Fri 27 Apr
As the cabin began to stir awake, FAs started going around, helping to open tables and lay out table cloths. First drinks orders were taken, which was returned with the breakfast tray and a choice of continental openers.
Wake up cup of coffee and muesli topped with fruit and yoghurt.
This was soon followed up by a choice of extra continental selections or smoothie. Bakery items were also offered, and for those that wanted the more substantial warm options, their orders were also taken.
Bakery items and glass of smoothie.
I wasn't too keen on the sweet brioche toast option and the Chinese breakfast didn't sound all that appealing, so I went with the traditional (but not so traditionally prepared) omelette. Can't say it tasted great, but it wasn't horrid. Couldn't taste much brie in it and the mushroom was near absent, but at least it still had an egg taste present and it wasn't the consistency of rubber. Breakfasts are pretty difficult to impress since they are pretty standard in variety almost all over the world, so the most you really hope for is something that will satisfy you, and something that doesn't taste bad. That's in every single class of service, even First class.
Brie and mushroom omelette with sides of bacon, potatoes and tomato.
As soon as I finished up breakfast, I was keen to get changed back into street clothes ASAP to beat the rest of the pack; after all, the bathroom is the cleanest when the least people have used it before! I was even happy to carry up my finished tray to the galley to return to the FAs (who returned my initiative with a rather odd glance). Soon enough, I was changed out and refreshed just as most people were having their trays removed from their tables.
I returned to my seat and packed up my bedding, returning it to the seat configuration. There wasn't much left of the flight after breakfast, so after filling out my incoming immigration card, I mainly just relaxed and tried to get a few little winks here and there before we started our descent into AKL in earnest. Soon enough, we touched down into AKL and were off to the international terminal. It was still dark as anything outside, with the airport lighting shining down on a few NZ aircraft (including an All Black aircraft) parked around the terminal and some at gate, and a couple of QF and JQ aircraft also parked... and of course there was the standard LA aircraft parked at the terminal for the usual OMG o'clock hop across the Tasman.
Whilst it wasn't quite 100 hours or so that I went from (real) bed to bed like one of my previous trips from Europe - it was only 35 hours this time - I was very much looking forward to crashing into a soft bed on land and having a nice rest!
Love... the Long White Cloud
Absolutely no troubles at all getting through AKL. Immigration was no questions asked, baggage came out relatively quickly with priority tagging working all the way from Europe, and customs just asked one question then waved me on my way. Once I was out in the familiar landside of AKL I, I had a look around to find out where to catch the Airbus to get to the city. Once I found where to go, I didn't have to wait long for the next service. Bought a return ticket on board and I was on my way to AKL with barely any other pax on board. As to be expected, there was no traffic to speak of as the Airbus roared down quiet streets - residential and major - as it snaked its way into the city centre. Even when we arrived in the city centre, it was still asleep.
Even though I had quite a decent block of sleep on my NZ leg, I was still a little fatigued and could use a nice soft bed to relax on... like collapsing on a fluffy white cloud. The Airbus reached its terminus near the Britomart, after which I had only a block and a bit more to walk to get to my accommodation at Princes Wharf.
Accommodation: Hilton Auckland
Room: Twin Deluxe Harbour View Plus
It was great to finally walk all the way to the end of Princes Wharf to arrive at the Hilton Auckland. The Hilton Auckland was a nice, stable choice in the Hilton Australasia portfolio, if the only major "failing" of the property was that there was no Executive Lounge. Most rooms, however, have access to a nice outside deck, of which some of them also gave excellent views of Auckland harbour. Many of us who were here for the
bossreggie in Auckland Do had reservations either here or at the Pullman (
bossreggie's stable favourite).
Normally I'd be looking forward to checking in, getting up to my room as fast as possible, then relaxing on the clouds... errr, I mean bed. There was one big problem: it was very early in the morning. Possibility of having a room ready for me? You've got a better chance dancing for rain. And... wouldn't you know it, I was right.
As I trudged up to check-in, the gentleman at reception was most genuinely apologetic but he said that a room would not be ready until some time later. However, he was happy to accommodate some of my other needs in the morning as best as he could. So I asked him if I could have a shower - he said that would be no problem. He arranged for a temporary card so I could have access to the gymnasium, of which there are two individual shower rooms attached so I could have a shower.
I took a bit longer in the shower than usual as I felt the water run over my tired body (as well as slightly rehydrating it at the same time). I was also probably thinking of ways to burn up time, so to speak, so I didn't have to wait as long for my room to be ready. When I finally finished up refreshed in a new change of clothes, I went back downstairs to be told that a room was still not ready.
No matter... how about internet? Again, the reception was only to happy to help me out by offering me the complimentary use of the business room behind reception, which had an able computer and printer ready. Thankfully, as New Zealand is two hours ahead of the Australian eastern seaboard, there were not any new emails bombarding my account at that time of the morning, so that gave me a bit of time to put out the fires on the rest of them. It also gave me a slight chance to catch up on AFF, as notices of a few people arriving were noted.
Kia ora from the Business Centre in the lobby of the Hilton Auckland.
They can't make the wireless work inside this pillbox, so I'm using both my laptop and the supplied computer to get work done before the earliest that our room can be made available, which is 9am.
At least I was let into the gym so I could use the showers there to freshen up. Thumbs up Hilton Auckland.
Unfortunately, 9 am came and still there was no prospect of the room being ready yet. The reception offered breakfast. Whilst I was already one breakfast up for the morning from my NZ flight, I could use at least a cup of coffee and maybe some fresh fruit, so I took up his offer. He told me just to proceed to FISH restaurant and tell them who I was, and the reception would take care of the rest (reception had my restaurant account charged to a house account so it was free of charge). Up at FISH I asked for a table with a view of the harbour, whereupon I indulged in a few cups of coffee as well as a couple of small plates - salad, some bread... nothing too heavy.
When I finally decided to head downstairs again to the reception, I thanked them for breakfast, but my room was
still not yet ready. I told them that I would wait over near the seating area facing the harbour (which forms part of Bellini bar) so that I could relax. They said that they would be happy to let me know once the room was ready.
As I was relaxing in seats overlooking the harbour, I was interrupted from my state resembling somewhat that of a zombie by a familiar, "Hello there!" As I looked up, it was
straitman.
straitman and
Mrs straitman sat down and we had a good catching up. I certainly did my best as I was trying not to let on that I was too tired at all. Eventually, someone from the front desk came along and informed me that my room was finally ready. I headed back to the reception to collect the keys, as well as two drinks vouchers for Bellini (in lieu of no Executive Lounge), then I headed up to finally find somewhere I could rest.
As I entered the room, I could see that it was big. The main thing which really stood out, however, was the awesomely large outdoor entertainment area adjoined to the room which had sweeping views of Auckland harbour and beyond. I'm not sure the room was actually a suite, as there was no separate rooms / walls for bed and living area (even though there was a couch and desk with still ample space that I think an extra wall would have been pointless), but you certainly can't complain about the space!
I got settled in, snapped a few pictures of the room for sharing later, then collapsed onto the bed. In the sky, you can get as comfortable as possible on an aircraft which glides through the clouds, but on land, a good bed is like resting on a cloud....
Entering our large room at the Hilton Auckland. The first left is the bathroom, the second left is a small ante-section with wardrobe and bar, then straight ahead is the rest of the room - beds, couch and desk.
Large bathroom at Hilton Auckland, including a full size bathtub.
Small ante-section with wardrobe (furthest) and bar.
The main part of the room.
Huge outdoor entertainment area adjoining our room...
...with magnificent sweeping views of Auckland harbour.