Greetings, Fellow Travellers, Friends and Family!
This is the first edition of our travel newsletter, and the timing couldn’t be better: October marks one year since we left the UK.
Here we will share exciting updates, travel stories, what we’ve been up to and tips to fuel your own wanderlust!
Both of us have had the best time since we left the UK in October 2022 on our adventures, so this newsletter aims to inspire you to take the leap of faith to create your own travel memories.
Hello everyone!
We hope this newsletter finds you all well. As October ends, it’s time to recap our month and see what we have been getting up to.
From working lots (and we mean lots) to starting our 21-day vegan challenge, October has been based in Christchurch. We’ve also been our for some fantastic meals and drank some delicious wine… Of course!
It’s a pleasure to have you join us on a journey across the world!
Destination Spotlight: Where We’ve Been
Christchurch, New Zealand
This month, we’ve spent most of our time in Christchurch, a place of diversity and immersive experiences. And plenty of really cool bars and restaurants.
From a travely point of view, we haven’t moved around much. We have been sorting out a cool trip for November and sorting out what our second New Zealand summer is going to look like!
Despite this, we’ve still had a wonderful time exploring a vibrant city and unearthing the best of what Christchurch has to offer.
Click here to read our top picks for Christchurch!
What We’ve Been Up To In October 2023
Extending Our Working Holiday Visas
We have nearly been in New Zealand for a whole year!
That means that our first year Working Holiday Visas are due to expire. So, we are extending!
We have so much that we still want to do and as we are coming into summer again, it would be rude not to stay!
To apply for a visa extension, we have had to get a medical certificate which includes a chest x-ray, a blood test, and a quick chat with a doctor about our general health. The whole process was pretty easy to be honest.
21 Day Vegan Challenge
We visited the Christchurch Vegan Expo at the University of Canterbury which was such a great experience. We sat in on a talk by Rebecca Dent, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable nutritionist. She inspired us both to give being vegan a go for three weeks by taking on the 21 Day Vegan Challenge which started on the 18th October.
Jess has eaten a vegan diet before, doesn’t eat dairy and rarely eats meat, so for her this wasn’t too different. For Ben however, a keen consumer of chicken, eggs, and burgers, this posed much more of a challenge.
We have enjoyed finding vegan alternatives, especially in New Zealand, a country where milk products find their way into everything!
Ben Tried Bouldering For the First Time
I had an awesome time learning a new sport at a place called Uprising in Christchurch.
Uprising is a climbing gym that is full of several types and levels of climbs, from easy ones to pretty tricky and technically difficult ones.
I went with a mate from work who knows his stuff and taught me loads. Thanks Max! As someone who loves a physical and mental challenge, this sport was perfect. I 100% want to do it again!
Jess Went to See ‘Dracula’s: The Resurrection Tour’
I (Jess now) had the best time utilising my Friday night off.
Me and one of the girls from work went to the Dracula’s cabaret show at the Isaac Royal Theatre in Christchurch. We sat and drank blood bag cocktails and gasped at many, many things. The show was unbelievable and the acts were insane.
We laughed, stared and sat in amazement. I honestly couldn’t recommend seeing the Dracula’s more if they’re ever near you.
Watching the Rugby World Cup Final: New Zealand vs South Africa
A nail-biting final game surrounded by All Blacks fan was an experience. The highs and the lows, the room was full of an enjoyably tense atmosphere at 8am.
Preparing for Movember 2023
Ben is taking on Movember again this year raising money for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and prostate cancer research.
Famous for his beard, this is quite a big deal!
To follow his progress and donate, check out his Movember page here!
This will be the first time Jess has seen a beardless Ben…
But it’s ok, we had fun shaving it off!
Travel Tips & Insights
Here we share our best travel tips and hacks that we have uncovered on the road. From top tips in the local area to finding hidden gems, we’ve got you covered.
We want our travel journey to benefit the world and our readers.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch has been home to us for a few months. Working in the hospitality industry, we get asked the same question over and over by people who have just landed in town:
“What is there to do in and around Christchurch?”
So, we’ve answered that question for everyone!
Check out this article below for a comprehensive guide on some on the best things to do in and around Christchurch, New Zealand. The article covers cool activities in town and even cooler places within a 90-minute drive from Christchurch.
The Best Bars in Christchurch
We work in the hospitality industry; it is the easiest industry to get employment in while traveling. This also means that we spend a lot of time with other hospo workers.
The best bar that we can recommend you going to is…
It may seem alarming as you head down the bin filled alleyway between two buildings. But once you reach the orange door and descend to the best speakeasy bar in Christchurch, all of those initial inhibitions will vanish.
Don’t forget to look on Google or Instagram for the password.
Looking to work in New Zealand hospitality? Book Your LCQ
For hospitality work in New Zealand, get your LCQ booked.
We did not know this when we first came to New Zealand, but the alcohol laws are extremely strict to promote safer drinking habits.
An LCQ is a Licence Control Qualification- upon completion, this grants you a qualification that says you are safe and responsible to serve alcohol.
You can still get a job behind a bar without one, however if you have your LCQ then you can ask for a slightly higher wage and be more knowledgeable about the New Zealand alcohol laws.
The LCQ itself is about $200 NZD and in the long run is definitely worth the initial fee.
We did ours with the NZ School of Food & Wine, which we have linked to for you.
Having an LCQ is also the first step to becoming a Duty Manager and getting your Managers Certificate, which also allows access to better, higher paying jobs if you wanted them.
Relevant Articles
- Discovering Christchurch [Experience the Best of Christchurch]
- Looking Back to Last Summer [Furneaux Lodge:Our First Working Holiday Experience]
- The Best Rooftop Bars [Check out the Best High Rise Drinking Spots in Christchurch]
Upcoming Adventures: What’s on our horizon
Stay tuned for what’s ahead for us!
Over the next month, we have quite a lot planned…
Easily our most exciting upcoming adventure is that we are off to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for two weeks!
Our tickets for the F1 weekend on Yas Island at the Yas Marina Circuit are booked and we cannot wait! We are also eyeing up a trip to the desert to see some sand and some camels.
Upon arrival back to New Zealand in December, we have an exciting trip to the West Coast planned- but more on that in November’s newsletter, so keep your eyes peeled!
Keen an eye on the Jessandbentravel Instagram for live updates including:
- Ben’s Movember Attempt
- How we found the 21 day vegan challenge (concluding on the 8th November)
- Our travel to Abu Dhabi- a delightful 14-hour flight
- Our West Coast Adventure
Thank you for being part of our travel community. We hope to inspire your wanderlust and help you to take that leap of faith into living your best life.
Jess & Ben Travel
Fantastic experiences so happy for both of you .. x
Thank you! We are so happy too, been such a great month. 🙂 x