Sweet as bro

Status
Not open for further replies.

Noel Mugavin

Established Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Posts
1,109
Delving in to the archives for this one.
Together with a Kiwi expat who did some relief work at school, took a group of 11 students to New Zealand in December of 2013 to do some training with their national youth side, and deliver Auskick sessions to some primary schools.
With Education Department and overseas travel, the build up included an overload of paperwork and together with some intense fund raising efforts, it was a relief to finally get the kids on the plane and to the land of the long white cloud on the hot Friday afternoon.
My first time on Air New New Zealand, and on a 777, and was given a great first impression ion check in when on ensuring all the kids were sorted, the agent got to me and said 'you probably want a seat down the back on your own away from the kids don't you?'
Agreed on by myself. No dramas with the kids, fellow teacher was with them, they were very good kids, and what on earth could they get up to on a plane anyway?
To the flight, and we literally flew there. Strong winds, and a flight time of a bit over 5 hours.
Quick through customs and immigration and also to pick up our 2 vehicles, and a drive on to our accommodation in Auckland for 2 nights, the City Lodge.
The lodge gave us a room to leave our bags, and the plan was to park the vehicles and take the ferry over to Devonport and North Head. Unfortunately, parking was tight at the hotel, so we decided to hell with the tiredness, we'll drive over there.
Kids enjoyed stretching their legs exploring the old fort and tunnels.

IMG_8820__1491803121_203.206.54.68.jpg

View back to Auckland

IMG_8822__1491803216_203.206.54.68.jpg

Quick drive to Devenport, and the best cappucinno i've ever had.

IMG_8839__1491803333_203.206.54.68.jpg

Back to the hotel, found some parking, then walked to the CBD and up to the Sky Tower

IMG_8843__1491803413_203.206.54.68.jpg

Looking over Auckland Bay, and North head

IMG_8844__1491803496_203.206.54.68.jpg

Back to the hotel for a couple of hours kip, out to some markets for dinner, then an early night for all of us
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

An interesting and brave trip :)
 
Back on to the report after a week in Melbourne with a couple of dozen 15/16 year olds.

Over the bridge to Onepoto Domain where we had a training run with the Auckland contingent of the Kiwi National 16 and under side. Some looked to be very accomplished footballers, while a few others had very good athletic traits, but were definitely raw in game sense.

IMG_8853__1492670148_203.206.54.68.jpg

IMG_8885__1492670261_203.206.54.68.jpg

IMG_8890__1492670354_203.206.54.68.jpg

Finished with a bit of game play, the Kiwis tackling skills were on show, couple of our boys were a bit sore afterwards.
Back into the city, showers and lunch, then down to the harbour front to the maritime museum and a sail.

Surprised the French were allowed back in the harbour
IMG_8946__1492670526_203.206.54.68.jpg

Wind came up a bit, as well as a bit of rain, but the kids had a good time putting the sails up and down.

IMG_8959__1492670613_203.206.54.68.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top