Many thanks for getting in touch and offering up so much valuable information. It’s very good to hear that you managed to avoid the drunk backpackers crowd. Indeed, I might post closer to the time on LP TT about looking to share a car, the same with OZ. And then see who comes back in terms of compatibility etc.

I’ll steer clear of Woofing for now. The only reason I would do this would be to get away from it all for a while. Or if I really start to like NZ and am looking to extend one way or another.
Nice tip on the BBH card too! There seems to be lots of those cards around from my own research, always hard to pick one. I’ve been looking at the Franz Joseph Glacier so it sounds like a good card to get.

Very nice info about the free options next to pay hikes. This is the sort of information that’s rarely found anywhere! So thank you for mentioning it.

I’d be more than happy for a list of the places you stayed. It sounds like you choose well, so I could trust you recommendations. No rush though! I think you have my email now with this comment.

Many thanks again for taking the time in getting in touch with all this great info Anna.

Welcome! Yep, there will be a huge budget change in traveling NZ or OZ. But it comes with the territory I guess.

Beach life is not for me, so no Palawan. El Nido is a fantastic place, I hope the oil discovery does not destroy it. Nor the tourism department / private industry should they try to turn it into another Borocay. Which would kill it off for me. Sufficed to say, beach life is still not for me.

I don’t have the time nor the resources to go back, and reedit the older Euro, Asian travel blog parts of the site. I’ve thought about it, but it also shows who the site, and journey has moved on. It started as notes to myself, and to what it is now. Who knows in the future.

Some people find Manny okay, others find him a little annoying. Depends on the type of traveler you are! I found the backpackers place down the road to be a lot more annoying!

Thanks for the comment, and you’re welcome back anytime

I arrived at your site because i was searching for “living in Palawan”, thanks for good tips about Puerto and Port Barton (Why did u leave ?). I have read most of your blog, the Philippine part was yes, a brilliant compelling read. The earlier European blogs, was stereotypical American “Wednesday is Germany”, stuff.

Being English i find American restaurants a little exotic too, Shakeys etc, i like these places in Puerto. I am foodie too and love the tuna here too, and i followed most of your advice about places to eat and stay (hmm, Manny was quite annoying though , i found).

Yes you will like NZ and Oz, back to first world, but also with first world prices, especially Australia!
I have decided to live here in Palawan, finding a lovely lady certainly helps with the quest for “The Longest Way Home”.

Thank you very much for what you have included here. It’s all helpful and a great resource. If I go, I will drop you an email.

Cost is still a major factor here, as is bureaucracy, e.g., working to afford the travel and accomplish what going there should mean. Certainly I don’t envisage I would be able to spend as much time as I would like in New Zealand, nor travel it as well as it should be.

But the game is not over yet, and there are still options. I have an update to this article planned quite soon. So I’ll let everyone know.

In the mean time, suggestions and help are still open to anyone who wants to leave them here!

Having lived in NZ for a year, I have to tell you that there are parts of this country that should not be missed by Anyone. I am a native Argentine NYer with the urge to travel in my blood after years and years of travel with family, friends, and the like. All of this out there, I have to say that living in NZ was by far one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

The South Island, specifically the West Coast, offers some of the most incredible scenery I have seen in my entire life. The Fjordlands are gorgeous, the tramping ridiculously breathtaking and inspiring, and the Mountains/Glaciers are beyond compare in many ways. What makes this Island all the more beautiful is the utter lack of civilzation in many parts. So many people talk about the overly touristy parts of NZ since the release of the Lord of The Rings series but I assure you, there are untouched parts of this country that should not be missed.

The North Island, though much more populated, provides incredible sights and experiences as well. From the beaches just 45 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Auckland, to the Lakes and Mountains in the South of the Island, and the Glow Worm lit caves…the North Island offers adventure, beauty and charm.

Though parts of NZ life can be expensive, you can do things cheaply as well. And when all else fails, how can you miss the opportunity to hang out in a country with 40 million sheep?!

Suggestions galore if you’d like them and connections in abundance if you need them. I just moved back to the states in early April in preparation for some more travel (looking at 3+ years to cover everything I want to) so the people I know are still there.

All the best…

-Alana

Any Suggestions on what products?

I am actually working on this as we speak. You might also have just inspired an article on the subject!

You’re missing one hell of an opportunity mate

Yes to Twitter, in fact we are already following each other! @TLWH

How about couch surfing around Australia? Using Twitter as well?

Cheers
Anthony

-lee- Hi Lee, thanks for the comment and all that information, I found it very helpful. Good to hear about the employment level, I guess it’s a sector thing. With some areas doing well and others not so much. I think you’re on the right track with the sponsorship thing. And once in, with a job, if it’s not all that great, look for another sponsor. Not sure if I have the skill set to be so selective. But certainly it’s not something I heard of too much, so I appreciate your input! Thanks all so for the offer. I’m weighing all this up in mid to late December, and might shoot you over a mail around that time as I come closer to a decision.

-Loran- Great to hear a big plus for New Zealand. I’ve not had much feedback on NZ so far. Especially on the job front. I guess it’s bigger neighbor over shadows it a little at times. Nonetheless I have a bigger pull for it for the scenery and so on. I’ll have to delve into looking for information about work there a little more.

I saw someone mentioned the unemployment rate – as far as I’ve seen its actually quite low here in Melbourne – I even know plenty of people who have confidently quit jobs and found new ones soon after. If you have any idea of what you would like to do its worth joining some expat websites to meet people as ask their experiences and see if they have any advice and/or can help you find something.

If you have any questions about it feel free to shoot me an e-mail. As I said I am very happy that I moved here so am more than willing to help if you want to try.