The Citizen, 1997-09-17, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17,1997. PAGE 11.
couple see the world down under
have someone relieve that stress. Julie made
recommendations on places to slay and our
accommodations were wonderful. The itinerary was so
well planned we weren't pressured with anything.""
Marjorie says she wouldn't have wanted Ll^e vacation
to be any shorter as there is so much to see. Highlights
for her were the beautiful flowers, ("They were just
out of this world.") while Tom liked the mountains.
"It's not a big country, but you can see every kind of
terrain imaginable in a short period of time."
Another highlight was the weather. "When we left
there was snow and it was just so nice to sit in the
warmth. There are very few bugs and even when it
rains, people just do what they were going to do,
whether it's mowing the lawn or taking a hike."
And the people are as warm as the weather. "We
didn't encounter anyone, anywhere who wasn't
friendly." Even at the airport. "The Air New Zealand
staff was extremely friendly and helpful."
While obviously a trip of this type is not financially
feasible for many, Marjorie says that once the flight is
paid for it can be more economical than one might
think. Motel rates are reasonable and rooms are like
small cottages so meals do not have to be taken in expensive
restaurants. Money is close to par and taxes are included in the
cost of items so there are no surprises at the cash register.
If pinching pennies would work, Marjorie says the trip is
worth it. "I would go again in a minute. As a matter of fact we
hope to go next year."
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
In fulfilling a dream, one woman allowed for an exciting
opportunity for her parents, as well.
Tom and Marjorie Duizer, Londesboro spent one month this
past winter seeing Hawaii, New Zealand and Fiji. The Duizers'
daughter, Lisa, a food science sensory technician, is spending
five years in New Zealand, lecturing at a university and
working on her PhD. A special highlight for her parents was
the two weeks she spent with them motoring around New
Zealand's south island.
"She did most of the driving," said Marjorie, 'because they
drive on the wrong side and there are some interesting bridges
on curvy roads."
The couple began their adventure
mid-January, leaving from Toronto
for Hawaii, where they spent three
wonderful, but all too brief, days.
"Another time I would stay longer
in Hawaii. I have always wanted to
see it and three days wasn't quite
enough, though it did help break up
the jet lag."
The Duizers made as much of the
time as they could, taking a one-day
bus tour. "It gave us an overview."
From there they headed to
Auckland, then took a small plane to
Palmerston North. This university
town, which is presently home to
Lisa, is located two hours north of
Wellington. They stopped for three
days here to catch their breath then
visited friends of Lisa's on a sheep
farm. "Tom took a tour and we
enjoyed some typieal New Zealand
meals. They barbecue a lot," says
Marjorie.
After a bit of relaxing in New
Zealand's balmy summer clime, they
crossed by ferry to south island. This
part of their excursion began with a
stopover in Queenstown at a former
public school teacher of Lisa's, who
now lives in Christchurch. "She
showed us around and we did some
touristy things," said Marjorie. Tom
and Lisa even took a helicopter ride
to the top of a mountain to see the
glacier. Marjorie opted to stay on
ground. "I told them it was too
expensive for all three of us," she
laughs.
During a tour of the Botanical
Gardens in Christchurch, the Duizers
had a nice surprise, when they
encountered acquaintances from
Ripley, who were over visiting their
daughter and new grandchild.
Upon returning to Lisa's they laid
back for a couple of days before
embarking for two nights in Fiji,
which, though highly reputed,
Marjorie admits to finding a little
disappointing. "I would skip Fiji
another time. It was very hot and
humid, though to be fair we did pick
a hot time of year to visit."
Adding that Tom doesn't share her feelings and would like
to go back to Fiji, she said, "The resort there was quite nice
with a beautiful pool. The food was good and it is a very laid-
back, relaxed lifestyle. But very poor, I think, too."
"Also, by the time we got there we had seen Lisa and I
might have been ready to get home to the rest of my family,"
she suggests. r—— â–
Overall, the Duizers were more than pleased
with their trip. Arranged through travel agent
Julie Campbell, they said they had absolutely
nothing to worry about either in the early
bookings or upon arrival. "A co-worker told me
about Julie at Ellison Travel and as we had never
travelled that extensively before it was nice to
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