Slam, bam, thank you Ma’am, 48 hours in Queenstown

[Justinf]

The young Torquay couple, well it turned out I kind of knew him. He plays footy for a team I write about for the newspaper
They invited me for a drink after the Ice Bar but I didn’t want to intrude on their holiday and politely declined. Was very nice of them.
I went to a sports bar for a beer and some wings, and by now the rain had set in so I headed back to the room around 11pm.
I asked for a noon checkout which was granted.

 

[Justinf]

Got woken up by the room phone at 11.15am.
nobody was told about my noon checkout.
It was probably a good thing.
I’ve been sleeping really badly lately and I obviously needed it. Checked out right on noon and my flight isn’t until 6pm so I went for a walk down at the waterfront.
The place was humming.

 

[Justinf]

A couple of things about last night.
At the Ice Bar there was an ocker bloke from outback SA.
I asked him if he was going to try the shot on the ice appendage.
“No effing way mate, not for me”
Nek minnut after I did it and everyone else had a crack he was doing it.
Hahahaha
Also as I was approaching the hotel at the end of the night there were two young women who couldn’t get in.
Their mum was coming down to let them in.
The mum then appeared stark naked.
She was totally wasted…and naked.
The girls who were probably in their 30s were mortified.
They said that I probably should not look.
Hey right back at you sister I have no intention of looking and didn’t even want to see it the first time.
The mum didn’t have her card to let them in so I just used mine and got to my room as quickly as I could.

 

[Justinf]

Forecast temp today is for 10 degrees.
As I type the NZ Met Service says it’s 7.9 degrees.
I kid you not, it feels like it’s at least 14 or 15.
No wind and bright sunshine.

 

[Justinf]

back to the hotel to grab my luggage and a quick NZ$26 Uber ride to the airport.
Got there just before check in opened and was through security and passport control in no time.
ZQN was very crowded in the international departures.
I decided to pay NZ$65 and head up to the Manaia Lounge.
Good move. Once a few flights departed it was more bearable with less people.
The food offerings were not great, but far from bad.
The sausage rolls were delicious although they only had a standard coffee machine.
Drink offerings quite meagre.

 

[Human]

I really like the Manaia lounge. Yes, the coffee and drink options aren't great, but the food is good, the staff are friendly and the view is, I think, the best view of any airport lounge I've ever been to.

 

[Justinf]

I really like the Manaia lounge. Yes, the coffee and drink options aren't great, but the food is good, the staff are friendly and the view is, I think, the best view of any airport lounge I've ever been to.

Cairns view is nice, but yes, it’s gorgeous here.

 

[Justinf]

Americans, I love you all.
Please don’t take this the wrong way but the stereotype Americans are here in lounge. So LOUD.
It’s beer time.

 

[Justinf]

J is full for my flight.
All 8 seats taken.
I feel quite fortunate to have been able to upgrade a $140 fare with 16,000 points.
I’ll be seated in 2D.

 

[rbjhan]

Ah, last time we were there in the Manaia lounge (no thanks to Virgin!) our flight got delayed 2 hours...
Never been so happy about Priority Pass

 

[luckypierre]

back to the hotel to grab my luggage and a quick NZ$26 Uber ride to the airport.
Got there just before check in opened and was through security and passport control in no time.
ZQN was very crowded in the international departures.
I decided to pay NZ$65 and head up to the Manaia Lounge.
Good move. Once a few flights departed it was more bearable with less people.
The food offerings were not great, but far from bad.
The sausage rolls were delicious although they only had a standard coffee machine.
Drink offerings quite meagre.
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How much time did you have in the lounge before boarding ? I believe that VA don’t let you check in till T-2 hrs ?

 

[Justinf]

How much time did you have in the lounge before boarding ? I believe that VA don’t let you check in till T-2 hrs ?

Three hours. VA don’t operate the lounge.

 

[Justinf]

And the Americans are in J.
They have fallen asleep already. Been drinking a bit.
Seated next to a lovely guy who flew over last night for the Ferg Bakery pies. Kid you not.
Personally I love it.
We pushed back about 10 minutes early.

 

[Justinf]

Meal choice is chicken katsu or a veg pasta.
Thank god no pork.
I went with the chicken and started off with a beer.

 

[luckypierre]

Meal choice is chicken katsu or a veg pasta.
Thank god no pork.
I went with the chicken and started off with a beer.
View attachment 411676View attachment 411677

Identical to what was served MEL/ZQN earlier in the week. Quite tasty. The vego pasta was pumpkin based with the optional chorizo .

 

[Justinf]

The beer was truly awful.
Couldn’t drink it.
Had to go for a shiraz.
Not a hell of a lot better. Will ask what sort. Looks like it’s the Pinot next.

 

[Justinf]

The coconut vanilla cake was delicious.
Saved the cheese and crackers for later.
That shiraz tasted like Merlot. I HATE Merlot.
Settled on a G&T.
Halfway there.

 

[Justinf]

Probably not worth boring you all from now on.
It’s just gonna be a stock standard 90 minutes more in the air and then the usual getting out of the airport.
I just remembered I bought a 11-pack of Speights 440ml cans to bring home and it’s well over the 2.25L allowed.
I totally forgot and said no on the arrivals form.
Anyone think I get into trouble?

 

[Human]

Probably not worth boring you all from now on.
It’s just gonna be a stock standard 90 minutes more in the air and then the usual getting out of the airport.
I just remembered I bought a 11-pack of Speights 440ml cans to bring home and it’s well over the 2.25L allowed.
I totally forgot and said no on the arrivals form.
Anyone think I get into trouble?

You're a male travelling alone, so they'll probably pick you out for a random check at Customs.
On the other hand, you're just coming from NZ, so they probably won't pick you out for a random check at Customs.

 

[RooFlyer]

Your landing into Queenstown reminded me of this video. An aircraft, descending into cloud, close towards a mountain. There are somethings a passenger should never see...

Edit: Same clip, better music.