I was invited out here by Outdoor Interlaken. I’d never been to Switzerland before and as per usually didn’t read up on it. I booked cheap flights with Swiss Airlines from London City and off I went to Zurich. The 2 hour train from Zurich to Interlaken via Bern was rather painless. Second class seating in Switzerland is rather pleasant and I spent much of the journey looking at the scenery with the quaint houses with the carved wooden shutters. It really did remind me of the time I spent backpacking New Zealand.

I was set to stay at Balmers, which after much success over the years (they started in 1907) opened a Tent Village to accommodate it’s growing popularity. You can get off at either Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost, its equidistant to Balmers. I got a taxi but in retrospect you can walk it easy. Whether you are staying at the main hostel or at the tent village you still need to head to the main hostel to check in. Getting to the village is easy after that as you are presented by their friendly staff with a free bus pass to get around (there are two buses an hour in either direction). The vibe in the village is seriously chill. I did a daily triathlon of sitting at the bar, swaying in a hammock or looking at the cold mountains from the outdoor hot tub.

You don’t have to use your imagination here, I recorded a short video from the hot tub to show you the tent village and information about Balmers Herberge.

I really enjoyed my time here and the town has such a great friendly vibe. A lot of people breeze through on a tour bus but if you have the time stay at little longer. You’ll find the locals and the seasonal staff warm and friendly and it really does become a small world. On my final night here one of the hostel workers invited me to dinner at his barn (as you do) and I was genuinely sad to leave. Great town and excellent for adventure sports for those who can’t make it all the way to Queenstown, New Zealand.

Interlaken Top Tips

• Head to Outdoor Interlaken (one over from the Balmers Hostel) to book on to some incredible adventure sport activities such as Sky Diving, Bungy Jumping, Canyoning and White Water Rafting.
• There are a few pubs around Interlaken but the best nightlife is found attached to Balmers in the form of the Metro Bar and Nightclub.
• Visit the Top of Europe by heading to Jungfraujoch via either Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. A real swiss Alpine experience with stunning views.
• The surrounding areas of Interlaken are a hikers paradise. Take a quick bus to Wilderswil, hop on a train to Lauterbrunnen and follow the trail to see some stunning waterfalls.

• Interlaken is surrounded by two lakes; Brienzersee and Thunersee. Either one is scenic and ideal for a walk or a cycle.

• There is always a festival going on in Interlaken. In the three weekends I was there, there was a Rock Festival, Jodlerfest and a Monster Truck Convention!

Even if you’re good with heights there’s something about doing a bungy jump that will strike fear into anyone. I mean it’s not every day that you jump off a gondola suspended between two mountains over a lake. Well not normal people anyway.

On a recent trip to Switzerland I met the guys from Alpin Raft in Interlaken who invited me to try out their 134m/450ft bungy! I’ve mentioned a few times over the last couple of years that I have a fear of heights. In case you hadn’t heard I got stuck in a tree once. This was just yet another opportunity to face my fear of heights.

Someone once said they wouldn’t pay to do a bungy because the experience was over so quick. Well that person clearly hadn’t done a bungy! This isn’t like ripping off a band aid. The tension and anticipation builds up to one glorious moment, the jump. The experience here started when you arrive at Alpin Raft’s base in Interlaken. You’re greeted with a friendly beer to calm those initial nerves and then you’re off on a scenic drive to the Stockhorn Bungy.

Nestled in the Swiss Alps in the valley of Simmen is Ehrlenbach. From here you take your first gondola up the valley. As you see the valley floor tear away from you it suddenly dawns on you how high up you’re going.

When you reach the top of this gondola you’ll be confronted by the view below. Mount Stockhorn towers above you with the valley below culminating into a beautiful emerald lake.

Now hold your horses. The next stop is to get weighed and given your harness. Yes that’s right I said weighed. You jump in groups based on your weight and conveniently have it written on your hand for everyone to see. I found it quite amusing when some of the girls were trying to hide their hands!

I was in the first group that went up. The gondola chugs it way up towards the top of Mount Stockhorn and then stops half way directly above the lake. This is really happening. Not sure if it was a good or bad thing but I actually jumped towards the end. In our party were three guys who I guess could be adequately described as stacked jocks. They were giving it all the talk and bravado. As the bungy cord was prepared and we all waited impatiently, nerves started to fray and adrenaline was building. These jocks were in front of me and I could visibly see one of them shaking. Even better, it was actually a 5ft, 18 year old girl (who decided to do the jump topless) who had the biggest balls of the lot!

I watched around six people jump before me and finally I was up. It all happens so fast. I’d been so busy watching others jump it hadn’t quite struck me that I would be going out the door the same way. There’s not much time to think and that’s probably a good thing. In seconds I am attached, and walking to the edge. I just remember looking out the door seeing how far below the lake was and thinking “oh shit!”

All I hear is the words “It’s all you man” and then everyone in the gondola shouting 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….

Well I look ridiculous but I decided to film my bungy jump with my GoPro camera attached to my wrist. Yes you can now watch me scream like a little girl!

The adrenaline rush is immense! Combined with the blood rushing to your head there is a massive sense of euphoria as you bounce back up. After I calmed down a bit it was rather pleasant to just hang there upside down looking at the lake and mountains. You’re gently lowered in to a boat that will pick you up and take you to the shore.

One thing I will advise you is take munchies. The adrenaline will make hungry! They do sell snacks and hot dogs for after your jump. I wouldn’t advise eating anything beforehand though.

Alpin Raft has a photographer that casually hangs outside the gondola when you jump (better her than me!). She’ll take photos on two different cameras. One set as you jump out the door and the other as you fall and bounce back up. When she’s explaining how it all works listen carefully! Bungy photos are great if you jump correctly. I mean check out these examples. (Don’t get too fixated with the girls butt in the white bikini… not that I did…).

Great shots eh? You can purchase your own shots for 45 CHF. Well worth the cash for pretty memorable photos!

So what’s the damage for this. This jump will cost you 179 CHF. For thrill seekers this is a must if you’re touring Europe. Admittedly there are several sites across the world to Bungy but this is a rather unique and scenic jump. It’s well worth the money. Would I do this again? Hell yes! Maybe next time in a superman outfit….

This Bungy operates Mon, Weds, Fri and Sat at 16:15. Alpin Raft also offer a rather interesting and unique Glacier Bungy. I’ll have to put it down on my bucket list!

To book yourself on to this is easy. There office is centrally located in Interlaken.

Alpin Raft GmbH
Hauptstrasse 7
3800 Matten / Interlaken

info@alpinraft.com      Office
photo@alpinraft.com  Photo-enquiry

+41 (0)33 823 41 00

This jump was sponsored by Alpin Raft. Images courtesy of Alpin Raft.

The best feature of this book is the snippets of information contained in the ’TravelKnowIt’ blue boxes scattered throughout each chapter. The information contained within these boxes ranges from cost estimates for accommodation, food and transport for those seeking to travel in the ever-popular RTW destinations of Europe, Oceania and Asia; to essential hints and tips for the successful traveller. Perhaps more could be made of these sections within the book but their value is unquestionable and they cover all the key elements of preparation for any traveller seeking to maximise their RTW experiences with the minimum, cost and problems.

Of course, the pre:travel guide is not the most detailed travel book available out there. The huge range of information available for the would-be traveller and every individual planning their own personal and unique RTW trip will be looking for something different and, at times, a little more detail than this book provides on the key issues of the all-important planning of their trip. However, it is the simplicity and brevity of this book, with quick and easy links to all relevant outside information, websites and guides; that is most appealing feature of the pre:travel guide. One can imagine it as a well-thumbed and well-travelled book itself, in the backpacks (correct size and fit of course!) of thousands of RTW travellers.

All in all, if used correctly as a basic introduction -a starting-point for more in depth research – and as a quick and easy reference guide whilst on your RTW travels, then the pre:travel guide will be an invaluable aid for current and future RTW travellers. Sofia and Nathan clearly have a passion for travel and this is evident throughout the book and it is this passion, combined with their knowledge and experience which makes the pre:travel guide a very recommendable addition to any traveller’s planning process.

Interested in the book? Click here to visit As We Travel.

Written by GYE intern Charlie Smoothy

What further impresses in Kepnes book is the way in which his authoritative information is presented in a clear and accessible format but most importantly, it is presented in clear English and in a tone which is professional but not detached and with a knowledge clearly derived from personal experiences as a teacher and the experiences of his fellow professionals. Even more impressively, Kepnes addresses the reader directly, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge which actively engages the reader and adds a genuine sense of authority and authenticity to the book. It is clear therefore that the greatest strengths of this book lie in its simplicity and brevity, combined with the authors’ obvious experience and enthusiasm for travel combined with a real joy for teaching English overseas.

Finally, in its publication as an ebook, How to Teach English Overseas clearly presents itself uniquely within the market; particularly as the author details his email address in the conclusion thus ensuring a continual dialogue between author and reader enabling all those who purchase this book to benefit even more from his extensive experiences in the field. The book is perhaps more suited to the younger traveller/teacher rather than the retiree but this takes nothing away from the fact that it is undoubtedly accessible to all aspiring teachers abroad and should certainly be a definite purchase, if nothing else than for the author’s experience and contacts.

How to Teach English Overseas is therefore a very welcome and illuminating introduction into the complex and daunting process of researching and preparing for the new challenge of teaching English overseas. Its highly readable text is clear and easy to understand while remaining professional and ultimately constituting a must have guide for any individual who is passionate in their desire both to combine an ability to teach English with travel and an aspiration to experience new places and cultures. If you are interested in purchasing this book click here to view more details.

Written by GYE Intern Charlie Smoothy.

With surfing being synonymous to Australia, a three day organised trip up the east coast with Mojosurf was the perfect opportunity for me to embrace the national sport and learn to surf…

Five fifteen am and I am being woken to the sound of John Mayer – that’s my wake up alarm. I am not usually up at silly o clock but I had a 6.00am bus to catch. This was the Mojosurf bus that would be taking me six hours north of Sydney to Crescent Head for my first ever surfing trip. A little nervous, yes, but excited much? YES again. I was going to surf school!

I arrive at the pickup destination; Sydney Central station outside Wake Up hostel, Sydney. Parked up and pimped out, with a group of backpackers already waiting to get on was the Mojosurf bus. I’m welcomed by a beach-blonde, Aussie guy who has a sun tan that would make Paris Hilton envious. This was Ant, our driver; he couldn’t fit the Aussie surfer stereotype any better if he tried. This was when I was reminded of the hidden benefits of what comes with going to surf school… surf candy.

Being my first time on a backpacker bus I was pleasantly surprised. I wonder if the Greyhound will be as cool (and as clean) as this. Flashy blue lights illuminating the cabins, reclining chairs, pumping speakers and even flat panel screens to watch movies. I felt more like a celebrity on my way to a party where I would be rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s glitterati. However, my arrival destination couldn’t have been more opposite…

When we pulled up to Crescent Head we were immediately greeted by the enthusiastic and comical Matty, one of the instructors from Mojosurf. You could tell that Matty was a typical joker and someone who would always be up for a laugh. As I stepped off the bus I realised life at surf camp was very different to life back in Sydney, but one which I could easily become accustom to. A beach house, hammocks, beautiful sunshine, and pristine coastal scenery, do I need to continue?

After a swift and organised check-in, it was a quick change into wetsuits, which the instructors ensured were the appropriate size and fit for myself and each of the sixteen or so other surfer dudes, who were ready to hit the waves and learn to surf.

The surfing lessons tended to last approximately two hours each and were the perfect balance of top quality tuition and having fun. Within the first hour of my first lesson I was already able to stand on my board. Ok, so I did have some form of assistance and I may not have been standing for long but it was only my first lesson.

This was also when I was informed of Mojosurf’s, number one rule of surfing; ‘Look Cool and have Fun’. Fifty per cent of surfing is about looking cool and the other fifty per cent is about having fun. In the nicest way possible, Matty told me I needed to work on the former. When having a candid cameraman around capturing every moment, working on the ‘looking cool’ part suddenly became all the more important. If only he was good with Photoshop……

With surfing being such a hungry sport having a nutritious meal prepared for you becomes mandatory. You won’t forget the Mojosurf food. Mojosurf feeds their guests generous portions of scrumptious fresh, healthy and filling foods, to ensure everyone has plenty of energy for their next surfing session. Vegetarian or Vegan? Not a problem. Mojosurf have got it covered and cater for both on request as well as many other dietary requirements. They say eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, dinner like a pauper. Forget the latter two; you’ll be fed all three meals like a king if Mojosurf have anything to do with it. From breakfast, lunch to dinner, you are guaranteed to be well fed throughout your stay at surf school.

If you think the fun stops when the sun dies down and surfing lessons are up, think again. The evenings at surf camp are just as fun as the days. There may not be any clubs or bars in Crescent Head but there is the ‘Humpy’. Your guess is as good as mine as to why it is named this and who named it this. The Humpy is a camp fire surrounded with wooden seating, situated in an even more secluded area than the beach house, which is great as it means you can turn up the music and make as much noise as you like. Drink, relax and exchange stories on who caught the best wave and how much fun everyone had, in front of a warm fire and beneath a sky full of stars that look like the Milky Way.

Aside from the light from the fire and the stars its pretty much pitch black outside. This is when I realised the importance of bringing a torch/flashlight; a requirement for the surf trip that I had ‘forgotten’ to pack. However, thanks to my ‘Lighten Up Lipgloss’, which speaks for itself; a lipgloss with lights and a mirror, I was able to successfully navigate myself back to the beach house. Call me shallow for taking a lipgloss down to the Humpy but it definitely served a purpose and I now consider it a necessity for all future trips I go on.

Overall my time at surf camp was amazing and I couldn’t have asked for more. The instructors were incredible (guaranteed when they’re not in the water watching you, you’ll be watching them) and the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. When losing my pink diamante havaianas on my first afternoon I was most impressed how word got round that Cinderella had lost a thong and within an hour I had a replacement pair on my feet (thanks Nick & Brett). From learning how to surf, to leaving footprints in the sands on the most remote beaches, to making new friends and spending summer nights partying by a camp fire. Mojosurf provided me with one exciting and unforgettable trip.

Finally, when it comes to my actual surfing experience and time in the water, I may not have mastered the art in looking as hot as Cameron Diaz when she’s photographed surfing in the columns of Heat and NW magazine and I may not look as cool as Taj Barrow (one of the most famous Aussie surfers) when I’m on my surf board, but one thing that’s for sure is that I had heaps of fun. I wasn’t there for a long time I was there for a good time and that’s exactly what I had. Mojosurf, three words – ‘Living the Dream’.

Written by GYE contributor Hayley Woolf.

“I’ve been coming to the Bluesfest for 14 years, nine of them I have played. I always come for the whole five days and spend all day here listening to the performers, wandering around and buying clothes from the many stores.

Bluesfest is the best Australian festival. There is just something about being here in Byron Bay. It’s as if everyone who walks through those gates suddenly slip into Byron Bay mode. Everyone is on the one level of being chilled out and happy. There are never any worries. In my 14 years, I have never once seen a fight.” – Kasey Chambers

Kasey Chambers

Kasey Chambers’ enthusiasm was contagious as she took a break between songs to tell us how much it meant to her to play once again at the Byron Bay Bluesfest. She summed up perfectly what I had been thinking for the past two days as I too wandered the Tyagarah Tea Fields and listened to so many amazing and inspiring performers.

In a country where knocking back a few tinnies is the norm, especially at festivals and celebratory events, I was totally expecting to find many inebriated people stumbling around the fields, acting obnoxiously and getting into drunken fights.

I was so pleasantly surprised to see the total opposite. People were celebrating with alcohol, but it was all done sensibly and respectfully. I did not see one person misbehaving. Everyone was there with the intent to listen to their favourite artists from around the world and have a great time with those standing beside them.

Michael Franti

It was during the highly energetic Michael Franti concert that I found myself in quite a precarious position, and stood ready to feel the impact of a frenzied music worshipping crowd. Franti’s boundless energy threw itself into the crowd as he jumped, not just about the stage, but into his enthralled fans below.

I had managed to secure a position right along the fence, Craig was fortunate enough to be on the other side in the photographer pit below the stage taking incredible up close photos. I was not quite on my own; my growing baby poking out my stomach joined me.

I was, understandably, a little nervous with where I was standing and was ready to jump the fence should a frenetic crush ensue. My heart went into overdrive, when Franti jumped off the stage and came to hang off the fence right in front of me to greet those gyrating around to his music. I was ready to scale and thought I was in trouble.

Franti grabbed my hand in a warm welcome, and that was the only time I was touched during his whole minute standing with us. My personal space was not invaded; I was not pushed or shoved by those desperate for just one finger touch of the Funk God in front of us.

Franti in the crowd

This is the Byron Bay Bluesfest. Even the security guards were friendly, gentle and calm and actually worked with the crowd instead of egotistically trying to show their power of them.

The festival stuck out to me as being incredibly well organized. For a six day festival, with constant performances from noon to midnight on five separate stages, there is a lot that could go wrong, but didn’t. I’m sure that I will spend the next 14 years attending the festival myself.

Bluesfest Music

Byron Bay Bluesfest has now been running since 1990 and is responsible for kick starting the careers of many up and coming artist, including Ben Harper, who often talks of how it was this festival and Australia that helped bring him to the platform that he has now.

Xavier Rudd

As a result, he can pretty much be seen playing here every year, as can Kasey Chambers, Xavier Rudd, the now gaining-in-popularity Kim Churchill, and the sadly-missing from this year John Butler Trio and Jack Johnson.

Each year the Blues fest draws major headline acts from around the world. This year it was musical legend Bob Dylan and the six-time Grammy award winner John Legend, who absolutely blew me away with his stage presence and a magnetic performance that put him in a league slightly above the rest.

John Legend

The Bluesfest literally has something for everyone, which can be seen in the attendees both young and old, dressed in the styles that reflect all walks of life. It was so comforting to see many families with small babies attending having a safe and memorable family experience. Festivals don’t have to end when children arrive into your life. Bluesfest makes this possible.

The Bluesfest is not as the name suggests. You might be deceived into thinking that it is all about the urbane jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat typically found on the streets of New Orleans. Of course with acts like BB King you can find a lot of Blues artists on the stages of this festival, but it incorporates so much more and not just of the music genre kind.

The Bluesfest was responsible for catapulting Blues and Roots- a non-pop music style into the mainstream. Bluesfest continues to evolve and now incorporates surf culture, Latino Music, African music, rock, country, soul and political and environmental message artists.

I’m not a big Blues fan preferring more folk and roots music which features quite heavily over the six days and always draws big crowds. Kasey Chambers country music had me toe tapping especially to her cute Bluegrass renditions of classics such as “Beat it” and her own “Am I not pretty enough?” and when Wolfmother burst onto the stage, I was careful to place myself outside the vicinity of the hard-core young rockers thrashing about in the mosh pit. Although I could not help but bounce around a little once they closed out with “The Joker and the Thief.”

Wolfmother

The majority of the artists I watched were inspiring and uplifting and gave me an unforgettable music experience. How could I ever forget having the opportunity to stand with about five other people as my favourite Ben Harper warmed up for his set later that evening, singing to me my favourite song, “Gold to Me.” (Excuse me? Yes he was singing it just to me.)

There was only one artist I could say was unforgettable in its horribleness, sending a clear message that there comes a time in our lives when we have to let age open up a door to a new horizon. Bob Dylan proved that to remain “Forever Young,” it is best to let your fans remember you for the time of your greatness and not when you are a husky, barking dog turning classic hits into unrecognizable tunes.

Buskers, Food and Shopping

In a small tent on the periphery of the major stages, amongst the stalls, small crowds gather and dance to the inspiring tunes of the buskers scheduled to appear through the event. There have been many artists who started their careers this way, and some of the acts here may even be better than those performing on the big stage. The busking tent is a great way to fill in time between shoes and discover new artists.

The greatest thing about having this festival in Byron Bay is that you are bound to have a wide variety of eclectic food choices, including vegetarian. There was food on offer from every corner of the globe. If I wasn’t so busy attending to media duties and listening to so many great bands, I would have been wandering from stall to stall gorging on the delicious food on offer.

The vegetarian nachos stand acted like a magnet drawing me in for some of the simplest, yet tastiest bean nachos you could ever eat. What better place to eat it then next door sitting on hay bales at the makeshift café with a cup of coffee and the tunes of Indigo Girls playing in the background?

The limited free time we had was spent wandering the fields and exploring the many stalls and shops surrounding the stages. Kasey Chambers could not help but point out that her adorable stage outfit was bought from one of the clothes stores at the festival. In fact she told us she had already spent the same amount as the performance fee she received in the stalls. The shopping at Bluesfest is good, and you can find some really cheap deals.

Style

Bluesfest has style, but not in your usual clothes fashion sense. What makes Bluesfest so great is that it is not a catwalk opportunity for young fillies to strut their latest fashion wears. You can turn up wearing whatever you like and you wouldn’t receive a second glance. There is however one very important piece of clothing that you need to be seen wearing at the Bluesfest and is what distinguishes the novices from the regulars.

A pair of gum boots.

Not just any pair. You’ve got to make them as colourful and patterned as you can get. Make them stand out through the mud that will soon be caked all over them.

The weather is unpredictable in Byron Bay; the fields are emerald green for a reason. And with all those feet stomping through the sodden fields the mud starts to deepen and thicken. A pair of gum boots are the perfect accompaniment to a day at the Bluesfest.

There is a reason why Byron Bay Bluesfest has been recognized as one of the World’s best festivals. As Kasey Chambers says, there is just something about Bluesfest that is so magical. Where else can you have such a personal and intimate experience with some of your favourite artists from all around the world in a relaxed, peaceful and happy atmosphere? I can’t wait for next year and am now on the hunt for some pretty gum boots.

The Logistics

Where and When: Bluesfest is held every year over the Easter long weekend at the Tyagarah Tea Fields just outside of Byron Bay.

Accommodation: Book a long time in advance as this whole region will sell out quickly. The Bluesfest offer camping facilities surrounding the entire event area. This is for the young and the brave; it will be noisy, squashy, and muddy. My suggestion, if you are driving, is to stay on the Gold Coast in Queensland only about a half an hour drive away. That way you can enjoy more than just the festival.

Transport: Regular buses run from Byron Bay and nearby towns to and from the festival. If you drive there is ample free parking available at the event.

Cost: There are a variety of ticket options, ranging from single day tickets, to family packages, camping packages and full five day options. Starting at $159 for a single day ticket. Children under 6 are free.

Written by Caz Makepeace. Photography by Craig Makepeace. This post was sponsored by the Byron Bay Bluesfest.

The first thing I want to make clear is that Kiwi Experience and Oz Experience are not the same company. The experience is different and you shouldn’t base your opinion on whether to do Kiwi Experience on how you found Oz Experience.

Kiwi Experience offers transport options for independent travellers across New Zealand. The options are rather flexible with different tour lengths, regional passes, both island passes and start/finish locations (Auckland and Christchurch).

The Bus and Drivers

Now the bus is exactly what you’d expect; a big green coach! It’s clean and comfortable which it should be considering how much time you’ll be spent on the bus throughout your travels in New Zealand. More important is the bus drivers. Some drivers you’ll like and others you’ll love. For example, Ringo (keep it Ringo) was fun, loved his job and had a great taste in music. What more do you want from a bus driver?

Just a quick note to say stow away passengers will be caught…

I think what also impressed me was that two of our drivers were female. I’ve been on a considerable amount of tour buses and yet Kiwi Experience is the first operator that I have seen a female driver. Considering there is the same, if not more independent female travellers, why does the industry not reflect this with who they employ. So good on Kiwi Experience I say!

One small nuisance I found with Kiwi Experience is that you have a card ticket that you must keep safe (otherwise there is a charge for a new one) and there is no online booking for buses. However, having said that if you’re travelling round the world, looking after a ticket shouldn’t be too hard. Also, you can book your next bus through your driver. I did find that the call centre staff were incredibly helpful whenever I needed to change dates for buses.

Timetable

I noticed that a lot of people coming to New Zealand seem to have quite a tight time schedule (don’t know why, New Zealand is not to be rushed!). Luckily, the Kiwi Experience timetable is very frequent, even in winter, so that you don’t have to ‘waste’ time staying an extra night in a place just because there isn’t a bus the next day. Once piece of advice for travellers who book Kiwi Experience from home (e.g. UK) check with Kiwi Experience themselves on their timetable. There were instances where travel agents were using old timetables. Always contact Kiwi Experience to check, especially if you have flights to consider.

The People

A lot of tour buses have the reputation for attracting young drunks. With Kiwi Experience I actually found this not to be the case at all. On my first leg of my journey I spent a week with roughly the same group. The ages ranged from 18-28 and most seemed to be university graduates rather than 18 year olds who can’t hold their drink. It was by no means a party bus, not all the time anyway. We had big nights and then tame ones. Having said that on occasion we were split, some would chillout and watch a movie at the hostel and others would hit the town. Also a thing to note is that people had a various personal budgets. Some nights people would go out for dinner and others would cook themselves. There was also a mixture of solo, group and couple travellers. There is no specific stereotype who go on the Kiwi Experience bus.

This is the legend that is Les. You’ll meet him at Lake Mahinapua for steak and an amazing fancy dress night!

Furthermore I lived in Queenstown for quite some time so regularly got to see the tour buses arrive daily. This is of course a generalisation but one in which I base on having seen various groups; Kiwi Experience always came across as the more fun and sociable bus. Sure they may have been louder but I’d rather be on a bus where there’s the option to party hard and abstain than have no option at all.

Accommodation

Your hostel accommodation is entirely down to you and they can be pretty flexible as to where they drop you off. I’m predominantly a fan of the small independents rather than the big chains. Base hostels can be found throughout New Zealand and you could be staying there quite regularly throughout your trip. If you do plan on this be sure to get yourself a Base Jumping card which allows you 10 nights accommodation in any NZ Base at a discounted rate.

My personal recommendations for Hostels are:

Auckland – Verhandahs Backpacker Lodge (Great if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle)

Taupo – Taupo Urban Retreat (Lovely owners with great communal areas)

Nelson – Fern Lodge (Great pub with amazing food)

Westport – Bazil’s Hostel (Amazing kitchen, fat cat and cosy homely feel)

Wanaka – Base (One of the nicest Base hostels I have stayed in)

Franz Josef – Rainforest Retreat (Hot tub, oh yes!)

Lake Mahinapua – Mahinapua Hotel (One of the best nights you’ll have)

Queenstown – Nomads (Sauna. Need I say more?)

Kaikoura – Lazy Shag Backpackers (Warm friendly hostel and the log fire goes a long way)

Bay of Islands – Base Pipi Patch (Excellent base to explore Paihia)

Route

Kiwi Experience offers various different passes that include north and south island passes or combos that start and/or finish in Auckland or Christchurch. I myself did the Top Dog pass which starts in Christchurch, does a loop around the south island and then heads top the Bay of Islands, finally finishing in Auckland.

One thing I will never been able to comprehend is travellers who only do the north island. It’s nice up there but really has nothing on the south! For me the highlight has to be west coast of the south island i.e. Nelson to Queenstown. You’ll stop at places like Lake Mahinapua, Franz Josef and Wanaka. This is accompanied by gorgeous coastal drives and stops by places of natural beauty. I’d actually rate this journey over the Great Ocean Road in terms of scenery.

Activities

The best thing about the Kiwi Experience is that everything is so ‘easy’. Even for a veteran solo traveller sometimes it’s nice just to be driven somewhere and then told your options. By booking through your driver you do get discounts on activities too. Don’t worry you’re not compelled or pressured in to do any of the additional activities. If you did them all you’d certainly be broke, so budget carefully. New Zealand in general has so much to offer for example; Sky Diving, Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, Snowboarding, Glacier Hiking, Ferburger eating, Rock Climbing, Quad Biking, White Water Rafting and Whale Watching to name but a few! It’s reported that prices are slightly cheaper on the north island so it’s worth planning and budgeting for the activities you want to do.

If you go through Waitomo be sure to check out the GlowWorm Caves. After a fire ravished the old visitor centre an award winning new one was built in it’s place! You can explore these caves by doing black water tubing but if you’re not up to it, a cheaper and less energetic method is to do the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour. The caves really are extraordinary. The caves have the feel as if your in a cathedral of sorts but naturally formed by the rock. After a short walk through the caves you are taken on a gentle boat road to explore the caves. My camera really wouldn’t do it justice but looking at the ceiling of this cave was like looking at the night sky but with thousands of glowworms instead of stars. It’s a rather remarkable sight to see.

The Best Free Stuff

As part of your tour you will stop off at various points to see places of interest or natural beauty. Here are my personal favourites.

Lake Mahinapua

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

Lake Matheson

Lake Dunstan

Price

The price for these tours are competitive in the industry and good value for solo backpackers. When I was in New Zealand the Kea pass, which covers both islands, was on offer at $389. This is normally $874 so some quick math tells me that’s 55% off. This is an absolute bargain! Kiwi Experience is known for running offers regularly such as buy one island and get a second island free. If one of these offers come up be sure to jump on them. Very good value for money!

Verdict

Short answer: go for it! I have some very fond memories of the big green bus and the places it took me. I made some fantastic friends many of which I am still in touch with. It’s convenient, good value for money and if you are on a tight schedule you can be assured you don’t miss the best bits New Zealand has to offer.

Have you been on Kiwi Experience? Let us know your thoughts!

This tour was sponsored by Kiwi Experience.

Queenstown, New Zealand is fantastic place for adventure sports and activities. There’s lots to choose from but most seem to opt for Sky Diving and Bungee. Have you properly considered Paragliding?

There’s a few companies that operate around Queenstown, and prices are near enough exactly the same. So how do you go about choosing a company to Paraglide with? Or better yet should you Paraglide in the first place?

I went along to experience Paragliding for the first time with Coronet Peak Tandems. It’s a surreal experience. Standing at the top of Coronet Peak, strapped to what is effectively a giant kite and running off a mountain! I hadn’t mentally prepared myself for it but it’s not something that you should worry about. You just listen carefully, run and keep going and suddenly you’re Paragliding!

Coronet Peak is such a great launch site. Flying above the ski field you get a birds eye view of all the skiers and snowboarders. The views from up there are stunning and it’s rather peaceful flying around above it all taking in the view of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Hayes.

The flight was rather scenic and just before we landed the pilot asked if I wanted to do a spiral. The experience was great; the drive up the mountain, the scenic views, when we flew through a cloud but the best part for me personally was the spiral. Swinging left and then pulling a hard right, we go into a spiral. The ground is spinning and blood rushes in my head as we pull 3G’s. I thought it was awesome. If I had known that the stunts we’re so good I would have asked for it earlier! Obviously, this is optional. If you just want a scenic flight then you can do just that.

Would I recommend Paragliding and does it offer value for money? I would certainly recommend Paragliding, and relative to other activities that you can do in New Zealand the price is good. As I mentioned before there are several companies that offer Paragliding from Queenstown so why go with Coronet Peak Tandems? The higher you launch from the longer your flight. Simple really. I had a brilliant experience, my pilot was friendly and explained everything. Picked up and dropped off from Queenstown. Simple, engaging and most importantly, fun!

Coronet Peak Tandems also do Hang Gliding during the summer. If you’ve done either or both, feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

This activity was sponsored by Coronet Peak Tandems.

The most important thing to me is my readers, without you guys the site wouldn’t exist but a man has to eat! I always try to ensure that advertising and sponsors don’t impede on your experience here at Gap Year Escape. That being said I still want to thank some of the sponsors of Gap Year Escape.

If you want to sponsor Gap Year Escape or work together please contact us.

Treble Cone is 35 minutes from Wanaka and 90 minutes drive from Queenstown. Standing at 2088m it offers a great mixture of slopes and some rather challenging black runs.

As I step off the Kiwi Discovery Ski Link bus it really dawns on me; it’s winter and I’m on a mountain! I love hot weather but I’d trade it in for this kind of scenery. The view alone from the top of Treble Cone is worth a visit in itself.

I’m booked on to a 3 Day First Timer Burton Learn to Ride Package. At $400 for 3 days; which includes 4 x 2 hour lessons, full day lift passes and quality Burton gear, it’s one of the cheaper ways to learn to snowboard in New Zealand. Treble Cone is also a Burton Learn to Ride (LTR) Centre. Coupled with the Burton clothes rentals I got from SnowRental in Queenstown I am ready to roll.

Personally, I think the three day package is spot on. Day 1 has a lesson on the beginners slope in the morning and the afternoon is free time. I did a bit of snowboarding in the afternoon but to be honest I was working muscles I didn’t know I had so I didn’t do much. The package does include a scenic pass up the ski lift and a free drink so I just enjoyed the view. Day 2 is a morning and afternoon lesson and day 3 is just a morning session. I think this set up is perfect for beginners as I found I was shattered on the first day and on the last day I just needed to go on my own way and practice in the afternoon.

Learning to snowboard initially can be quite frustrating. The thing I found most difficult was standing up! Not the best way to start but trust me it gets much easier. I was surprised by how quickly I improved, even on the first day. I think this comes down to the instructors. Treble Cone has an exceptionally high standard when it comes to the instructors and they don’t make it easy to get a job teaching there. You can be rest assured you’re being taught by some of the best.

I really do think that it would be a shame for anyone to come to New Zealand during winter and not try snowboarding. From my experience, if you’re a complete beginner I would strongly recommend at least two days of lessons, three if you can afford it. Two days of lessons had me comfortably doing green runs but by day three I was trying blue.

Why pick Treble Cone over another mountain? It’s an interesting question. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are popular due to their distance to Queenstown but does that necessarily mean they are better? Not at all. Treble Cone is a great place to learn. If you are already a snowboarder and come to Queenstown on holiday I would urge you to make a trip to Treble Cone. I honestly believe you’ll be converted.

What’s wrong with snowboarding at Treble Cone? I guess the main concern is the distance, perfect from Wanaka but not so close from Queenstown. Still even though the driving times are longer I think it’s worth it.

All in all a great experience. Loved the instructors at Treble Cone. They were such a friendly team and they taught me well. Will I continue with Snowboarding? Hell yeah I will! I really did get the bug for it and I am considering doing a season somewhere else.

I now count myself a snowboarder; 50% more attractive and 75% more cocky…

This post was sponsored by Treble Cone, Kiwi Discovery and SnowRental.

Let’s give you a bit of background. Franz Josef is a 12km Glacier located in Westland National Park on the west coast of New Zealand’s south island. Franz Josef terminates 19km from the Tasman Sea and 300m above sea level. It is one of the few glaciers in New Zealand still growing. Franz Josef is a major tourist attraction on the West Coast. A quarter of a million visitors a year can’t be wrong!

Franz Josef Glacier Guides offer five options:

• Glacier Valley Walk
• Half Day Glacier Experience
• Full Day Glacier Adventure
• Ice Climbing
• Heli-Hike

The company really do well to offer various packages to suit different levels of ability and cost. I went along on the Full Day Glacier Adventure.

There was a large group doing the full day and we were split into five groups. One being for those who were the fittest. You should know by know that I always like to do things the hard way. However, due to a pre-existing injury I was advised against going into group one. This actually worked to my advantage. I ended up in group three which meant that the pace was rather comfortable and I had plenty of time to stop and take far too many photos! If you are concerned about your ability or not sure which option would be suitable just pop into their office. They were really helpful in discussing it all with me.

The initial walk is through the valley which is rather easy and the excitement builds as you draw closer to the looming glacier. There is a slightly steep climb right before the Glacier but it really didn’t cause anyone any trouble and you go at an easy pace. Just before the ice, you stick on your crampons (spikes that go on over your boots) and then you are away!

It’s strange to be in such an environment. One minute you are walking on rocks and the next you feel like you are in Antarctica. It’s not as difficult as you might think. Wearing the crampons makes it relatively easy to get around on the ice. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some incredible photos which are all the more impressive with the stunning ice backdrops.

Our guide was pretty good at reading the group. We never rushed but we didn’t hang around either. He was also particularly knowledgeable. I wasn’t deliberately being a pain, I just had a lot of questions like an inquisitive five year old. He was able to answer everything I threw at him.

Is this tour for you? If you can walk then yes it is. I loved it and I also love the photos I have from the trip. I would highly recommend the Full Day Hike. Our guide pointed out where the Half Day Hike went to. Although you get to reach the ice you definitely get better value for money doing the Full Day. So unless you are strapped for time, the Full Day hike is a must.

This trip was sponsored by Franz Josef Glacier Guides.

Sorry, I clearly get defensive about Fergburger and my habit. I’ve been here just shy of a month and had one nearly every day. I did cheat on Fergburger the other day to have a pizza instead. I felt more and more guilty with every slice. So what is Fergburger I hear you ask? Gather round children and let me tell you a tale.

Fergburger is one of those fairytale ‘rags to riches’ type affairs from a back alley burger joint to main street success. Global giants such as Burger King were unable to compete with the might that is Fergburger. As an individual with a business background I can’t help but be impressed and totally suckered by Fergburger, their success, brand and how they operate.

Fergburger is open 21 hours a day, has an incredibly efficient kitchen and lovely ‘fluffers’ to keep you entertained while you wait. Each time you order a burger you know it will be just as good as the last. All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. The only way it could be fresher is if they kept Bambi in the back. They also cater for different dietary requirements and have a wide variety burger options. My personal favourite is the Codfather (It really does make an offer you can’t refuse), but frequent the Bun Laden from time to time.  I would like to set a challenge. Can anyone eat the ‘Big Al’ and chips? Seriously if you manage this please leave a comment because you deserve a medal or a cookie or something.

Fergburger’s burgers are great but this isn’t just about the food. Fergburger is an experience, a rite of passage. Remember when you were six years old and you went to McDonalds for a Happy Meal? It was the most exciting thing ever right?! Fergburger is like that for adults! Whether you wake up in the morning and crave a breakfast burger or stumble out of World Bar with the munchies, Fergburger is always a good idea.

When you travel to New Zealand one of the things that always gets mentioned is Fergburger. I heard about it months before I got here and it really does live up to the hype.

As for my addiction I am willing to go with it until I leave Queenstown. Then we might have a problem. I’ll be kicking and screaming not to get on the bus. I mean look at the picture, I am far too happy. I think an intervention and a twelve-step programme are in order…

Written by Amar Hussain: Writer. Traveller. Fergburger Addict.

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like cute little penguins?! I’ve seen Happy Feet and Surf’s Up dozens of times and the idea of watching these little guys storm a beach really appealed to me. There are quite a few operators who run the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour, but Bunyip Tour’s Moonlight Express Tour has a rather nice twist. Let me give you a breakdown.

After about an hour’s drive you stop for a welcomed refreshment stop and can take a nice stroll along The Nobbies boardwalk and also enjoy views of Seal Rocks. Now believe it or not Seals are kind of hard to spot. You could be staring at a rock… or is it a Seal? Definitely a rock. Ok that rock just sneezed. What?!?

You have two options with the Penguin Parade; normal seating or pay an additional $11 for the exclusive viewing area. To be honest I would say save your $11. If you get there early enough, grab a spot on the first seating area, at the front on the right hand side. That’s the best piece of advice I can give you, although you will get a decent view wherever you are sitting. Also, the other reason I wouldn’t pay for the exclusive viewing area is that once the cute little penguins have waddled their way on to the beach they head towards their burrows. Head back to the boardwalk and you can see them up close and personal. I was so close I could have picked one up (trust me, I was tempted).

Now here’s what really impressed me with this tour; the lantern-lit night walk at the Moonlit Wildlife Conservation Park. I’ve been to a lot of national parks on my travels but to visit one at night is a different experience altogether. Armed with a lantern and food you take a steady walk round the park. The highlight would have been when we saw a pair of Tasmanian Devils. I’ve never seen them so active before! We also got to see and feed all types of animals such as Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Bettongs and Quolls.

Would I recommend this tour? Yes I would. Would I recommend it with Bunyip Tours? Even more so. The Penguin Parade was great but the unique selling point for me would have to be the conservation park at night. It wasn’t rushed at all, everyone got plenty of time with the animals and it’s minor but you didn’t have to pay extra for feed like some other places.

This isn’t for a particular type of tourist. Our tour bus was a mix of travellers and families. One final piece of advice would be to ensure you wrap up warm! It gets pretty cold sitting on the beach waiting for the Penguins with the ocean breeze.

Bunyip Tours operates numerous tours in Victoria. Check out my Neighbours Tour and Wilsons Promontory reviews too.

This tour was sponsored by Bunyip Tours. Images courtesy of Bunyip Tours.

Does she have the solution amongst the pages of her eBook?

Twitter For Travelers echoes exactly the same characteristics of a tweet; short and sweet. That isn’t to say that there isn’t much to the eBook. On the contrary there is an abundance of useful information, tips and advice contained within. This eBook really does cover Twitter for different types of travelers such as business, backpackers, expats and those who are just on their vacation.

I’ve actively been on Twitter for six months and would have considered myself a member of the Twitterati. This eBook has made me distinctly aware that I actually know very little about Twitter.

Let’s get straight to the point. Is the eBook worth $7? I think eventually you would muddle through how to use Twitter to aid your travels. Having said that, six months in and after reading this eBook I have quite a few applications to try, lists to follow and resources to check out. If you are new to Twitter this eBook is definitely for you. Not only does it cover the set up, but also how to get actively involved and using the tool to your advantage (it has the potential to save you a lot of time and money). One thing I liked especially is that it highlighted good Twitterquette (I am not sure if that is a word already but I am copywriting it now). User etiquette on Twitter can be lacking sometimes. Twitter Karma, as Christine calls it, can either be cruel or kind.

Twitter For Travelers can be purchased here.

You should also check out Christine’s website Almost Fearless or follow her on Twitter @almostfearless.

I’m stood in the cage peering out into the ocean when suddenly it appears. It started off as a shadow and slowly developed into the incredible creature that has survived 16 million years of evolution. The Great White Shark is incredibly casual and majestic as it stalked towards us. It’s scary to think that the shark can sense my heartbeat and would be feeling it quicken as it got closer. They can sense one billionth of a volt. It certainly knows I am there.

It was phenomenal to watch the shark chase the bait as it widened its jaws merely a metre away from where we were. You’ll feel an incredible adrenaline rush as you watch it clamp down its jaws with thousands of pounds of pressure. Even though you are in a cage the viewing gap is big enough to give you the sensation that you’re not in one. You can’t truly appreciate a Great White Shark until you have been down there with them.

Would I recommend this tour. Yes, yes and yes! The day tour lasts approximately 12 hours and it’s an enjoyable journey out past the Neptune Islands. You won’t just see sharks but scores of dolphins and even seals. The ship is very comfortable, friendly crew and the hostess really outdoes herself. You’ll be incredibly well fed throughout the day. The seafood platter was a rather nice touch.

At the end of the trip there was a customer feedback form and I honestly couldn’t suggest any improvements.

Now you’re probably wondering what this all costs and therein may lie a problem for some. At $495, this day tour is certainly not the cheapest but you have to look at the bigger picture. Do you get value for money? Personally, I would say so. There’s only a few places in the world that you can dive with Great White Sharks; Australia, South Africa and Guadalupe Island. At $495 this type of tour is actually very cheap compared to the competition. Look around on the internet and you’ll see many other operators that start at $3000.

This tour is rather accessible. You don’t have to have a diving certification and you don’t have to wear a tank either. The group was a mix of young travellers, backpackers and even a couple who were celebrating a 40th birthday. Due to the price tag this type of tour may be out of reach for some budget travellers or backpackers but I think I would rather have done this and forego some other tour or a few nights out. Was certainly worth it and experience you won’t soon forget.

Easiest way to get to Port Lincoln is to fly, unless of course you are driving through. Flights are reasonably priced from Sydney and Melbourne, and fly via Adelaide. I’d recommend booking a flight online with Qantas. Port Lincoln lacks any hostels and cheap accommodation options are slim . I stayed at the Pier Hotel (+618 8682 1322), which was clean, quiet, overlooks Boston Bay and is a short taxi away from where the tour departs.

This tour was sponsored by Calypso Star Charter. Images courtesy of Calypso Star Charter. The Pier Hotel offered Gap Year Escape industry rates for the duration of stay.