A Week Under a Long Grey Cloud.

[drron]

After our week in Marlborough in december 2010 i have decided it is about time to forgive New Zealanders but not forget their dastardly deeds of 2001.This trip had a history nearly as chequered as my proposed knee surgery.Originally it was going to be an upmarket mattress run by staying at the Westin AKL.Well that fell through though I did get a nice compensation of SPG points for the closing.
Our son had been seconded to the NZ government.Well we thought we will motor on down to the home of the Beehive and catch up.Of course things changed and his secondment was then to end with the NZ election-a month before we were there.So Plan C was hatched-a night at the Hilton Taupo to keep our HH points active until we are back in the states in November 2012.
So now to the organising.To make any sense this had to be award travel.First tried QFF via mrsdrron's account.Didn't mind if it was classic awards or JASAs.However all they could come up with was 1 BNE-SYD-AKL-SYD award.So I rang AA-again the BNE office-and they came through for us with 2 Aawards BNE-AKL-SYD in J.70000 miles for the 2.Had a bit of a scare when the E-ticket arrived with class-economy.However seats were 2A,C and checking with AA revealed no problems.

So the day comes and once again we set off with Tony in his limousine.Now we had allowed for the traffic which is heavy on the Bruce highway from ~ 0500-2400.Naturally there was hardly another car on the road so we had to wait 30 minutes for checkin to open.We lined up at the J checkin about 5 minutes before it was scheduled to open.As soon as we did pax came from everywhere to line up behind us much to the consternation of the lone agent at checkin.took a while to convince others that this was the business class queue.No problems for us.given priority access passes but that line was closed.actually because there was no one else there when we arrived at Immigration.
So on to security.Again BNE didn't let us down.Had to take my kindle out-now we had just finished a Circle Pacific trip with 4 LOTFAP airports + BNE domestic and had not had to do this as well as not having to do it since.Of to the lounge and we were the first into the F section.This meant no food was out.Obviously the woman out the back hears us and soon makes an appearance with the food.Then fell victim to the cr*p QF wifi which slowed to a crawl when another couple came in and logged on.Went to my Telstra modem and much better.
Next-up,up and away.

 

[TonyHancock]

So the day comes and once again we set off with Tony in his limousine.

:shock: I don't remember that!!

A drron TR - Looking forward to this. I'll be settling back with a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for this.

 

[drron]

QF125.BNE-AKL.ETD-1730.Pushback-1722.Take off-1727.
ETA-2355.Landed-2312.At gate-2318.
It was a surprisingly easy walk to the gate for me-no sign of the sciatica which had been dogging me for the last 4 months.Boarding no problems.Only 2 other pax in J.So why did QF have no award availability?Who cares,gracefully received my glass of champers before take off.Dinner was served pretty soon after.Started with a Salad of caprese and Prosciutto.Unusually for QF this was a good salad.

Picture looks a little like I had too much champagne!I then had the Spaghetti with Meatballs in Tomato Ragout-

Visually not much but tasted OK.mrsdrron had the Roast Chicken and Tarragon sauce-

A little bland but she soon cheered up when the Maggie Beer icecream with almond biscotti was served.both of us had the Nautilus SB to wash our meals down.Watched a Big Bang episode then the documentary about Ayrton Senna.Quite a story.The french really had it in for him.fortunately that finished just as the system was switched off.Once again virtually the furthest gate from Immigration.However once again nbo problems with sciatica and I could virtually keep up with mrsdrron.Then it dawned on me.That morning I had seen a local Neurologist for Nerve Conduction Studies.He had offered to write a referral to a Neurosurgeon to see about my sciatica with my spinal canal stenosis and L4 compression.It was from that moment I had no further trouble with the sciatica.I said to Mrsdrron was it psychosomatic.She replied no you are just psycho!
Through smart gate and to the baggage carousel.Now we are travelling light but still needed 1 bag of 16.8 KG.The 12 Business tagged bags(I presume some WPs on board) came out last.Seems like Kiwis are very much like australians.
As soon as we got our bag it was straight to the Novotel for the night.So convenient and very quiet.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-reviews/novotel-auckland-airport-34950.html

Next-off to Taupo.

 

[drron]

Tuesday and we began with a decent breakfast that was included in our rate.Then walked back to the terminal to the Avis desk-they dont have an avis Preferred board here but the agent was delightful upgrading us to an XR Sux.Well I thought it was an OK car and definitely didn't sux.Again this was booked through the Avis UK site at a considerable saving over the Australian site.In fact it turned out our fuel costs were greater thsan the car rental!Here is the beast in the Taupo Botanicsal gardens-

Mrsdrron is in the background taking much better photos than I which I am not allowed to use for this report.
This was not a great day.persistent rain alternating with showers.It was a very slow trip until past Hamilton.We stopped at Tokoroa and had a gourmet lunch at maccas-2 cappucinos and shared a ham,tomato and camembert pannini.It was fine.Then on to Taupo and walked around the town.Didn't recognise a thing from our last visit-but then that was 1976.There were a couple of highlights-

We then walked around the park near the lake.A nice rose garden-

As it would turn out this could well have been called a tour of North Island gardens.The next stop was the City's botanical gardens and the just about to finish rhododendron display.Still awesome to an old couple from the tropics-

Great views over the lake from here-

then it was off to the Hilton to check in.Review is Post 5 on this thread-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-lake-taupo-visit-july-24336.html#post526772
Was not our favourite Hilton even though upgraded to a junior suite as an HH gold.All king junior suites have no view.The bathroom is pathetic,the room stark and a distance from anything else.Down on the lake there were vacancies at an apartment place with a name that was vaguely familiar-Cove.Probably would have been better.
Next-a night on the town-yeh sure.

 

[drron]

There was some kind of function at the Hilton so we went back into town and had our dinner at the Waterside Restaurant.Fairly typical tourist type restaurant where the wait staff were mostly backpackers.We asked the young woman serving us who answered in her delightful Irish voice-Sorry I only got here last week.However it turned out a lot better than our first impressions.The view is great-

Of course if the sun was out it would have been better.I had the lamb rack-

It really was very good,cooked to perfection.Mrsdrron had the salmon-

This also passed the taste test.With a bottle of Sav blanc came to $NZ102.Drron left sated and satisfied-

So it was back to the Hilton for a good nights sleep.Had their continental breakfast in the restaurant.It was OK but the fruit looked really tired.I would not touch the bananas or pineapple-brown is not a good look.At least staying at the Hilton it is easy to head for Napier-you are basically on Taupos edge.The highway to Napier is one to take slowly-especially with a little rain around.As well log and milk trucks are in abundance.However there are also many scenic spots to take in the view.Unfortunately when we passed it was mainly a view of the clouds.We drove out to Cape Kidnappers when we got to the Coast.Unfortunately no gannet tours-no one had booked and we were the only ones there.Then thought we would call into the Cape Kidnappers golf resort and see if we could have lunch there.Again no luck-the chain was up across the entry with the closed sign.Getting a bit like Tasmania.
So instead we drove to Havelock and Hastings.Looked around both,stopped at a couple of wineries and ended up having a late lunch at Vidal's Winery.It was very good and a reccomended stop if you are in the area.Didn't take the camera in but they have a website with menus and photos so you can check for yourself-
Vidal Winery Restaurant > Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Vidal Estate
I had the venison sausages with roasted tomatoes,green beans,capsicum and olives.Really loved it.Mrsdrron had the pork belly with calamari and onions which she also thought was very good.With a glass of pinot gris and 1 of pinot noir(both good)it came to $NZ72.

We then drove back into Napier.We had not booked and our first 2 choices were full so ended up stopping at the Pebble Beach motel.Cost us $NZ145 for the night and was very comfortable.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....views/pebble-beach-motel-napier-nz-34951.html

You will notice from the pictures on that review that the sun had come out despite the forecast saying rain.
Next-More of Napier and off to Gisborne.

 

[haydensydney]

Thanks for the report, look forward to the rest. I too am staying at Pebble Beach at the end of the month. Looking forward to it.

 

[pshepvic]

I'm sitting here looking at Pebble Beach Motel right now! Across the road at the Crown Hotel Napier - nice, but beds aren't super comfortable though.

Off to Martinborough for 2 days tomorrow, then Wellington before heading home.

If anyone gets the chance, I definitely recommend detouring off the main highway between Taupo and Napier, and stay at Chateau Tongariro. Lots of lovely walks, and a hotel with old world charm. For $65 extra on the room rate (total of $65 for two of us) we did the 3 course set dinner (always a concern for me) but it was surprisingly good. They had 3 choices for entree, 4 for mains, and 3 for dessert. Drinks extra of course, and a short but good wine list. The long drive to Napier on the South road from Tongariro takes an hour more and is steeper/windy, but is worth it for the scenery.


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Fifa]

If anyone gets the chance, I definitely recommend detouring off the main highway between Taupo and Napier, and stay at Chateau Tongariro.

I can second this recommendation...
After I left school I worked in NZ for the then Tourist Hotel Corporation (THC) at the Chateau and Milford Sound.
We recently went back for a look and the huge lounge area at the Chateau does not appear to have changed in all those years! (and I'm not telling you how many)

Enjoying your TR thanks drron.
We were also underwhelmed by the Hilton Taupo's breakfast which didn't even include cappuccino.

 

[drron]

After checking in we looked around Napier after filling up-unleaded91-$NZ2.06 a litre and that was after the 8cents off voucher we had.However we liked Napier and can reccomend it as a base-interesting nearby places,lots of wineries and certainly seemed like lots of restaurant choices.There were also a few wineries with accommodation which would be another alternative.So just a few pictures of the Art Deco town-so known as a lot was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake.

A few more pics next.

 

[drron]

We stopped at the Napier visitors centre then walked across the road and had a gelato before getting some takeaway from Thai Thai.We didn't feel hungry so got Pad Thai,mussaman beef and a small rice-$NZ40.and pretyy ordinary.much better was the sav.blanc we bought to get the fuel discount.We learnt that when in Marlborough first survey the wine prices in New World and Countdown as they often had the local wines at a lower price than the vineyard.Worked again here.So back to the pictures-

Thursday and we decided we might as well continue the NZ Great wine road so we headed north to Gisborne.Although this is up the coast the highway goes up and over several mountains.Winding-though not as bad as the secondary roads-and lots of traffic so often caught up in a slow moving line of traffic.Once again though quite scenic.We reached Gisborne about lunch time and had lunch at the Wharf restaurant.Nothing special but good food at a reasonable price.I had the fish and chips-

Mrsdrron the pork chops-

We teamed these with glasses of Brunton's road pinot gris and pinot noir.This is a local vineyard.Came to $NZ65.50.now a very nice woman serving us.i had a senior moment and left my camera behind.When i returned she came rushing out with it-impressed.We were going to visit some wineries but were told we could taste nearly all at the Gisborne Wine Centre also at the Harbour.
Next-more of Gisborne.

 

[AdMEL]

I was in Napier two weeks ago - stayed in the Masonic that you've pictured for one night and the Quest a second night, both chosen for their central location and Art Deco charm. Would stay at both again.

Cycled around to wineries in the Gimblett Gravels area near Flaxmere one day and then drove to lunch at Clearview Estate Winery in Te Awanga the next day, as recommended by the manager at the restaurant at Masonic. Had a fish dish, with a glass of reserve Chardonnay and dessert, for about NZ$50. Very good and very reasonably priced for what it was! Definitely recommended!

Petrol was NZ$2.13 a litre everywhere I visited for the week I was in NZ. Very expensive!

 

[drron]

After getting my camera back we went and found somewhere to stay.We picked the Portside hotel.Comfortable,review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....reviews/portside-hotel-gisborne-nz-34952.html
After checking in we went for a walk around the city centre then a drive to the lookout and to Captain cook's landing place.After that it was back to the hotel.We then walked to the massive Warehouse and mrsdrron couldn't help buying some assorted nick nacks.She left me to pay.There was a beautiful young woman on the checkout.Long blonde hair,long eyelashes,bright red lipstick and a lot of jewellery.However the voice was very deep so I glanced at the name badge:shock:.Definitely a male name but Gisborne is a small place so wont use it here.
Weren't hungry so a few snacks and a bottle of sav blanc for dinner.
Early start so not much traffic.Again a very windy,hilly road to Opotokiki but really picturesque especially through the Waioeka gorge.unfortunately the shock of nearly losing my camera rendered me pictureless for 24 hours.I did make up for it in Hamilton be warned.We stopped in Whakatane for a slightly late Maccas breakfast.
it was then off to Hamilton via Rotorua-again very scenic and certainly would be worth spending longer in the area.As well as Lake Rotorua(home of one of my greatest fishing stories)you pass Lake Rotoma, Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoehu.As we have been to Rotorua a few times we headed straight for Hamilton where we went to the Botanical gardens.For anyone interested in gardens this is a gem and you could spend all day here.We started off having lunch at the cafe though there is also a restaurant there-we had already decided where to have dinner though.At the cafe the birds have a great banquet-

After lunch we first went to the Japanese garden.Certainly one of the best outside Japan.You first get a peek through a gap in the border-

Before the gateway is announced-

Inside there is a blend of classical Japanese styles.First the Ryoan-ji often seen in Kyoto-

To be continued.

 

[drron]

Prepare to be inundated with photos.First finishing off the Japanese garden and incorporating 4 major features-water,rocks,trees and Islands-

next the English cottage garden-

And here and there glimpses of the Waikato-

and still more to come.

 

[drron]

next the Chinese garden-

Then the funky American garden-

And the Italian garden-

Next the Indian garden.A surprise for us.

 

[drron]

So to the Indian garden-

What a profusion of colours.very impressed.next we drove to the second car park and their rose garden-

And they even do bottlebrush better than us-

So if you enjoy rambling around a garden or if travelling with young kids who need a safe place to run around this should not be missed.
Now you will be glad to know there are no more flower photos for this TR.from here we went and checked in at the Quantum lodge.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-reviews/qantum-lodge-hamilton-nz-34953.html
We thought this very good value,had a great sleep,internet included and you dont have to drive through Hamilton when off to AKL.Also the Base-a combination of some outlet stores,a regular mall,with cinemas and numerous food outlets-is very close.
Next-our last meal in NZ and the trip home.

 

[drron]

It was friday night.We had heard about Palate restaurant and it had good reviews.Looked it up online,just as well as you could book online and we got the last table-no choice of time it had to be early.No problems we normally eat early anyway.This turned out to be the highlight of our meals in NZ.The place consistently wins accolades as the best restaurant in Hamilton and it is easy to see why.They grow most of their ingredients including the Waygu beef.After my leaving my camera behind the day before i was forbidden to take it tonight.A shame really.
The meal started with an Amusee bouche of a white bean and sweet corn soup.Didn't have that wow factor but nice.I started with a Waygu corned beef salad with wasabi aoli-it really was good.I continued on with the Waygu theme with a fillet steak with corned beef ravioli with potatoes.It was excellent.
Mrsdrron began with a trio of pork which she loved.She then went on to the honey glazed duck withKumara and coconut,citrus cous cous,orange salad and cointreau jus which she declared excellent.To finish we shared a citrus creme brulee with a lemon sorbet-yummy.With a bottle of Dog Point Sav.Blanc it came to $NZ172 which we thought really good value.Thoroughly reccomended.Web site here-
palate restaurant hamilton waikato - hamilton fine dining - 170 victoria street hamilton - book online now

Saturday we were up early and off at 0715.Fog and heavy traffic off to Auckland for the weekend made the first part of the journey slow.Sped up when we got to the motorway.noticed several police cars on the on ramps-you couldn't see them until you passed them so stuck to the speed limit.Fortunately the Shell near AKL had the same prices as elsewhere.
We were asked to pick up a book left by a friend of our sons at AKL.Boy do they make the lost property office hard to find.I went through a maze of corridors,attendsed a few crew briefings before finally finding the lost property office out the back.Of course the book was not there.:shock:

Even with that mucking around we were too early for checkin so mrsdrron hit the shops whilst I watched the cricket highlights-fortunately a day when the Kiwis were getting flogged so everyone was quiet.Down to checkin at 0950.They were just opening the MEL flight but let us checkin for the SYD flight.The customs agent wasn't present yet in the F,J checkin so off we went upstairs but went straight through as very few pax.Once again I ended up getting a pat down plus the secondary explosive screening-must be the beard.bought a couple of bottles of brandy-Mrsdrron is now the Christmas pudding and cake cook for the family and of course you also need a brandy custard!
Then to the lounge-an Asian woman is holding up proceedings as the agent is telling her without a visa she is going to have problems.fortunately a second agent arrives and we are soon into the Flounge.Only 1 other pax there and unfortunately a young german woman skyping and talking very loudly.She continued it for 2 hours despite numerous glares and expressions of displeasure from every other person in the lounge.
But to ease my pain they had the original NPPPs-the ones where you bite in and the mince oozes out mixing with the dead horse-ah memories.

Flights next.

 

[drron]

There was a very nice selection of NZ wines which helped subdue the noise from our German friend.Took a leisurely stroll again to nearly the furthest gate.boarded about 10 minutes after our arrival at the gate.J full and no overhead space for the last 4 pax.Champagne as usual when seated.We are 2A,C.
QF114. AKL-SYD.ETD-1315.Push back-1305.Take off-1315.
ETA-1425.Landed-1416.At gate-1423.
As soon as the seat belt sign was off we were served drinks.A Nautilus SB was just what the doctor ordered.Lunch was soon after.Starters was a Roast Beef salad with asparagus,beans and olives.I had the Dukkah chicken with almond cous cous and a tagine of veggies.The chicken was dry,veggies unrecognisable and 2 bites were all I took.Mrsdrron had ordered the Seared Salmon with Asian mushroom ragout,Shanghai noodles and bok choi.Although she was the 5th pax served they had run out.Finished with Maggie Beer ice cream Then I watched The Help-enjoyed it.
After the meal service mrsdrron went to the lavatory and sprung the staff partaking of the salmon for lunch.Just before descent into SYD she was given a bottle of Charles Heisdeck and a bottle of De Bortolis chardy and gave her a great big kiss.

Once again about the furthest gate from Immigration.Straight through Smart Gate.Our bags were the first out with Priority/business tags but were about the middle of the bunch.QF maintaining their impeccable record with priority luggage..At Customs the express lane was the only one operating but only a few pax ahead of us.So straight through to Avis and found they were in on the act-our car was at the furthest Avis space.A Kia Cerato-was OK to drive.
However from the airport to the 4 Points at least 6 times someone tried to run me off the road.I wondered whether the car had a target painted on it then realised it did-Victorian plates.At least the horn worked well.

Arrived at the 4 points.2 agents one with a guest,one other couple lined up in the general line so I proceed directly to the SPG Gold/Plt desk.The agent then told me off for pushing in.:shock:.I slapped down my plat card.When finished she called the couple over from the general line and apologised very loudly about the wait being caused by people pushing in.
Once again upgraded to a Darling Harbour view on the 11th floor-a function room there and so was very noisy until quite late on the Saturday.A box of choccies and a letter delivered at turn down but no water during our 3 night stay.Also the mini bar was missing several items.Left a note for mini bar attendant and reported it to reception.However the charge was on our bill at checkout.Got it taken off.They were then silly enough to send me a questionnaire post stay.In future the 4 points will have to be a lot cheaper than the Westin or SOTP.Unfortunately at Easter it is over $100 a night cheaper so we will be back.
Next-Going home.

 

[drron]

Sydney was all about the grandkids.We were on babysitting duty so no restaurants this time.After 3 days we were looking forward to the flight home.
QF528.SYD-BNE.ETD-1305.Pushback-1304.Take off-1314.
ETA-1430.Landed-1440.At gate-1444.
We had been allocated seats 2A,B.Being the dinosaurs that we are we went to the service desk to check in.The J line was only slightly shorter than the Y line.Then when the J agent finished with the pax with her she left.It was a while before the closest Y agent started taking pax from the J line-in fact when a supervisor arrived and told her to do so.
No crowd at security.A long line at the entrance to the J lounge so mrsdrron takes the advice she has gleaned from AFF and walks past holding up her plat card and BP.Now we had been offered the 1105 flight to BNE but declined as it would have meant no lounge time.when we sat down at the windows of the J lounge I noticed work going on with a 767 at the nearest gate.Nothing happened and about an hour later the PA announced that the 1105 plane to BNE was going to be late as the plane could not be serviced and there would be a change of equipment.We wouldn't have arrived any earlier as it turned out.
The hot items at lunch left a little to be desired-Chicken Korma and Spicy lentil soup.As mrsdrron doesn't do spicy she was not in a good mood.It probably would have been better in the QP.
Left the lounge about 10 minutes before boarding due.There were 12 in the priority lane and 1 in the Y lane and boarding commenced as we arrived.We went through the Y line as both moved off together.Mrsdrron boards and is off to the plane and I get a red light.Off to desk.Equipment change and 2B doesn't exist on the international configured &^&.I am given 5J initially but ask if I can be seated with mrsdrron.We are given 3J,K.I am personally escorted on to the plane and the GA then goes and gets mrsdrron.On boarding I notice a couple in 5J,K and thought that's odd as a couple of minutes ago I was in 5J.Shortly after a woman boards who has a BP for 5K.The couple when approached by the FA disappear down the back.
Lunch-I have the spag with meat balls,mrsdrron the Ocean trout salad with horseradish that fortunately is easily scraped off.Both were reasonable.
No problems deplaning.Mrsdrron needed to make a stop so we arrive at the baggage carousel as our bag makes an appearance.This time the fact that many others were on the belt earlier made no difference.So soon we were on our way back to the Sunny coast with Tony and his limo.

Next big trip is not until July but will be a lot of firsts for us visiting Jordan,Istanbul and a cruise around the Black sea.