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Jucy Lucy! Touring New Zealand in a Camper Van

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When Dave and I first started planning our year out we both made a list of our must sees and dos and then tried to meet somewhere in the middle.  We both wanted to see New Zealand.   I was thinking beautiful boutique hotels.  He wanted the campervan experience.  So we negotiated.  In return for my time in the campervan I would enjoy two weeks in a five star resort in Thailand.  Not a bad deal as it turned out, campervaning around New Zealand was one of the big highlights for both of us.

We were due to arrive in New Zealand in the summer peak season and the prices reflected this. A couple of our friends had rented a Jucy camper a few years prior and had a blast so we decided to check them out.  Their prices were cheaper than most of the others and we were able to pick up in the North Island and drop off in the South.  Even better, like their Facebook page for a 10% discount on the rental or check out @JUCYWorld for a twitter discount.  Some other rental companies that were well represented on the campsites and are probably worth checking out are Wicked, Appollo, Escape, Britz, Maui, Spaceships and Mighty Campers.

Getting Juced up! Picking up our Jucy

We were arriving from China into Auckland at some very early hour of the morning.  Be sure to check the office opening hours, when we were there the Jucy office didn’t open to 8 a.m. so we had to spend a few hours at the airport trying not to blow our budget on airport food and finding a free wi-fi provider to pass the time.  It was at this point I discovered Angry Birds, very entertaining!   We got through to the office around 8 a.m. and were picked up within about 30 minutes.

Overall, I’m a massive fan of the Jucy experience and customer service, they were outstanding on most occasions, but the Auckland airport branch was testing.  Jucy operate a same day turn around on rentals so despite the fact we had booked our van for 8 a.m. we were still waiting hours later.  The lady who served us was abrupt and unapologetic about the delay, and let’s face it, you don’t want to annoy the person allocating your home for the next month or two so we were pretty laid back.  There’s a supermarket and a few shops within a short walk so we were able to amuse and feed ourselves until eventually, well into the afternoon, our van was ready.

YAY! The Condo was ready and we got the grand tour from one of the Jucy reps.  We booked the Jucy Condo, it was a choice between this and the smaller Jucy Cabana, which is like a converted people carrier.  The Condo is a converted Toyota Hiace van with two double beds, a mini kitchen with a gas cooker, fridge, sink, cupboards and a chemical toilet (our toilet looked brand new and we never used it, unless you’re free camping there isn’t really any necessity.  It’s not like you’re going to sit and relax on a portable toilet on the side of the road.  And then clean it up!).   It’s marketed as sleeping up to 4 people but it was perfect for the two of us.  We used the upper double bed as storage for our rucksacks and for the bedding during the day and it meant we didn’t have to rearrange everything to the front of the car every night.  It was definitely a worthwhile extra for us.

Our Condo was in really good condition and I have to admit, I’m fussy where I lay my head! For peace of mind we had gone for the stress free insurance option (NZD 25 per day) which meant there was no excess in the event of a claim, and this included insurance for additional drivers so the two of us so we could share the driving.  There were a few roads that were excluded from the insurance (Ninety Mile Beach – Northland, Ball Hut Road – up to Mount Cook and Skippers Road – Queenstown) but we didn’t travel on them so it wasn’t an issue for us.   Definitely check out the insurance options so see what is best for your trip.

In terms of branding renting a Jucy is like taking a EasyJet or Ryanair flight, you’re not going to forget how you’re travelling so you might as well embrace the bright colour scheme!  The outside of the van is bright green and even the bed sheets and duvet are green and purple.

The Condo was equipped with almost everything we needed for our stay and everything was very clean and relatively new.  According to the Jucy website the Condo interior was custom built in 2010. Included inside the Condo there was:

• plates, cutlery, glasses, cups and saucepans
• clean linen for the two beds which were plastic wrapped
• pillows and duvets
• 2 Bath towels and a tea towel
• frying pan, saucepan, kettle and toaster
• kitchen utensils
• a bucket and cleaning equipment
• 2 camping/picnic chairs (these were included with the stress free insurance, they were listed at $15 each)

 Driving the Condo

The Condo had around 140,000 miles when we picked it up.  It had a full tank of petrol (70 litres) and the 55 litre water tank was also full.  It was an automatic transmission and easy to drive.  The Jucy website states consumption of 10 to 12 litres per 100km.

I was slightly worried about driving a camper van but the Condo is quite narrow so the adjustment from a car was relatively small.  We had no issues with the Condo during our trip.

Watch out for the other Jucy Condos or Cabanas on the road.  Most other Jucy drivers flashed their lights and waved when we met them, this amused us no end on long journeys, it brought me right back to my innocent ‘I spy’ car journeys as a child.  Unfortunately I’m not able to do two things at once when driving so I couldn’t partake but my husband is a lot more skilled than me and we had great fun playing this game!

Saving money on fuel

• We never drove with a full tank of water, nearly every campsite we stayed in had a water station so we found 10 litres to be plenty for a day or so.  The Condo is a lot lighter on the road and fuel consumption is reduced.  New Zealand is hilly and we struggled with getting the juice to climb the long ones at a decent speed.  Cue lots of  impatient drivers forming a queue behind us. Emptying the water tank made a noticeable difference to our hill climbing abilities and we were able to keep up with the rest of the traffic! So we tried to do this before any really long drives – leaving a little water in the tank in case we needed to wash anything.
• We picked up an AA card along the way.  Its free, you just need to register online and swipe the card at gas stations that have the AA fuel card ‘Save on fuel here’ sign outside (BP and Caltex were two when we were there).
• Some of the supermarkets give a fuel discount voucher when you spend a certain amount.  We often got offers from New World and Countdown to save a certain amount per litre.
• Drive through a town and check out the gas stations and their prices.  We sometimes noticed 10p per litre difference between the different gas stations.

The bench seat in the back pulled out to meet the single seats and form a very spacious, very comfortable double bed.  We used the spare duvet as a base and it was nice to have it to lie on.  There was another double above which we used to store our belongings and the bedding, it had a protective net in front of it to stop things flying around when we were driving.   We tested it out as a bed and it was identical to the downstairs bed in terms of comfort but I found it a bit weird being so close to the roof and not being able to sit up!

There were blinds on every window in the back and a pull down blind behind the front seat so the Condo was nice and dark for sleeping and had total privacy for getting dressed.

Once we had it figured out we were able to convert the Condo to a bedroom in less than 10 minutes and the same converting it back in the mornings.

Living in the Condo

It took us a few days to get our living arrangements organized and a system in place but, once we did, it was the perfect set up.

We cooked almost every day in the Condo as it was less hassle than taking all our stuff up to the kitchens in the campsite or when we didn’t have kitchen facilities.  During long drives we often pulled up for lunch in a scenic spot.  The kitchen was great for rustling up culinary treats like pasta, potatoes, beans, noodles and eggs.  Just remember to fill up the gas tank before returning the Condo.

There are switches on the side of the kitchen which control the fridge, lights, radio and water and they have to be switched to on for each appliance to work.   It took us a while (and some spoiled food) to figure out how to work the fridge properly so its worth getting a demo on how to charge it when you pick up the Jucy.  There are two batters in the Condo, the engine battery and the domestic battery which powers the appliances.  The domestic battery is under the bench seat in the back of the Condo and the fridge doesn’t work if this battery is low.

I didn’t bring my hairdryer or straightening irons (I actually believed my husband when he told me it was pointless bring electrical items, in hindsight it did save me carrying them around for a year but my hair doesn’t look its best in the photos) so, if you’re as clueless as me, it is fine to bring electricals.  There is a power cable for hooking up to the power points on powered sites in the campsites and a few plugs in the Condo to run electricals off.

The Condo has a built in DVD player on the back wall, we didn’t use it but many campsites had DVDs to rent so it could be useful for entertainment.

Extras 

We made a few purchases to make the Condo easier to live in while we were travelling, there’s plenty of the Warehouse stores around with all these items:

• a plastic crate for storing our food.  There isn’t much cupboard space and the crate sat neatly on the floor of the Condo when we were driving
• a sat nav.  A GPS takes the hassle out of driving and Jucy rents theirs at NZD 8 per day.  We found it cheaper to load up our own sat nav with New Zealand maps but it depends on the length of your trip how beneficial this is
• a mosquito net.  Maybe we’re unlucky but on some sites we got bitten multiple times by mosquitos and sandflies.  It was not pleasant.  We picked up a mosquito net along the way and it was amazing.  We could sit inside in the evenings and keep the side door open to enjoy the fresh air

• a chill box for storing wine/beer/glass bottles and keeping them cool.  The power for the fridge will run out if you’re staying on a campsite for a few days or if you’re not driving much.  The chill box was great in these situations to stop our food being spoiled.
• a torch.  It gets dark early in New Zealand and the campsites quieten down around 10 p.m.  If nature calls a torch is needed to lead the way to the bathrooms!
• a washing line for days when you have a quiet site, sunny weather and a backlog of washing.  It saves a fortune on the dryers in the camp site which run at 3 to 4 NZD a pop.  And once is never enough!

Security 

We read alot about the campervan experience before we left and there were a few reports of camper vans being broken into.  It wasn’t an issue for us and we always felt 100% safe in our Jucy Condo, but we did use some basic security tips to keep our Condo safe.  They worked for us:

• we always put the blinds down when we left the Condo, even if it was during the day or in busy places.  No point tempting anyone with your wordly belongings.  Even if they’re mostly smelly at that point!
• don’t leave anything visible in the front of the Condo, the blinds only cover from behind the front seats and beyond
• keep your valuables with you at all times or find somewhere safe to stash them
• lock the van at night when your inside asleep.  Its easy to lock from the inside and there is a roof vent to let some air in
• use common sense when you park.  We tried to park in busy, visible areas, our thinking was that there were too many people around if someone tried to break in
• we didn’t freedom camp, we always stayed on campsites.  If you do freedom camp, some of the areas are very quiet and secluded so do your research and lock up

Returning the Jucy

Sadly, we had to part with our Jucy in Christchurch after over a month on the road.  It was easy to get the Condo ready for its return and took about 30 minutes the morning we left:

• cleaned out the fridge
• emptied the water tanks
• filled up with petrol and gas for the cooker
• gave the inside a quick clean and made sure it was empty
• got the dirty laundry together

It was hard saying goodbye to our girl, hopefully her new owners treated her with the love she deserves! The Christchurch guys were great and the return was hassle free.  We waited about 10 minutes for a ride to the airport and we were on our way.

Read more about our  New Zealand adventures

4 thoughts on “Jucy Lucy! Touring New Zealand in a Camper Van”

Just a great way to get around New Zealand

Wow! this is amazing, I miss this kind of feeling doing things in a camper.

Thanks for the tips! I’ve read a TON to prepare for our upcoming trip. You had some really great ideas! How did you attach the mosquito net?

We just used tape to secure the net around the door! Hope you have a fab time planning and on the trip 🙂

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The Five Foot Traveler

Reaching new heights, a date with jucy in new zealand.

by Sarah Gallo | Apr 11, 2019 | Australia/New Zealand , New Zealand , Reviews , South Island , Transportation Reviews | 2 comments

Three years ago I road tripped around New Zealand for a month with my brother. Within days of arriving in New Zealand, it had instantly become my favorite country. And I’m happy to report back that it’s still holding the #1 spot! While we had an extraordinary experience, we couldn’t help but notice all of the campervans inching their way along the backroads taking in the sites. We thought to ourselves, “What freedom!” and said that next time we visited New Zealand, we’d have to do it via campervan. While my brother sadly wasn’t with me this time around, I did have a week-long date with JUCY in the backcountry of New Zealand!

You know, despite having visited 108 countries across all 7 continents, I’ve never actually done a campervan trip and… in all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve specialized in luxury travel for the last three years, so the idea of having a house on wheels for a week was a little nerve-wracking for me. But, I knew that I wanted to do New Zealand “right” and allow myself the freedom and flexibility that a campervan offers.

Usually when I’m planning an upcoming trip, I need to look up the brands that would be the best fit for me; but when it came to planning New Zealand, I instantly remembered the bright green and purple campervans we saw dotted around the country, and remembered JUCY , the perfect campervan company for enthusiastic adventurers like myself! But, unbeknownst to me, JUCY isn’t just a campervan company! They also have hotels, car rentals, and cruises, so we decided to check out all of their offerings!

The JUCY Campervan.

JUCY has an array of campervans available ranging from regular vans to self-contained vehicles. It’s important to note that if you plan to freedom camp in New Zealand, it’s absolutely necessary to have a self-contained vehicle and do your research (I highly recommend downloading the app “ Campermate ” to assist you).

We went with JUCY’s Campervan “Condo,” which can sleep up to four people. While we were only two, we wanted that little bit of extra space … especially because it was my first campervan trip! And, I must say, it was absolutely perfect. The JUCY Campervan “Condo” wasn’t too big, nor too small — it was easily parked in regular parking spots, so it never felt too bulky. The JUCY Condo came equipped with full bedding (pillows, sheets, duvets), towels, dish rags, and all kitchenware … even wine glasses (and an opener too!).

There’s a fridge that runs 24/7 as well as a 55L water tank. This is what enabled us to cook our meals in the most stunning of locations and stop for a bite anytime we wanted. Other than that, there was ample storage space and speakers throughout the van to play our favorite tunes.

We took our JUCY Campervan from Christchurch to Mt. Cook , Wanaka , Queenstown , Fiordland and Milford Sound and it was the perfect vehicle for this portion of our trip. It’s incredible to be able to wake up to the sun reflecting off the glacial lakes, eat dinner with the sun setting over the m ountains, and fall asleep with the Milky Way truly overhead. It’s difficult to have these experiences when you’re limited to a hotel room.

The JUCY Cruise.

As part of our campervan trip, we journeyed down to Milford Sound (which is about 4 hours from Queenstown, as you have to go around the mountain range). The best way to experience the magical Milford Sound is via cruise. While I visited Milford Sound on my last trip to New Zealand, I discovered this time around that JUCY has an awesome Premium Catamaran that takes you out to the “eighth world wonder.” With over 200 days of rain a year, my luck seemed just about as good as last time … as it was absolutely pouring the day that we had planned to take our cruise. Luckily, Milford Sound is absolutely stunning in the rain, as all of the karsts turn to flowing waterfalls.

The JUCY Snooze Hotels.

Since we were spending so much time in our JUCY campervan, I knew that I’d want the convenience of a hotel room at some point. Lucky for us, JUCY has two hotels as part of their JUCY Snooze brand: Snooze Christchurch and Snooze Queenstown. We began our trip at the Snooze Christchurch, which was conveniently only a 10-15 minute walk from the airport! They also have a complimentary shuttle from the airport to JUCY Snooze that runs from 8am to 1:30am, which we found incredibly convenient since we arrived at 11pm on our first day. And get this – it’s an automated check-in process. You just type your name or reservation number into the kiosk and voila, out pops your room key! I found this to be incredibly convenient and innovative. The rooms are cute and cozy, with en suite bathrooms and motivational mottos on the bedside walls. “Why stop dreaming when you wake up” was written next to our bed and was a great reminder to get up and start living out our daydreams.

After our wonderful week in our JUCY Campervan “Condo,” we dropped off our campervan and stayed at JUCY Snooze in Queenstown. It was the perfect way to break up our two-week trip, as we enjoyed some pretty epic views in the heart of Queenstown. JUCY Snooze Queenstown also owns and operates Miss Lucy’s, the best pizzeria in Queenstown, so naturally, we had to check it out! And boy were they right! We tried two different, mouth-watering pizzas: (1) Mushroom, Truffle Oil, Goat Cheese, and Spinach (Vegetarian) and (2) Beetroot Hummus Base, Kale, Roasted Red Capsicum, Avocado, Balsamic Nuts & Seeds, and Chimichurri Sauce (Vegan).

We loved the truffle oil pizza so much that we actually ordered it two nights in a row! JUCY’s Miss Lucy’s serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner, and offers fantastic mountain views while you eat and relax overlooking Queenstown.

I love that each JUCY Snooze has awesome common areas, whether it’s the bean bags, hammocks, and benches in Christchurch or the rooftop Miss Lucy’s bar and lounge in Queenstown.

The JUCY Car Rental.

After departing JUCY’s Snooze Queenstown, we actually switched out our campervan for a JUCY Car Rental. We knew that our last few days in the country would be less active and more relaxing, so we didn’t feel the need for the campervan; we knew that the car rental would be plenty sufficient…and it surely was! We took our JUCY car rental to Wanaka , Lake Pukaki, and then over to the Akaroa Peninsula. The drive was easy, the car was comfortable, and we still had the freedom of getting from Point A to Point B on our own time, unlike when using public transportation. Anyone that knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE road trips and try to explore by car whenever possible, and New Zealand is clearly no exception. In fact, New Zealand tops the list as far as stunning road trips go!

And with that, we wrapped up our date with JUCY in New Zealand! From campervans to cruises, snoozes, and car rentals, JUCY surely delivered everything we could have wanted and then some. Thanks JUCY! Until We Beep Again!

Want to go on a Date with JUCY too?

Pin it please.

I enjoyed this article…I am going to check out JUCY camper van! I think you would enjoy this book i just finished, “Highway of Diamonds: an international travel adventure” by J. Jaye Gold. I got hooked by the adventure story and came to really appreciate the subtle life lessons woven throughout. Here is a link to the first three chapters of the book: https://a.co/1P4a3Ld Thank you for sharing your adventures & recommendations. New Zealand is on my bucket list!

All the best to you, Ian

Thanks for sharing Ian! JUCY camper vans are amazing and NZ should definitely be at the top of your bucket list!

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Hi, I’m Sarah!

Hello World! I’m Sarah Gallo, The Five Foot Traveler, and I choose to dream out loud. After conquering a crippling fear of flying, I’ve developed an unquenchable passion for traveling. Since my newfound freedom, I have set foot on all seven continents, explored 114 countries, and continue to strive to live life to the fullest. Continue Reading…

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Jucy Condo Campervan

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Take the comforts of home with you on your East Coast road trip in the Juicy Condo Campervan! Combining the perks of an easy-to-drive minivan with the added space allowing travellers to stand up, this is the perfect choice for those who are after some bonus space on the road! 

Sleeping four and seating five, it’s all smooth travelling with a convertible living space, fully-equipped kitchen, plentiful storage and “upstairs” and “downstairs” beds. The perfect choice for those wanting ample room, living and sleeping space, or those travelling with a small group, road tripping down the East Coast in style doesn’t have to put a hole in your wallet with the Juicy Condo campervan!

Not sure which campervan is perfect for you? Use our campervan matching tool for personalised advice to find you your dream vehicle! 

• Seats five and sleeps four with a spacious convertible “downstairs” bed and cosy “upstairs” bed.
• Customised, functional interior with comfy beds, spacious storage and equipped kitchen.
• Thoughtful inclusions like roadside assistance, bedding and dinnerware for a seamless getaway!
• The perfect choice for groups of up to four, or singles and couples looking for a roomier road trip! 

IMPORTANT: Campervan hire has dynamic pricing - the actual hire rate may differ from the base rate listed above. Please contact us for a direct quote!

What's Included?

• Taller than most minivans with added roof space
• Two double beds 
• Convertable living area with storage, seating and a table
• Sleeps four and seats five
• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Dinnerware and cutlery
• Fridge, sink and gas stove 
• All bedding and towels 
• Blockout privacy curtains
• Cleaning equipment
• 12v interior lighting and power
• Airport shuttle transfers
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Unlimited kilometres
• Air-conditioning

What's Extra?

• Portable Toilet 
• GPS satellite navigation
• Camping chairs and table 
• Additional drivers
• Excess reduction 
• Looking for even more space? Check out the Jucy Compass and Jucy Coaster for an upgraded van life experience.

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A Singaporean's Adventures at Home and Abroad

Campervan Adventure in New Zealand with JUCY

New Zealand is a beautiful country to experience campervan travel. I was fortunate to have explored New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa during the pandemic for two years , making full use of the visa and my freedom to travel.

Together with my friends and partner then, we had spent countless nights sleeping in cars, modified camper cars , campervans, and caravans . We had freedom camped near the waves of the Pacific Ocean at the northernmost campsite of New Zealand , endured -2°C nights in our cosy sleeping bags in the car at a campsite in Mount Cook, and cooked our meals at the end of the shift as a hops trainer in a caravan at the South Island.

But the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you’d just like to sample a sliver of life in a campervan while on a 2-weeks vacation in New Zealand ? Or would like to save on time and lodging expenses and experience remote NZ?

Well, here’s a reflection and learnings of my campervan rental with JUCY , one of the most budget-friendly self-contained campervan services in New Zealand. Their green-purple facade is difficult to miss.

I travelled on a JUCY Camper around Northland in Mar 2021. This post contains affiliate links that cost nothing to you but support my blog! It may also be updated periodically. Cheers!

What is a self-contained camper?

You could sleep rough in your car, but there are rules for spending a night in your car in the campsites of New Zealand.

There are designated campsites that indicate overnight parking for self-contained units only .

What exactly is self-contained then?

To qualify to camp in certain self-contained-only places around New Zealand for free, your motor has to contain:

• A sink connected to a watertight greywater tank
• A portable or fixed toilet
• Freshwater tanks holding 12 L of water per person for 3 days
• A blackwater tank that can hold the same or greater amount of waste for 3 days
• An evacuation hose
• A rubbish bin with a lid
• A self-containment certificate visibly displayed

What is Freedom Camping?

You could stay in holiday parks during your New Zealand trip for their bigger and better kitchens and other amenities.

However, the beauty of travelling in a self-contained camper is the freedom to camp anywhere! Well, almost everywhere , but it’s best to consult CamperMate or Wikicamps . Camping at the wrong place could result in a hefty NZ$200 fine!

As a freedom camper, we leave no traces of trash and bodily waste. It’s all about protecting the environment, and saving it for the rest to enjoy!

That’s where self-contained campers come in – you leave all waste in the camper and dispose of it only at designated dumping stations (check for the nearest one via those mentioned sites!).

Picking a Camper

Pickup location.

Understand where you’ll pick up and drop off your rental.

Would you be doing a loop trip like me in the Northland ? That means you’d be picking up and dropping the motorhome at Auckland.

Or would you be doing a one-way trip from Christchurch to Queenstown ?

Most motorhome companies have rental offices in Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown.

Number of people

Finalise the number of people travelling with you to decide on the type of camper.

This question sets the number of seatbelts you must have in your campervan, which is mandatory.

Also, take note that some motorhomes do not support child seats.

Shower cubicle

Planning to shower no matter where you camp?

Then you might need a self-contained camper with a shower cubicle. These usually come with a fixed toilet within.

Having a shower room makes it very convenient to clean up after a swim or a roll in the sand dunes (cue the giant sand dunes of Te Paki in the Northland). We showered in the carpark of a supermarket once during our Northland road trip .

But it also means less space for an additional bed, hence accommodating fewer people.

Would you be cooking your meals to save money? Or do you envision your trip sampling some of the delicious foods in New Zealand and making easy sandwiches? 

Some campervans are small and do not cater for cooking within the van.

Budget – prices and inclusions

For some – at least for us – price matters when you have a budget for your exploration or want to stretch your dollars.

Consider all the extra or hidden costs when choosing the rental company.

Would there be more than one driver? Young drivers incur a higher premium. Would you be paying via credit card? Those have fees. Different companies charge varying amounts for cleaning. All companies have some form of insurance coverage – what’s your risk level?

Think about the costs to get to the rental site. Research for those that provide shuttles from the airport.

JUCY tends to be the cheapest for couples. For bigger groups or those travelling with families, it could be MAUI, APOLLO or BRITZ. Try to spot their promotions early and book outside of peak travelling periods or holidays.

Expectations 

Driving a campervan.

Getting behind the wheels of a campervan can be exciting and frightening at the same time. 

Spend some time getting used to driving the vehicle before hitting the expressway.

Know the blind spots and the vehicle’s height when driving through tunnels or entering underground car parks.

As mentioned, not all areas are free to camp. Look for signs allowing free camping, or cross-check with the CamperMate or Wikicamps apps if in doubt. Illegal camping can incur hefty fines!

Motorhomes or holiday parks are scattered all over New Zealand. These have powered and non-powered sites and shared facilities like kitchens and hot showers but come at a price.

I used to think holiday parks and motorhomes were the only places I could get clean water and dump soiled ones. But that does not make sense for budget-conscious folks who live in campervans.

You can find places to get free clean drinking water and dump wastewater through the apps.

The campervan is – most of the time – all the space you have for cooking, washing and sleeping. Take in extra space by cooking or chilling outside the van when the weather allows!

Our trip around the Northland in summer was perfect for enjoying the outdoors with the campervan. But a warm summer also meant warmer nights in the campervan.

It takes time to get used to the small space and convert the same space for other functions, like the bench into a bed for sleeping. That also limits the space in the van for standing.

My Reflection with JUCY Chaser

The five days I spent in a JUCY Chaser around the Northland were fun and memorable ! I’d say money well spent!

That experience later inspired us to imagine what a long-term life in a campervan may be, and what our camper might look like. We turned that into a reality a couple months later at Te Puke during the Kiwi harvest season by selling my old 1998 maroon Honda Odyssey for a dusty blue converted Mazda MPV camper car!

Read more about my car purchase adventure in New Zealand here – we went through three cars within 2 years, and had experienced a car accident and theft !

Here are some of my thoughts on staying in a JUCY Chaser;

• The Chaser is a converted Toyota Hiace capable of carrying three adults. It has three seatbelts at the front. However, the third person sitting in the middle might find it uncomfortable with the rigid seat.
• There are two double beds in the Chaser . The top bed is easy to make, but difficult to climb into. The bottom bed requires some time to configure and takes substantial activity space within the camper.
• There are two small cookers and a sink in the kitchen. The spark to our cookers was faulty, and the pot and pan would slide across the cooker if the van was parked tilted to one side. We were able to make pasta and soup. The main problem was the sink, which could not drain well most of the time.
• The 50L compressor fridge keeps our perishables fresh. This is handy for meats and vegetables that require cold storage, especially during warm days when the van can become an oven. 
• Bring detergent, a sponge and a washcloth . Cleaning aids are not included in the package.
• High electricity consumption appliances , like the laptop, need the van to be plugged in. Otherwise, electric gadgets that can be powered through USB sockets are fine.
• There is hot water! You could take hot showers during the winter.

The Booking Process with JUCY

Our 5-day campervan adventure was booked at a whim.

After a week into our Helpx, we wanted a bailout from the demanding host and bad experience.

As we were looking for our next destination before the Te Puke Kiwi harvest season , we saw a promo for JUCY. It took all of 15 minutes to get what we wanted sorted out.

We booked a JUCY Chaser the day before departure, one Friday afternoon, and were lucky to have scored a 20% off deal . But being money-minded folks, we found three inescapable extras we have to pay to secure our campervan trip: (1) insurance, (2) a ‘premium’ location fee; and (3) a credit card fee.

For insurance, JUCY offers three options: (1) yolo no coverage; (2) some coverage; and (3) full coverage. The main differences between the last two are insurance against roof panel damage and rollover damage . Being aware of the roof and careful driving should solve that.

We went with JUCY’s Stress Free Standard Cover (option (2)) for NZ$40 / day. The price has remained the same in 2024. The full coverage option, named the Stress Free Plus , costs NZ$55.

Location fee

Next on the list: the ‘premium’ location fee.

What’s premium?!

All three pickup offices listed on JUCY’s webpage charge a different premium fee, so this is an inescapable fee varied by the location where you pick up the vans.

Picking up the van from Auckland or Christchurch costs NZ$12. Picking it up from Queenstown would set you back $45 – about four times more than the rest!

As of 2024, the price has gone up to NZ$150 for Queenstown! It’s still the same price for Christchurch and Auckland. 

JUCY charges a one-way fee of NZ$150 – NZ$650. If you were to pick up the van from Auckland and drop it off at Queenstown, it’d cost an additional NZ$12 + NZ$150 + NZ$650 = NZ$812 ! My suggestion is to stick to loop trips and save on unnecessary costs.

JUCY often has an attractive promo for travels from Christchurch to Auckland or from Queenstown to Christchurch – basically travels heading North. So seriously consider your options!

Credit card fee

I doubt there is anyone who can get away without paying this fee. It cost us NZ$10 in 2021.

You may be charged other fees depending on added conveniences, for instance, an extra driver at NZ$2 per day or GPS – who uses that nowadays when you have Google maps or Waze?

You could choose to pay a deposit or full payment during checkout. We opted for full payment to save time.

Collection Day

Collect your van anytime during the offices’ opening hours. We went with the 10 am slot. 

Picking up the van takes some time for us. Only one administrator was on duty that day, and she had to clear a few other customers – those picking up or returning the vehicles – before reaching us.

The check-in process involves going through the driving licence, the cleaned van for any defects, and finally settling any due payments.

It took us almost an hour before we were on our way to our Northland adventure .

We left our car by the roadside of their Auckland branch.

Returning the Van

Returning the van was surprisingly easy. Perhaps affected by the lockdown then.

We had to return the van with a full petrol tank, an empty waste water tank, a full water tank, and a full LPG tank.

We called the office beforehand to let them know we were returning after their working hours. They allowed us to drop the keys in their letterbox and charged us nothing. Then again, this might have been due to the lockdown in Auckland.

Conclusion/ Rambles

This episode was my first time renting a vehicle overseas, and it was taxing for someone new who has no idea what to expect ! We judiciously read the fine print, identified the extra costs, picked suitable insurance coverage, and made sure the vehicle came back looking as it should be.

Those concerns aside, renting a campervan to travel around New Zealand is probably the best way to fully experience the natural beauty of the country. If you were to factor in the time, costs and comfort of staying in a dorm room or a motel and relying on a rented car or public bus, a campervan vacation ultimately wins!

We came out of our short campervan vacation inspired, which later propelled us to purchase a camper car for the remainder of our New Zealand Working Holiday adventure. 

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Cicada map 2024: See where to find Brood XIX and XIII − and where they've already been spotted

For many Americans, the cicadas are here .

Trillions of periodical cicadas are already emerging in a rare, two brood event across multiple states , with more expected to come in the following weeks. Thanks to warm temperatures and good conditions, these 13- or 17-year cicadas are emerging from their underground habitats to eat, mate and die, making a whole lot of noise in the process.

Broods XIX and XIII have not emerged together since 1803, and after this year, won't emerge together again until 2245. While they are largely in different states, they are both emerging in parts of Illinois and Iowa.

So if you've seen one cicada or hundreds of cicadas, here's where you can expect to see more this year.

Are cicadas dangerous? Busting myths on the harmfulness of the noisy pests.

Are cicadas already out in 2024?

Adult periodical cicadas from Brood XIX have been spotted by users in multiple states across the Southeast and Midwest including in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Illinois, according to  Cicada Safari , a cicada tracking app developed by Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Through Cicada Safari, users can confirm their sightings of cicadas with pictures, look at a map of other cicada sightings, join a leaderboard with other users and learn more information about cicadas.

2024 cicada map: Check out where Broods XIII, XIX are projected to emerge

The two cicada broods are projected to emerge in a combined 17 states across the South and Midwest. They emerge once the soil eight inches underground reaches 64 degrees, expected to begin in many states in May and lasting through late June.

The two broods  last emerged together in 1803 , when Thomas Jefferson was president.

What is a brood?

According to the  University of Connecticut , broods are classified as "all periodical cicadas of the same life cycle type that emerge in a given year."

A brood of cicadas is made up of different species of the insect that have separate evolutionary histories. These species may have joined the brood at different times or from different sources. These different species are lumped together under the brood because they are in the same region and emerge on a common schedule.

Why do cicadas make so much noise?

You'll have to thank the male cicadas for all that screeching. Male cicadas synchronize their calls and produce congregational songs, according to  Britannica , which establish territory and attract females. There is also a courting call that they make before mating.

Unluckily for us, the 13-year and 17-year brood cicadas  are the loudest , partially because of the sheer number of them that emerge at once.

The Alchemy Is Palpable Between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on Vacation in Lake Como

Taylor swift and travis kelce were photographed enjoying a romantic getaway in lake como, italy, on the heels of her eras tour shows in paris..

Taylor Swift  and Travis Kelce have been circled on the map. 

In fact, the duo were spotted on a romantic escapade in Lake Como, Italy, ahead of  "The Alchemy" singer's next Eras Tour stop in Stockholm, Sweden, May 17. 

During the evening stroll May 13, Taylor appeared to be channeling her inner Tortured Poet in a long black peacoat with Mary Jane flats and her hair in a low bun. Meanwhile, Travis donned a long sleeve white T-shirt—complete with doodles of an angel and a devil on the front breast and back shoulder, respectively—with black pants and sneakers.

Travis and Taylor's romantic getaway comes off the heels of the Grammy winner 's four night stop in Paris which saw the Kansas City Chiefs player step out for his sixth concert May 12. And Taylor made sure to show Travis and his team a whole lot of love as she stepped out in several gold and red outfits throughout the show, and gave her now-signature shoutout to her man during her show's finale, replacing the lyrics "Karma is the guy on the screen" to "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs." 

Naturally, the evening had Travis—who was also joined by Gigi Hadid  and Bradley Cooper  for the occasion—feeling so high school. 

"It was fun," he explained to his brother Jason Kelce on the May 15 episode of New Heights . "It was an all around lovely night. I don't know if they're just getting better or if I'm just forgetting how they are. It was electric ."

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And some of the sparks may have been flying during Taylor's new Tortured Poets Department set, which includes some subtle references to her man. During the abridged rendition of her song "So High School," Taylor and her dancers incorporated some of Travis' touchdown celebration moves into the choreography, as well as the Chiefs' tradition of "swag surfing."

A love like Taylor and Travis' only happens once every few lifetimes. Keep reading to see a glimpse into their latest date night. 

Making a Comeback to Where I Belong

Travis recently attended his sixth Eras Tour show, supporting Taylor at her May 13 Paris concert with Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper before the couple stepped out in Lake Como. 

So High School 

During the concert, Taylor performed her now-infamous lyric change in Karma, which she debuted when he saw her perform in Argentina in November, declaring that "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs" during her final song. 

I'll Be 87, You'll Be 1989

And while Travis was prepped on the bait and switch ahead of that first moment, he admitted that it still surprised him.

"Yeah no had no clue that—well, I might have had a little bit of a clue, but definitely when I heard it come out of her mouth, still shocked me,” he previously shared on New Heights . “I was like, 'Oh, she really just said that.'"

Marry, Kiss, Or Kill Me?

And Travis isn't the only supportive member in this romance. After all, Taylor attended 13 Kansas City Chiefs games last season ahead of their Super Bowl LVIII win. 

Who Are We To Fight The Alchemy?

In fact, Taylor's first appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game in September all but confirmed their romance. 

"By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple," Taylor explained to TIME in December. "I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date."

Still Reserved For Me 

In the following months, Taylor and Travis have spotted out and about in New York—including supporting Ice Spice during a Saturday Night Live performance in mid-October—and on date nights in cities she’s touring in.

No One's Ever Had Me—Not Like You

Perhaps their most romantic moment of their romance thus far has been Taylor flying across the world from her Tokyo Eras Tour shows to support Travis in the Super Bowl in February. 

You Know How To Ball, I Know Aristotle

But for Taylor, it was all worth it. As she told Travis on the field after his team's overtime win Feb. 11, "It was unbelievable. One of the craziest things I've ever experienced!"

Bittersweet, 16, Suddenly

Soon Taylor put their love on the page, as she referenced her the athlete on her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department . 

Just Look At You

Fans were quick to note the songs off of the album that could be about him—which include "So High School" and "The Alchemy." 

Where's The Trophy?

Travis, of course, made his love for the album known. In fact, he gushed about it ahead of its release, saying during a February press conference , "I have heard some of it, yes, and it is unbelievable." 

He Just Comes Running Over To Me

Taylor put it best when she told TIME in December of her romance, "We’re just proud of each other.”

Maria Shriver Calls Out Harrison Butker for Graduation Speech

Nick jonas debuts shaved head in new photo with daughter malti marie.

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Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

• Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
• Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start. 

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Lucy the Elephant has been voted America’s best roadside attraction

• Updated: May. 16, 2024, 9:05 p.m. |
• Published: May. 16, 2024, 10:50 a.m.

A light show lit up Lucy the Elephant during an unveiling ceremony n Margate in December 2022. America’s oldest roadside attraction reopened after $2.4 million in restorations. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media

• Eric Conklin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Lucy the Elephant, the famous structure at the Jersey Shore in Atlantic County, was voted as America’s best roadside attraction by USA Today, according to the nonprofit that manages the historic structure.

The elephant and national historic landmark in Margate was nominated in a poll by the news organization earlier this year. The honor comes after a $2.4 million restoration project .

Thousands have passed through the elephant as part of a tour series run by the nonprofit. It was also used as an Airbnb rental in recent years.

Built in 1881 by Philadelphia architect James Lafferty, Lucy the Elephant opened as a roadside attraction to stoke interest in tourism at the Jersey Shore. She opened initially as “Elephant Bazaar.”

The famed seaside elephant initially was slated for demolition in the mid-20th century, deemed unstable for visitors to roam inside. A local family rescued the elephant in 1970, funding a two-block move to her current location beside the South Decatur Avenue beach.

The most recent renovation, which was planned to cost $1.4 million and take only eight months, had major delays after contractors found more rotted wood than expected inside Lucy’s frame.

Lucy’s makeover was funded partly by grants the roadside attraction received from the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund.

Stories by Eric Conklin

• Companies will pay N.J. $14M to settle groundwater contamination allegations
• Dylan film star Edward Norton made this popular Jersey Shore coffee shop part of his daily routine
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