Craven NZ 2021

[craven morehead]

You might be onto something, from memory I think the 2019 AFF NZ gathering organised by @JessicaTam was also at Giraffe. Also IMO those secrid mini wallets are a hany bit of kit, I picked up one up a few years ago in Hong Kong. I have enjoyed your report and cannot wait to travel again.

Many thanks @Matt_01 You have certainly put out some cracking TR's yourself and I look forward to following your next adventure.

 

[craven morehead]

On the way from the lounge to board and airside was virtually empty. Photo on the hop



QF126 and today we were flying on "Port Stephens"



Same seat as on the way over. Scheduled departure was 16.20. Pushed back at 16.06 and took off at 16.23



In contrast to the nice meal on the way over this one of Braised Brisket, carrot and polenta IIRC was tasteless and unappetising



Smooth and relaxing flight back. Watched another movie and not having to drive in BNE had a few Shirazs.

Arrived on time to another very empty BNE airport.





The wife had collected some shells from the beach at Pauanui which we declared and it only held us up for 5 minutes.

Catching an Uber to the Mantra Terrace BNE where we stayed before the trip.

 

[Eastwick20]

After those beautiful looking dishes you had on your trip, I've no doubt the airline food on the return was tasteless and unappetising in comparison ;-)

It's been decades since I've been to Puka Park Lodge ( as it used to be called back in the day ) but it's a lovely spot.

Really enjoyed your trip report

 

[craven morehead]

Well, I didn't realise the Uber carpark was such a walk at the International Airport by the time we found old mate we had incurred an $8.50 waiting fee and we could have taken a bloody taxi which was right out the front! Off to the Manta Terrace Brisbane as reviewed on the way to AKL. We arrived at 19.30, now the check-in is in the bar and the doors were locked and no one to be seen. Next to the bar "where Mantra sign is" is the normal entrance once you have an access card.



As we didn't have swipe cards we had to wait for some other punters to come along and let us in. Waited in the bar for 15 minutes before the staff member turned up not a great start considering a week earlier we paid $125 and tonight was $245 because State of Origin football was on. I fully understand the laws of supply and demand and sometimes that's just how it is. I had a booking for a room at the Pullman the following night which had been booked well before the NZ trip however I couldn't get the extra night there as they were full, so back to the Mantra it was. Finally staff member apologised for the wait and checked us in. I then tried to cash our 2 complimentary drink vouchers in and she said sorry the bar till has been closed off and I cannot process WTF! We got exactly the same type of room as the week prior even though the booking suggested a better room. They had provided a bottle of sparkling as an Accor trinket which I went down and swapped for Shiraz DTKWIA?









The restaurant here doesn't do dinner on Saturday & Sunday. By 20.30 we decided to try Uber Eats as we couldn't be bothered heading out.

Next morning we enjoyed our complimentary breakfasts and actually managed to cash in the 2 x vouchers for coffee!

We had the Salmon Gravalax with avocado and poached eggs I had to look up Gravalax and apparently it means the Salmon has been cured with sugar & salt.



In summary I would be happy to pay $125 per night (certainly wouldn't entertain $245 under normal circumstances) if I had to but would rather spend the extra $40 per night and stay at the Mecure/Pullman where I get good service and far better value for money. I also found the lack of dinner in house on weekends an inconvenience as I like to utilise my 50% discount and accrue ALL points to cash in on later stays.

We rang an Uber and headed down to the Pullman King George Square on match day for State of Origin 2 which we would be attending.

 

[craven morehead]

Arrived at the Pullman/Mecure: So this place is actually 2 connected towers serviced by the one driveway, underground carpark, check in counter, concierge, restaurant and bar with another roof top bar and pool on top of the Mecure building looking over King George Square and Brisbane City Hall. For every one of my 10 stays I have always booked the Mecure as it is ~$30 per night cheaper and on every single occasion have been upgraded across to the Pullman sometimes in to a suite. We checked in around 11.30 and were given access to our room immediately. Now due to the football being on, I had booked the Mecure some months earlier to use my Free night. On this occasion the free night was valued at $300 and I still managed an upgrade across to Pullman where the walk up price on origin day was $670 for the night.

Great location:



Looks like we have arrived at the at the right spot



Generous sized rooms in the Pullman tower:











Entrance to the Goldfinch Restaurant: The self service breakfast buffet was back in action.



The rooftop bar called "Antlers"



Rooftop Pool: There will be no time for a swim today as we have a corporate engagement at the footy

 

[craven morehead]

I hope some of you may enjoy my slightly off topic trip to the footy Normally with my job I am the one taking clients to these type of events but on this occasion a client asked me along and it was a tremendous experience. I will say, that they were the most expensive tickets in the house There was a party of 10 for this event and there were 6 of us staying at the same hotel so I decided to cover the transport arrangements from hotel to function and back for the six of us as I was not paying for my footy ticket. I use the same driver for both work and play when I'm in BNE.

The Audi waiting for us:



Once we registered at the event and checked in on our Covid App the first thing on the list was a tour of the dressing sheds. For some reason this was the only place we were not permitted to take photos Scott Sattler was running the show and then Wally Lewis addressed us for a good 10 minutes which was awesome to hear some of his exeperinces since Origin's inception. After that we went out on the field at Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park) and we were all presented with a personalised Queensland Jersey (our names on the back) A magnificent stadium.




Next step was back out of the stadium and down the road to Newstead Brewing Co. which was a 50 or so metre walk. We were there for 2 hours of booze and finger food. At this point there were several former Origin greats mingling with the punters. About 5.30pm we headed back to the stadium and made our way to "The Inner Sanctum" Diamond Lounge which holds about 60 people only. It's starting to feel a bit fancy now



Ex-Queensland champions rotated through as guest speakers:





Prior to kick off we had the opporttuniy to go down a set of internal stairs to a one way window to observe the Queensland side warming up.



Well we had some fantastic seats, look at our view!





I felt very privileged to be able to do this. It was a brilliant experience except for the result if you were a Queenslander.

 

[craven morehead]

Next morning after breakfast I requested a 13.00 check out which was granted. After this stay I only need about 2 more nights to tick over to Accor Diamond. Not sure there's much difference from Platinum but I look forward to letting you know. Then it was back to BNE Domestic with our usual driver for our flight back to EMD. Checked in at the Premium entrance and then had a couple of hours to kill in the J lounge before heading back to reality.



Bussed out to the Dash 8.



Nearly back to EMD AP.



Then the 100km drive home to our small town but not before paying $150 for parking

After 2 years of no International travel this 9 night escape (6 in NZ) felt like an around the World trip

Fingers crossed we can all get going again soon

Cheers CM

 

[VPS]

Thanks for another great TR. Sometimes you just have to be lucky to get away at the right time and looks like you had fine.

 

[craven morehead]

Thanks for another great TR. Sometimes you just have to be lucky to get away at the right time and looks like you had fine.

Many thanks @VPS I do agree that the timing appears to have been impeccable.

 

[craven morehead]

Was watching the ABC late news last night and the Australian Olympic Team were flying out of CNS for Tokyo on none other than the same A333 we flew AKL-BNE on "Port Stephens" below



Cairns



Water gun salute.

 

[craven morehead]

Of all the ibises in all of the World and look who one runs into in Mackay well I did have prior knowledge!
Great to catch up with @Mattg again so soon after Auckland. It was awesome to discuss all things travel and chat over dinner on what was my qualifying stay to ascend to the lofty heights of Accor Diamond what privileges one receives over and above Platinum I guess I'll find out soon enough. For dinner I went for a medium rare Eye Fillet & vegetables with Stroganoff sauce while Matt had a very nice Warm Soba Noodle Salad with smoked Cod, snow peas, broccolini, black sesame, sweet & sour soy dressing. Too busy talking to take dinner photos (Shame on me!) Of course we were obliged to celebrate such a milestone with a few in the TURBARLENCE Tavern as it is called at the ibis MKY Airport.



I caught up with another mate for a few hours (think G&T's) and watched the footy outside while Matt was busy working.



There was an unusual amount of Chopper activity in the late afternoon and nighttime which we found out the next morning was related to Exercise Talsiman Sabre.

A couple of well fed and watered AFFers!



For breakfast we both went with the "Cure"
Toasted Sourdough, Bacon, Poached Eggs, tomato relish, mushrooms, haloumi, hash brown, beans, crispy potato skin, spinach and pastries.
No lunch was required.



A very convenient and decent hotel for the price. The staff were very obliging and gave us Top floor rooms with excellent views.

Barring anymore surprises that's it for this TR

 

[RB]

Really enjoyed your report. Looks like Origin would have been a fantastic night regardless of the result

 

[RooFlyer]

Fantastic TR, Thanks. Jealous.

 

[craven morehead]

Fantastic TR, Thanks. Jealous.

Cheers @RooFlyer

 

[craven morehead]

Really enjoyed your report. Looks like Origin would have been a fantastic night regardless of the result

Thank you @RB and definitely agree regarding the Origin experience. It was awesome

 

[OZDUCK]

Another thanks for the TR. Nice to see someone have pleasant o/s holiday. Hopefully I will be able to book for NZ trip later this year.

 

[craven morehead]

Another thanks for the TR. Nice to see someone have pleasant o/s holiday. Hopefully I will be able to book for NZ trip later this year.

Many thanks @OZDUCK Fingers crossed for your NZ trip mate. I really miss following everyones TR's