Hi,

We'll want to call home and check on our dog and we were wondering what the best way to do this is. Should we buy an international calling card (if so, what kind?)or. . .our cells phones don't work internationally.

Tx!

You may want to check out an international calling card. These are available from convenience stores (dairies) around the country. They provide the best minute rate, though sometimes the quality of the line can be a bit touch and go.

As far as which card to choose go for the cheapest.

Thanks!

We just spent 3 weeks in New Zealand over Christmas. We used a $50 dairy-bought International calling card, along with a $10 card for using pay phones. They do NOT accept coins - you have to have a smart card to make calls! We upped the pay phone card once, and came home with $8 left on the International Card.

We never had trouble using it; the connection was always good. It can also be used for calls in New Zealand, to confirm reservations, etc.

There are some areas where you cannot access the service, such as Fiordland and some places in the mountains and on the West Coast of the South Island. The rates are higher in some parts of the country, too. Be sure to read the fine print!

My MIL took care of our dog, and it put us much more at ease knowing that we could call her at appropriate times and dates to check in.

Hope you have a splendid trip!

I personally like smoke signals