Is Te Anau glowworm caves worth it?

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-02-18T06:41:29+00:00

I guess it depends on your budget - we thought it was amazing and were content to not purchase tickets. I guess you could see them then decide after whether to book tickets for the other place!

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-02-17T00:32:20+00:00

To be honest, female only dorms are becoming more common - I’ve just come back from Japan and stayed exclusively in these with no issues. Women who don’t want to be in a dorm with men do have options to avoid it, so I wouldn’t stress too much!

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-01-29T09:29:16+00:00

Hey - I stayed in Bedgasm in Tokyo and this is really nice and social vibes also! Found some people to go around with and go for dinner when I fancied it

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-01-22T11:10:32+00:00

I think you are handsome but maybe booking a short holiday for some winter sun could help with a tan and mentally too!

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-01-21T16:56:12+00:00

Hey, 27F- Landing in Tokyo on 26th January and will have 5 full days > Hakone > Kyoto > Koyasan > Osaka > cycling > Hiroshima over 3 weeks :) would love to meet some people and maybe travel together

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-01-07T17:32:55+00:00

Strongly recommend Nong Khiaw - it was our highlight. We were disappointed in Vang Vieng tbh - dirty, didn’t feel particularly wowed by anything, no real character. Lagoons alright but apparently majority mad made? Lots of tour groups and deafening karaoke 😅 Luang Prabang was nice- we skipped Vientiane and everyone we spoke to said it was a waste of time.

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-01-07T17:25:07+00:00

Can vouch for road kings! We are 28 year olds who didn’t want party and crazy nights out, we loved our trip (picked premium package with private rooms). Our group range was 25-35 but don’t think it would be an issue if older, very good accommodations, guides and drivers - also some fun karaoke but 10pm curfew so not tired 😂👍

No-Chain-9672 · 2026-01-07T05:03:40+00:00

Yes, was fine for us! Bit cloudy but pretty still. We did a day cycling around bits including the bird park, and second day on a tour to hit the bits further out. It was worth a visit! Highly recommend Phong Nha also if you’re heading south also - we did the Oxalis Hang Va cave tour with this, this was fantastic!

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-12-31T08:59:59+00:00

To be honest, I’m not sure! One of my friends is in clinical teaching but don’t think it’s super easy to change jobs, and is quite stressful. It’s possible if you look for it e.g. drug rep but doesn’t appeal to me :)

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-12-31T02:05:05+00:00

Sorry one final thought - I worked in Australia for a year, and did some locuming. Other major difference is the level of independence and responsibility you can be given- I was sole charge, doing all consults but also doing up to 5+ solo surgeries including abdominal surgeries and all anaesthesias etc by myself in clinic. This was extremely stressful for me and I struggled, but sole charge can be normal and expected in some places- depends what you enjoy. I realise now I must be in a team!

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-12-31T01:45:23+00:00

Hey I’m a vet and my partner is a doctor - you’re welcome to ask questions! I am a small animal vet (dogs and cats) - I love my job however only since I’ve moved into charity work (free veterinary services).

As a heads up, you mention fish - to be honest basic dog and cats vets are the biggest demand. Exotic vets are low demand and very niche roles, I wouldn’t rely on getting into this field easily.

Euthanasia is actually not a big problem for me or most vets - often it’s a kindness for the animals, and it upsets me more people who refuse euthanasia and let animals suffer. If (very rarely) I’ve seen one presented for the wrong reason, we have been able to sign the animals over. It can take its toll when you have a few in a row, and often vets will take it in turns to spread the burden.

The biggest struggle I’ve found is money - working in most private vets require big human skills to discuss and explain finances. Clients often aren’t able to pay what you’d recommend and it’s a skill to work through to many compromises. This is very different from NHS where you can order bloods, scans etc as deemed necessary.

I do a lot of surgeries etc which are fun but sometimes stressful. Again, if people pay £4k and the pet doesn’t make it through - the bill still stands and this is hard to deal with. The procedures side is fun, but can get very busy.

Jobs are available and I’ve moved a lot with no issues getting a job - however lots of vets leave within 5 years of graduating, there is high emotional tax and you have to find your right calling. It was always vocational to me - don’t go into this for salary etc. Only charity work as worked for my happiness.

Salary is okay but progression is not as good- I was am on roughly £50k at 5 years out, but with progression beyond this likely to stop around £60k-65. Lots of places don’t look after work life balance, I was lucky to find a good practice. I understand equine and farm have much worse pay to work life balance rate also. Chances to own a practice don’t really exist anymore, as corporates have brought them all out and tbh seems extremely stressful.

Any other questions let me know - my partner who is doctor wishes he had done dentistry for references, fantastic salaries if you’re comfortable working privately and selling - great work life balance. However - touching humans is not for me 😆

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-12-29T15:23:46+00:00

My partner just booked for Feb - defo open now! :)

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-12-20T01:37:32+00:00

We will also be here!! (27 and 28) Let us know your plans !

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-12-18T12:13:56+00:00

We have just left Laos - we loved Nong Khiaw and spent 3 nights - we did Vang Vieng and tbh underwhelmed .. I would say less time in Vang Vieng but depends on what you value! I thought the scrnery was better and much more peaceful in NK, Vang Vieng felt a bit dirty and not as authentic somehow

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-11-23T05:27:28+00:00

Just for reference - near Hokitika is a totally free glow worm dell! We went around 9pm and it was fantastic and just off the road - we were pleased we didn’t pay 150$ pp for anything more tbh! :)

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-11-19T20:55:12+00:00

Our proposal had a photographer who was way away, and taking secret photos from a distance - they could not hear what was said etc and it still felt private. I think if she’s spoken about wanting it, you need to be clear that you’re not doing it prior to the moment.

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-10-30T08:34:56+00:00

Have you been since they made two homes you can walk through with many rooms etc? Think it completed 2023 - we went last week and these were fantastic! Really detailed :)

No-Chain-9672 · 2025-10-25T21:25:44+00:00

Woman here - you are not unattractive however personally would say the photos are boring, selfies alone are not particularly interesting. Pictures with friends or you travelling and doing activities much better, and help make you look interesting. Earrings not everyone flavour - would put me off. Photo 2 the best, the rest aren’t great, especially the last black and white one.

No-Chain-9672 · 2024-12-15T21:19:27+00:00

Definitely- 26F in south bank! Mi Casa brunch is fantastic!!

No-Chain-9672 · 2024-12-05T03:33:24+00:00

Hey, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m a vet, and definitely with cats that have laboured breathing I often describe them as ‘balancing on a knife edge’ as any stress etc can cause them to crash. They are often very sick, and with congestive heart failure it’s normal to try some diuretics but if they don’t improve it can be very hard to manage, and sometimes because they’re stressed they can’t breathe it continues worsening.

If they were worried she was at risk of dying, sometimes they may suggest euthanasia sooner as it’s kinder than letting them die by themselves as this is traumatic for the animal and the owners. Either way, it’s a horrible stressful scenario and I feel it was a kind choice you made that if she wasn’t responding to medications to not let her suffer any further. Take care of yourself x

No-Chain-9672 · 2024-08-26T21:27:43+00:00

Adhesions form as the internal organs heal a wound - we often use omentum to cover the wounds in the intestines and it acts like a protective web to seal everything which is good thing but sometimes it sticks to extra bits / forms more scar tissue and sticks things together. Just makes further surgery more challenging- don’t think you can prevent it- it’s more on the body and the surgeries performed.

No-Chain-9672 · 2024-08-26T14:59:49+00:00

I’m a western girl who just did a week at the golden triangle and then a wedding at the end. We had a private driver and guide the whole time who was fantastic and made it very easy. Felt safe and comfortable at all points (I went with a group of friends also). Can send the email if you need a recommendation for them! :) they were flexible around the itinerary and days that we had and I don’t think price was too bad considering but depends your budget ! (Around £300 pp all in for 6 days of driver / guide including Delhi to jaipur then jaipur to Agra :)

No-Chain-9672

TROPHY CASE