New Zealand 

As a nature lover, New Zealand has been on our bucket list for a long time. 

Where is New Zealand 

New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. It consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.

Why It’s a Bucket List Destination

New Zealand is a bucket list destination due to its natural beauty, perfect for hikes and adventures. New Zealand has 13 national parks and over 11,000 square miles of incredible landscapes,ranging from mountains and lush rainforests to stunning fjords and golden beaches. On top of it’s amazing landscapes, New Zealand is also known for its food and wine. I love a good white wind and the Marlborough region is  known for its sauvignon blanc. But if you are like Kim and Jamal and prefer a red wine, Hawke’s Bay, is supposed to have fantastic red blends. 

Length of Time for a Perfect Visit

At least two, maybe three weeks to fully appreciate it. This would give enough time to explore both the North & South Islands

Best Time of Year to Visit 

The perfect time to visit New Zealand is during its summer months, from December to February, when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities. For those interested in skiing or enjoying the snowy landscapes, the winter months from June to August are best.

Highlights of New Zealand

North Island – better for beach activities 

• Rotorua- bubbling mud pools, geyers, natural hot springs, 
• Auckland- city and beaches  

South Island – better for outdoor adventures and wildlife experiences 

• Queenstown- along a lake & southern alps 
• Abel Tasman National Park- golden beaches 
• Fjords-
  •  Inlets with beautiful cliffs and glaciers 
  • Wildlife- fur seals, dolphins, New Zealand birds (Kiwi’s & Fiordland crested penguin) 

Antarctica

As a travel lover, how can you not want to go to one of the least visited places on earth. And it is a must and often the only continent a lot of travelers don’t get to. 

Where is Antarctica 

Bottom of the earth. But the gateway is most often from the southern tip region in South America. Either Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arena, Chile in patagonia region

Why It’s a Bucket List Destination

Goal to hit all 7 continents. But more importantly to see an ecosystem that is so diverse and unique before major changes take place. The scenery, wildlife, remoteness, the unknown, the journey through Drake’s passage.

Length of Time for a Perfect Visit

Most cruises are usually 10-12 days. Several days are just at sea sailing to and from the continent.

Best Time of Year to Visit 

The best month to go to Antarctica will depend on what you’re hoping to get from your trip. Whilst November is great for photography and snowshoeing, December to February have more favorable weather and clearer ice conditions which make Polar Circle voyages possible.

The Antarctic travel season coincides with the summer in the southern hemisphere beginning in October and running through March.

Highlights of Antarctica

Beyond the opportunity to see the world’s coldest, highest, driest, darkest, windiest continent some of the highlights to see and do:

• Wildlife, from whales, to seals and penguins swimming in the water and resting on the ice
• Kayaking and Zodiac Cruising: Get up close and personal with Antarctic wildlife and scenery through kayaking excursions or Zodiac boat cruises, offering unique perspectives and photo opportunities.
• Crossing the Drake Passage: Brave the legendary Drake Passage, known for its rough seas and unpredictable weather, and earn bragging rights for completing one of the world’s most notorious maritime journeys.
• Polar Plunge
• Going to a place where so few people have ever been

Egypt

I love some ancient ruins and Egypt takes the crown for the most iconic ancient ruins in the world! The pyramids are an astonishing sight you have to see to believe, but there’s also a ton of other ancient ruins around Egypt that are just as amazing.

Where is Egypt?

Egypt is a transcontinental country that spans the northeast corner of Africa and the Sinai Peninsula in southwest Asia. It’s bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south. Egypt also shares a border with Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast, and Jordan to the east. 

Why It’s a Bucket List Destination

• Iconic ancient ruins, pyramids and temples
• “seven wonders of the ancient world”, the Great Pyramid of Giza
• Luxor Temple – massive statues of old Egyptians 

Length of Time for a Perfect Visit

• A week is plenty of time to see the highlights. 
• With a few more days you can explore even further and take a Nile cruise

Best Time of Year to Visit 

• ​​Winter is the most popular time for tourists, with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool nights. This makes it ideal for exploring Cairo, the desert, and ancient tombs. You do not want to be there when in the hot and humid summers. 
• It is busier seasons so accommodation prices can be high during the peak season, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Bucket List Trips – Episode Trancsript

0:54

Today we’re sharing with you guys our three current top bucket list trip destinations that we want to take.

Yeah, I’m so excited for this episode because this is a request that we actually get a lot is to talk about some of our bucket list destinations and trips that we have.

1:10

And so we thought this would be a perfect opportunity to talk about 3.

So one of our top bucket list destinations is New Zealand and as a nature lover, New Zealand just calls to me and has been on my bucket list and our bucket list for such a long time.

1:26

I remember we were walking on the beach in San Jose, Costa Rica, and you were like, where do you want to go next?

And it started with one, two, I think you said what are your top three?

And then the list just kept going and going and going.

But one of the first ones you mentioned was New Zealand, and I know the nature.

1:42

There’s beautiful.

So many people rave about this tiny little island country.

So, Brittany, what is it about New Zealand that you’re really drawn to?

Well, I just see all of the pictures of the natural beauty.

I mean, it has so much to offer.

Like there’s two islands.

1:59

I of course want to go to both islands.

But more particularly, me personally, I’m drawn more to the southern island because of they have like a National Park with golden beaches.

They have the fjords that have been carved by ancient glaciers.

2:15

There’s a ton of wildlife in New Zealand, like you can see dolphin seals and specific birds to New Zealand.

So that’s why I really want to go there.

It’s like a hiker’s paradise.

You know, I love hiking, you know, I love travel adventure.

So I just feel like it just really calls to me and hopefully this really inspires both you and Jamal to jump on the board for it to be one of our next squad trips.

2:37

I honestly did not notice that New Zealand had two islands.

Two islands in north and AS well.

Obviously there’s more than two, but those are the two big ones.

Main ones, of course.

I am learning something new today.

I’m glad that we can educate you a little bit about New Zealand, Jamal.

2:55

Why don’t you tell us where New Zealand is?

So New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

It’s going to be southeast of Australia.

And it consists, like we were talking about, about two main islands, the north and the South, along with numerous smaller islands.

3:13

Of course, those smaller islands would be nice to go to, but you’re really going to be focusing when you go on this trip to the north.

And the South has all the main national parks, wildlife viewings, fjords, everything you want to do, beaches going to be on those main islands.

Yeah, there’s 13 national parks in New Zealand.

3:30

I mean, I don’t think I could go to Oh my God, all 13 in one trip.

But you know, that’s a lot of ground to cover once we hit all of the national parks off in the USI think we’re going to like, have to keep doing them all for all the countries.

But Kim, for you I, I think you know New Zealand is also known for its wine.

3:47

Oh yes it is.

That is true.

It’s very well known for its wine.

It’s also very well known for good looking men.

Oh, you are looking for a husband?

Something else I do know about New Zealand too is that because it is so nature focused and outdoors, it’s very outdoor driven, the Internet connection is quite poor.

4:09

Not that you need phones or Internet or whatnot, but that’s something that I always hear from people coming back is that you get to unplug a lot in New Zealand, which I love.

Yeah, I didn’t really realize that because you would think that.

I mean, I guess it makes sense because it’s so outdoorsy, but also there are some main cities in New Zealand, so it’s kind of interesting to hear that.

4:29

But I do like that, like when we were in Havasu Pie Falls, it was nice to disconnect for a few days and being surrounded by some New Zealand beauty.

I think that would be amazing.

All kinds of New Zealand.

Beauty.

I love white wine.

I know, Kim, you’re more of a red wine drinker.

4:45

Well, my palate’s actually changing.

I am starting to like white wine a lot more.

And there’s a region in New Zealand that is known for its Sauvignon Blanc.

So that’s like right up our alley then.

OK, bucket.

So if we were to go, I’ve really thought a lot about this, like how long is the perfect length of a trip to New Zealand?

5:06

And I feel like it’s takes so long to get over there, especially from the US, that we would probably need a full 2, possibly even 3 weeks to fully appreciate it.

Especially if you’re going to do both islands.

If you’re going to do 1 island, maybe not the full three weeks, but you never know.

5:22

My thought has always been since it is so close to Australia, how do you go all that way and not go to Australia as well?

You know, that’s a very good point, but I feel like Australia is so huge, you need its own trip to just like, fully dive into Australia.

5:38

If you’re going to do like a little bit of Australia, a little bit of New Zealand and say to yourself I’m probably going to come back then yeah, I wholeheartedly agree with you, Kim.

It’s like you’re there, how are you not supposed to go to Australia?

But I mean, if you really want to fully explore, I think the time frame that Britney said is right.

5:55

It’s almost like Italy, you know, Italy is a multi time visit country because there’s just so many regions, so many different things to do and see.

You can do it all at once or if you can make it two to three weeks long like Britney’s saying.

Yeah, that’s true.

And the best time of year to visit New Zealand, if you’re going hiking or for, you know, the outdoor adventure, you’re probably going to want to go December through February because it’s South of the equator.

6:22

Their summer is our winter.

So that’s about.

That’s nice.

Yeah, and so it’s like Kim, you can escape from the Austin cold and just enjoy New Zealand summer.

But they also have winter activities as well, don’t they?

Yeah, I mean, it does snow there.

6:38

You can go skiing, snowboarding, maybe we can go try our cross country skiing again.

Yeah, let’s give it another go at it.

Did you know that there are a lot of geysers, natural Hot Springs, bubbling mud pools in the North Island?

I had no idea and in fact, when we were in Yellowstone, I remember Jamal saying this is where the majority of the geysers in the world are located.

7:01

So it’s like 8080 to 90% of the geysers in the world, if I remember the stat correctly.

Now that you’re putting me on the spot with that one, Kim is actually going to be in Yellowstone.

And the rest of them, of course, that 20 some odd percent or whatever it is spread out through the world, but New Zealand has a good majority of them themselves.

7:20

Wow, you’re really selling this one.

Brittany, are you trying to add this one for 2025?

Maybe, and they have city and beaches which also draw an appeal to you too.

Oh.

I’m hooked.

Forget about my suggestion on this episode.

This week, it’s New Zealand.

7:38

Jamal what?

Is a bucket list destination that you’re dying to go to.

Oh gosh, it’s going to have to be Antarctica.

And you know, I feel like we’re in a fortunate position on how much we’ve traveled that we’ve actually hit bucket list destinations of ours.

And then of course, as you hit off those places, then there’s new ones on the list.

7:56

But Antarctica, quite honestly, is probably the hardest 1 to get to of any country, even though Antarctica is not a country.

And this one has to be my number one bucket list right now, especially with Brittany’s dad and girlfriend recently coming back from an Antarctic adventure.

8:14

I’m completely sold on this one.

And you know, everyone knows where Antarctica is.

It’s at the bottom of the earth down there.

But you would really get to Antarctica sailing.

There’s no way you’re going to take a plane yourself.

There’s not really any private airports, nothing like that.

8:31

You have to take an ocean line cruise to get down into that region unless you are a scientist who is camping out there in the research facilities.

Where would you cruise from?

That’s a really good question.

So the gateways to Antarctica from those cruises, of course, Speaking of like Australia, New Zealand that we were just talking about.

8:51

There are very few select cruises that are longer ones that go from that region.

But the majority of them are going to leave from South America, either from Punta Arena, Chile, or if I always forget how to pronunciate this one, I think it’s Ushawaya, Argentina.

9:09

So either from Chile or Argentina in that Patagonia region, most southern points of South America.

And then you’re going to sail across through Drake’s Passage, which is known to be some of the roughest maritime waters that there really are anywhere in the world to sail through.

9:24

And then your payoff is the beautiful Antarctic continent.

OK, Drake’s Passage actually have heard of this because of the nine month round the world cruise.

Did you ever hear about this cruise line?

Well lots of cruises do multi month, even year long ones.

9:40

But which one are you referencing then, Kim?

I can’t remember the cruise line that was doing it, but it started going viral on TikTok quite a few months back for being a nine month round the world cruise and people were documenting the trip on TikTok.

They started to develop a class system and it was like a reality show on TikTok unfolding on this cruise line.

9:58

Can’t believe you didn’t hear about this.

I did not.

Hear I was living for it.

I’m gonna have to check that out now because I’m totally intrigued, but what did you see on that TikTok about Drake’s passes?

So Drake’s Passage, as they’re all getting ready for this, they’re all posting these Tik toks of like Drake’s passages tomorrow, we’re getting ready for it, blah, blah, blah.

10:17

And then the videos start coming out.

You said this is one of the most roughest sea passageways.

Oh, it is.

The waves were crashing onto the cruise.

There were hallways flooded.

People had to evacuate rooms like all hell broke loose during Drakes passage so I don’t know Jamal if it’s going to be the safest to do this.

10:36

Well, I think that, but you just came across on that tick tock, it can happen.

Those are some of the most extreme conditions where maybe water is coming through and I don’t even say leaking.

It has to be coming in from the top of the deck.

It’s not like there’s a crack in the hole or anything.

10:52

But it’s not Titanic.

No, of course not.

But as a great example, like I mentioned, Britney’s dad and girlfriend Stephanie recently went and they said they had a very pleasant sailing through Drake’s Passage.

So it’s known to be rough seas, but it that’s not necessarily always the case.

11:08

But to your point of it, how it can be rough, they really do have seatbelts or bed straps or bed belts, whatever you want to call them, attachments for when you’re sleeping and sailing through there so you don’t fall out of your bed so that.

I think you’re really selling Kim right now on that.

11:23

But now let me strap in.

Well, I mean, she said she knew about it.

We’re kind of talking about it.

But the payoff is Antarctica.

You’re going to get there.

You’re going to see when you’re in Antarctica by the continent and the islands, really clear, smooth, icy waters with your icebergs.

11:43

You’re going to see sea life.

You’re going to see whales, Penguins, birds, all sorts of things.

And how exciting is it going to be to say you’re laying eyes and stepping on someplace on Earth that most people will never, ever see in their lives?

11:59

You know, lots of people go to Italy, lots of people go to New Zealand, for that matter, just talking about New Zealand.

But how many people can say they’ve been to Antarctica?

And that’s really kind of like the payoff.

And to hit all 7 continents, Antarctica, I am sold.

My concern though is you can get off the boat right?

12:17

They actually have a lot of boat outing.

They have a lot of boat outings and so it’s so desolate.

No one lives there.

What are you doing there?

You’re basically Gooding out on the boat onto a little Zodiac boat, getting closer to the marine life, the Penguins, the whales, the seals that are on the icebergs or on land.

12:35

You’re doing snowshoe trekking on the continent, You’re just wildlife scene.

Lots of stuff to really do out there.

An A lot of cruise ships that go out there, believe it or not, actually have research teams that are on the ship when you go to Antarctica.

12:52

So they even have classes and lectures on the ship and cruise that give you all sorts of education, history, this and that.

So it is really a learning sightseeing experience in the very desolate region of the world.

And you’re not just stuck on the ship, you are going out and exploring and just appreciating the unique desolateness that is Antarctica.

13:13

Interesting and the.

Best time to go to Antarctica will depend on what you’re hoping to get from the trip.

November is really great for the photography and snowshoeing that I was mentioning earlier, Kim, but December to February has more favorable weather and clear ice conditions which make the cruises and trips a lot easier and less likely to have cancellations of taking those Zodiac boats out and getting on to land.

13:38

And I am really excited to possibly do a polar plunge.

Have you heard of that, Kim?

I’ve heard of the polar plunge, Brittany, and I am not surprised that you want to do it.

I mean, it’s good for you, so you might you should join in too.

But yes, they actually allow you to jump in and usually you have kind of like a buoy attached to you.

13:54

And then so like if you try to swim away, they like pull you back so you can’t go.

Far in your swimsuit.

Yeah, I think you can do it in your swimsuit well.

Yeah, it’s it’s supposed to be in your swimsuit.

I don’t think they put you in a.

Wetsuit or anything but I mean amazing polar plunge kayaking, Zodiac boat, stepping foot on Antarctica and learning about the research that goes on there.

14:17

Sign me up.

OK.

We’ll add that one on to 2030.

So Kim, I know that you will love ruins, so I am assuming your bucket list destination is going to be somewhere based on that.

14:33

You would be right, Brittany.

You all know I love me some ancient ruins.

They really just get me going.

And I think the number one place in the world to see ancient ruins is Egypt.

You know, I’m not the history buff of the group here, but I would argue to say that these are some of the oldest, if not the oldest ancient ruins you can actively go see as a tourist.

14:56

Would I be accurate in that, Jamal?

That’s actually a really great question.

I’ll have to check my history clock to confirm, but I think you are very correct in your assumption that these are some of the oldest.

There’s actually challenging theories to say that the pyramids are even older than what they claim they are so.

15:14

Wow.

And that’s just a thing.

It’s a mind boggling experience because you know how the pyramids were built is still unconfirmed.

Was it aliens?

Was it ancient Egyptians?

Was it something else?

15:30

Was it something long before?

We don’t really know, right?

And so I want, I need to see it, to believe it.

I need to touch it.

I need to ride a camel in front of it.

Well, I think that’s what makes it even more exciting, is not even how did ancient cultures actually build them.

But if you really think about the fact that these stones are not anywhere near the areas in which they’re built, and they had to be moved hundreds of miles to even get there to where they built them.

15:53

That’s even more intense to think, where’s the quarry where they cut these stones?

How did they even get them there then, let alone build it?

It’s that whole mystery that makes it even more exciting.

And it’s still so intact, pointing like a beautiful pyramid.

16:09

They’re still excavating Egyptian tombs even to this day.

They’re actively finding artifacts and tombs, which is just crazy to me to see.

And I need to see it in real life.

The pyramids are obviously the highlights there.

It is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

16:25

But the pyramids are not the only ruins in Egypt.

There are tons of other temples.

The Luxor Temple is one that has massive statues of old ancient Egyptians and areas that you can walk through.

And there’s a ton of other temples and pyramids and ruins all along the way.

16:43

Have you ever seen a mummy Kim?

Non real life in a movie.

We actually saw a mummy in a museum, actually in Italy at the Vatican.

And to see like the wrappings, and then you could actually see where body fluid leaked out and stained.

17:04

Yeah, the carcaphagus.

It was really interesting.

And once I saw that, it was like, I really need to make my way to Egypt even more.

Like I know that the temples, the pyramids, but just seeing all of that history and just seeing that type of like culture is so interesting to me and I think it would be the perfect place to go.

17:26

I know in winter is what I would like to go.

I don’t know about you.

Yes, yes, best time of year to go winter.

I’ve actually joined a Facebook group for travel planning to Egypt and a lot of people are asking questions in there right now like what to pack, what are the essentials, all this stuff.

17:42

And everyone is having very funny answers in the comments about don’t go right now because it’s summer right now.

Do not go.

And that when people are asking what to pack and they’re like don’t do it.

So it’s hot and humid in the summer, which is why we don’t recommend going in summer.

17:58

If that doesn’t bother you, you like the heat, then feel free.

Probably have less crowds of tourists if you don’t want the heat as much.

Definitely go more in the winter months, but you can probably expect a little bit higher of tourist season during that time.

Based off the research you’ve done, what have you found to be like the perfect length of time for this trip?

18:16

I’ve been doing a bunch of research and I’m actually gravitating towards doing this one with Gate 11 because of the language barrier.

We’ve been to Lebanon and luckily Jamal, we were with your family there, so we had amazing escorts who showed us all the best restaurants and, and the signs and everything.

18:31

I think navigating a Middle Eastern country on your own would be very difficult and not something I necessarily want to do.

I just want to sit back and relax and just, you know, get off on the ruins.

So gate one has a couple that range from like 9 to 13 plus days.

I think if you’re whether you’re doing that or you’re going on your own, at least a week.

18:51

And then if you want to take a Nile River cruise, see more of the ruins and kind of kick back and relax in that way, maybe up to two weeks.

And I think you can see all the highlights that you want within that time.

I mean, if I’m there, I might as well hop on that Nile River cruise and experience another cruise of sorts, right?

19:09

Then they do have cruise ship style cruises down the Nile.

They also have shorter ones where you can almost take like a sailboat and go from destination to destination down the Nile River, which would also be pretty cool.

But you’re not staying on that boat.

Egypt is, most people probably know somewhere where it is, right?

19:27

It’s just in the northeast corner of Africa.

It’s bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Red Sea in the east, which would also be very cool to see Libya in the West, Sudan in the South.

It also shares a border with Israel and the Gaza Strip.

So that right there could maybe just persuade some people from going, at least right now with some of the conflicts going on over there.

19:47

We’ve talked to several of our squaddies listeners who were actively taking trips there during this time.

And like most things they say, you know, the media portrays 1 aspect of things.

But while they’ve been there, they felt very safe.

And so that reassured me because that was something on my mind, like, is now the right time to go?

20:05

Or should I hold off for some future time in the distance?

But if a squatty feels it’s good, then it’s good enough for me.

Well, there you have it guys.

We got three bucket list destinations that are on our list, New Zealand, Antarctica, Egypt, and we are hoping to cross these off in the very near future soon and come up with another list of three to make those new bucket list destinations.

20:29

Thank you Squatty, so much for tuning into just the tip.

Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on all the socials at Travel Squad Podcast.

And have fun traveling this weekend!