JUCY USA – first customers on the road!

JUCY USA has officially hit the road. The first JUCY Champ picked up in LA yesterday with a couple of lads (Bruno & Bruno) from Switzerland being the first customers to live the JUCY dream on the USA highways!

Below is photo of the boys picking up their JUCY Champ.  And being the first customers in the USA we gave them a few treats…….tee shirts & sunglasses!

You can read more about JUCY USA here or check out our website www.jucyrentals.com

Love
Lucy xx

Christian and Rob’s NZ Beaches & Boats Trip. Stories DEFINITELY Beat Stuff!

Christian Murphy arrived in New Zealand after trading all of his musical instruments to hit the high seas in New Zealand with his best friend thanks to Tourism New Zealand’s “Stories beat Stuff” competition.   They road-tripped (in JUCY Wheels of course), went diving, swimming, sailing, ate fish and chips and went dune riding to name a few of the amazing experiences they had.  I think it’s safe to say that Stories DEFINITELY Beat Stuff, but I’ll let the video of their trip tell their story. 

Be warned, it will make you jealous.

If you want to read more about their trip they did an extensive travel blog which you can check out here.  It’s worth a read!

Love
Lucy xx

Meet Ian & Cass. They’re taking Coco on her next adventure!

Meet Ian & Cass!  They arrived at the JUCY Rentals branch in Auckland City this morning to take Coco on her next free adventure.  They’re excited to be here and gave us a little bit of an insight on where they’re taking Coco on their free date.  Check it out….

Hope you guys have a fantastic trip and we look forward to following your adventures, seeing all your pictures and reading about your trip when you get back!

Love
Lucy xx

A video from Daniel & Molly’s adventure with Coco

You may remember Daniel and Molly.  They were the first people to take Coco on a free adventure, and if you missed stories from their trip then check it out here 

They have since returned home to Australia and have put together a little video of their trip which I think sums up perfectly how much fun they had.  I will stop talking and let their video tell the story!

Thanks guys – we love it. If you want the chance to have fun like Daniel & Molly then visit www.jucy4free.co.nz and apply to take Coco away.  It’s guaranteed fun!

Love
Lucy xx

Tales from Coco our Social Cabana: She’s been on a surfing trip!

Meet Emma & Kane (pictured here) who have just come back from taking Coco on another free adventure.  Enjoy reading all about their trip and experience with Coco below.  And if you’re keen to check out even more photos from their travells you can do so here.  If you want the opportunity to take her on an adventure for free (we like to call it a date) check out www.jucy4free.co.nz

Love, Lucy xx

For weeks we had been excited about going to the ASP Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour at Sandy Bay, Tutukaka. It’s New Zealand’s biggest longboard competition and an international event which attracts surfers from around the world. The Tutukaka coast is a Northland gem and a favourite of ours. We reckon it is some of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastline. Sandy Bay was to be transformed from the usually quiet remote beach to an electric atmosphere of both spectators and competitors eager for the long weekend.

Kane was nervously excited about competing against some of the worlds best longboarders and I was just excited to be there! We had been planning to camp in our tent but to then find out we had the chance to take Coco was the best news ever! It was awesome to feel secure with the knowledge that no matter what the weather conditions were like, we would be snug and dry thanks to our cosy Coco.

Picking up Coco from Auckland, we were met with friendly helpful staff who gave us a run down of all the amazing features the campervan had to offer. Within 10 minutes we were on our way and buzzing like two excited kids on Christmas day. She drove like a dream, it was a luxurious air conditioned ride with pumping sounds too. Arriving early for the event was a great idea as it ensured we were able to get a prime location. Nothing beats being able to eat breakfast within the comfort of our new mobile home and the fact that the ocean was literally only a stones throw away. Being able to surf the internet with the provided iPad and using Coco’s built in WiFi meant Kane was taking full advantage and checking the updated surf report. Whether on land or in the water he was constantly surfing!

After a couple of compulsory and celebratory drinks we crashed out for the night, amping for to the start of the competition the next day. We felt really refreshed after having such a comfortable sleep and settled down to watch the days events unfold. There was no way we could have become complacent about our good fortune given the fact that we had a continuous stream of jealous passers by commenting on how well set up and content we both looked. The real kicker was watching their jaws drop as we proceeded to tell them that thanks to you guys at Jucy, we had the use of Coco for the grand total of zero dollars! We couldn’t keep the grin off our faces all day. Stoked!!!

By the end of day 2 we were very proficient at demonstrating how easy it was to change our bedroom into our dining room and boasting about all the other features she had to offer to the many people that were asking. Not kidding, more than once Coco was likened to the Tardis from Doctor Who.
Day 3 was much of the same apart from the fact this was the day Kane competed. Perhaps succumbing to nerves he performed below his expectations and unfortunately did not proceed to the next round. Although frustrated he was stoked to have surfed amongst the high pedigree of international surfers. By evening the clouds came in and as the rain started to fall people scurried to their dwellings. Feeling sorry for a young German couple who were camped out in a fragile looking tent we invited them into the Tardis. They happily joined us and card/drinking games ensued keeping us occupied until the wee hours of the morning.

The next day was a stunner!! Without the shade from the back door, I think our hangovers would have festered in the blistering sun. The finals of all the divisions were on and everyone was vying for the best positions in which to witness these awesome surfers. We watched Taylor Jensen from the USA score an amazing 17.35 points out of 20 to convincingly take out the win of the open mens division. Thomas Kibblewhite from Orewa did New Zealand proud placing third and had the kiwis on their feet cheering him on. As quick at the event begun it was over and Sandy Bay started to return to the idyllic and peaceful location it is. Luckily for us we didn’t have to scramble back to reality just yet and we were able to indulge ourselves with another night there. It was a great way to wind down the weekend with a few lazy beers, popcorn and movies on Coco’s DVD player.

Before leaving the following day we enjoyed an uncrowded sunrise surf and a cooked a yummy breakfast from the back of the camper. Around mid-morning we dragged ourselves back to Auckland. It was pretty cool how on the way back as we passed other fortunate Jucy campers, each and every one of them gave us a knowing wave. Waving back it felt like we were part of the secret Jucy club!

Arriving back in the big smoke we were sad to say goodbye to our cosy Coco, but leaving happy with fantastic memories and with the many photos taken from the digital camera provided. Having the use of cosy Coco was definitely one of the highlights of our summer. When returning Coco to the base we were already planning our next Jucy getaway and the only thing left to decide is which vehicle to choose from the wide range which you guys have on offer.

Thanks again Jucy, you guys rock and we will be back for sure!!
Emma and Kane xx

Aussie Summer Roadtrip winner announced

Last week we announced the winner of the Aussie Summer Roadtrip and filmed one of our reservations guys doing the draw.  And we had a bit of fun with it!  Check it out and see who the lucky winner was of this awesome prize!

The lucky winner has won 2 weeks in a JUCY Grande Campa in Australia, $1000 Rush Surf clothing voucher, 2 x adults on a spectacular Cruise, Coral Cay and Reef experience with Cairns Premier Reef Tours, 2 x adults on a  2 day / 2 night sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands with Tongarra Sailing Adventures and a 3 day / 2 night guided self drive tour for 2 with Nomads Fraser Island Tours.  I think it’s safe to say they are going to have an AMAZING time!

Thanks to all the companies who came onboard with activities to include in this prize package.  You all rock!

Love
Lucy xx

Stories Beat Stuff Competition winners on the road in NZ!

Meet Christian Murphy. He has traded all of his musical instruments to hit the high seas in New Zealand with his best friend thanks to Tourism New Zealand’s “Stories beat Stuff” competition.  

He arrived in NZ last week with his best friend and they started their amazing two-week road-trip around NZ’s North Island.  The prize included return flights, transport (JUCY Wheels of course), accommodation & activities!

Here are the boys collecting JUCY Wheels last week before heading off on their adventure!  They are writing a daily blog which covers all the fun they are having, and although it might make you a little jealous it is very entertaining and a great read.  So check out what they’ve been up to here!

On behalf of the JUCY Crew we hope they have a fabulous time and we’re stoked we could be part of their memories they will have forever!

Love
Lucy xx

JUCY Cruize girls take on the Eglinton Challenge

The Eglinton Challenge is a two person team challenge covering 65km of amazing scenery!  This year JUCY Cruize Milford Sound girls Alex and Charlotte decided to take on the challenge.

Alex rocked up at 4.30 to start the race (dressed in JUCY gear of course) and she was ready to ride!  With loads of beeps from JUCY Campas and customers from our cruise she rode 32km to Te Anau Downs and arrived there with a smile on her face knowing she had completed her half.  The girls did a quick change over and now it was all up to Charlotte who was there eagerly awaiting her arrival.  She took her tag from Alex and off she went to start her half of the race.  ”What an amazing ride, there was a smile permanently on my face as I looked at the amazing scenery around me”, said Charotte.  She finished her 30km ride to the cheers of onlookers and music at the finish line, and of course  Alex who was there waiting with open arms so the celebrations could begin.  What a ride!

Congratulations girls and we look forward to you doing it again next year!

Love
Lucy xx

Watch out USA. JUCY’s coming ready or not!

I hope you’re ready USA because JUCY is getting ready to add some colour to your highways with our  green & purple wheels.  And we’re pretty excited! 

As of the 1^st of March 2012 JUCY will officially be open in the United States of America expanding the already extensive rental network and giving customers the option to hire with us in the States as well as New Zealand and Australia. 

The vehicle itself – the JUCY Champ has all the modern features of a small RV including a fridge, gas cooker, sink, DVD player, has two comfortable double beds to sleep up to 4 people and it’s minivan base makes it super easy to drive and zippy!  

JUCY will have branches in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco giving customers the option to collect and return vehicles from any of these locations depending on what suits their travel plans. 

“We are really excited about giving our customers the opportunity to see America with JUCY.  We have always wanted to see JUCY on the roads in US and feel the time is right to make that dream become a reality.  People love and recognise our brand in Australasia and now will have the chance to travel with us in the US”, says Tim Alpe – JUCY’s CEO.

America is such a huge country with massive wide open spaces and interstates that go for miles.  Some of us dream of travelling to America and doing the big American Roadtrip like you see on the movies .  Now JUCY’s giving you that chance to do it in style!

You can find more information on the JUCY Champ here or visit our JUCY USA website.

Love
Lucy xx

P.S  Oh, I nearly forgot.  Check out the JUCY Champ Birth Certificate - just so you know its all official!

Coco our Social Cabana: More tales of her adventures

Robin has just come back from taking Coco on her third adventure.  He has been all over with Coco and Lucy and has many tales to tell.  Enjoy reading all about it below and you can check out more pictures from his trip here.  If you want the opportunity to take her on an adventure for free (we like to call it a date) check out www.jucy4free.co.nz 

Love, Lucy xx

Being a French that always dreamt about going to New Zealand, I can say that those last 5 months made me actualize that dream. But even if I arrived mid-August and had the chance to travel a bit I had not been able yet to see the true New Zealand the one that I have been really dreaming of.

So when I heard about Jucy4free I jumped on what seemed to be for me the perfect occasion to get off the beaten track.

I took Coco on Wednesday morning the 18th and headed first to Hamilton for a quick stop and see a bit how the city is. There was a bit of time to take a few photos and then I was back on the road. I arrived a bit later near Matamata and its main attraction; Hobbiton. We were only five on the tour to visit the shooting places of «The Shire » and we felt lucky because it was like having a private tour as sometimes more than one hundred people are doing the visit at the same time. Unfortunately I can’t show you the photos of the set for reasons of copyright, I even had to sign a paper claiming that I could not share the photos on Facebook or Twitter… The guide told us that they could not put a bench on the set for people to rest because again of that affair of copyright. Well at least it did not ruin my day and I really enjoyed my visit.

Late in the afternoon I was back on the road this time heading to Tauranga with nearly one hour of driving.  I stopped for the night at Mount Maunganui, delaying the climbing until the next morning.

And at 9:00AM sharp I was on the small track leading to the « summit » which is at 232m. 20 minutes to get to the top and an amazing view on the city but also in the distance of what I think was the Rena.

A long road awaited me to the East Cape so I left Tauranga soon after and took Coco among all the orchards of the Kiwifruit capital of the world.  My final destination for the day was Gisborne but I decided to take what is considered as one of the most beautiful roads of New Zealand, from Opotiki to the East Cape.

20km away from the lighthouse that marks the easternmost point of New Zealand the bituminized road disappeared to let place to an old-fashioned gravel road lifting dust and rocks up to finally get Coco almost entirely covered with this mixture. And along the way were cows and horses freely wandering and crossing the road gave me the feeling to be in a remake of a Spaghetti western. When I arrived at the end of the road I still had to walk to the top of the hill where the lighthouse was.  The wind was blowing so hard there that Lucy nearly flew away… The landscape was amazing and even if it’s a long way to arrive there I really recommend to everyone to go there.

After three hours driving I finally arrived in Gisborne and visited the place and the beach where the Captain Cook saw three of his crew members nearly being kidnapped by a Maōri tribe. He named the place « Cape Kidnappers ». I did not stay long in Gisborne and decided to leave in the morning for the Hawke’s Bay and its main city : Napier, the world capital of Art Déco. The city that was totally rebuilt after an earthquake in 1931 really gives you the feeling to be back in the 1920’s.

In the morning I was once again back on the road and heading to the Tongariro National Park, more precisely to Waiouru and the National Army Museum which with its collection of tanks parked right outside is truly a great museum. The road to get there is called Desert Road and I really loved it, even more than the one between Opotiki and the East Cape, if I had to do a comparison once more, I would say that it looks a bit like the Argentinian Pampa where I also had the chance to travel.

The same day I decided that it was time to get back to Auckland.  As the road was pretty long to get back home I took several breaks along the way, one being at a hidden scenic lookout  where the landscape was mixed with falls, cliffs and primitive forest. I also decided to stop at Huka Falls just outside Taupo where Coco already had been and where I was definitely impressed.

All the way back to Auckland was a real piece of cake as Coco is really easy to drive.

Thanks again to JUCY for this amazing trip and as Molly who took Coco before me said: I hope that the photos make justice.

Cheers!
Robin

Find of the trip: The hidden scenic lookout I’ve been speaking of.  Surely one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Favourite spot: East Cape, the wind and the beauty of the place made it look great.
Lowlight: The attempts to clean Coco after the gravel road : not really successful (sorry again to the cleaning crew, Coco is a dirty, dirty car).
Coco’s best attribute: I have to say everything too. I was surprised by how powerful Coco was, especially in the mountain slopes which I had no difficulty to climb.