Carbon offsetting - is it really worth it?

As keen travellers, we are encouraged to find solutions to reduce our impact on the planet and to travel responsibly. That is very well  but if you can't give up flying because there are no alternative transport to a particular destination, then what do you do? Do you choose airlines that offer offsetting schemes? Do you know where the money goes? Do you buy a flight and then find a scheme where you can select a carbon offsetting project? Do these schemes really work?

Elisabeth at Go Green Travel Green wrote a great post about this topic: 12 Things You Need to Know About Carbon Offsets.

Another good source of information is DirectGov website.

Personally, I am confused. We are told that flying is bad for the environment but airlines come up with such cheap flights that you can't refuse these offers to discover the world. Shouldn't airlines be the ones responsible for offsetting in the first place? Shouldn't the price of the ticket include offsetting?

I would be interested to hear your views on this topic. Do you care? If so, what do you do to offset your carbon consumption?

6 things you should know before visiting New Zealand

New Zealand is a fabulous destination if you enjoy outdoor activities and nature. The best way to discover this country is in a campervan. Having the freedom to drive from one place to another at your own pace is ideal. Being able to spend time up a mountain, by a lake or simply admiring wildlife is indeed magical.


Before you set off, there are a few things you should know, which hopefully will make your stay even more enjoyable.

1. Cashpoint machines: when you visit the South Island, it can be tricky to find a bank. Make sure you have enough cash to last you at least a week.

2. Fuel: if you hire a car or a campervan, make sure you fill up with petrol regularly. Distances can be deceiving on the map and when the petrol is low, it can be pretty stressful to find the next petrol station.

3. Groceries: again, in the South Island, towns are very small. Grocery stores have a limited choice to the point that it can be difficult to find enough ingredients to prepare a meal. When you come across a supermarket, get enough reserves just in case. Tins can be pretty handy at times.

4. Nightlife: If you stay in campsites, nightlife after 10pm is very limited. People tend to go to bed early and get up early. It is worth knowing this as it can be surprising if you are not use to this way of life.

5. Sandflies: New Zealand is a very safe place but if you go sea-kayaking in the Milford Sound, make sure you take insect repellent with you. Sandflies are vicious there. If you get bitten, the spots can last up to two weeks and are very itchy.

6. Distances: New Zealand is a big country. Don't plan to do too much otherwise it becomes a race and no longer a holiday. Enjoy what you see. Make the most of the areas you come across. Follow the signs off the main roads as they are well worth the detour.

If you have visited New Zealand and wish to share some of your tips, please feel free to add a comment.

Through the lens - Tiptoe Traveller in Wales, UK

Lake Vyrnwy

Through the lens - Tiptoe Traveller in New Zealand

Top 10 favourite landscapes from the south and north islands of New Zealand

Lake Wanaka

Pass between Queenstown and Wanaka

Lake Rotoroa

Milford Sound



Queenstown and lake Wakatipu

   

Pass between Queenstown and lake Wanaka

  

Between Blenheim and Picton

 

Near Bleinhem

 

Pass outside Wellington



Blue lake near Rotorua



Do you have any pictures of New Zealand you would like to share. Feel free to post your link below. 

New Zealand - A dream comes true (Part 2)

North island - Maori culture, volcanic activities and sandy beaches

My previous post covers our itinerary in the South island of New Zealand where we sent 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we only had one week left to spend in the North island. And no need to say that choosing our itinerary was difficult. We were fortunate to have some friends in Wellington who recommended the east side of the north island and we were not disappointed. We did not have enough time to reach the top of the island where you can find the best beaches. We decided to slow down to explore the countryside and we happened to find the Karangahake gorges. This site used to be a gold mining site. It is in fact an outdoor museum set in a peaceful setting surrounding by natural beauty. Simply stunning!

The map below shows our main stop overs.

Photo diary


The pass just outside Wellington



Napier - The Art Deco town



Waimangu volcanic valley - can you spot the steam at the top of the mountain



Geyser in Rotorua

A Maori ceremony

 

A Maori ceremony



Karangahake gorges: historic mining site

Once again, I am pleased to say that as far as ecotourism is concerned, New Zealand is such an inspiring country. All sites are extremely well looked after. The staff working in the tourism industry seem to be very proud of their country and keen to protect it. Educating the public is important. To give you an example, in the space of 3 weeks, we have only noticed 1 plastic bag in a river. Everywhere else was amazingly clean. Very inspiring indeed!

In my next post, I will be sharing our top 10 best photos of our trip. Enjoy!