No wonder they fell in love with this Yank!!! 
Of all the trips I have, all the countries, cities, States, towns the place that made the most lasting impression on me was New Zealand. The combination of the beauty of the country and the friendliness, not to forget the sexiness, of the people were unbelievable.
I took this trip in 1972 and in those days when I traveled it was first class all the way--I was met at the airports by a private car, stayed in the best hotel suites--I had the money and the time--why not?? If I recall correctly the trip starting in Memphis and ending there cost me about $7,000--have no idea how much it would cost today--maybe Donna, when she has time, can get an estimate. :O)
For some reason I have kept the trip ticket--the only regret (sorry Peter) I have is that I would have spent less time in Australia and more time in New Zealand. One day I would like to go back to NZ, rent a car and travel from the North of the country to South.
Saturday, July 15--depart from Memphis to Dallas.
Monday July 17--depart Dallas and arrive in Honolulu--stayed at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (still there, Dale?)
Thursday July 20 Departed from Honolulu and arrived in Papeete--stayed at the Royal Tahitian Hotel--too far from town
Saturday July 22--spent the day on the beautiful island of Moorea where I had lunch at the Bali Hai Hotel--went to Captain Cook Bay and Pao Pao
Monday July 20 Went to Bora Bora and went on an excursion on the lagoon in a glass bottom boat
Thursday July 27--flew to Auckland, New Zealand and stayed at the Logan Park Hotel. On Friday I went across the Harbor Bridge to Fisherman;s Wharf, then continued to the summit of Mt. Eden and finished motoring to the War Memorial Museum and that evening going to Queens Street and seeing a musical.
Saturday July 29--arrived in Sidney where I stayed in the King's Cross hotel in the equivalent of New York's Greenwich Village--over the next few days I saw the Parliament House, St. Mary's cathedral, the Wentworth House for tea and to the beaches of Bondi, Tamarama and Coogee.
Wednesday August 8 I arrived in Cairns where I stayed at the Siesta Motel (at that time the best place there and that's not saying much!) Went on an 18 mile cruise, vivited the underwater observatory and had lunch on Green Island. Next day went to see Barron Falls and Stoney Creek Falls. Went to the Atherton Tablelands, the Mareeba tabacco area, the Tinaroo Falls, the Crater Lakes and the Malanda Jungle--some of the most breath taking scenery anywhere.
Sunday August 6 I flew to Melbourne where I was checked into the Southern Cross hotel--I found this city to be way too staid for me.
Wednesday August 9 I flew to San Francisco and two days later I was back in Memphis.
I still have 2 lamb wool rugs that a guy I had met in Auckland sent to me--very long story short--I met many memorable people along the way and, of course, hit ALL the gay bars along the way.
In Sidney I went to a 'drag' bar--now remember this was in 1972--where they put on a WW2 show with Andrew Sisters, Betty Grable, etc., impersonators who sang LIVE--I believe I was told they spent $10,000 on the production and it showed--everything was first class.
All in all a great trip and Americans were loved everywhere I went (at that time)! People all over had a tremendous curiosity about the USA and I was treated royally.
I WANT TO GO BACK TO NEW ZEALAND!!!!
7 comments on Facts Leading up to 2/29 New Zealand/Australia
Add a comment
To add comments without entering your email and image verification, you must be logged in. Login or Join Blogster
What great memories! You were a handsome devil, I must say.
Who I am to argue with the facts???
What do you mean 'WERE"?? I am now a distinguished handsome older devil!!!
Well, Martin, I'll do my best! Roundtrip airfare between Memphis and Auckland would be around $1200-$1500 (economy/coach), depending on airline, days of travel, etc. I believe first class would be in the vicinity of $12,000 or $13,000 for the same roundtrip route.
I know the Royal Hawaiian (Honolulu) is still there, a Sheraton or Starwood property, I believe. I'll bet a room rate might be around $300-$400 a night. (This hotel is going to close completely for complete renovations and won't re-open for at least a year.)
The Royal Tahitian in Papeete is still there, too (maybe $200 a night?)
There is a Bali Ha'i in Moorea, it's possibly the same one. Clients of mine stayed at the Bali Ha'i that I'm thinking of and I think they may have paid about $200 or a little more per night.
The Logan in Auckland is definitely still there, I think the price is in the low $100's per night.
The Southern Cross in Sidney is there....it's known as being in a pretty seedy area (drugs, prostitution, etc.). If it's the same one, it's about $100 a night, but there are rooms for under $80.
The Siesta Motel in Cairns....I'm not so sure about this one. There's a Quality Inn or some other chain hotel with the name Siesta in it in Australia, but it may not be the same one.
The Southern Cross in Melbourne may have rooms, but I think that's the place that turned into a big, partying nighclub or dance club, one of those multi-plex type of places. It's supposed to be "the" party place or something like that.
Just the airfare alone should give you an idea of what a trip like that today would cost. Package it up and maybe you could save a few dollars, but it's still quite pricey.
If I could afford it, I know I would do it! That was a great trip you went on!
Since you visited New Zealand, they cut down the last tree, dammed the last river, ate the last fresh fish, sprayed insecticide over every city, and herbicided the last weed. The southern glaciers have melted back so far you cant find them, the top of Mount Cook fell off, the religious right is on the upsurge, they've started banning books, the climate has worsened - it now rains every day and the wind howls constantly... still want to go? After twenty years in New Zealand, I spent my last hours there in late November, that's summer. Freezing in ski gear, soaking from torrential rain, terrified that something would happen and I'd not be able to get out! Ahhhhhh the relief to be airborne and see those wretched little isles disappear over the horizon. If i never return it will be too soon.
Woow, New zealand And also Australia are still on my list (as well as many other destiantions like Florida and so...)
Memories are wonderful, but according to the above New Zealand is no longer that magical place you hold so dear in your memories. Time can be a healer as well as a destroyer.
You hunky yank, you!
thanks for the memory.A hunky wank,sorry Yank that you are?