Hi Samantha,

This is my first post on your message board and I'm a big fan of your show. I recently returned from six months abroad...a trip I had to take before starting grad school. Anyway, I spent six months backpacking around New Zealand and if you haven't been there yet YOU SHOULD! It was absolutely amazing. Words can't describe the relative concentration of NZ's geographic diversity or the hospitality of its people. I find myself trying not to rant about it too much because part of me doesn't want too many others to go. Right now the land is so unspoiled it really is like heaven on earth.

So that's my suggestion...if you can, do a show about NZ so others can experience it, if only on through the television.

From one New Hampshirite to another...safe travels!

Welcome to the forum!
I envy you!! I want to go to NZ so much!
I have a friend that is from there, so I would love to visit her. Oh, but backpacking in NZ.And for six months! Did you camp or stay in hostels?
How did you afford to do that? Do you have friends in NZ? what a dream trip!
Happy Travels!
LPT

Hi LPT,

If you like to hike, camp, or backpack you really need to go to NZ!

I knew if I was going to be there for six months and afford it, I had to be creative. I joined a website called HelpXchange and was able to connect with families who host travelers in exchange for around 4 hours of work a day. I helped plant and weed gardens, mow lawns, watch kids, walk dogs, muster sheep...and it didn't cost me a thing. Have you heard of the WWOOF program? It's a very similar concept. I did stay at hostels once in a while. Most are only about $15US a night. I also applied for a working holiday visa, so after about 3 months when money was dwindling, I got a job picking fruit at on orchard at the northwest tip of the south island. Definitely hard work but such a great experience.

I guess the point is, if you really want to go, you can do it for cheap. You just have to adapt and go with the flow!

Thank you so much for this useful information.
All this is new to me, so I will look into this for sure!
Working four hours a day even sounds good! Connect with the locals! Can you be any age to do this, or do you have to be a collage aged person? I'm a healthy middle aged woman on the go!
Thanks again!!
LPT