Christchurch Dinner Saturday 11 March 2017 [New Venue]

[blackcat20]

A belated thanks from me to everyone that attended. Its a pretty big call for people to come along to a dinner in a different country just because I said to JT three years ago "hey, lets go to Auckland for dinner".

This mornings 6am flight was an absolute killer (it was 6pm when we booked it). At least its a short week now.

 

[Deleted member]

So , where to next ?

 

[blackcat20]

So , where to next ?

JT and I will need to chat and run through the options, however I think organising Christmas will be the next priority.

 

[NZflygirl]

JT and I will need to chat and run through the options, however I think organising Christmas will be the next priority.

Where were the other ones? Welly and Akl?

Does that mean Queenstown next? Direct flights for you guys if you wish.

 

[blackcat20]

Where were the other ones? Welly and Akl?

Does that mean Queenstown next? Direct flights for you guys if you wish.

You'll just have to wait and see

Now why would anyone want to fly direct....

 

[NZflygirl]

You'll just have to wait and see

Now why would anyone want to fly direct....

I have an answer but its not pretty!

Out of curiosity for those that stayed at DT were your status benefits recognised without asking? Was the breakfast spread ok?

 

[JessicaTam]

I have an answer but its not pretty!

Out of curiosity for those that stayed at DT were your status benefits recognised without asking? Was the breakfast spread ok?

-ve: No status recognition. No upgrade. Coffee tax.
+ve: Breakfast was fine and included cooked to order eggs.

 

[NZflygirl]

-ve: No status recognition. No upgrade. Coffee tax.
+ve: Breakfast was fine and included cooked to order eggs.

Thanks. Might stick with others until they sort themselves out.

 

[scubabe]

Thank you one and all for a most enjoyable weekend!
Friday afternoon being welcomed into the hallowed halls of the QF F lounge was an amazing experience, so thank you very kindly to our hosts Katy and MickeyC.
The flight over was a laugh, watching the J cabin service
Saturday we spent wandering about Christchurch and bookmarking places to return to with our cameras.
Saturday night's dinner was a lot of fun and the food was absolutely delicious! What a wonderful pick that was. Thank you so much JT and BC for your fabulous organisational skills.
Sunday through Tuesday we wandered about the south island, visiting national parks and photographing gorgeous vistas, cheeky parrots, and lazing about in hot pools.
Wednesday the trip was over and we hopped a quick VA flight back to Bris. Ugh a 7am arrival with approximately a gazillion other planes landing at the same time and it wasn't until we hit the customs lines that I realised VA had not given me my usual fastpasses and we were stuck lining up with the rabble
We had a fab long weekend in NZ and it has whetted my OH's taste for more NZ trips.
Thanks to everyone who made our trip so much fun!

 

[blackcat20]

Thank you one and all for a most enjoyable weekend!
Friday afternoon being welcomed into the hallowed halls of the QF F lounge was an amazing experience, so thank you very kindly to our hosts Katy and MickeyC.
The flight over was a laugh, watching the J cabin service
Saturday we spent wandering about Christchurch and bookmarking places to return to with our cameras.
Saturday night's dinner was a lot of fun and the food was absolutely delicious! What a wonderful pick that was. Thank you so much JT and BC for your fabulous organisational skills.
Sunday through Tuesday we wandered about the south island, visiting national parks and photographing gorgeous vistas, cheeky parrots, and lazing about in hot pools.
Wednesday the trip was over and we hopped a quick VA flight back to Bris. Ugh a 7am arrival with approximately a gazillion other planes landing at the same time and it wasn't until we hit the customs lines that I realised VA had not given me my usual fastpasses and we were stuck lining up with the rabble
We had a fab long weekend in NZ and it has whetted my OH's taste for more NZ trips.
Thanks to everyone who made our trip so much fun!

It was so great to meet you both!

 

[Ewing]

-ve: No status recognition. No upgrade. Coffee tax.
+ve: Breakfast was fine and included cooked to order eggs.

Reflects my experience, although I was happy with just the scrambled eggs from the buffet.

I don't think I'll go back to the DT to be honest - the room was extremely dated, recognition non-existent, and the location isn't that great either. They even tried to charge me for late checkout until I pulled the DYKWIA Diamond card and the lady begrudgingly said: "I can check with my duty manager?" which I replied: "Yes, do that" - at which point a 1pm checkout was offered. I pushed them again and with a lot of grumbling they offered 2pm with "that's the latest I can do" (the hotel was far from full that night).

I will return to the Novotel next time where I've stayed a number of times.

In any case, I won't let it detract from an otherwise wonderful weekend. It was an absolute delight catching up with old faces and meeting some new ones - I look forward to the next dinner!

 

[Katy]

And chiming in belatedly with my thanks as well!

It was an amazing weekend with old friends and new and I am in awe of what JT and BC managed to put together for us.

I'm so looking forward to seeing what they come up with next

 

[Deleted member]

The breakfast isn't really up to scratch, (but not inedible) cooked to order eggs not withstanding. the breakfast cook had a tendency to well done / overcooked with the eggs, no real point to having cook to order if you're not going to listen to what the customer wants.
Mind you the same can be said of the SYD Hilton, asked for "SOFT" eggs, received squash balls !!
The dining room staff were friendly and eager to help.
I was otherwise quite happy with the DT, the rooms were fine, bathroom was good, bed comfy.
One of the downsides to a "Low rise" Hotel is that it spreads out, so it was a long walk to the room.
we hired a car, and the "free" parking was a nice surprise.
we checked out early and went "Tiki Touring" to Akaroa, so we had all of our bags ion the car.

I have an answer but its not pretty!

Out of curiosity for those that stayed at DT were your status benefits recognized without asking? Was the breakfast spread ok?

 

[BVT]

Yes, indeed; many thanks to the organising committee. Yet again, a well chosen (!) and organised event.

I quite liked the DT. But, then again, I like shabby chic! Not that the DT was shabby - or chic - in my view. Just pleasant; staff helpful and forgiving.

It or may not have been me that set off the fire alarm on Sunday night!

Note to self: remember to close the bathroom door when having a hot shower!

 

[Viridianne]

Thank you organisers. Off to sunny Auckland today. Then home to Melbourne in a few days. Tim Clark has promised me a good seat on his big silver bird.

Thanks for being a gracious host, Eija! Had a good time at the MEL lounges.


PS. This was really thoughtful, thank you!

 

[blackcat20]

So JT and I have been looking at our options for a few months now, and while we are keen to take the dinner back to Auckland, it unfortunately won't be next year. We're not sure why, but hotel prices are extreme (Hilton verging on $1000/night) and no one wants to pay that. So we've decided to take a break next year, and come back with our next dinner in 2019. We hope you will all understand.

In the meantime, the AFF Christmas do is on December 23 in Melbourne.

 

[Eija]

Sad face...prices make no sense. Late March yes, cricket & concert.

 

[JessicaTam]

Sad face...prices make no sense. Late March yes, cricket & concert.

There is probably an obscure conference on, but it can't be helped.

As @blackcat20 said, we have been discussing this for a few months but the prices have only got worse. Bring on 2019!

 

[Simo]

ZQN has some great dining options?

 

[Simo]

And also ZQN will not be as busy as it will not be snow season around March?