It’s winter. And winter is a time of memories. There’s something about sitting inside in the warm during cold evenings that makes you remember...........well, being outside in the cold at some point in the past. My memories are of shifting from one foot to the other in the school playground wondering why I could not feel my feet and why the teachers got a nice, comfy staff room whilst I was forced to ‘play’ outside in the cold. As I got older, I remember camping trips as a Scout. It always rained, you always got your clothes muddy and wet on day 1. Then, on day 2, you had to muster the courage to put them on, still cold and wet, before heading outside.....where it was cold and wet. From that point on it was all downhill, especially if you shared a tent with a flatulent ready youngster who was afraid of the dark. As I got older the situation changed, but some problems remained the same. Toes still turned blue and you still envied people sitting inside in the warm.
Why then a motorhome holiday in winter? For that, why go anywhere in winter? And why, o why, do it in a motorhome?
I remember asking myself the same questions. Repeatedly. Then having my wife ask me the same questions. Repeatedly. The answers presented themselves during my holiday and allowed me to avoid the real reason I had chosen a motorhome holiday in winter.
Here’s an interesting little fact for you: in the southern parts of New Zealand it rains less during winter than it does during summer. I found this out whilst waiting for a helicopter ride over the glaciers in Franz Josef. Apparently, it had been an ‘average’ summer which meant some people were disappointed the helicopters could not fly because of the cloud that built up during the day. It has to be said, winter in New Zealand allows you to see the stunning landscapes with perfect clarity. On a beautiful clear day you can see everything in perfect definition. It’s like going from an old indoor TV aerial to having a digital satellite signal in high definition.
Anyway, to the motorhome. I had imagined it to be badly insulated, cold and full of condensation, allowing me to wake up breathing smoke like a dragon and having to put on those dreaded clothes full of moisture. How wrong I was! For a start, the motorhome kept the warmth in better than my bedroom at home. I went to bed warm and I awoke warm. Every morning I could have a hot shower and a nice cup of coffee without having to head outside to a cafe (or get dressed for that matter). You should not underestimate the benefits of waking up, having breakfast and then setting off down the road to the next adventure, all without having to step foot outside in the cold. In the evening, I could enjoy the outdoors they way I like them in the evening.......from indoors. The adventurous could head out (and I couldn’t resist during the day) and those who appreciate creature comforts could make mulled wine, relax and snuggle down for the evening.
This got me thinking about motorhomes versus rentals cars and motels. I can recall countless experiences turning up at a motel and having to ask someone to turn the heating on in the room as it had not been occupied for a few days so it had been turned off. Either that or they set it too low as they tried to save the pennies on heating. You don’t get that problem with a motorhome.
I also recall touring with a rental car before and being annoyed that whenever I came across somewhere amazingly scenic, as is the case in most of NZ, I had to find somewhere for a cup of coffee down the road where I paid for the view with bumped up latte prices. And let’s not start on having to find and then use public toilets. They lack comfort when they are warm......when they are cold they can cause constipation in most adults! Again, none of these problems with a motorhome.
In fact, I learnt during my winter holiday that a motorhome was the best way to tour NZ in winter. And NZ in winter is certainly a place worth touring. The Alpine sights are magnificent, there’s ski fields for those that want them, there’s less cars on the roads and less people full stop. In fact, for this reason I think winter could be more fun. You get closer to the real New Zealand and come across more of the local characters. Many communities have a full schedule of winter events and there’s plenty to see and do. Queenstown and other Alpine Resorts come alive during winter and there’s almost something eternally festive about the place for a few months.
And all the time I had people looking at me with envy as I travelled around in my Pacific Horizon motorhome, my bubble of warmth and comfort, my little ball of heat, my warm solace, my...........well, you get the point.
Oh. And my wife was so impressed with my amazing knowledge and ability at correctly identifying New Zealand as being a great place to visit in Winter and a motorhome being the way to do it, that I could avoid stating the initial reason as to why. I’ll let you in on the secret though. It’s cheap. It’s real cheap. In winter you can hire a motorhome for more than 60% off the peak season rates.
Cheap. Warm. Fun. A motorhome holiday in winter. The secret may just be out.