So we're back! Are we glad to be back? No - not yet. The time away was too brief - there are a lot of things we didn't get to do while we were in New Zealand.
We didn't get to see the Auckland Museum, the Zoo, the Aquarium etc just to name a few things. I'm already mentally planning our next trip - when I don't know, but there will be a next trip as soon as the airfares are cheap.
To summarise:
The flight to Auckland on the Jetstar flight was squishy and uncomfortable but cheap - so we can't complain. We also made the 3 hour flight without any mishaps so that's a bonus. The crew was very professional and friendly. The flight was delayed, but only because some idiots couldn't tell the time!
We decided to take a shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel - cost $41NZ for the both of us. Not a bad start. The shuttle bus had a few other passangers and some were dropped off before us. I didn't mind, it allowed us to get a short tour of outer Auckland. We were third on the list to be dropped off. When we arrived at the hotel the 'concierge' greeted us at the car, took our luggage and it was very posh. I'm talking door opening luggage carrying.
The hotel - Pullman Auckland - was fantastic! We were given a room on the 3rd floor overlooking the rooftop of the function rooms below. Needless to say the view was shocking - for a 5 star hotel - but the decor and service made up for it in leaps and bounds.
Once we settled into our new surroundings we decided to explore the area. Since it was only around 4pm local time it was still day time. As soon as we stepped out the front door we came face-to-face with the University of Auckland. It's huge and looking at the architecture also very old. We made out way into the city - the steepest hill we've seen in a long time. Of course what goes down must come up - nice introduction. It was a little bit windy and overcast, but not too cold. On our travels we found the location for Europcar - the only rental car company we came across in our entire time in the city.
Then we made our way to Auckland Harbour and the Viaduct district. At this point we just walked. While at the Harbour we booked our tickets for the Rangitoto Island Discovery Tour on Monday. By this time it was around 6pm so we decided to stop at the local foodcourt and get something to eat. Andrew decided to have McDonalds and I couldn't decide so I procrastinated and then were told that
they were closed. We were told that we needed to leave the foodcourt because the shopping centre was closing. We evacuated and once outside noticed that the sign said open til 8pm - go figure!
So my son ate his dinner just outside and we re-located to another McDonald's store across the road.
We found that the people were all so friendly and nice. My son was extremely surprised that everyone we came across could be that nice. Says a lot about where we live, doesn't it?
The next day we wasted half our day by sleeping in - the 3 hr time difference messed us up a bit. Around lunch time we went out to explore further and on a whim decided to visit Devonport. It was a wise decision and we were both thoroughly impressed with this beautiful little village.
Day 3 heralded the first early morning excursion to Rangitoto. I'm not going to repeat my experience here - please see previous blog for further detail. All I'm going to say again is that it was definitely worth the $90 price tag.
Following Rangitoto we explored the city some more and found our way up the Sky Tower. My son is not very fond of heights but I gave him a choice - wait for me downstairs in the coffee shop or come with me. He chose to come and I have to admit, he did not regret it.
On the 4th day we hired the car from Europcar and made our way out to the Waitomo Caves. See entry for Day 4. The scenery was awesome, but unfortunately we did not stop to take any photos. Maybe on the next trip if we have more time.
On the 5th day we set out again, but this time towards Rotorua. I was very disappointed because we didn't have more time in Rotorua, we didn't even get to see the Hobbit's village. Next time.
On every return to the hotel, we were greeted by the concierge, our car parked for us. Very polite and professional. We tried room service twice. The first time I ordered the pizza it wasn't too bad - actually it was quite nice. My son had the kids ham and cheese toasted sandwich. This came with chips - it looked like a sufficient meal for an 11 year old. The next time we ordered room service we decided to go a bit more fancy. I ordered the fish and chips and my son had the club sandwich. I tried the club, but wasn't that impressed with it. I found it too dry - there was no sauce on there whatsoever. The fish and chips was nice and sufficient. To really splurge out I also ordered a Kahlua and chocolate mousse. That was worth every cent of the $17 it cost. It also came with ice-cream, beautiful.
After our hectic schedule on Wednesday my back was aching and I decided to give the on-site gym. The machines were the latest in technology and a pleasure to use. Beside the gym was the 25 metre heated indoor pool. We didn't get a chance to use this, but hopefully the next time we go we'll have more time to sightsee and relax.
http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=pinkacquarius
Showing posts with label Wi-Fi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wi-Fi. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Day 1
First Day in Auckland.
The Jetstar flight over was smooth and thankfully uneventful. 2 douchbags delayed the plane by around 15mins. I don't understand how you can be late for your flight? - don't you book it in advance and know exactly what time you should be at the airport. The instructions clearly say be there at least 90 mins prior to your flight and be waiting to board at least 30 mins.
Luckily for these idiots, the weather was soooo good that we still made it to Auckland on time.
Touchdown was great - the airport felt almost deserted. Such a difference to the Gold Coast airport where it was difficult just to get around the hordes of passangers waiting to board their various flights. Auckland was relaxed and it was amazingly quick getting through customs. :-( We didn't get a stamp in our passports - so upset! The lady at the customs counter ushered us through to the BioHazard counter because the other area was much busier. The young guy at the counter checked out passports, handed them back and just told us to exit. Didn't even open our bags. Good for us, I guess - it was a quick and painless.
Once out of customs it was easy to approach the first information booth and book on to a shuttle bus directly to the hotel. $41 later and we're on the bus and winding our way through outer Auckland. Unfortunately, Andy and I couldn't sit together because the bus was already fully booked; however I did get to sit up the front and get a birdseye view of the scenery. At Mission Beach the bus off-loaded its first passangers and I made my way to the back of the bus to sit with Andy.
Around another 20 mins later and we're the ones getting dropped off at our Hotel - the Pullman Auckland. Not an impressive building from the outside a skinny, dark brown building looking almost like an Eastern European tenement block. However, once we disembarked from the bus, the usher raced over to get our luggage and show us into the Hotel Lobby. The Hotel was very busy because they were hosting the Netball Champion players as well, some conferences and a wedding reception was also in progress when we arrived. Once we were served the receptionist, I'm not sure what hotel receptionists are called property, was very professional and friendly; however I did feel a bit out of my depth, because the place is very swanky.
Once in our room - I no longer felt out of depth. The room was your standard small twin bed set up. Equipped with all the necessaries, including a bathtub! The hotel even provides 24 hours of free Wi-Fi, which I'm hoping we don't go over. I'll try and post here everyday, but unfortunately it will depend on internet access. Also, when we get back home I'll update each post with photos. I'll have lots of photos. It was very disappointing looking out the window of our 3rd floor room - the view is horrible. It overlooks the roof of the lower level conference rooms and obviously at some point hotel guests had thrown rubbish onto the roof and it's littered with it. We've shut the curtains for now - it makes the room more palatable. I've consoled myself with the knowledge that we don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room, which we haven't so far. As soon as we booked in, set up we ventured out and explored.
We decided to get some suppplies and found a shopping complex close by. The sign out the front said open til 8pm 7 days per week. Unfortunately, they forgot to tell the shops and the staff, because promptly at 6pm we were told that the shops were closing and we had to leave! What the?
Picture to follow as soon as I have proper internet connection.
Good night!
http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=pinkacquarius
The Jetstar flight over was smooth and thankfully uneventful. 2 douchbags delayed the plane by around 15mins. I don't understand how you can be late for your flight? - don't you book it in advance and know exactly what time you should be at the airport. The instructions clearly say be there at least 90 mins prior to your flight and be waiting to board at least 30 mins.
Luckily for these idiots, the weather was soooo good that we still made it to Auckland on time.
Touchdown was great - the airport felt almost deserted. Such a difference to the Gold Coast airport where it was difficult just to get around the hordes of passangers waiting to board their various flights. Auckland was relaxed and it was amazingly quick getting through customs. :-( We didn't get a stamp in our passports - so upset! The lady at the customs counter ushered us through to the BioHazard counter because the other area was much busier. The young guy at the counter checked out passports, handed them back and just told us to exit. Didn't even open our bags. Good for us, I guess - it was a quick and painless.
Once out of customs it was easy to approach the first information booth and book on to a shuttle bus directly to the hotel. $41 later and we're on the bus and winding our way through outer Auckland. Unfortunately, Andy and I couldn't sit together because the bus was already fully booked; however I did get to sit up the front and get a birdseye view of the scenery. At Mission Beach the bus off-loaded its first passangers and I made my way to the back of the bus to sit with Andy.
Around another 20 mins later and we're the ones getting dropped off at our Hotel - the Pullman Auckland. Not an impressive building from the outside a skinny, dark brown building looking almost like an Eastern European tenement block. However, once we disembarked from the bus, the usher raced over to get our luggage and show us into the Hotel Lobby. The Hotel was very busy because they were hosting the Netball Champion players as well, some conferences and a wedding reception was also in progress when we arrived. Once we were served the receptionist, I'm not sure what hotel receptionists are called property, was very professional and friendly; however I did feel a bit out of my depth, because the place is very swanky.
Once in our room - I no longer felt out of depth. The room was your standard small twin bed set up. Equipped with all the necessaries, including a bathtub! The hotel even provides 24 hours of free Wi-Fi, which I'm hoping we don't go over. I'll try and post here everyday, but unfortunately it will depend on internet access. Also, when we get back home I'll update each post with photos. I'll have lots of photos. It was very disappointing looking out the window of our 3rd floor room - the view is horrible. It overlooks the roof of the lower level conference rooms and obviously at some point hotel guests had thrown rubbish onto the roof and it's littered with it. We've shut the curtains for now - it makes the room more palatable. I've consoled myself with the knowledge that we don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room, which we haven't so far. As soon as we booked in, set up we ventured out and explored.
We decided to get some suppplies and found a shopping complex close by. The sign out the front said open til 8pm 7 days per week. Unfortunately, they forgot to tell the shops and the staff, because promptly at 6pm we were told that the shops were closing and we had to leave! What the?
Picture to follow as soon as I have proper internet connection.
Good night!
http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=pinkacquarius
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