Christmas in New Zealand

via Qantas and Singapore A380 First Class

December 2015

Air New Zealand ZQN-CHC-NPE

We left the Lodge at around 8:30a and arrived at Queenstown International 20 minutes later.

And headed for the NZ Koru Lounge where our Star Alliance Gold status got us entry.

Basic but comforatabe lounge overlooking the gate areas.

Food and beverage area with a weak selection.

I think we need a new dishwasher. Couldn't find a single clean glass so wound up using a paper coffee cup for water.

At around T-20, we headed downstairs thru security and to Gate 2 where boarding started shortly thereafter.

Queenstown ZQN to Christchurch CHC

Air New Zealand 636

A320

10:20a-11:15p

December 2, 2015

Exit Row seats 12C and 12D

OK, it's not First or Business (or Private) but the exit row has nice leg room.

First time seeing the much hearlded preflight safety video. One the best I've ever seen.

And one of the best inflight magazine I've seen. So many great articles that I took it with me.

In Christchurch off to find our regional flight to Napier.

Lunch time. LOL.

But that was before I realized that much of the stuff was actually free, as the opposite site of the food counter was a mini Koru Express lounge. Scanned my *G BP and voila, I was in.

Christchurch CHC to Napier/Hawkes Bay NPE

Air New Zealand 5478

AT-72

12:15p-1:45p

December 28, 2015

Exit Row seats 1A and 1B

Row 1, the only good row on this cramped prop plane.

We arrived on time at NPE where I headed to the Thrify counter to rent our car. Unfortunately, I screwed up and had booked a compact, and that was all that they are any other company had. Fortunately, one of us was an engineer and we managed to squeeze four pax and all the luggage in the car. LOL.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers is a 25 minute drive south of the airport and Napier. The property is massive and it takes another 10 minute drive once you are inside the gate to get to the resort. Amazing views of the coast in a natural setting.

The main building is both rustic and elegant.

We stopped for a delicious lunch before heading to our rooms.

To room #5

The wonderful view from our deck.

Breakfast, dinner and happy hour are all inclusive in the daily rate. Drinks and pupus in the lounge.

And then to dinner.

With an amazing wine list of outstanding New Zealand wines, the best of which stay at home.

Food was exceptional.

Hawke's Bay Wine Tasting

We headed down for a late breakfast before today's wine tour.

And quite possibly the best Eggs Benedict ever.

I had researched Hawke's Bay wine tour operators and decided on highly recommended and reasonably-priced Prinsy's Tours. http://www.prinsystours.co.nz

Our guide Ian was simply wonderful. Knowledgable, friendly and just a pleasure to spend time with... unlike you know who. LOL.

First stop this morning was Craggy Range Winery.

Next up was Black Barn Winery, whose Reserve Chardonnay was really enjoyed at lunch yesterday.

And then lunch at Mission Estate Winery, the oldest winery in the region.

And another great Hawke's Bay Chard.

And delicious lunch. A big wow on the bread!

OK, one of the best desserts ever.

Yeah, that didn't last long.

We bagged the afternoon wineries and headed to Te Mata Peak, the highest point in the region, for a panoramic view.

Hey, we were there earlier. A birds-eye view of Craggy Range Winery.

Back to Cape Kidnappers for a nap, and then back to the trough for another fabulous meal.

OMG, no mas, no mas.

Air New Zealand to Auckland

Thirty minutes in our fully loaded compact and we arrived safely in Napier and Hawke's Bay Airport, a small but pleasant facility.

Napier NPE to Auckland AKL

Air New Zealand (operated by Mt. Cook Airline Ltd.) 5206

AT-72

1:10p-2:15p

December 30, 2015

Seats 16B and 16C

The cool thing about regional air service in New Zealand is the complete absence of formal security screening. You just scan your boarding pass, walk to the tarmac and board your plane.

Since the flight was not fully booked, we were able to select single aisle seats with an open window towards the rear of the plane. Great NZ counter agent was then kind enough to block the window seats for us.

Lots of families and kids on today's flight. Fortunately the only one near us was quiet and pretty cute.

The regional terminal at AKL. Great idea with baggage claim right in the gate area.

OK, there's no domestic Business Class but NZ Economy is inexpensive and reasonably comfortable if you can get priority seating. Between Star Alliance Gold access to bulkhead, exit rows and blocked seats, Economy is acceptable within New Zealand.

The Sofitel Auckland

We arrived at the Sofitel at around 3:30p. Despite a 2pm check-in, our Jr. Suite was not ready. After 15 minutes of semi-patiently waiting and then a discussion with the front desk manager, we were upgraded to a full suite on the top floor.

Auckland

While we were waiting for our room, we found a nearby cineplex and decided to try to go to the 4:30p showing of the new Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper movie, Joy. Once we settled into our suite, we headed out for Queen Street and Event Cinemas.

Strangely designed complex that seemed void of any entrance signs and directions. Once we found the box office... it was at the concessions stand... the theatre was quite comfortable.

After the movie, we headed down Queen Street towards the waterfront, looking for Euro Café at Princes Wharf.

Classic door knobs of this resto.

Eureka. Found the place.

Headed for counter seating.

Very good food and excellent service.

After dinner, we walked the short distance back to the Sofitel.

City pics from 5am the next morning.

Air New Zealand Int'l Lounge at AKL

After a leisurely morning at the Sofitel, our hotel arranged driver Christoff dropped us off at the International Departures wing around 2 hours before departure.

After check-in, we headed upstairs to a painless passport security and passport control.

And headed to the Air New Zealand Lounge.

As Business Class Lounges go, this lounge is very nice!

WIth a very attractive food station.

And exceptionally good food options.

What an attractive and comfortable place to spend some time pre-flight.

Singapore A380 First Suites to Singapore

At around T-50, we headed out for the trek to Gate 16.

Priority boarding with Suites passengers invited to board, just after the wheelchair and kiddie brigade. As we boarded, we were warmly greeted by no less than 4 crew members, one of whom had already walked up the jet bridge to greet us, by name. Great to be back on board such a wonderful First Class cabin.

Today's book-like menu. Wow. Too bad that the food wasn't as impressive as the menu.

SQ has a great IFE system wilth lots of movies selections, and a terrific magazine listing all the options.

Once in the air, I started a movie.

And then my usual G&T to start with the signature SQ satay, two chicken and one lamb. Wasn't as great as I remembered.

Showtime!

I switched to wine at this point, trying the wonderful 2012 Jadot Domaine Gagey Bressandes 1er Cru.

Despite a poor experience last year on our Moscow-Singapore SQ flight, I decided to give Georges Blanc another chance. Either AKL is another bad catering station like DME or Georges has lost control of the quality of his dishes. The Poached Lobster with Confit of Eggplant, Capsicum Blasamic vinaigrette was basically tasteless.

The Chick Pea Soup with poached chicken, mushroom and chives. Meh.

The Mesclun salad was OK. But the wine was great.

For my main, Georges Blanc's Pan Seared Beef Filet with Green Peppercorn was disappointing. Tough cut which someone forgot to season.

Mrs SFO said that her snapper wasn't much better.

Hard to screw up a dessert but The Warmed Lemon Tart was pretty much inedible.

After dinner and a movie, I moved over to 1F, popped an Ambien and slept like a baby for 5 hours.

About two hours out, the light snack meal.

The Greek Salad and Parma Ham was good but not great.

Same for the Ee Fu Noodles.

Beginning our descent.

OK, now that's a warning.

We arrived 30 minutes early at around 6:30p local time. The poor food notwithstanding, it was a wonderful flight. Nice hard product and the usual wonderful SQ crew.

Heading to customs and baggage claim at one of the world's great airports.

New Years Eve in Singapore

About 25 minutes later, we arrived at our hotel for the night, The Fullerton. Great central Singapore location.

All decked out for the New Years Eve Celebration.

Even though we arrived at 7:45pm, more than 5 hours after advertiser check-in time, our room was not ready. Seriously?? Front desk manager claimed no other options but offered us a drink in the 4th floor Straits Club until the room was ready.

Glass of Veuve while we waited.

The staff was kind enough to bring out some pupus, even though we were 30 minutes after meal service.

After 20 minutes or so in the lounge, the Front Desk Manager escorted us to our room, a rather strange room with two steps up the bedroom and tiny head level to ceiling windows.

Said stairs. More on those later.

Since it was close to 2:00 AM New Zealand time, Mrs. SFO decided to go to sleep. I lasted a little longer and decided to go outside and soak up the New Years atmosphere.

Included in our room rate was two passes to the "roof top" lounge for viewing the fireworks. The "roof top" was actually across the street at One Fullerton.

OK, way too many people on the lower level.

Much better views from the rooftop. With a great light show before the fireworks.

Since we were still 2+ hours until the fireworks, I knew I wasn't going to make it. So I headed back to the Fullerton using the underground walkway.

Mrs. SFO was already fast asleep when I went to bed at 10pm. Only to be awaken around 1am by Mrs. SFO who, not remembering the stairs, has fallen down the stupid stairs while on her way to the bathroom.

Ouch. I called Security and a nice security staffer arrived with a First Aid kit. We patched her up and headed back to bed.

The hotel did comp our stay and arranged for a hotel car to take us to the airport later that morning.

Singapore First Class Check-in & The Private Room

Less than 20 minutes to get to Changi this morning. And a left turn to the separate First Class check-in lobby.

Where we were met by two Porters and a Personal Assistant.

Now this is the way to check-in for a flight.

After we checked in, our PA escorted to First Class departure door and Passport Control.

We were the only two at Passport Control and were in the beautiful Changi concourse in no time.

Up to the SilverKris Lounge. One glimpse of our First Class boarding passes and we were welcomed and escorted thru the First Class (Star Alliance) lounge to The Private Room.