AFF Gathering #11 - location choice

[samh004]

Two weekends ago, over 40 Frequent Flyers turned up to Perth for an exciting weekend of catching up, good food, wine and superb weather! Attendees flew in from far and wide, and competed to take the most indirect route home. By all measures, the weekend was a fantastic success, so we've decided to do it again!

It is now time to turn your attention to where you would like the next event to be held. Please keep in mind that the date has not been chosen. When a location has been chosen, a date is usually picked that takes advantage of the local climate, which can mean the gathering happens more or less than 12 months from now.

We will also need at least one person to step forward to organise the event. If you raise your hand, you will be well supported by those who have gone before.

The locations that have been suggested:

• Darwin
• Adelaide
• Townsville
• Cruise (2 year plan)
• Hamilton Island

In the interests of not going overboard I will leave the cruise choice off the poll, and if enough talk about it ensues, it can be looked at for AFF Gathering #12 with a view to someone getting it organised concurrently, as it was expected to be a much larger endeavour.

 

[sinophile888]

I love the cruise option. Something for everyone.

 

[Pushka]

I love the cruise option. Something for everyone.

That could be a lot of exhausting fun.
Adelaide in March is crazy fun. Great weather. So much to do. But need to book accommodation early. It runs out!

 

[Bindibuys]

My vote for a cruise in 2018.

 

[Pushka]

My vote for a cruise in 2018.

Well I've booked a cruise around Japan for April 2018 for cherry blossom time and it's pretty much sold out already!

 

[Bundy Bear]

Darwin thanks, Hamilton Island would be good but its not cheap and not really a lot to do unless you want to do nothing.

 

[samh004]

I love the cruise option. Something for everyone.

Something to discuss for AFF #12

Good to get a start on it now as well as it could be quite complicated.

That could be a lot of exhausting fun.
Adelaide in March is crazy fun. Great weather. So much to do. But need to book accommodation early. It runs out!

4 months from now is really going to be pushing it! :shock:

My vote for a cruise in 2018.

I'm glad you're onboard for that option, but what about 2017?

 

[Steady]

I voted for Darwin, I haven't made it to one yet but will eventually....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I know the AFF Gathering has been typically in Oz, but I was assembling a quote this morning for the Goroka Show and I coincidentally thought other AFF members just might be interested. There are options, but Goroka Show ex POM or BNE is an affordable option, especially if people have points for VA/QF/IHG.

Just as an example, to do the show, with points for BNE-POM-BNE and IHG would be about $85 (to be confirmed) for VIP show pass plus about $410 POM-GKA-POM on Air Niugini, to be immersed in one of the worlds true cultural spectaculars, which many here will never do unless in a group. I'd go further to say it's one of the worlds few genuine cultural spectaculars as I can say from observation, the traditional dress you will see at the show, is not just amazing, but is still regularly worn in the Highlands for all kinds of significant events such as compensation ceremonies, weddings, funerals, pig markets etc!

Alternatively, a 3 night BNE-POM-GKA-POM-BNE trip with accommodation at Holiday Inn in POM and Saturday at the show (no points required) would be about AU$1700. I was typing for hours this morning, and lost the lot, so I'll post up details soon in the Kokoda trek thread if anyone is interested. If there is enough interest, I could possibly price an AFF Hevilift ATR42 charter from CNS or POM, for possibly a first for an AFF gathering.

FOR INTEREST IN JOINING THIS TRIP PLEASE REFER TO THIS POST!

 

[TheBOSman]

I won't vote because I won't be going barring a miracle, but I would say Darwin.

Selfishly I think you should make #12 or #13 AUS(tin, Texas, USA) .

 

[blackcat20]

Given I have zero annual leave next year (yes, I've already used it all), any far off location will make attendance unlikely for me. At least somewhere like Adelaide I can fly over on a Friday night...

 

[samh004]

I know the AFF Gathering has been typically in Oz, but I was assembling a quote this morning for the Goroka Show and I coincidentally thought other AFF members just might be interested. There are options, but Goroka Show ex POM or BNE is an affordable option, especially if people have points for VA/QF/IHG.

Just as an example, to do the show, with points for BNE-POM-BNE and IHG would be about $85 (to be confirmed) for VIP show pass plus about $410 POM-GKA-POM on Air Niugini, to be immersed in one of the worlds true cultural spectaculars, which many here will never do unless in a group. I'd go further to say it's one of the worlds few genuine cultural spectaculars as I can say from observation, the traditional dress you will see at the show, is not just amazing, but is still regularly worn in the Highlands for all kinds of significant events such as compensation ceremonies, weddings, funerals, pig markets etc!

Alternatively, a 3 night BNE-POM-GKA-POM-BNE trip with accommodation at Holiday Inn in POM and Saturday at the show (no points required) would be about AU$1700. I was typing for hours this morning, and lost the lot, so I'll post up details soon in the Kokoda trek thread if anyone is interested. If there is enough interest, I could possibly price an AFF Hevilift ATR42 charter from CNS or POM, for possibly a first for an AFF gathering.

Likewise with the Kokoda Do you've been putting together, it might work out better as a standalone event on its own. I know I could possibly be interested in the first option, but the second one, at $1700+ would be far too much for me to even consider for an event at this stage.

I won't vote because I won't be going barring a miracle, but I would say Darwin.

Selfishly I think you should make #12 or #13 AUS(tin, Texas, USA) .

I'm sure there are a few who'd be keen for that

 

[tuapekastar]

Voted for DRW, simply because I haven't been there (one transit excepted), and it hasn't been an AFF# venue before. The other venues are OK though. Worth noting (as I'm sure that heaps of y'all know) that DRW has the 'build up', which may influence the gathering date should DRW be selected as the venue.

 

[puppysparkes]

DRW. I can throughly recommend a tour of Corroboree billabong on a mary river houseboat. It's different to the jumping crocs tour, epic at sunset. http://www.maryriverhouseboats.com.au/our-fleet/party

 

[Deleted member 29185]

it might work out better as a standalone event on its own.

Yep, I agree. I just though I'd throw it in as a "just in case". I've voted DRW, as I think it represents the best of the options. A dry season date would certainly be preferable though.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

on a mary river houseboat.

Is that a boat? It looks like a piece of jetty that's broken away!

 

[mickeyc747]

Thats no good, is Tom allowed to go lol, VA have a Friday afternoon DRW flight

Given I have zero annual leave next year (yes, I've already used it all), any far off location will make attendance unlikely for me. At least somewhere like Adelaide I can fly over on a Friday night...

 

[puppysparkes]

Is that a boat? It looks like a piece of jetty that's broken away!

They don't look flash but they definitely float. We did an overnight trip a few years back. The sights and sounds were pretty awesome. Great for photos.

 

[samh004]

Voted for DRW, simply because I haven't been there (one transit excepted), and it hasn't been an AFF# venue before. The other venues are OK though. Worth noting (as I'm sure that heaps of y'all know) that DRW has the 'build up', which may influence the gathering date should DRW be selected as the venue.

I am unaware of what this is.

Yep, I agree. I just though I'd throw it in as a "just in case". I've voted DRW, as I think it represents the best of the options. A dry season date would certainly be preferable though.

Dry season would undoubtedly mean there is less than 12 months to go till the event, if it is chosen of course.

 

[blackcat20]

Thats no good, is Tom allowed to go lol, VA have a Friday afternoon DRW flight

He has even less leave than me :shock: But yes, a Friday arvo flight would work, just cant do a long weekend this time around (assuming we go).