AFF Gathers: In Melbourne!! [1-3 August 2008]

[munitalP]

Another note on hotels:

I've been advised that it is possible to negotiate a favourable group rate with a hotel if enough people are staying at a single hotel. I am most willing to do that on behalf of our interstate visitors.

Just waiting for more of you to sign up so that I "have the numbers."

Another option, especially for the golfers amongst us is the Quest Apartments Sanctuary Lakes - a Greg Norman designed Golf Course - (a round for $40 if you are staying at the Quest)

'+imgs[0]+'

Its actually not that far off the beaten track and group bookings at the Quest can be quite reasonable out there. Ive played the course a few times and enjoy everything about the course except the cranky tiger snakes that sometimes roam the course in summer.

Another thing that I can get organised is my driver (two limos) for pick ups and deliveries - I am sure if he knows how many and where to, I can negotiate some good rates with him

 

[serfty]

The few Storm games I watched were usually Sat or Sun arvos.

That was before making the last two G/Fs and becoming prime-time material.

e.g. Round 1-9 this year only one game is scheduled for 2 or 3 pm.

 

[Keith009]

That was before making the last two G/Fs and becoming prime-time material.

Oh right... shows how little I know about the NRL.

 

[Keith009]

Stop press!!

We've received a very kind offer from crazydave98 of Virgin Blue who is willing to organise a group deal on Premium Economy seats. This of course includes access to The Lounge. Pending the level of interest of course.

So if you're from interstate and want in on this - please indicate your interest ASAP. That includes RSVPing of course if you've not done so already.

EDIT: Updates of this sort will be posted on the blog so please please please check it periodically to avoid missing out (i will also post stuff here but this thread may get long and unwieldy):

The Gathering

 

[oz_mark]

Hmm, I may need to do a positioning flight to be able to take advantage of this

 

[Mal]

Stop press!!

We've received a very kind offer from crazydave98 of Virgin Blue who is willing to organise a group deal on Premium Economy seats. This of course includes access to The Lounge. Pending the level of interest of course.

So if you're from interstate and want in on this - please indicate your interest ASAP.

How can I resist, colour me Gold! Been wanting to find an excuse to try PE on DJ and their lounge for a while. Any idea on the type of Group Discount? BNE-MEL return in PE is around $1200 normally. Maybe I should re-position myself to Sydney or Canberra for the PE flight to MEL which is around $780 and $760 return respectively at normal prices.

Still looking for a good hotel. Not really in the mood to pay $350+/night, (which is what the PC hotels are wanting to charge). Best I've seen so far in a reasonable hotel central that I want to stay at is Rydges Melbourne for around $200/night, or the Hilton on the Park for a few $ more.

 

[Keith009]

Mal - does that mean I'm upgrading you from "interested" to "confirmed"?

I am not certain of the level of discounting on offer, however I reckon it would depend on the level of interest generated.

FWIW I've got 3 people on my spreadsheet thus far who're keen about the DJ offer, including Mal.

 

[littl_flier]

Definitely count me in as a highly probable. Great idea QF009! That's our busiest time at work but I'll try and make it.

 

[Mal]

Mal - does that mean I'm upgrading you from "interested" to "confirmed"?

Yep. Indeed.

 

[Keith009]

Awesome.

Data point thus far:
10 confirmed
5 interested, with littl_flier in his "highly probable" sub-faction, ah, category.

Confirmed:

QF009, MEL
dot, MEL
serfty, MEL
Evan, SIN + MEL
MelUser, MEL
munitalP, MEL
straitman, MEL
Skoogle, SYD
JohnK, SYD
Mal, BNE

Interested:

kpc, SYD
sydbloke, MEL
openseat, MEL
Shano, MEL
littl_flier, BNE

 

[oz_mark]

I'll be there

 

[JohnK]

Please keep me on the confirmed list.

I am not really interested in any DJ deals, especially premium economy, and I will be keeping an eye out for QF red e-deal specials to boost my chances of maintaining Platinum next membership year.

As for hotels I will try PC or Hilton at a reasonable price or if that is not possible then I will try for a hotel that earns QFF points closer to the event. I stayed at the Victoria All Seasons hotel recently and I was not happy with it so will be looking for something a little better.

 

[Travel Guru]

I'm going to be out of the country over that weekend so can't make it, but will definately be there next time, would be great to meet you all.

TG

 

[sr81]

Count me in.

And if we are planning to go to the footy then we have to go to the MCG. What's not to like about sitting in the open in Melbourne at the start of August with a luke warm pie and a luke warm beer?

 

[littl_flier]

Count me in.

And if we are planning to go to the footy then we have to go to the MCG. What's not to like about sitting in the open in Melbourne at the start of August with a luke warm pie and a luke warm beer?

I have to agree, the atmosphere in the MCG is out of this world. The Telstra Dome doesn't really compare IMHO but at least you don't get stuck in the rain.

Been to a few games at the MCG, surprisingly all Collingwood (but i don't support Collingwood) and the atmosphere is electric.

 

[thegurio]

Count me in as an interested... I have no idea what is going on in 2 hours from now so will need to confirm or deny later but i must say that CrazyDave98's offer is of interest!

 

[tuapekastar]

I have just one Saturday night confirmed 'booked' when 'at home' in between now and the end of the year (social butterfly that I am ) and it just happens (unfortunately) to be 2nd August. Rest of the weekend is free, and keen to participate.

 

[ric_melb]

Hi QF009 count me in as interested please.

 

[Keith009]

I've collated all the ideas on day time activities to do I've received by PMs. I've removed the things that were done at the last ozfest in MEL to prevent repetition, since many of you were at ozfest. There are some gems in the list that I have. Please continue PMing!

• The old Melbourne jail for lunch, eating amoungst the ghost of Ned Kelly.
• Head out to puffing billy and ride the train.
• sr81 is happy to host a cycle tour of the river from Southbank to Toorak. This a really easy ride and you can hire bikes.
• As an alternative to the cycle tour, I am more than happy to host a coffee crawl through MEL’s café precincts from the GPO and Degraves St in the city to Chapel St and Hawksburn Village in South Yarra for those less athletically inclined.
• NRL game [will have to defer to those who know the best games]
• AFL game [ditto]
• Chartering a ferry
• Tram 96, one of the world’s top trolley rides according to Nat Geo. Most of you would be in the city (people from interstate anyway) so we could do tram 96 either way – to St Kilda Beach or Brunswick St in Fitzroy. I reckon it’d be more interesting the Brunswick St way as the St Kilda beach direction would take us on the light rail most of the way – nothing much to see. So I suggest tram 96 to Brunswick St, followed by a stroll through just because it’s such an interesting street, and lunch.
• Sunday morning brunch on Acland St, St Kilda followed by a stroll through St Kilda beach. This could work if people from interstate get a late-ish flight out on Sunday. It’s SO worth it. I test run it today as it was such a lovely day, trammed route 16 down Fitzroy St and the Esplanada and ended up at Greasy Joe's on Acland St - which serves brunch till 1930!!! With funky music to boot.
• Golfing

 

[Keith009]

munitalP has also kindly availed the use of his chauffeur for anyone who needs transportation between Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and the city. Prices will be competitive, and set at not much more than a cab. Please PM myself or munitalP if interested.