Yes, we bought the ticket. As much as it was an impromptu decision by my parents, both my brother and myself have gone through various website to find the best connection at the cheapest rate. Considering the
- transit time,
- the limitation of baggage and items to bring (since we pass by Australia),
- the opportunity to layover,
- the 2 small kids in the group,
- the number of days in New Zealand,
we have decided if it is not too much difference, a direct flight from KL to Auckland would be the best options. Plus, my brother has enough miles point to at least give him one free seat if not two. So a direct flight we chose. And my parents, without much delay and further thinking, straight away went to the travel agent to buy the tickets for all 10 of us...
Once the ticket was purchased, it was time for us to decide where to go. So we have approximately 14 days in NZ. We fly in and out from Auckland.
So these is in the ball right now :
a - to drive all the way to South Island (cons : too much time spending in the car driving, the high cost when crossing the sea from North to South Island)
b - to stay a couple of nights in Auckland then take a flight to Christchurch for the rest of the days
c - do the b, but go to the South first and stay in Auckland on the last 2 days.
d - concentrate on the North Island (hmm... we read that the south is much better than the north though)
And we put our highlights here - more or less our priority:
- Milford Sound
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Rotorua
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Hobbitton
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch and Auckland
- Wellington
- Dunedin
So looking at the list, we seemed to priorities the South Island but there are places to strike off from the list. More readings required in order to finalise the itinerary.
As an avid planner, I am extremely excited on planning the trip than the destination itself... ooh.. there goes my days in the next couple of months... to set the itinerary.
