EXPLORING NEW ZEALAND INDEPENDENTLY WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A WOMAN TRAVELING TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY INDEPENDENTLY
GADABOUT MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE Take a look into our editor-in-chief’s thoughts on our New Zealand issue.
EATERY Learn about New Zealand’s most popular and multifaceted food.
PACK Find out what esstentials you should and shouldn’t bring.
EXPLORING NEW ZEALAND INDEPENDENTLY
Read about what it is like to be an independent female traveler, exploring the mountains and valleys of New Zealand.
TRAVEL BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Bugdet your travel expenses wisely with our budget breakdown guide.
CLIMATE
Be prepared for ultimate weather conditions with tips on what to bring and wear.
CULTURE Explore New Zealand’s Maori beautiful and unique culture.
OUTERWEAR Prepare yourself for the right outwear for certain times of the year.
WHAT NOT TO BRING Learn tips and tricks to not overpack. Pack lightly and travel smart with our traveling tips.
INSPIRATION Trendy finds of the New Zealand Culture.
CAPTURE Dive deep into New Zealand’s most well known photographers.
MY JOURNEY BACK HOME Read about a woman’s off grid journey back to the United States.
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF stephanie farkas PUBLISHER emily evans EXECUTIVE OFFICER taylor ludemann VICE PRESIDENT ashley lipp MARKETING cj connors COPY EDITOR sean windfelder JUNIOR COPY EDITOR josh krader ART DIRECTOR kadyn zuppo ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR joseph williams PROMOTIONS MANAGER austin smith PRODUCTION lorraine fester PRINT PURCHASING chris sanderson
Pictured above is editor-in-chief, Steph Farkas. Exploring the mountains and valleys of Pennsylvania. Photographed by C.J. Connors.
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elcome to the first monthly issue of Gadabout Magazine. You may be wondering what “gadabout” stands for. Well, it is a person who travels often to many different places for pleasure. That’s what were all about here. We want you to learn about what it’s like to backpack around all different parts of the world to inspire YOU to do the same! We’re here to give you tips, tricks, and personal stories to have the most exciting but safe trip of your life.
This month I am thrilled to explore New Zealand with you all! Our featured article this month focuses on Gadabout’s very own Design Consultant, Vicky Cook, and her backpacking journey alone in New Zealand. She will give you all the neccessary tips and tricks to stay safe and have fun in this beautiful country! Get your swim suits ready because even though it is 30° here in ths US, the month of January is the warmest month
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of the year in New Zealand! As always you can learn about this month’s culture, climate, food, the do’s and don’ts and most importantly, packing essentials! Have fun exploring New Zealand and most importantly, be safe and be inspired to travel this beautiful world!
Stephanie Farkas Editor-In-Chief 05
EXTRA TIP: Get yourself a small measuring jug, as hostels tend to not have anything for measuring. Measuring jugs are super handy for both liquid measurements and weights. Roughly, 100ml on the measuring jug is 100g, and so on.
WHY EVERY BACKPACKER SHOULD COOK WITH KUMARA By Natalie Werner
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ew Zealanders love their sweet potatoes, or as it is known here in New Zealand, kumara! With several semi tropical regions in the North Island giving an ideal growing climate, you know that kumara in New Zealand is going to taste mighty, mighty good. Better yet, it’s completely affordable, versatile and has wonderful nutritional benefits, so it is a great ingredient to incorporate into your diet while doing a working holiday or backpacking through New Zealand.
Pictured above is a group of friends sharing New Zealan’s most versatile food, Kumara. Photographed by Pexels.
STUFFED CHEESE & HERBS KUMARA
STEPS 1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
These go well with a side salad 2. Put them on a baking tray and or you can even eat them simply bake for 45 minutes. Lightly all alone. This also goes well with saute the onion and garlic and some mushrooms and broccoli set aside. So, you rock into Pakn’Save and added to the recipe. you are all like: “Which kumara 4. Take kumara out and leave do I buy?” What you want to do until it is cool to handle. INGREDIENTS is to select kumara that has an 5. Mash the kumara insides, then even texture and colour all over, 2 – Kumara mix in the onion, garlic, half firm and doesn’t have any nasty 1/4 – Onion, finely chopped the cheese, sour cream, butter, blemishes. The kumara with 1 – Clove of garlic parsley and coriander. the most nutritional value are 200g – Cheese a deep, deep colour. Now store 6. Put the mixed kumara back 100g – Sour cream them in a dark well-ventilated into the skins and sprinkle place. Do not leave them in the 1 tsp – Butter remaining cheese on top. heat, but also definitely not in 1/2 tbsp – Parsley, chopped 7. Grill until the cheese has the fridge! Room temperature! 1/2 tbsp – Coriander melted, then take out of oven. HOW TO SELECT & STORE KUMARA
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ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE
Pictured above is wildlife photographer, Jim Richards, from Indiana. He’s photographing mountains and wild animals for his business. To the right you will see a close up of his plans.
By Asher Fergusson
WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON MY NEW ZEALAND TRIP?
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ew Zealand is famous for its stunning skies and mountains, beautiful beaches, and greener than green native forests. It’s also famous for being a country where you can go skiing in the morning and surfing in the afternoon! So, to get the most of your trip, it’s best to pack for EVERY season from Winter to Summer you will be prepared no matter what the temp is. New Zealand has
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gorgeous, large mountains and vibrant lush greenery that span several various climate “types”, so it can be a surprisingly tough place to pack for. You will find a list of FIVE items that I highly recommend on this trip, plus some tips on what NOT to bring on your trip to New Zealand. Enjoy your travels and most importantly be safe and smart in your journey!
NZ Power adapter – Power outlets in New Zealand will require an adapter to be used safely with US-style power cords and devices. You’ll need to charge your phone at the very least, but chances are you’ll need to charge your camera as well, and maybe even your Kindle. When choosing an adapter, make sure you choose a high-quality one with fuse protection.
photographs by pexels
EXTRA TIP Travel days are hard enough without jet lag adding to your stress. These natural tablets can help prevent and treat jet lag so that you don’t have to miss any time that could be spent exploring New Zealand!
Activated Charcoal – Almost every traveler I know has experienced some kind of stomach upset – most frequently Traveler’s Diarrhea – as a result of long journeys, new foods, and the general physical stress of traveling. Activated charcoal has provided me quite a lot of relief, and now I take it with me wherever I go (I even use it at home if need be!). It absorbs toxins in your system if there are any, and it helps return your digestion to normal so that you can go on enjoying your trip instead of feeling unwell. Virtual Private Network (VPN) – A virtual private network can allow you to browse the internet despite restrictions and
any country-specific censorhip, so it’s one of the wiser subscriptions you can have if you travel at all – and one of the cheapest. The best feature of a VPN, though, is that it adds an additional layer of security to your browsing and data to help protect you from identity theft or other hacking issues. If I’d used one in Paris when I traveled there recently, I would have avoided having my credit card information stolen! New Zealand Guidebook, there’s a surprising amount of things to do and see in New Zealand. You’ll want to spend a little time planning before your trip to make sure you don’t miss anything you really want
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to see. You’ll also really benefit from bringing a guidebook with you. It will add to your overall experience by making planning easier, adding insider insight and tips, and giving you a better idea of what to expect from your overall trip. Women’s and Men’s hiking shoes – With so many outdoor activities to choose from, you’re going to be doing a considerable amount of walking. It’s best to have sturdy, broken-in hiking shoes for New Zealand so that you don’t risk hurting your feet or ankles hiking in regular sneakers. These ones are waterproof and rated well for comfort and price.
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erhaps you may be wondering whether traveling alone in New Zealand is such a good idea or whether it is safe for a young woman to travel alone in New Zealand, which is why I’m taking the time now to write this article. And as I write this article, I’m speaking from personal experience, because I’ve been there. First I’ll give you a list of things you can do if you’re planning to travel alone to and in New Zealand. Then I’ll tell you a bit about my own personal journey traveling alone as a young female in New Zealand. I’ve also included two photographs from my first solo trip to New Zealand. While I was traveling alone, I did book activities, such as for example a glacier walk at Fox Glacier, where I got to meet other people and be part of a group.
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DO NOT HITCHHIKE Hitchhiking is not safe anymore in New Zealand, or anywhere for that matter. A few hitchhikers have lost their lives in the past. The opposite is also true: do not pick up any hitchhikers, because you don’t know who you will be carrying in your car; especially if you are by yourself.
Photographed is one of our very own at Gadabout Magazine; Vicky Cook explored the mountains and valleys of New Zealand and tells her story.
AVOID REMOTE AND DESERTED PLACES It is always better to have other tourists or groups of people hanging around than it is to walk or be somewhere all by yourself, especially if it is somewhere you don’t know. If you choose to go for a walk, choose a popular track – one that other tourists or hikers are also likely to be doing – instead of a deserted one.
DIVERSIFY THE MONEY YOU ARE CARRYING Do not only walk with a credit card, but also carry cash and perhaps travelers checks. Find out from your bank if you can use their cards in ATMs in NZ. Not all cards work in ATMs. Nothing is more unpleasant than being declined because the technology used by your foreign bank card is incompatible with the ATMs. Finally, don’t put all of your money in one place.
BE ALERT TO WHAT IS AROUND YOU
STUDY NEW ZEALAND BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
If you’re walking somewhere, be alert to anyone who might be following you. If you think somebody is following you, find a public place with lots of people, stop walking, and wait for that person to walk past you. If anyone attacks you, scream for help. New Zealanders are very social people who are not afraid to take action if someone is being hurt.
I did not have to ask anyone anything, because I had done my homework. This should build your confidence and kill any fears you may have. You need to try to blend in with the locals, not stick out as a foreigner, because the latter will make you an easy target.
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y personal experience with solo travel in New Zealand I first came to New Zealand in 2001 as a young female tourist. I had been wanting to visit New Zealand ever since I was 12 years old, so I made it the number one destination on my – at that time – long list of places I wanted to see and explore. Unfortunately, when I had mustered up enough money to visit New Zealand, I couldn’t find anybody to accompany me nor was I able to make anyone who had time and/or money enthusiastic enough for this beautiful country. So I
was left with two options: stay home and never see any of the countries I wanted to see, or go it alone. Needless to say, I chose the latter. Once I had decided to do what I wanted to do, I cheerfully started planning my trip. Yes, I arranged everything from flights to car rentals, ferry transfers, scenic flights, etc. etc. I basically became my own travel agent and still am till this day – it’s a fun, exciting and rewarding thing to do.
When the day arrived, I packed my bags and my brother dropped me off at the airport. That was the start of my journey. To say that I was not afraid would be a lie. As I sat at the airport waiting to board my plane, I suddenly became aware of what I was about to do: embark on a journey all by myself to the other side of the world no less! But for me, at that moment, there was no turning back. So that sudden instance of realization and fear left me as soon
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as it had hit me. My solo trip to New Zealand made me grow as a person. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed to begin traveling all over the world, alone and independently. Today I can say that I’ve seen all of the places I’ve wanted to see in my life before my 33rd birthday, and I did it all because I took that first step to travel to New Zealand alone. I often call that trip my trip to total independence. If I have done it and still do it, so can you. Don’t be afraid of coming to New Zealand.
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By Susan Shain
Utilities
My goal was to spend no more than $2,000 during three weeks in New Zealand, and another
1,927.39
1,685.98
3,258.85
Entertainment
Av. Salary Per Month
Rent
New Zealand
I’m not gonna lie: I was nervous to travel to New Zealand. Not because of any inherent threats — it’s one of the safest countries for women to travel in, and has no dangerous wildlife — but because of the cost. I’m able to travel so much because I visit cheap destinations: countries where beers are a dollar and accommodations are no more than $20/night. As I was planning my trip, the warnings from fellow travelers kept echoing in my head: “New Zealand is SO expensive.” But I knew I had to get there as part of my quest to visit every continent before turning 30. I don’t have a strong desire to visit Australia, and besides, it’s even more expensive than NZ.
2,693.05
13.38
10.00
155.41
THE EXTRA $500 WAS AN EMERGENCY CUSHION — I ALWAYS RECOMMEND THAT TRAVELERS TAKE AT LEAST AN EXTRA 10 PERCENT TO ACCOUNT FOR EMERGENCIES.
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COST OF LIVING
United States
$1,000 during my two weeks in Singapore and Indonesia. The extra $500 was an emergency cushion — I always recommend that travelers take at least an extra 10 percent to account for emergencies. (Want more advice like that? Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll get my travel cheat sheet: a 35-step checklist to kicking ass on your first big trip!) For this post, however, I won’t go into my spending in Asia; I’ll simply take a toll of how much I spent during three weeks in New Zealand.
since NZ is so isolated. Luckily, I’d racked up enough frequent flyer miles to pay for my flight. I’m a huge fan of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which has a 40,000-point sign-up bonus and earns 2X miles/dollar on travel and dining — two of my biggest expenses. UPDATE: I’ve switched to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and couldn’t be happier! I cashed in 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points on United, which got me the following flight: Los Angeles – Queenstown – Auckland – Singapore – Los Angeles.
For most people, this is going to be the biggest budget item,
You can easily spend a fortune on activities in New Zealand.
There are a million things to do, and few of them are cheap — especially if you’re into adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping and skydiving. I can think of about 10,000 other things I’d rather spend my money on — a trip to the dentist included. (Paragliding in Colombia was scary enough!) Since I’m an outdoors lover, I preferred to spend my time in nature, which has the added bonus of being free. My big expenses here included a cruise through Milford Sound and swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura (omg omg omg) — both of which were totally worth it.
USE HOSTELWORLD AND BOOKING.COM
ESTIMATE: $1,400 FROM AIRBNB
ESTIMATE: $1,400 FROM AIRBNB
illustrations by steph farkas
I totally stayed under my budget of $2,000, which is always a great feeling. To lower your costs, you could avoid drinking or eating out entirely, bring a tent and camp, or rely on Couchsurfing for lodging. If you estimate you’ll spend $1,400 on a flight, you could have a three-week dream vacation in NZ for around $3,000. If you can use a credit card responsibly and sign up for a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could divide that number in half. Whatever your dream trip is, make it a reality by starting to save today.
Wanna take a trip like mine? Save $250/month, or $65/ week. To help me save money without thinking about it, I’m a huge fan of Digit. It connects to your bank account and uses some sort of magic algorithm to determine how much money it can safely withdraw into a separate savings account. In the past two years, Digit helped me saved more than $4,000! (Which I promptly blew on travel, of course.) Or, set up a weekly transfer from your checking account to a dedicated savings account; you probably won’t even miss it. Just think: By this time next year, you
IF YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY WHEN TRAVELING TO NEW ZEALAND, HERE ARE MY BEST TIPS: • Get a fee-free debit card and credit card to save some money. • Choose time in nature over “adrenaline activities,” which can quickly crush your budget.
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• Stay at hostels, where you can cook your meals; if you really must eat out, try meat or veggie pies, which are a Kiwi staple. • Buy a bus pass with NakedBus, instead of renting a car.
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SEASONS IN NEW ZEALAND SPRING September - November Average daytime temp: 16 - 19˚C (61 - 66˚F)
SUMMER December - February Average daytime temp: 20 - 25˚C (68 - 77˚F)
AUTUMN March - May Average daytime temp: 17 - 21˚C (62 - 70˚F)
WINTER June - August Average daytime temp: 12 - 16˚C (53 - 61˚F)
WEATHER PERMITTING By Alicia Somerhold
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eather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly. Be prepared and understand what you can expect from different seasons below.While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures. The average New Zealand temperature decreases when you travel towards the south. January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year. SUNSHINE Most places in New Zealand receive over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas - Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson/Marlborough - receiving over 2,350 hours. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.30pm. New Zealand
experiences little air pollution compared to many other countries, which makes the UV rays in our sunlight very strong. The sunlight here can quickly burn skin from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm, even on the cloudy days. Be ‘SunSmart’ by using these three simple steps when you go outdoors: Stay in the shade whenever possible. Wear hats and sunglasses. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen. Reapply every 2 hours. RAIN
summer, whereas for much of the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall. As well as producing areas of stunning native forest, the high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming and horticulture.
snow in New Zealand falls in the mountainous areas, the Central Plateau in the north, and the Southern Alps in the south. It also falls heavily in inland Cantbery & Otago.
SNOW Snow typically appears during the months of June through October, though cold snaps can occur outside these months. Most
New Zealand’s average rainfall is high and evenly spread throughout the year. Over the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rain falls in winter than in
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CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: THE MAORI PEOPLE
Photographed is some of New Zealands native Maori people; photographed by pexels.
By Fraser Clements
NEW ZEALAND’S FRIENDLY AND DOWN-TO-EARTH PEOPLE WILL BE ONE OF THE THINGS YOU TREASURE MOST ABOUT YOUR VISIT.
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ith a patchwork history of Māori, European, Pacific Island and Asian cultures, New Zealand has become a melting-pot population - but one with some uniting features that make it unique in the world. Today, of the 4.4 million New Zealanders (informally known as Kiwis), approximately 69% are of European descent, 14.6% are indigenous Māori, 9.2% Asian and 6.9% non-Māori Pacific Islanders.Geographically, over three-quarters of the population live in the North Island, with
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one-third of the total population living in Auckland. Maori people voyaged thousands of miles across the vast unknown Pacific Ocean in small oceangoing canoes and became the
European pioneers were also brave, rugged and independent. This resourceful, ingenuity has greatly contributed to the New Zealand character. Kiwis love the great outdoors. With so
first inhabitants of Aotearoa New Zealand. To this day, Maori culture is a core part of New Zealand’s national identity.
much coastline, it’s little wonder New Zealanders love the water so much and it’s reputed that over 15% of New Zealand
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families own their own boat and often sail every week together as family and friends. As members of a unique and multicultural society, many Kiwis have wholeheartedly embraced urban living. Strike up conversations along your journey - a casual chat at a bar or restaurant or at a local market. Who know, you may even make life long friends!
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