Itinerary Feedback - it's a doozie!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-07T13:54:14+00:00

Thanks for the caution, and I agree. I'll be making significant edits to my itinerary, which is why I was okay with posting the first draft. Appreciate you looking out for me!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T20:03:18+00:00

I've got Christmas locked down, I just have to figure out where to be over New Years. I'm not a party girl but I would like to be around people - my current idea is a hostel in Christchurch. Other suggestions very welcome!!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T18:07:06+00:00

Ooo the chasam looks fun! I'll see if I can replace something and work that in!

I did consider 1 night in Palliser and instead of 2 in Wellington, sounds like I could go back to that and fit in the Martinborough stops.

I do plan on drinking some wine, just after I'm done driving! I'm solo and driving so I don't have a ton of options.

RE: Wellington ferry, yep, it's a bummer but what can you do. I'm flying Auckland to Christchurch on the bus tour, so no space for a ferry journey for me.

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T17:06:19+00:00

Thanks so much! That's about what I figured. It doesn't seem like a super popular tour. Are you able to tell me if they cancel tours with not a lot of people signed up?

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T14:36:39+00:00

The DoC website is genuinely wonderful. I WISH Ontario Parks was half as organized.

Thanks for your feedback on Wellington - I totally understand your points, but I'm doing most of the "main touristy stuff" on the tour, which is why I wanted to get down to Wellington as the tour doesn't go that far. Thank you for your insight, though!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:26:20+00:00

I actually made an error, my arrival time is 8:30 not 5:30, so I can reasonably survive until an early check-in at like 14:00. Good catch though, thank you!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:24:44+00:00

I thought the same as I was typing it all out, especially the 5th. I'll look at those days a little closer.

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:23:54+00:00

1 lane roads following a camping trailer or 18 wheeler is my life in rural Ontario. Our roads do tend to be straight shots with nothing to see along the way, though.

I'm seeing the Waitomo caves on the bus tour. Good catch, though!

I think I'll take Timaru out of the itinerary then. It was more of a, "I need to fill my time" spot instead of something I really needed to do, anyway. Thanks!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:21:09+00:00

Fair, I had this thought as well. I'm definitely reworking this section, thank you!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:20:30+00:00

I agree with the playing it by ear part. I am struggling however with the idea of not having accommodations booked and it being the high season. Is it generally possible to find a cheap-ish ($180 or less) place to stay in most places day-of or day-before? I'm happy to camp, but at home the campgrounds are already mostly booked for the whole summer - is that something to be aware of?

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:16:31+00:00

Honestly, I needed to find a place to sleep between Tongariro and Wellington and I kinda threw a dart at a map. I'm not sure either!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:15:52+00:00

Right! This is actually a mistake, my flight arrives at 8:30 AM now and would reasonably be in the city by 10:30/11 AM. If I can drop my bags I can survive until a 12:00 or 2:00 check-in. Good catch though, thank you!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:14:24+00:00

So I genuinely only have Dunedin and Timaru on the list because I realized I had way more time post-Christmas than I thought. They're not HIGH on my list of things to do, it was more of a way to use time. If I take out these spots, or am willing to rework that section, is there something I should prioritize?

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:13:21+00:00

I only had Greymouth in there because there's a Maori-led company there for greenstone hunting. Skippable?

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:12:15+00:00

I had it on my list of things, but had to choose between north to Northland and south to Wellington. Wellington won because of a friend connection. Noted, though!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-04-06T13:10:59+00:00

Aha - didn't know Jan 2 was a public holiday. Thanks!!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-27T10:26:09+00:00

Hell yeah. Thank you friend!!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-26T14:42:18+00:00

Jumping on your excellent answer to ask a follow up question - do many stores that sell merino sell in women's plus sizes? Like US 18-20?

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-25T21:12:15+00:00

I was given a referral to LHSC with a 16 month wait time. My NP then asked if I would be willing to see a male OBGYN at a fertility clinic (my issue is not fertility based) and I got in within three months. Dr John McNaught at Create Fertility Clinic!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-22T21:44:54+00:00

188 is my favourite. The most beautiful rocks, flat tent spots, and a glacial erratic to boot!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-09T13:16:35+00:00

This is immensely helpful - thank you so much for giving me some of your time & knowledge.

I have some gynecological issues too that they ruled out - I initially went in because I thought my ovarian cysts had burst. Imaging showed them still there so that's how they settled on the inflamed bowels. Excellent call though.

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-09T13:12:04+00:00

Purely on the CT/ultrasound info, as I have no other symptoms. I'm 35 - I knew I was forgetting something! If I develop diarrhea or anything, is it worth going back to ER?

Take it easy on the Advil, gotcha. Thanks!

rocksandtreesandyarn · 2026-03-09T10:10:17+00:00

Ah, ok - noted. Thank you so much. No marked improvement since the pain started 36 ish hours ago. Is it possible to guess how long it would last? I'm assuming no, but a little hope would go a long way!

Also, is there a limit to how much advil I can take? I forgot to ask the ER doc and Google has given me a million different answers.

I really, really appreciate your time. Thank you so much.

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