sharon, I hope you will enjoy NZ. I had employee from New Zealand, she was homesick for it. I haven't been there, but my partner cycled by himself for 6 months in NZ in north and south islands. About 4 years ago. Unspoiled, great camping, etc.

I'm from Vancouver, British Columbia and have been living here for 5 years, after living in Ontario for over 43 years. It is beautiful where we are...just come in summer. We don't get much rain and the temperate rainforests are lush, tall.

I spent 3 weeks in Hawaii and 1 wk. a few years later in Sante Fe, New Mexico area. Just loved it for the fact, that these 2 states are very different in their historic-cultural influences compared to other parts of the U.S. I think every American should this part of their own country if they hesitate to travel to other "foreign" countries. There's enough exotic stuff in the history, flora/fauna, topography in these 2 states.

Greece is fantastic, particularily the islands. I was there for 3 weeks touring privately with 2 Greek-Canadians who knew the language.