Destination, A47 - Watch this space.

[Flywithd]

Here are some pics at Edgewater Resort, the sunset is truly amazing

 

[Flywithd]

 

[Bolthead]

What did you think of the Edgewater.... we heard it is more family focused and when the local bus drove into it to pickup some passengers it looked a bit tired from the outside, however your room photos looked OK. Do you remember how much per night it was? Can't wait to get back there...

 

[Flywithd]

I liked the Edgewater because of the family vibe to be honest, there weren't as many kids running a muck in the resort and on the beach when we were there so it was a nice experience. The room we booked was $160 via VA Hotelclub, we got upgraded to beachfront deluxe as you can see in the picture! The room design was very spacious, and clean, as well as the resort was kept tidy and we observed workers raking the beach early morning. The only thing SWMBO didn't like was the AC directly over the bed, meaning it had to be switched off when we were sleeping, very humid night.

I can't wait to go back to RAR, I would never of thought of going to RAR if it wasn't for the VA fare and I'm glad we got to experience it, truly a relaxing, chilled and down to earth island.

What did you think of the Edgewater.... we heard it is more family focused and when the local bus drove into it to pickup some passengers it looked a bit tired from the outside, however your room photos looked OK. Do you remember how much per night it was? Can't wait to get back there...

 

[wallacej]

The room we stayed in was the second one from the right, middle level

 

[Flywithd]

We got allocated a second level room as well, I'm still face palming myself for not booking a longer stay, should of chanced it and called up to extend the trip, my back is tanned so we definitely need to go back and snorkel so the front half is tanned and evened out.

I definitely miss the friendliness of the island, the majority of people that we interacted with we're truly welcoming and getting lost while riding around the island on our scooter, we somehow got off track the main road and trekked deep into the centre of the island, kind of eerie and fun at the same time.

To the guys who plan to discover RAR, make sure your trip is minimum 2-3 days, all you do is eat and relax, no time for technology on the island besides intimate time with the other half, as well as your camera to memorise and capture scenery.

The room we stayed in was the second one from the right, middle level

 

[Magpie10]

Great TR you guys certainly made good. Glad it all worked out in the end. Interesting to hear how the others fared...V

 

[carwashhair]

I'm heading off on my A47 next week (only getting sc's for one leg of the journey, sadly) and want to know whether anyone here availed themselves of http://www.dutyfreestores.co.nz prepaid/pickup alcohol leaving AKL, on both RAR and SYD bound flights? I emailed the store to ask

If I am travelling from RAR to AKL, then AKL to SYD, will any duty free purchases I pick up from your AKL collection point be OK to travel to SYD? Is it classed as being 'delivered to the gate' when it is in a sealed bag?

their reply was:

If you have access to your luggage you can grab your goods on arrival to nz and put your purchases in your luggage (not your carry on). If you don't have access to your luggage than you would have to purchase on arrival into Australia.

But I recall leaving CHC in 2011 with a sealed DF bag and carrying it to the gate myself, I don't think it was delivered by the store. Sorry for the long winded questions here, There is no way I want to give duty free in SYD any cash if possible. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Flywithd]

You should be fine with the DF collection at AKL - SYD leg!

 

[carwashhair]

You should be fine with the DF collection at AKL - SYD leg!

Thanks dzinh, that is what I am hoping. Anyone with specific experience? I don't want to have to immigrate, pack and re-check luggage, but am not sure whether security screens for liquids at the gate. Since these aren't delivered by the store to gate, they may not get through.

 

[Austman]

I'm heading off on my A47 next week (only getting sc's for one leg of the journey, sadly) and want to know whether anyone here availed themselves of http://www.dutyfreestores.co.nz prepaid/pickup alcohol leaving AKL, on both RAR and SYD bound flights? I emailed the store to ask

If I am travelling from RAR to AKL, then AKL to SYD, will any duty free purchases I pick up from your AKL collection point be OK to travel to SYD? Is it classed as being 'delivered to the gate' when it is in a sealed bag?

their reply was:

If you have access to your luggage you can grab your goods on arrival to nz and put your purchases in your luggage (not your carry on). If you don't have access to your luggage than you would have to purchase on arrival into Australia.

But I recall leaving CHC in 2011 with a sealed DF bag and carrying it to the gate myself, I don't think it was delivered by the store. Sorry for the long winded questions here, There is no way I want to give duty free in SYD any cash if possible. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I've used them and the pick-up in AKL is a breeze. It's just after security on the right. As NZ is an exempt country for Australian LAG rules, there's no need for the delivery-to-the-gate requirement. You can even unpack your DF goods if you want before boarding. But they give them to you in a tamper-proof sealed bag anyway (useful if you were transiting SE Asia for example).

 

[serfty]

I've used them and the pick-up in AKL is a breeze. It's just after security on the right. As NZ is an exempt country for Australian LAG rules, there's no need for the delivery-to-the-gate requirement. You can even unpack your DF goods if you want before boarding. But they give them to you in a tamper-proof sealed bag anyway (useful if you were transiting SE Asia for example).

Fully agree!

Last week I stayed airside.

I came off my flight from LAX at AKL, went through transit security and to the NZ lounge. I left there 5 minutes earlier than normal to collect my duty free pre-order before heading to the gate for my flight to Melbourne.

 

[carwashhair]

Thanks everyone, very reassuring. DF nearly did themselves out of a sale!

 

[Major]

Thanks everyone, very reassuring. DF nearly did themselves out of a sale!

I have also used them several times. Their specials are about the cheapest anywhere and you can place an order with them up to 6 months in advance

 

[Flywithd]

Since you will arrive at AKL from RAR at OMG o'clock (depending on tailwind, we arrived 40 minutes ahead of schedule) You could always browse at both of the DF stores in the termninal and purchase then?

 

[serfty]

Since you will arrive at AKL from RAR at OMG o'clock (depending on tailwind, we arrived 40 minutes ahead of schedule) You could always browse at both of the DF stores in the termninal and purchase then?

Preorder can be much cheaper ...

 

[carwashhair]

Not long back from RAR and have to say the trip was a blast. Thanks everyone for the tips on places to get to round the island - can vouch for Fruits of Rarotonga, which was close to where we stayed on the south side of the island. Also loved Vaima Restaurant and the Hidden Spirit in Marie Nui Gardens. And even though there was a 30 knot wind blowing for the whole week (and when combined with waves breaking on the reef, it sounded like a hairdryer was permanently on), it did not spoil the whole experience at all.

Also stocked up big time on DF boozer going thru AKL, so thanks for your reassurances Sefty, they were spot on. And just as a note for anyone still heading to RAR, the Sava duty free on arrival is generally cheaper than CITC there, and often cheaper than Duty Free stores NZ too! Doesn't have a great range though. But - 1.75lt Jack Daniels for only NZ$48!! Shame I don't drink that much in a week

The only thing resembling a downside was the cancellation of the SYD-AKL VA flight. Like you Drewbles, we were moved to a NZ flight in economy (luckily, a Boeing 773 was brought in to sub for our plane AND the NZ A320 that were delayed/cancelled. Now I'm wondering as to the next steps regarding compensation. Do you mind if I PM you regarding this Drewbles? Just to get an idea for a bargaining position.