EK F SYD-AKL-SYD, Waiheke Island, Taupo

[munitalP]

Thanks for a great TR Hayden - Waiheke Island is a nice spot on earth, a good choice for a weekend!

You have got my interest up with EK - I have sworn I would never fly them or Etihad for that matter, but looking at the service you had, I might look at EK for our next trans tasman flights - just to try out their F product!

Mr!

 

[Alanslegal]

blooody awesome report haydensydney

hope your partner had a delicious 40th birthday

 

[tuapekastar]

Great TR and pix haydensydney - looks like you all had a ball, especially that chap 'resting' on the verandah floor.

I was underwhelmed with Waiheke but that was probably more due to my mood on the day (very dark :shock and the winery that wanted to charge NZD8 to taste (one tasting size sip only, one glass).

I go to NZ at least once every year and EK First has always been tempting (even in a 345 from MEL) - maybe I'll try it one day.

 

[samh004]

That was a fantastic TR, loved the photos too, even though I might’ve seen a few already

The experience looks like one not to miss for sure.

Emirates has a shower onboard don’t they? Do they not allow you to use this while flying trans-tasman, or were you just preoccupied with everything else?

 

[haydensydney]

Emirates has a shower onboard don’t they? Do they not allow you to use this while flying trans-tasman, or were you just preoccupied with everything else?

Yeah - you can use the shower if you like, but on a three hour flight the time you spend in the shower is less time drinking some beautiful wines. I choose wine over shower

Last time I flew F with EK I tried the shower and it was quite good - its one of those things you just have to try once in your life!

 

[auriga]

Nice report! Thanks for sharing.

 

[haydensydney]

I was underwhelmed with Waiheke but that was probably more due to my mood on the day (very dark :shock and the winery that wanted to charge NZD8 to taste (one tasting size sip only, one glass).

I too was very underwhelmed with the Waiheke vineyards - you could tell the vines were young, and the wines certainly had "that" bitter/sour taste. I felt ripped off paying $5 at Cable Bay - the only saving grace was one of their reds, which wasn't that bad. The woman serving the wines had such an attitude I felt like slapping her in the face - what a mole.

Anyway, Waiheke is nice and has that old school atmosphere. Just be prepared for tank water and mosquitos, and a 40min ferry ride in each direction. A helicopter from AKL costs about $1000 each way for a max of 7 pax, with 15kgs luggage each - and it only takes about 6 mins, much easier than a bus/ferry/rental. I will certainly consider the heli option next time we go....

 

[haydensydney]

Hi Guys - I realised I didn't post too many pics of the Waiheke Island property and my post does not really do the place justice - considering the property cost $1150 NZD per night (great value!) I thought I'd post some more pics FYI....

Back yard

 

[haydensydney]

 

[haydensydney]

The boys at Mudbrick

 

[Sprucegoose]

Well done mate, very informative.I dont know about paying for wine tasting though, very third world.

SPRUCE :mrgreen:

 

[haydensydney]

Well done mate, very informative.I dont know about paying for wine tasting though, very third world.

SPRUCE :mrgreen:

Exactly! The only other time we have paid for wine tasting was for the 2003(?) grange at Penfolds in SA.... very worthy of the $50 premium IMO.

But $5 to taste "Waiheke's finest" - I choose no