bossreggie AKL lunch [W/E Apr 27-29]

[bossreggie]

I believe BR was staying for lunch on monday, I'm not sure if he was departing on monday.

Indeed Mr.

I have a luncheon with the Kiwi PM planned for the Monday.

I think there are a few AFF members coming along. (BTW if you have not advised you are staying Monday.... It is too late, as, 1, you need to have advised you are attending the lunch. AND, 2, you will have had to have paid for the lunch.)

I did mention that there will be a few surprises and I was not kidding!!

I have had over 50 emails and I MUST keep the numbers to a level which ensure ALL attendees are afforded the level of service I expect.

If you are sitting on the fence........ You may well miss out.

BTW..... ANY Mod..... or any Referral from a Mod, will be 100% confirmed as an attendee.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Boss

 

[bossreggie]

You probably already have down for this, but didn't want to miss out on a good steak.

Also, double checking, have you decided to depart Sunday evening, or Monday?

Storyteller..... As one of the people i know.... You will have no problem attending any of the events over the weekend.

You have my number... It is all good!!

 

[awilcockson]

Friday night @ Jervois...... I have booked the private dining area and capped the attendees at 12. I can not increase the numbers attending the Friday dinner at all.

Hoping to have a very "special" winemaker on hand to take us through the wines.

If you have not expressed your interest in this, please do so ASAP.

Pretty sure I've made my interest clear, but just want to make certain

 

[bossreggie]

Pretty sure I've made my interest clear, but just want to make certain

100% Mate.

You are there.

You have my number yeah??

If not PM me yours.

 

[stark]

Hi All.

Just spoke with the team regards the weekend.

Friday night @ Jervois...... I have booked the private dining area and capped the attendees at 12. I can not increase the numbers attending the Friday dinner at all.

Hoping to have a very "special" winemaker on hand to take us through the wines.

If you have not expressed your interest in this, please do so ASAP.

bossreggie

I think I said I was interested via email, but if not, I'm definitely interested

 

[coolumbla]

As Advised.

This is a "sample menu" only.

I am flying over to meet with Simon to finalise the menu for our lunch Saturday week.

Also as mentioned, there will be some prizes on the day and even some surprises. I am trying to arrange to have a couple of my high profile friends in attendance to provide some entertainment.

I have decided NOT to publish the final menu, rather, leave it as something to anticipate.

e

I have to say i don't particularly want to know the menu
The surprise will be all part of the fun!

I have to say i an looking forward to this VERY much!


C

 

[Simo]

BR,

My flights are booked and also I have booked my room at the Hilton.

Always up for a good steak.

Simo

 

[markj23]

I dont know why i continually find myself reading this thread - gets me worked up every time! :mrgreen:

Hope all you lucky buggers enjoy yourself!

edit:
you have some competition boss ... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....23-cns-lunch-apr-27-a-35989-2.html#post546021

may the best event win!

 

[Pumbaa]

Hi Bossreggie,

Don't know if you've been receiving my emails, but can I just confirm my and my +1 spot for lunch on Saturday and steak on Friday? We couldn't get a flight back to Perth on Sunday, so subsequently we're leaving Monday lunchtime. Is there still room for the wine tour on Sunday?

Plan to finalise flight and hotel bookings upon confirmation

 

[Pumbaa]

Thanks for your email reply BR.

Hi guys, my partner and I will be arriving in Auckland a few days early because we both haven't been to NZ before and thought it would be a good time to see some sights. Does anyone have any recommendations for 2 days? We will be arriving in Auckland on Wednesday around 5:35pm. That leaves Wednesday night, all day thursday and all day Friday to do some sight seeing. Any recommendations would be most welcome

I'm super excited about the lunch and the chance to put some faces to the nicknames

 

[BVT]

Thanks for your email reply BR.

Hi guys, my partner and I will be arriving in Auckland a few days early because we both haven't been to NZ before and thought it would be a good time to see some sights. Does anyone have any recommendations for 2 days? We will be arriving in Auckland on Wednesday around 5:35pm. That leaves Wednesday night, all day thursday and all day Friday to do some sight seeing. Any recommendations would be most welcome

I'm super excited about the lunch and the chance to put some faces to the nicknames

Like you, there is much excitement here, about the whole AKL adventure!

What to do in AKL?

• Defts a city tour to get your bearings; there is a "hop on, hop off" bus that goes around with pre recorded commentary;
• The new(ish) Art Gallery in Auckland is well worth a visit, if that is your thing. During RWC2011, I went in for an hour, to get out of the rain(!) and spent half a day wandering about inside;
• Ferry to Devonport and a wander around;
• If you are feeling energetic a ferry to (forgotten name) island and climb/walk Mt Rangitoto (sp?). The views from the top are sensational and the island is interesting - lava, flora and fauna etc;
• Rent a car and get out of town. Waitomo Caves are V interesting you can go black water rafting - very cool.
• Most importantly, good coffee, almost everywhere!
• Ponsonby and K roads for nightlife - but be careful there are some dodgy bars along the way. Not sur which night would be more lively, Wednesday or Thursday. Certainly, Saturday, if you are up to it after the lunch, they would be going off.

See you there!

 

[anat0l]

Indeed Mr.

I have a luncheon with the Kiwi PM planned for the Monday.

I think there are a few AFF members coming along. (BTW if you have not advised you are staying Monday.... It is too late, as, 1, you need to have advised you are attending the lunch. AND, 2, you will have had to have paid for the lunch.)

I did mention that there will be a few surprises and I was not kidding!!

Sounds nice for a Monday! (Note to self: be sober in front of the PM)

Seriously, probably over my allocation: I'm balancing the expenses of hotel and the lunch, and probably will sit out Jervois. Looks like a nice menu, just probably will have to give myself a day to recover from travel inbound with the associated gastronomic indulgence that goes with it. And, probably better for my wallet. Ah, the life and budget of a student.... :-|

The menu certainly sets the precedent for what will be an exquisite culinary and sensory experience!

 

[medhead]

I missed all the funny over the last few days. And I'll have to miss the fun in April as well. Truly amazing arrangement, BR. Thank you for the extremely generous offer. Unfortunately, it is a bit early for me to commit, even if I'd loved to make it. (part of the reason I'm only replying now)

Hope the Op was a success.

 

[mr_osborne]

Thanks for your email reply BR.

Hi guys, my partner and I will be arriving in Auckland a few days early because we both haven't been to NZ before and thought it would be a good time to see some sights. Does anyone have any recommendations for 2 days? We will be arriving in Auckland on Wednesday around 5:35pm. That leaves Wednesday night, all day thursday and all day Friday to do some sight seeing. Any recommendations would be most welcome

I'm super excited about the lunch and the chance to put some faces to the nicknames

I'll try and type some stuff up for you later, and just to help BrisVegas Traveller out, it's called rangitoto Isalnd (sp?)

 

[dfcatch]

Hire a scooter and ride around Waihiki Island - that'll kill a nice day ahead of the weekend

 

[mr_osborne]

I'll give a few locals tips for tourist ideas, using knowlege I have gained over the years.

• The sky tower is great if you haven't been to auckland before, as you can seefor miles on a clear day, but instead of paying for a ticket, go and eat lunch in orbit. Last year they ran an extended special, and they may run it again this year, where it was $25 for a2 course lunch. The food isn't hugely substantial, but I reccomend the salt and pepper squid, and it costs you the same price as entry to the sky tower. you can also go for dinner, but I think lunch is better value, but it depends on what you want to see, and how your timing works
• If you like pizza, there is a really good pizza place on queen street, opposite the IMAX, known by a few names, including pizza pizza, the kiwi music bar, and a few others. It's located upstairs, in a historic building, so the stairs are very steep, but if you are lucky, you can get a table by the window and look out over queen street. It's not a fancy place, but it is very cheep for a bar. If you like fancier pizza, my personal favourite is Portofino in the viaduct, but you can't really compare the two.
• The matakana farmers market is cool, running on saturdays from 8-1, it's a bit of a drive, so you'd need a car, but if you do go, also stop at the matakana cinemas to see a movie. they are my favorite cinemas in the country, due to the fact that they are themed inside.

• If you want to go shopping, new market is nice, but if youwant to pick up a bargain, then you want to head out to dressmart at onehunga. Albany is probably the best shopping mall if you don't mind driving, some people like sylvia park, personally I'm not a huge fan.

• there is a cool strawberry farm out by the airport, which will be on your left as you are driving on the main road out to manukau, if you're heading into the city you won't pass it, but they have cheap strawberries, but als do reallygood blended strawberry icecream.
• Another place to check out is valentino's gelato on queen street. It's not the best tasting I've ever had, but it's an experience and the range of flavours is amazing.
• For brunch one morning, go to Zarbos in New Market. There is also a neat deli there.
• If you have a nice evening and feel like doing something relaxed, head down to mission bay for fish and chips at the beach, possible followed by movenpick ice cream, or if you feel like a more substantial dinner, I highly reccomend the mexican restaurant in mission bay, I believe it is called dos amigos????

That's all I can think of off the top of my head... I notice most of it relates to food, but I guess that's just reflective of my interests. Hope it helps

 

[Pumbaa]

That's all I can think of off the top of my head... I notice most of it relates to food, but I guess that's just reflective of my interests. Hope it helps

Thanks Mr_osborne and BrisVegas Traveller for your very helpful trips.
The holidays with my girlfriend have always been planned around eating lots of shopping and a little sight seeing

All the tips have given me a great head start in my researching. Thanks guys, and I look forward to meeting you at the lunch!

 

[Deleted member]

Thanks for your email reply BR.

Hi guys, my partner and I will be arriving in Auckland a few days early because we both haven't been to NZ before and thought it would be a good time to see some sights. Does anyone have any recommendations for 2 days? We will be arriving in Auckland on Wednesday around 5:35pm. That leaves Wednesday night, all day thursday and all day Friday to do some sight seeing. Any recommendations would be most welcome

I'm super excited about the lunch and the chance to put some faces to the nicknames

It Kinda depends on the sort of things you like to do.
Auckland around the Bays has some nice spots, nice eating places and generally its verry pretty. The Museum is one of the better ones you will see anywhere (given the size and location of NZ) if old technology is your thing the MOTAT (musum of transport and technology ) used to be a good day.....I havenet been in years so not sure any more. a Boat trip to Waiheke and lunch and Vinyard tours is a great day as well.
Devonport is a short ferry ride friom downton Auckland (i used to live there and it always had a village style feel) the Waitakere's is also a nice drive, mountains, green bush, beaches a bit touristy but still a lovely day out .
If you have a Tom Tom, download nz maps and take it with you or hire a car with one. saves a heck of a lot of navigation arguements etc.
most of my trips there are to visit family.
If going further afield is your go then there is plenty both North and South. Russell in The Bay Of Islands is an interesting spot (was once the Caspital of NZ) Taupo, catch a trout, (cos you cant buy trout in NZ) there are Chefs who will cook it for you. or Rotorua ,interesting smells and nice hot pools. if thats too far then a trip just north of auckland to swim in the waiwera hot pools is a good day out as well, cant thinkl of much else at the moment

 

[BVT]

I'll try and type some stuff up for you later, and just to help BrisVegas Traveller out, it's called rangitoto Isalnd (sp?)

Thank you mr_osborne. Spelling was never my strong sweet!

 

[BVT]

I'll give a few locals tips for tourist ideas, using knowlege I have gained over the years.

• The sky tower is great if you haven't been to auckland before, as you can seefor miles on a clear day, but instead of paying for a ticket, go and eat lunch in orbit. Last year they ran an extended special, and they may run it again this year, where it was $25 for a2 course lunch. The food isn't hugely substantial, but I reccomend the salt and pepper squid, and it costs you the same price as entry to the sky tower. you can also go for dinner, but I think lunch is better value, but it depends on what you want to see, and how your timing works
• If you like pizza, there is a really good pizza place on queen street, opposite the IMAX, known by a few names, including pizza pizza, the kiwi music bar, and a few others. It's located upstairs, in a historic building, so the stairs are very steep, but if you are lucky, you can get a table by the window and look out over queen street. It's not a fancy place, but it is very cheep for a bar. If you like fancier pizza, my personal favourite is Portofino in the viaduct, but you can't really compare the two.
• The matakana farmers market is cool, running on saturdays from 8-1, it's a bit of a drive, so you'd need a car, but if you do go, also stop at the matakana cinemas to see a movie. they are my favorite cinemas in the country, due to the fact that they are themed inside.

• If you want to go shopping, new market is nice, but if youwant to pick up a bargain, then you want to head out to dressmart at onehunga. Albany is probably the best shopping mall if you don't mind driving, some people like sylvia park, personally I'm not a huge fan.

• there is a cool strawberry farm out by the airport, which will be on your left as you are driving on the main road out to manukau, if you're heading into the city you won't pass it, but they have cheap strawberries, but als do reallygood blended strawberry icecream.
• Another place to check out is valentino's gelato on queen street. It's not the best tasting I've ever had, but it's an experience and the range of flavours is amazing.
• For brunch one morning, go to Zarbos in New Market. There is also a neat deli there.
• If you have a nice evening and feel like doing something relaxed, head down to mission bay for fish and chips at the beach, possible followed by movenpick ice cream, or if you feel like a more substantial dinner, I highly reccomend the mexican restaurant in mission bay, I believe it is called dos amigos????

That's all I can think of off the top of my head... I notice most of it relates to food, but I guess that's just reflective of my interests. Hope it helps

+one for Dos Amigos. I was there in September and had a great time, nice food and plenty of beers to choose from, all for a very reasonable price!