AFF Gathering #8 at MEL on 24 - 26 October

[penegal]

Nothing has been arranged/announced as yet, but I'd imagine twilight/dusk on Friday. I know a few are staying slightly longer, myself included (flying back on JQ3 on Monday), so there will undoubtedly be something on Sunday for anyone left behind

We will follow a similar theme as previous years.


There will be some kind of Welcome drinks activity from 6pm on the Friday, with a welcome dinner around 8pm.

The Sunday golf (10:30 & 10:40am tee times), suggests a finish around 3pm depending on playing speed (18 holes is usually quoted at 4.5hrs). The gold course is next to the airport, so I expect that some of us we adjourn to the lounges at Tullamarine for drinks (This could be a challenge for locals with golf clubs, so someone will need to drive & pay airport parking fees).

I am still thinking about an alternative Sunday activity, but will need a volunteer to lead it. The target would be a similar finish time (between 4pm and 6pm), but it could be a little later if a bus trip is involved.

There will be a Sunday dinner for those still in Melbourne, but I expect that this would be smaller group.

 

[Buzzard]

Transport booked, arrive Saturday depart Sunday.

HTOP booked for Saturday.

 

[Beta4Me]

You may put me down as a Gold. I'm excited!

 

[markis10]

I am Platinum, its a free weekend and booked flights, well one JQ3 on the Monday, $35 price beat with TT

 

[samh004]

Updated to here, back from holidays next week!

 

[kpc]

I just booked my VA flights for this event, leaving Syd Fri evening, and Mel Sun evening. With "Fly Ahead", I can vary my flight times depending on the various start / finish times:idea:

 

[MartinMemo]

Might be worth a trip to Munich while in MEL?

Munich Brauhaus | The best of Munich

 

[Awesom Andy]

Crazy idea, but how about we take a couple of hours drive to find this beach/rock, and take a group photo?


Not sure if I'll be in MEL though. I have tickets for the ladies tennis masters in SIN around that weekend, but I can't remember which day/matches I'm going to. Will need to confirm.

 

[Goodonya]

Crazy idea, but how about we take a couple of hours drive to find this beach/rock, and take a group photo?
View attachment 31309

Not sure if I'll be in MEL though. I have tickets for the ladies tennis masters in SIN around that weekend, but I can't remember which day/matches I'm going to. Will need to confirm.

G'day AA. If I'm right this photo looks like it was taken on the beach down the Gibson Steps near the Twelve Apostles. If so then you'll really need a day trip to get there and back from Melbourne. As is in your handle, this is an awesome part of coastline. In addition, unless the participants don't mind getting wet and are good swimmers, consideration should be made so that such a walk is coordinated with low tide :shock:

PS would have loved to have participated in this AFF gathering (esp since I'm in MEL) but alas I will be conferencing in GOT.

 

[Awesom Andy]

G'day AA. If I'm right this photo looks like it was taken on the beach down the Gibson Steps near the Twelve Apostles. If so then you'll really need a day trip to get there and back from Melbourne. As is in your handle, this is an awesome part of coastline. In addition, unless the participants don't mind getting wet and are good swimmers, consideration should be made so that such a walk is coordinated with low tide :shock:

PS would have loved to have participated in this AFF gathering (esp since I'm in MEL) but alas I will be conferencing in GOT.

That's a good point... low tide is at 6-7am/pm-ish. :shock:

 

[samh004]

I have booked my accommodation at Tune Hotel (Carlton... though a stones throw from the city) as I'm just a student and my 3 nights (Friday-Monday) cost the same as one night at either of the Hilton's

 

[penegal]

I suppose I should book my accommodation at Châteaux penegal before rooms sell out!!

 

[MartinMemo]

I suppose I should book my accommodation at Châteaux penegal before rooms sell out!!

It happens to be on the second last weekend Memo Manor will be open!

 

[Awesom Andy]

No guarantees, but for those who don't have access to special rates, these 2 look remarkably similar...

Wot Hotel? - Wotif.com
Hilton on the Park - Melbourne - Wotif.com

 

[straitman]

I suppose I should book my accommodation at Châteaux penegal before rooms sell out!!

Good idea. I hear he is likely to be out of town that weekend :!:

 

[Awesom Andy]

Quick question... JQ3 on Mon 27/10 has disappeared from the website booking engine. Even searching for MEL-HNL, it would put me on a dom JQ flight MEL-SYD to connect to the SYD-HNL sector. What happened to MEL-SYD part of it?

 

[samh004]

Quick question... JQ3 on Mon 27/10 has disappeared from the website booking engine. Even searching for MEL-HNL, it would put me on a dom JQ flight MEL-SYD to connect to the SYD-HNL sector. What happened to MEL-SYD part of it?

I haven't been contacted about a flight change! But sometimes they remove it briefly and clear people off only to add it back. I'd wait. There's time.

Here's a pic of my booking.

 

[mickeyc747]

Here's a pic of my booking.

View attachment 31652

Mine comes up the same as Sam's except I am in 24A as I picked a seat.

 

[samh004]

Regarding the JQ3 disappearing trick, it's still missing on the JQ site but I searched SkyScanner.com and it was listed there (for a lot more), and is also available for 6400 points + $33 as an award booking on Qantas.com

 

[Awesom Andy]

6400 points + $33 as an award booking on Qantas.com

That's a serious price hike...

May be I'll just slump it in a QF 738, at least this one is free ($22, plus receiving 800 points and 10 SCs in return), and I'll fly out in the morning and organise lunch in SYD with an acquaintance.