No wonder they fell in love with this Yank!!! :O)



Of all the trips I have, all the countries, cities, States, towns the place that made the most lasting impression on me was New Zealand. The combination of the beauty of the country and the friendliness, not to forget the sexiness, of the people were unbelievable.

I took this trip in 1972 and in those days when I traveled it was first class all the way--I was met at the airports by a private car, stayed in the best hotel suites--I had the money and the time--why not?? If I recall correctly the trip starting in Memphis and ending there cost me about $7,000--have no idea how much it would cost today--maybe Donna, when she has time, can get an estimate. :O)

For some reason I have kept the trip ticket--the only regret (sorry Peter) I have is that I would have spent less time in Australia and more time in New Zealand. One day I would like to go back to NZ, rent a car and travel from the North of the country to South.

Saturday, July 15--depart from Memphis to Dallas.

Monday July 17--depart Dallas and arrive in Honolulu--stayed at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (still there, Dale?)

Thursday July 20 Departed from Honolulu and arrived in Papeete--stayed at the Royal Tahitian Hotel--too far from town

Saturday July 22--spent the day on the beautiful island of Moorea where I had lunch at the Bali Hai Hotel--went to Captain Cook Bay and Pao Pao

Monday July 20 Went to Bora Bora and went on an excursion on the lagoon in a glass bottom boat

Thursday July 27--flew to Auckland, New Zealand and stayed at the Logan Park Hotel. On Friday I went across the Harbor Bridge to Fisherman;s Wharf, then continued to the summit of Mt. Eden and finished motoring to the War Memorial Museum and that evening going to Queens Street and seeing a musical.

Saturday July 29--arrived in Sidney where I stayed in the King's Cross hotel in the equivalent of New York's Greenwich Village--over the next few days I saw the Parliament House, St. Mary's cathedral, the Wentworth House for tea and to the beaches of Bondi, Tamarama and Coogee.

Wednesday August 8 I arrived in Cairns where I stayed at the Siesta Motel (at that time the best place there and that's not saying much!) Went on an 18 mile cruise, vivited the underwater observatory and had lunch on Green Island. Next day went to see Barron Falls and Stoney Creek Falls. Went to the Atherton Tablelands, the Mareeba tabacco area, the Tinaroo Falls, the Crater Lakes and the Malanda Jungle--some of the most breath taking scenery anywhere.

Sunday August 6 I flew to Melbourne where I was checked into the Southern Cross hotel--I found this city to be way too staid for me.

Wednesday August 9 I flew to San Francisco and two days later I was back in Memphis.

I still have 2 lamb wool rugs that a guy I had met in Auckland sent to me--very long story short--I met many memorable people along the way and, of course, hit ALL the gay bars along the way.

In Sidney I went to a 'drag' bar--now remember this was in 1972--where they put on a WW2 show with Andrew Sisters, Betty Grable, etc., impersonators who sang LIVE--I believe I was told they spent $10,000 on the production and it showed--everything was first class.

All in all a great trip and Americans were loved everywhere I went (at that time)! People all over had a tremendous curiosity about the USA and I was treated royally.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO NEW ZEALAND!!!!