Kiora,
I am currently awaiting my flight back to Melbourne in the first class lounge at Auckland (NZ) airport. I've just uploaded under 60 photos from my weekend trip to New Zealand... Hopefully I can post before my dad and I go down to Duty Free!
Because my dad travels so much on business, he's earned Emerald status with the One World Alliance. I'd been to the business class lounge a few times before but it was the first time entering the first class for me. It was so fancy pants, they had table service for breakfast (as opposed to a smorgasbord like in Business).
Freshly squeezed fruit juice
My customized breakfast
I also had some yoghurt and chai tea
In the lounge, they also had a day spa! My dad got a full body massage, I kinda wanted a facial but had make-up on so I settled for the manicure.
They recognized my dad there saying they remembered his chicken face (I don't get it?) He'll be back next week and the week after!
After a little while in the lounge, we boarded the plane. Everyone was on time so we took off earlier than expected, I love punctuality, feels good.
I watched "My Week with Marilyn" which was alright (but lacked substance), good for a light watch... And also a business documentary about Facebook which was interesting! I couldn't watch the last 10 mins so I think I'll finish it in my flight later.
Despite being full from breakfast at the airport, airplane food!
Hello Auckland! I actually haven't been back in New Zealand (not including stop overs) since I moved to Australia 11-ish years ago. The weather was mild, a pleasant surprise! I heard it was raining in Melbourne all weekend too.
My dad's mate from Taupo (where I was born/used to live) came up to hang out with us. The three of us stayed in a nice and clean apartment in the city where we headed once we arrived to relax for a while... My dad got excited and ate too many oysters.
Because NZ is 2 hours ahead of Melbourne, it wasn't long until it was dinner time! Oscar (not his real name) took us to a, 'fancy food court' called Elliot Stables... All these different quality restaurants under one roof sharing the tables, a great concept.
A very satisfying dinner indeed. After dinner, my dad and Oscar went to a couple of bars (despite having drunk a fair bit before and during dinner) I just went back to the apartment to get s0me of my assignments done.
I was initially sharing a bedroom with my dad but it was impossible to sleep with him snoring so loudly in the next bed... I had to strip my bed and relocate onto the couch where I had a decent night's sleep.
The apartment came equipped with breakfast... it wasn't great though.
The next day it was Oscar's birthday. He took us to Ellerslie Racecourse to watch a couple of races, he's an avid better (is that a word?). Jockeys in real life are so tiny!
For lunch we went to the fish market where we stuffed ourselves with so much food... That's my dad taking a photo of his Hakubaku noodles.
We had a early light dinner at a hip Asian fusion restaurant, I'm a fan of restaurants like these.
We then took the train (nice stations!) to Eden Park for a game of Rugby Union.
The Blues Vs. The Highlanders. I'm not big on sports but I enjoyed myself, it made me feel very Kiwi. Again, they went out drinking while I returned to do some homework.
On our final day, we went up the Skytower to have a look at the city views... It was good going on our last day 'cos we could see all the places we had traveled to.
They have a Skyjump, where you can kind of bungee jump (not AS extreme) from the top of the tower all the way to the bottom.
To finish off our food adventures in New Zealand, we went to a Belgian Beer Cafe for lunch.
Our seafood platter, the entree.
My main, Belgian Crepes!
So, so, so filling. A big weekend of food, I'm scared to hop on the scales back at home, I'm guessing I've gained at least 2kg. Need to slim down for Japan (where I'll stuff my face with food again), I don't want my relatives commenting on my weight-gain like they do everytime.
This is me now. In the first class lounge in Auckland airport... Not as flash but still good.
Hate fizzy drinks but had to have a bottle of L&P before I left. Pretty sure you can purchase them at New Zealand Natural ice cream parlors in Australia, try it!
Despite being super duper full, I also had a carrot cake... I'm so greedy when it comes to free food!
I ought to be off soon, my plane boards in an hour.
I had a nice weekend in Auckland, thank you Oscar (doubt he'll ever read this...) for showing us around!
I am currently awaiting my flight back to Melbourne in the first class lounge at Auckland (NZ) airport. I've just uploaded under 60 photos from my weekend trip to New Zealand... Hopefully I can post before my dad and I go down to Duty Free!
Because my dad travels so much on business, he's earned Emerald status with the One World Alliance. I'd been to the business class lounge a few times before but it was the first time entering the first class for me. It was so fancy pants, they had table service for breakfast (as opposed to a smorgasbord like in Business).
Freshly squeezed fruit juice
My customized breakfast
I also had some yoghurt and chai tea
In the lounge, they also had a day spa! My dad got a full body massage, I kinda wanted a facial but had make-up on so I settled for the manicure.
They recognized my dad there saying they remembered his chicken face (I don't get it?) He'll be back next week and the week after!
After a little while in the lounge, we boarded the plane. Everyone was on time so we took off earlier than expected, I love punctuality, feels good.
I watched "My Week with Marilyn" which was alright (but lacked substance), good for a light watch... And also a business documentary about Facebook which was interesting! I couldn't watch the last 10 mins so I think I'll finish it in my flight later.
Despite being full from breakfast at the airport, airplane food!
Hello Auckland! I actually haven't been back in New Zealand (not including stop overs) since I moved to Australia 11-ish years ago. The weather was mild, a pleasant surprise! I heard it was raining in Melbourne all weekend too.
My dad's mate from Taupo (where I was born/used to live) came up to hang out with us. The three of us stayed in a nice and clean apartment in the city where we headed once we arrived to relax for a while... My dad got excited and ate too many oysters.
Because NZ is 2 hours ahead of Melbourne, it wasn't long until it was dinner time! Oscar (not his real name) took us to a, 'fancy food court' called Elliot Stables... All these different quality restaurants under one roof sharing the tables, a great concept.
A very satisfying dinner indeed. After dinner, my dad and Oscar went to a couple of bars (despite having drunk a fair bit before and during dinner) I just went back to the apartment to get s0me of my assignments done.
I was initially sharing a bedroom with my dad but it was impossible to sleep with him snoring so loudly in the next bed... I had to strip my bed and relocate onto the couch where I had a decent night's sleep.
The apartment came equipped with breakfast... it wasn't great though.
The next day it was Oscar's birthday. He took us to Ellerslie Racecourse to watch a couple of races, he's an avid better (is that a word?). Jockeys in real life are so tiny!
For lunch we went to the fish market where we stuffed ourselves with so much food... That's my dad taking a photo of his Hakubaku noodles.
We had a early light dinner at a hip Asian fusion restaurant, I'm a fan of restaurants like these.
We then took the train (nice stations!) to Eden Park for a game of Rugby Union.
The Blues Vs. The Highlanders. I'm not big on sports but I enjoyed myself, it made me feel very Kiwi. Again, they went out drinking while I returned to do some homework.
On our final day, we went up the Skytower to have a look at the city views... It was good going on our last day 'cos we could see all the places we had traveled to.
They have a Skyjump, where you can kind of bungee jump (not AS extreme) from the top of the tower all the way to the bottom.
To finish off our food adventures in New Zealand, we went to a Belgian Beer Cafe for lunch.
Our seafood platter, the entree.
My main, Belgian Crepes!
So, so, so filling. A big weekend of food, I'm scared to hop on the scales back at home, I'm guessing I've gained at least 2kg. Need to slim down for Japan (where I'll stuff my face with food again), I don't want my relatives commenting on my weight-gain like they do everytime.
This is me now. In the first class lounge in Auckland airport... Not as flash but still good.
Hate fizzy drinks but had to have a bottle of L&P before I left. Pretty sure you can purchase them at New Zealand Natural ice cream parlors in Australia, try it!
Despite being super duper full, I also had a carrot cake... I'm so greedy when it comes to free food!
I ought to be off soon, my plane boards in an hour.
I had a nice weekend in Auckland, thank you Oscar (doubt he'll ever read this...) for showing us around!
