Hey, I'm new I'm also from Vancouver, Canada. I tend to get super depressed when it's dark and rainy out all the time so for a month or more next winter I'd like to take off to somewhere where the sun still shines and do some woofing. My original plan was New Zealand as they have their summer during our winter, I have some friends there and the climate and what I can tell of the environment seems to suit me. The thing with that is that the plane tickets are really expensive and the flight is super long. On top of that, while the culture being so similar to my own would make adjusting super easy, I would like to experience different ones. I've traveled on my own a little, but am still relatively new at it and would like to step out of my comfort zone but not go too crazy quite yet. What I definitely do not want is to go somewhere super touristy. I want to meet local people and experience my stay more like they do.

So... I'm looking for some suggestions of other places to go, what's the best winter month to go there, or even input about New Zealand.

Some criteria being these:

* Safe (food wise, politics wise)
* Near the ocean or at least having swimable lakes around and no overwhelming, dry heat
* Inexpensive (either plane tickets, to accommodate myself there or both)
* As short a flight as possible
* Not a ton of bugs. Reptiles, amphibians, and small furry things don't bother me.
* Culture that's generally known as being open and friendly

Any input is greatly appreciated!