![\"Kaikoura](\"http:\/\/www.fmsphotos.com\/Travel\/2012NZ\/i-f5ggB8b\/2\/S\/Kaikoura%20Peninsula%20Walkway%20%20lone%20tree-S.jpg\" "\\"Kaikoura")
<\/p>\nWe had a couple of issues with United Campervans.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I know they are going through some transitions because now they are at the same depot as Britz and Maui in Christchurch.\u00a0 We booked through Motorhome Republic, which may have also been the source of blame for our first problem.\u00a0 At booking online, we were asked details for hotel (when and where) pickup.\u00a0 After waiting at hotel reception beyond appointed time, we found out United doesn\u2019t do pickups.\u00a0 The bedding for our queensized sleeping area consisted of a single-wide duvet and equivalent blanket.\u00a0 Our GPS wouldn\u2019t charge with the charger provided, yet no refund of the extra charges was offered. \u00a0Our toilet did not flush.\u00a0 To United\u2019s credit, they found a mechanic at Hanmer Springs to fix the toilet (a blown fuse).\u00a0 However, they told us the mechanic would be there at 7:30am when in fact the station opened at 7:30am, but the mechanic doesn\u2019t come in until 9:30am.\u00a0 It comes down to whether I would use United again and no, I wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Our North Island rental with New Zealand Frontiers was flawless and I had hoped to have the equivalent in South Island. If only Kenrick would clone himself and set up shop in Christchurch!<\/p>\n
![\"Seal](\"http:\/\/www.fmsphotos.com\/Travel\/2012NZ\/i-gmjvDDK\/2\/S\/Seal%20among%20kelp-S.jpg\" "\\"Seal")
<\/p>\n
We would have reworked the itinerary to spend the night of the 5th<\/sup> anywhere but in Buller Gorge!\u00a0 The sandflies were horrible, and our pick of Owen\u2019s River Reserve was not a good one, due to the location of power hookup next to the loos and the fact there was no lighting inside the facilities and no hot water as advertised. \u00a0I would have either stayed a night at Takaka so we could explore Golden Bay a bit more (and maybe get another chance at Rawhiti Caves). \u00a0 Or would have spent the night in Westport and spend a day checking out Karamea, further north of Charming Creek Walkway.<\/p>\n Fred and I both agree on Sawcut Gorge and Motukiekie Beach.\u00a0 Fred also mentioned the kayak\/hike in Abel Tasman as well as our ill-fated, but memorable, adventure to Rawhiti Caves.\u00a0 My #3 goes to Smith Holiday Park\u2019s after-dark adventure to see glowworms and returning though the cow paddocks.<\/p>\n We had a couple of issues with United Campervans. I know they are going through some transitions because now they are at the same depot…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2012-new-zealand-top-of-the-south"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Motukiekie](\"http:\/\/www.fmsphotos.com\/Travel\/2012NZ\/i-BmHqkn6\/1\/S\/Motukiekie%20Beach%20Head-S.jpg\" "\\"Motukiekie")
<\/p>\nWhat were the highlights?<\/h3>\n
![\"Funny](\"http:\/\/www.fmsphotos.com\/Travel\/2012NZ\/i-rHrCNcj\/1\/S\/Funny%20tourists-S.jpg\" "\\"Funny")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"