It is 6 weeks since I left the US of A and Canada, and it is raining, so I have taken the opportunity to put together an update of the tour and to tell you something about the sights, sounds and scents you will experience in the two weeks you are on tour. First, though, I will try to explain why I visited North America and what was accomplished.
The most important thing was to meet as many people as possible, so that past, present and future participants in tours to NZ and Australia could put a face and personality to the name on the promotional material, to meet, greet, talk to the many friends made on previous tours, revisit old times, discuss new opportunities and where possible, visit their place, to 'promote' the current tour, get additional ideas to add to the itinerary from an attempt to ascertain your requirements and interests.
There were two disappointments:
One, lack of time meant many opportunities could not be taken advantage of as time simply did not allow discretionary social discourse (wow, how is that for modern marketing jargon), and secondly, it was unfortunate that a misunderstanding meant that I was unable to have more time on the programme at the ABF meeting in Nashville and that because the US has a different video system to NZ, there was insufficient time to re-record the videos (2) on NZ beekeeping I had with me (that plus cost, locating suitable monitors, space, etc).
However I did meet lots and lots of very interesting people, many of whom expressed considerable interest in the tour. Indeed the USA/Canadian visits were from a marketing perspective, highly successful.
The success of previous tours and an even better product on offer for 2000 assured us that we had indeed put together the tour of the Millennium and depending on which side you stand, it could be the Tour of the 20th or the 21st Century (I happen to think it is the tour of the 20th century, as the new millennium starts 2001).
The one negative that arose was that the pamphlets did not make it clear that the tour cost was all inclusive with the exception of the lunches on the 2 free days in Queenstown. All coach, entrance fees, meals including lunches, accommodation, airfares from LA and Vancouver are included in the TOTAL PACKAGE.
The exceptions are departure and airport taxes, communication and bar charges, etc - all those personal costs you may incur during your stay and in particular 'prezzies' you acquire throughout the trip. There are no changes to the current route, but there are additional visits enroute.
To mention a few:
I have also a couple of surprises and I plan to drive our route this winter to look for those special places for picnic lunches, 'leg stretch' breakes and other nooks and crannies to delight the eye, tickle taste buds and other sensory organs.
A few things you should know:
Do not
Currency: NZ $1.00 = 53.54 cents US. So you will have a favourable exchange rate (I predict by 2000, NZ $1.00 = 58 cents US). Hotel accommodation is comparable to USA. I would suggest our motels are superior, usually being fully equipped with kitchen, living and separate bedrooms. Roads are similar to USA country roads, our national roadways beyond the cities are not as good but with the exception of the Northern leg, roads will be a lot less crowded. NZ drivers are notorious for their selfishness. Our car fleet is dominated by small - medium Japanese marques. Trucks tend to be Japanese, with large tractor units predominantly US marques (Kenworth, Mack, International, etc).
Shops are friendly places and I will steer clear of the more expensive "tourist traps". All major credit cards are accepted, travellers cheques are easy to cash and electronic banking, EFTPOS (electronic cash transfer by card) is in most shops.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are readily available and in most towns, tap water is safe to drink. NZ wine is world famous and there are some exceptional meads to be found. NZ has a great range of beers and non-alcoholic beverages to cater for all needs plus we may find time to stop at McDonalds, KFC, etc, occasionally, but only if you are suffering extreme withdrawal symptoms.
Throughout the trip, I will introduce you to local cuisine, and I hope you will explore these delights with NZers you meet as fine food and conversation cements friendships across all cultural borders.
Last but not least, there comes a time when commitments must be made, forward bookings confirmed and optional extras arranged. We would therefore request that you complete the enclosed questionnaire and if you are able to commit, send a deposit to me ASAP. Refunds will be undertaken less expenses incurred for financial exchange charge but these will become more difficult by departure date. A deposit of US$500 per person is required preferably before 30 September 1999. We will attempt at all times to cater for late inclusions and all optional extras. Communication is a vital ingredient to success. Be specific if you can and we will endeavour to meet your requests. If it is not possible, local knowledge will be useful in communication options or alternatives. It is our job to make your tour an unforgettable pleasurable experience (some tours are unforgettable for the wrong reasons) with fax machines, telephones and the 'net'. The word is communicate and we, Jo Page and myself, with the assistance from Lois Bauer, will endeavour to make this the tour of the millennium.
Handy tips and essentials
You will need adapters for any electric's you bring. NZ has a 240 volt, 3 pin system.
Check with your phone company re: international transfers for mobiles, redirecting and roaming (remember your adapters).
You will need Health Insurance. NZ has an excellent public and private health system, but it is not free to international travellers.
There will be a mobile phone in the coach at all times plus a tandem pocket phone. The number is 64-25-937 153 (the first digits are country code, second digits mobile carrier, six digit number is the actual phone number).