| As I planned my first visit to the stunningly beautiful | | | | beginning to appreciate the freedom that my New |
| country of New Zealand, I knew that I wanted the | | | | Zealand car hire was offering me. Unlike an organized |
| freedom and flexibility to visit everything from the | | | | tour, I was able to stop, eat, and rest when I felt like it in |
| Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island to the | | | | the locations that I chose. That first evening I picked up |
| vineyards in Hawkes Bay on the North Island. Because | | | | some takeout fish and chips, settled into my modest |
| I didn't want to waste a minute of my limited time | | | | motel room along the highway, and charted on the |
| waiting for buses or being constrained by a tour | | | | map my route for the next following days. |
| groups itinerary, I knew that I needed a New Zealand | | | | After a week of touring the North Island and |
| rental car to fully enjoy all that the country had to | | | | thoroughly enjoying my New Zealand car rental holiday |
| offer. What I quickly discovered was that the car | | | | that had everything from farm shows to wineries and |
| rentals in New Zealand are not only affordable and | | | | museums, I was ready to tackle the rugged splendor |
| convenient; they are ideal for exploring the vast array | | | | of the South Island. I had coordinated with the rental |
| of sites on both of the countrys islands. | | | | car company to drive my car onto the Interislander |
| With a few keystrokes on my computer, I was able to | | | | ferry in the capital city of Wellington. The rental car |
| reserve an economical car rental in New Zealand prior | | | | representatives booked the ticket, and the entire |
| to departing on my journey. Because I was flying into | | | | process was amazingly easy. Three hours after |
| Auckland, the company offered to have a | | | | boarding, I had arrived on the South Island, drove my |
| representative pick me up at the airport to take me to | | | | car off the ship and began the next leg of my journey. |
| the rental car office. I was picked up curbside right on | | | | Driving the less traveled roads of the South Island, I |
| time in the car that I was going to rent. I was amazed | | | | journeyed to national parks, explored the coasts, and |
| by the efficiency and grateful that I wasnt going to | | | | even had some time to enjoy the cosmopolitan cities |
| have to transfer my bags from one car to another at | | | | of Christchurch and Dunedin. As my memorable trip |
| the office. The paperwork process was equally as | | | | came to a close, I returned to the North Island and |
| seamless, as I merely had to show my United States | | | | headed back to Auckland to drop off the car and |
| drivers license, passport, and credit card. In less than | | | | head to the airport. The return procedure was quick, |
| one hour after arriving in Auckland, I was handed the | | | | and the car hire New Zealand representative kindly |
| car keys and on my way. With maps in hand and a full | | | | drove me back to the airport. |
| tank of gas in my late model New Zealand car rental, I | | | | My trip to New Zealand was the most memorable and |
| was starting my independent journey to experience all | | | | wonderful vacation that I have ever experienced. I had |
| that the country had to offer. | | | | the freedom to explore the country on my terms and |
| My first destination was the thermal city of Rotorua, | | | | time schedule. I was able to see more than just the |
| 234 kilometers (145 miles) from Auckland. I must admit | | | | main tourist attractions and had the pleasure of |
| that I was a bit nervous the first few minutes of driving | | | | meeting many of the friendly and welcoming native |
| on the left side of the road, but within a short time. I | | | | New Zealanders. I honestly dont know if I would have |
| was navigating as confidently as the locals. It certainly | | | | appreciated as much of the unique culture, diversity, |
| helped that the highways and roads were well paved, | | | | and stunning beauty of the country if I had spent my |
| mapped, and signed, and that the vast majority of | | | | days on a tour bus. Thankfully, New Zealand is ideal |
| drivers were courteous and law-abiding. I was | | | | for exploring by rental car and perfect for those |
| thoroughly impressed with New Zealand so far and | | | | travelers looking for a little adventure and a lot of fun. |
| pleased that I had chosen to drive myself rather than | | | | And, of course, I can hardly wait to return to New |
| hop aboard a tour bus. Along the way, I stopped in a | | | | Zealand for another road trip! |
| small town for a quick rest and a meal. I was really | | | | |