As I planned my first visit to the stunningly beautiful country of New Zealand, I knew that I wanted the freedom and flexibility to visit everything from the Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island to the vineyards in Hawkes Bay on the North Island. Because I didn’t want to waste a minute of my limited time waiting for buses or being constrained by a tour groups itinerary, I knew that I needed a New Zealand rental car to fully enjoy all that the country had to offer. What I quickly discovered was that the car rentals in New Zealand are not only affordable and convenient; they are ideal for exploring the vast array of sites on both of the countrys islands.
With a few keystrokes on my computer, I was able to reserve an economical car rental in New Zealand prior to departing on my journey. Because I was flying into Auckland, the company offered to have a representative pick me up at the airport to take me to the rental car office. I was picked up curbside right on time in the car that I was going to rent. I was amazed by the efficiency and grateful that I wasnt going to have to transfer my bags from one car to another at the office. The paperwork process was equally as seamless, as I merely had to show my United States drivers license, passport, and credit card. In less than one hour after arriving in Auckland, I was handed the car keys and on my way. With maps in hand and a full tank of gas in my late model New Zealand car rental, I was starting my independent journey to experience all that the country had to offer.
My first destination was the thermal city of Rotorua, 234 kilometers (145 miles) from Auckland. I must admit that I was a bit nervous the first few minutes of driving on the left side of the road, but within a short time. I was navigating as confidently as the locals. It certainly helped that the highways and roads were well paved, mapped, and signed, and that the vast majority of drivers were courteous and law-abiding. I was thoroughly impressed with New Zealand so far and pleased that I had chosen to drive myself rather than hop aboard a tour bus. Along the way, I stopped in a small town for a quick rest and a meal. I was really beginning to appreciate the freedom that my http://www.rental-car-in-new-zealand.com New Zealand car hire was offering me. Unlike an organized tour, I was able to stop, eat, and rest when I felt like it in the locations that I chose. That first evening I picked up some takeout fish and chips, settled into my modest motel room along the highway, and charted on the map my route for the next following days.
After a week of touring the North Island and thoroughly enjoying my New Zealand car rental holiday that had everything from farm shows to wineries and museums, I was ready to tackle the rugged splendor of the South Island. I had coordinated with the rental car company to drive my car onto the Interislander ferry in the capital city of Wellington. The rental car representatives booked the ticket, and the entire process was amazingly easy. Three hours after boarding, I had arrived on the South Island, drove my car off the ship and began the next leg of my journey.
Driving the less traveled roads of the South Island, I journeyed to national parks, explored the coasts, and even had some time to enjoy the cosmopolitan cities of Christchurch and Dunedin. As my memorable trip came to a close, I returned to the North Island and headed back to Auckland to drop off the car and head to the airport. The return procedure was quick, and the car hire New Zealand representative kindly drove me back to the airport.
My trip to New Zealand was the most memorable and wonderful vacation that I have ever experienced. I had the freedom to explore the country on my terms and time schedule. I was able to see more than just the main tourist attractions and had the pleasure of meeting many of the friendly and welcoming native New Zealanders. I honestly dont know if I would have appreciated as much of the unique culture, diversity, and stunning beauty of the country if I had spent my days on a tour bus. Thankfully, New Zealand is ideal for exploring by rental car and perfect for those travelers looking for a little adventure and a lot of fun. And, of course, I can hardly wait to return to New Zealand for another road trip! andcopy;
Archive for July 5th, 2008
The stunning, castle-like bed and breakfast formerly called St. Bernard’s Bed and Breakfast now has a new name. St. Bernard’s has added another business partner, changed its name to Arch Cape House, and is in the middle of other shifts in direction.
This fall, owner Barbara Dau joined forces with a new business partner, on-and-off Arch Cape resident Robert Shaw. The result was St. Bernard’s BandB becoming Arch Cape House and an array of other interesting plans.
The upscale lodging - just south of Cannon Beach, in Arch Cape - has a distinctive architecture, built to resemble something between a castle and northwest ski lodge. It boasts gourmet, home-cooked breakfasts, a wine social hour, and unique rooms filled with antiques.
The new name is designed to make it easier to remember and identify the lodging’s location, said Shaw. The new name also works better with their revamped website, www.archcapehouse.com, allowing web surfers to more quickly notice the location.
“There’s a new partner, a new website, and we just thought it was a good time to change everything,” said Shaw. “We’re just trying to really let people know where we are and that here they can get great food, hospitality and that unique architecture - all overlooking the beaches of Arch Cape.”
Dau and Shaw are planning other changes and additions, including wine tasting dinners, featuring local artists, cross promotions with other businesses and events in Cannon Beach, and a garden that will grow food for Dau’s legendary breakfasts.
Shaw is taking master gardener classes in preparation. “I want to grow herbs for our own food,” Shaw said. “So we’ll have organic foods for Barbara’s cooking. Hopefully we’ll get to grow more, like tomatoes and other vegetables too.”
New bungalows on the property are also in the planning stages, which would serve as vacation rentals.
Shaw comes from the fishing industry and the tech industry, most recently having worked with ATandT and IBM, installing telecommunications equipment and software. Shaw ran his own fishing boat business for 15 years, sailing between the coasts of Oregon and Alaska. In the 90’s, he entered the tech world. His experience includes marketing on the Internet and various kinds of business management, as well as telecommunications technology.
His family has been in the Arch Cape since the 30’s. His parents also run a small lodging there.
Shaw is bringing much of his tech and marketing knowledge to revamping the approach of many aspects of Arch Cape House. Shaw and Dau are looking at adding wireless Internet access. Shaw has already done much with their website, including a much larger presence on the Net and online booking for the lodging - which he says is currently responsible for a growing chunk of business at Arch Cape House.
The intertwining of promotions with other businesses has already begun. Arch Cape House has linked some lodging specials and packages with EVOO Cooking School in Cannon Beach and with Seaside’s Oregon Dixieland Jubilee on February 24 - 26.
Arch Cape House is on East Ocean Rd., just north of the Arch Cape Tunnel. www.archcapehouse.com. 800-436-2848.
For more on the Oregon Coast, the Cannon Beach area, or spring break on the coast, see http://www.beachconnection.net.
