Driving North Island in July

Was I being patriotic? Lol. You know what they say when you assume things ...

I got my round trip ticket for $325 USD. Tickets from my airport are usually $1600. Its probably not an ideal time to go but it beats sitting at home.

Thank you for your detailed response! It sounds like I will need to be very careful on the roads.

I'm going from Wellington > Taupo > Rotorua > Auckland!

Why do you think the airlines were offering such ridiculous prices a few weeks ago? Don't forget Americans have crap working conditions and often can only get holidays in July/August.

This is very, very incorrect... Most Americans I know have between 3-4 weeks per year and can go at any time they choose. And my work conditions are very ideal, but thanks for your "concern"... The USA doesn't have one of the highest GDP rates per capita for nothing ;)

This is very, very incorrect... Most Americans I know have between 3-4 weeks per year and can go at any time they choose. And my work conditions are very ideal, but thanks for your "concern"... The USA doesn't have one of the highest GDP rates per capita for nothing ;)

Probably not the place for a long discussion on industrial relations, however it is the case that annual leave provisions in most of the OECD are better than those provided in the US. Other factors matter too ... such as health care, superannuation, child care, parental leave, unemployment benefits, and so on.

But probably enough on this.

Between Taupo and Rotorua are 3-4 outstanding geothermal fields, some of which rival those seen in Yellowstone NP, and I urge you to dedicate 1-2 days getting between the two cities.

Having just come back from Iceland Im not sure how exciting geothermal fields are anyway.

I paid a lot more for a my flight to NZ than Rachel....

Ian....I'm hoping NZ'ers aren't as snarky as some of the comments you read on this site. As for American working conditions, why is it that so many NZ'ers and Aussies come to the USA to work. You really don't have to answer that because I know. It's definitely NOT because of bad working conditions.

I am only speaking from my experience. Lots of the Americans I host complain that they can only take 2 weeks holiday at a time and then only in July & August & are envious of the Europeans who get 5-6 weeks pa. I understand why Rachel would rather travel in July than not at all. As a NZer, I too have been caught with the "Europe in January or not at all" dilemma.

As for American working conditions, why is it that so many NZ'ers and Aussies come to the USA to work.

I don't know how many go to the US to work, but (a) it's not particularly relevant to the debate about general working conditions between countries, and (b) most of those Australians are going into high-tech or other highly qualified work - they are not average punters trying to be ... say ... a plumber or sales assistant at Wal-Mart.

Having just come back from Iceland Im not sure how exciting geothermal fields are anyway.

Fair enough ... they're not compulsory ... but they are very good, and a lot more accessible than those in Iceland (and Yellowstone too, if it comes to that).

Outside the geothermal thrills, the Tongariro Crossing is a major attraction between Wellington and Taupo, but unlikely in July.