Just visiting

[Angus]

thanks again Tim. It was great and interesting to meet a member from so far away but with so many things much the same as home. We are loving your beautiful country and are continuing to have an amazing time in the south island

[Greybeard]

Once again I think how flipping good this forum is!   

[nimrod650]

Hi angus,
I've been to NZ a couple of times. Its such a fabulous place I don't know why the kiwi's bother coming over here.
Make sure you do the south island as well. the drive into Milford Sound is amazing let alone the sound itself. Queenstown and the glaciers are a must see.
Queenstown is a seriously beautiful place. If you are feeling suicidal you can do bungy jumps, lunatic jetboats or paragliding off the cliff.
Personally, I had a few beers and watched them from the restaurant.
There is an authentic French village just outside Christchurch that is worth a visit. (the locals will know the name) Apparently the French settled here before they realised the poms had invaded the place.
If you end up at Rocker Racers BSA rally in Dunedin and get pi$$ed you can roll down the world's steepest hill.
Dunedin is on the way to Invercargill where Bert Munro's Indian is displayed in a fruit shop.
The locals will let you know what to see anyway. There is nothing ordinary about the entire place.
cheers,  you will have a great time.

Oh, and keep a close eye on the daughter. I wouldn't trust a kiwi with my grandmother.

ifyou do any bungy jumps get off the bike first

[Angus]

Well I am home and what can I say. New Zealand is a really beautiful place and the people are so friendly and helpful. We had a fantastic time with many many highlights.
To anyone anywhere I would thoroughly recommend the country for a visit.
Only down sides :-
It is just so far away
& in the south Island the sand flies (thanks Greybeard)

Megan is now in California

[Greybeard]

...in the south Island the sand flys

As in there is sand in the air, or there are some flies known as sand flies?

[Rocket Racer]

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sandflies-and-mosquitoes/page-1
sandflies are tiny wee blood sucking things, also possibly known as midges? sort of like a mosquito but nothing like...
insect repellent is the answer especially for those with foreign blood.
They leave itchy marks where they have got you.

[Greybeard]

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sandflies-and-mosquitoes/page-1
sandflies are tiny wee blood sucking things, also possibly known as midges? sort of like a mosquito but nothing like...
insect repellent is the answer especially for those with foreign blood.
They leave itchy marks where they have got you.

God yes, midges. We have them really bad in the Scottish West Highlands. Tiny little things but teeth like a bulldog!
They can ruin a holiday.

[Rocket Racer]

I did a bit of googling and yes a sandfly is a tiny midge. Apparently Americans have a completely different set of names for them.
And they said, we only have harmless critters in NZ. Obviously not so as we have (admittedly australian) possums and sandflies 

So tourists beware you might need insect repellant and a car (to run over the bl@@dy possums)!
And Weka's (another flightless bird) can steal your fruit too!

[olev]

Rubbing fresh cow manure on your body will repel them.
(old greenie trick)
cheers

[muskrat]

Ah, that's why.

[kiwipom]

hi guys, yes they attack tourists more than locals, once you have a decent suntan the skin is a little too tough for the sand flies. there is spray/wipes and pills you can take that prevents the bites...(Rubbing fresh cow manure on your body will repel them) never heard of that one that's Olev's solution perhaps that is what aussies do instead of buying the spray or wipes, sounds like the cheap way out to me but Olev says it works so must be true, cheers

[Klaus]

May you have an other problem by meeting a horny bull 

My daugther Sonja told me that the harvest is sometimes disturbt by havy rain, so the could not bring in the Kiwis.

cheers Klaus

[Greybeard]

God yes, midges...

We were told that in olden times in Scotland a punishment for minor crimes was to be staked out naked to let the midges have their way with you!

[a10 gf]

going a little off topic :O) but... got trillions of midges here i N, can make humans run for they lives :O)
Here's some good writing > http://wildlifearticles.co.uk/midges-pests-or-saviours/

[Greybeard]

Here's some good writing > http://wildlifearticles.co.uk/midges-pests-or-saviours/

For anyone who hasn't experienced midges that should give you some idea of the hell that midges can be!