NZ South Island for a special occasion

[Justinf]

 

[Justinf]

So the entire thing wasn’t cheap at AUD$675.
Was it worth it?
Hell yes.
Not only did the flight shave hours and hours off the time to get there and back, it was up there with the most visually stunning things I have ever seen on my travels.
Then it was time for the hour-long trip back to Wanaka.
Cracked open this baby when I got back:

Then for dinner I walked into town and got takeaway Indian food from Bombay Palace, which turned out to be the best Indian food I have ever had.
Of course I had a cleanser while waiting for it to cook.


Tomorrow the new bride and groom are hosting a brunch at their accommodation for family and friends, but there would be little else going on given the forecast was for heavy rain in the afternoon and a broken ankle thrown in for good measure.

 

[Justinf]

I’d be interested to hear which pic from the flights or the tour is your favourite.

 

[Justinf]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Justinf]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Justinf]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Justinf]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Justinf]

A few vids above.

 

[Justinf]

Today we had the brunch which was really nice to see everyone again.
We watched a few of the videos from the wedding, I had a couple of Speights Gold Medal ales and the food was great - particularly the sausage rolls.
As I was driving, I stopped at two beers, which was just as well because even at 10am they were going down a treat.
Back to the unit for a nap and then the weather turned nasty with heavy rain for hours.
For dinner we went to Amigos Mexican restaurant and it was good although the service a little lacklustre.
We caught up with my stepdaughter, her hubby and Edith our granddaughter as well as son-in-law’s parents.
As I was designated driver, I had a low-alcohol beer, which was just passable.

For dinner I had three tacos - fish, fried chicken and a Louisiana Cajun chicken. Forgot to take a pic until I’d tried all three.


Now back at the unit and ready for sleep before the drive back to Queenstown in the morning and then on QF178 back home.
The Queenstown marathon is on tomorrow so the traffic around the airport is expected to be bad and there is a possibility of snow on the drive around the mountains.
Flight is at 1.45pm, but looking forward to getting home now.

 

[Dmac59]

A very entertaining TR @Justinf with some absolute stunning pics from the flights to/from Milford Sound.
Thanks for taking the AFF Community along for the ride.

 

[Justinf]

A very entertaining TR @Justinf with some absolute stunning pics from the flights to/from Milford Sound.
Thanks for taking the AFF Community along for the ride.

Still a wee bit more to go, but not much.

 

[RooFlyer]

Wow! Congrats on the wedding (survival) and the pics/scenery. Fabulous experience.

 

[Flyfrequently]

And that was it.
It was fantastic, but after the flight, it was a slight letdown, but I’d encourage everyone to do this.
It’s magnificent.

Thanks for the photos, they bring back great memories of Milford
And well done on holding it together at the wedding, you had me shedding a tear
@Justinf

 

[Justinf]

We left the unit at 9.30am and the expected traffic jam for the marathon didn’t eventuate.
Dropped the car off and then checked in and a wheelchair was provided.
Was quite easy getting the security and immigration as we had a priority escort.
Got the lift up to the Manaia Lounge.
Sister is QF platinum so she got my niece in and I guested my bro-in-law.
I’m sure many of you have been here before.
It’s quite a cool little lounge. Food options limited.


The weird thing is you can’t go through immigration until two hours before your flight.
I went outside before heading through and it was kind of snowing, but it was more like small hail or maybe even freezing rain. Maybe it was sleet?

 

[Justinf]

 

[Justinf]

We were summoned specially to board and the staff wheeled the wife up the ramp and we think the wheelchair-friendly ramp was put there specially.
Onboard in seats 2D and and 2F, the same seats we went across the ditch in.
Push back was on time and we were away at 1.45pm NZ time.
Predeparture beverage of sparkling wine or water. We both went with the booze, which was absolutely awful to my palate.

This time was got printed menus.

 

[Justinf]

Wife went with the lamb, which she said was good and I went with the pasta, which was very passable.
Paired with a Shiraz, but as I’d had two beers in the lounge, I only drank half of it. I was driving home.

 

[Justinf]

Later on we were served ice cream - I had the cookies and cream and it was just the right texture, not too hard or soft.
I also watched my local cricket team playing live on the free wifi.
That’s a Coke not wine.

 

[Justinf]

Flight time was 3 hours and 8 minutes and there was a wheelchair waiting for us at the aerobridge.
An attendant whisked us through immigration and then to the luggage carousel where our bags were one of the first off.
The attendant then fast tracked us through the customs declaration and pretty soon we were land side.
That’s where the QF staff member left us, but a Melbourne Airport staff member came with a different wheelchair and took as to the bus pick up area where we caught the shuttle to A1 Airport Parking and then made it home at around 5.15pm.
I have to say, the treatment we got from the moment we arrived at ZQN to the moment we got on the shuttle bus was nothing short of fantastic. Credit to all involved.
It was interesting to hear that the airport is considering axing the special assistance service due to cost cutting, we were encouraged to give feedback and we certainly will. The whole process was totally amazing.
And that’s where it ends.
Thanks for tagging along.
My next TR will be in January when I am heading to Norway - Svalbard just a few days before the polar night ends, Tromso, Bergen and then the train across to Oslo. I booked a very competitive J fare with Finnair and have the Qatar Q-suites from Melbourne to Doha and Doha to Melbourne,
Until next time.

 

[RooFlyer]

Great TR - thanks for taking us along.

Wife went with the lamb, which she said was good and I went with the pasta, which was very passable.
Paired with a Shiraz, but as I’d had two beers in the lounge, I only drank half of it. I was driving home.

Looks pretty good.

It was interested to hear that the airport is considering axing the special assistance service due to cost cutting,

What? So those requiring special assistance will be left to fend for themselves?