decided that i will pretty much have to pay for my brother (he is going to pay me back). Small price to pay dont you think, to spend this time with my brother (damn near best friends) before we end up taking unknown paths in life. I can foresee myself in my middle age really regretting this if i chose not to do it.

QUOTE]


your a smart man.

[Smoke]

Check these guys out. http://avast.*************/

They seem to have the right idea.

[blacksheep]

Hmmmm... if you plan to goto NZ on June 1st then you are arriving mid winter. I just spent June/July there and the winter was very very mild... not much snow.

I did a fair amount of outdoor activites:

Snowboarding, Hiking, Sea Kayaking, Bungy Jumping, Black Water Rafting, Sand Boarding, Beach Buggyeeing.., Dolphin Swimming, Flying... blah blah blah...

You can do pretty much anything year round in NZ, it is the adventure capital of the world. My advice is to buy the lonely planet and checkout what you want to do and how much money you have.

Winter is also a good time to hire a motorhome. We got a 4 berth (Shower/toilet) for NZ$50 a day. In summer they are $250.00 a day.

Another good option for a motor home is to do a relocation deal. This means you relocate the vehicle from one place to another. It costs stuff all to do this as you are doing them a favour...

Oh yeah, make sure you checkout the mince pies... and lattes.

For surf advice checkout www.lovelyplanet.co.nz. My mate runs this surf school in the summer, but if you email him and ask nicely he will be able to tell you where to go.