Hi

I just completed the Grand Explorer from Auckland Dec 22 to Jan 6. I have done about 10 Contiki's. Here are just some random thoughts which might help you out. Not really a review but just some small stuff.

I was travelling by myself and started in Auckland. I arrived at 6am the day before the tour started. Every other tour I have been on has had a pre departure meeting the day before the tour. This is a good way to meet some people and go out the night before the tour. I was keen to go out as it was my only night in Auckland and it was Friday night. What I suggest is if you do the same get on the boards and try to meet up with people the day before. Lots of people stay at the Mecure and you can meet at the bar on the top floor of the hotel

This tour is the longest of the NZ tours. So every other shorter tour is part of this tour (Adventurer, Sun + Steam, Northern, Scenic Southern etc). So if you are doing a shorter tour you will be joining an existing group which can make it a little difficult as other are laredy friends. If you are doing Scenic Southern try to do it the dates where the Grand Explorer starts in Chrischurch, that was you are all starting together instead of joining a group that has already been together a week for the North Island

Auckland, the Viaduct area is very cool for bars, cafes and resteraunts. 5 min walk from the Mercure. I ate at Degree (best Garlic bread I have ever had and great Salt and Pepper calamaari)

Optionls - prices have changed from the ones you get from Contiki, they are all a little higher

Room - I got a single room. It was $600 more fo the 15 days but s worth it. If you have the extra cash it is worth it and alt of people wished they did it by the end. You just dont have deal with snoring, people coming and going at all times, bathroom times, and it is always nice if you pick up lol

Bay of Islands, best accomodation. The best Option is Explore NZ -- so new not even in the list of optional you get. $99 and you get a half day looking for Dolphins (we saw lots), lunch, hike on an island and then sailing.

Waitomo - Black water rafting is the best option for sure, not difficult and you see as many glow worms as the walking tours

Rotorua - do the Polynesian Spa, pay the extrat $25 and do the "Lakes" options. The thermal pools are much less crowded, nicer, and with great views of the lake while you relax in the spa's

Wellington - do the Blend dinner for sure, super cheap, great food and a great bar where you dance on the tables. All for $27. People also loved the Quad bike option, I did not do it.

Hotel - I thought it was a great Hotel Abel Tasman. Central nice room. However 3 of us on this tour got attacked by Bed bugs. Seriously I hace 92 bites on my arms and so did two others on the tour. Still gets me annoyed thinking about it as they took 2 weeks to go away completely. Room numbers 202, 203, 220

Christchurch - nice city, we just partied at an 80's bar called Boogie Nighs. Shooter next door is also a really good bar, younger with more modern music

Franz Josef - worst accomadation for sure. They have a new optional which is indoor ice climbing which was cool. Shower was the one where you push a button and 5 seconds of water comes out. Hot water ran out so fast as well. I recommend you take a shwer right away when you get in. Also if you press the button like 10 times really quick you get 20 seconds of water lol

Queenstown - one of my favourite cities in the world and I have been everywhere. I did all 3 bungy's. If you are going to do one just do Nevis the biggest one. It is just totally different than the other 2. Skydiving was awesome. Do it at 12,000 feet as this is the best priced option. Shotover Jet is cool and better than the Huka Jet as the scenery is better. Mad Dog river boarding -- this is the most intense scariuest thing I have ever done ... bungy, sky diving, diving with sharks, heli skiing, rafting are things I have done and is nothing compared to this. You have to be VERY comfortable in water, get ready to be pulled under water for like 10 seconds in a whirlpool without being able to get out until the whirlpool releases you, intense cramps in both your legs and some big rapids.

Milfred Sound - nice over night boat trip. Chill night as the bar closes at 10:30 and they are very strict about no bringing your own booze. So have a big night in Queenstown the night before. Sleeping is very close quarters so bring ear plugs.

Lake Ohau - very cool place, you should have a theme party here (we had a toga and bad hair party), lots of fun for your last night.

Awesome trip. Love Contiki. Let me know if you have any questions and I can try to answer them

Cheers

Naman

Good summary ...

Hummm what about Zorbing in Rotorua? Loads of fun ... you can fit 3 ppl in a HydroZorb !!

... or Canyon Swing in Queenstown? Freefall for 60m and just before you think you are gonna hit the ground, you go on a 200m radius swing. Scary as %#$^)% !!!

If you are daring, take a shower under the morning waterfalls during the Milford Sound cruise. Can you say $*&*#$& cold ????

Buffalo Club in Queenstown has a indoor open firepit and plays a variety of music from rock to hip hop ... Dance floor even has a pole ???

If the seas are calm on the Bay of Islands, do not take the EXCITOR boat ride ... it will seem more like a Sunday boat ride with the grandparents.

Some other comments in http://connect.contiki.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/428105522/m/867106343

and ... http://connect.contiki.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/428105522/m/783109482

- Vic

hey... thanks for your post...it is very informative... was just wondering, ive been looking at hotels and am considering the rendezvous hotel or the mercure hotel windsor since it looks like the mercure is completely booked... do you know if there is much difference for the mercure vs the mercure windsor?

also, any suggestions on what to bring? i.e. what kind of clothes, extra stuff that i wouldnt think about, etc... Thanks in advance!

Hi, this info is really helpful - thanks!

I'm booked on the Grand Explorer Auckland to Christchruch on Monday 23rd June 2008 (coming around quickly). I'm going to be by myself and i'm starting to wonder whether this is going to be ok - are there a lot of people by themselves?!?

Also, i'm now starting to thinki i may need to take warmer clothes than what i was intending - any thoughts / opinions on this would be grateful?!?!

Thanks again!!

Cool.. great advice ta. yeah i have a grand explorer coming up on april 12th 2008.. really looking forward to it. Travelling solo, i dont have a problem with it, just hoping that the other travellers will be pretty outgoing..

Hey Jo208uk. It will be late autumn early winter so warm cloths would be a good idea.

Explorer1088898 As for the hotels my friend stayed in the mercure hotel windsor and it was very nice and just around the corner from the mercure. It's in a great spot on Queen St.

Hi there

Both Mercure hotels are really close together, only about 50 meters apart or so.

I have been on like 10 Contiki's and about half on my own. I actually like it better on my own because youreally get to meet people, although my buddy who I travel with, we never sit next to each other on the bus. We both like to get to know other people. And you really get to know someone sitting next to them on a bus for 6 hours lol

Usually half the tour at least are travelling alone. You usually are BFF with some after a few day (Best Friends Forever lol)

Naman

Hey, very informative post, on the contiki from 28th sept to 9th oct 08 queenstown to auckland. cant wait!