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