Departing Auckland for Sydney

Finally departure day has arrived.

We took a Corporate Cab to airport at 10 am, nice easy ride to airport being the last Friday of the work year!    Only took about 20 minutes.   With so much luggage - two cases had to go on the back seat.   This time we are travelling heavy as we have two small bags of Kate’s to take, one of which is inside a larger bag of ours, so we have 2 large and 2 heavy carry-on to check in!     Not to mention the wheelchair and the walker!

It was a good idea to upgrade to Works Deluxe for the flight over - Air NZ 119 1pm to Sydney.   The upgrade meant in addition to full service on the flight, we had premium check-in, 2 bags each of 23kgs (ours ended up being 2 @ 22kgs, 1 @ 14kgs 1 @ 10.5kgs)  lounge access (free food coffee and drinks with peace a quiet).   Once on board we got given noise cancelling headphones, and mineral water.

It was a very full flight and we were seated at the front of Economy in the middle, with one unoccupied between us.    As usual we were taken on board first.   The cabin was incredibly cold and I grabbed a blanked straight away as I did not have a cardigan with me.    We were about 3/4hrs into the flight before the Chief Purser announced over the PA apologising for the cold temperature and they had adjusted the temperature up!    

Lunch was served during the flight, we both had the beef casserole with garlic potatoes which was very nice - beef was tender.    Dessert was Kapiti Ice Cream - Doris Plum.     Ice cream seems to be standard on most flights these days.      A while after lunch service and clearing of the plates we were given cheese crackers and grapes, which was a nice touch.     The noise cancelling headphones were great and made a huge difference, especially with a full flight and lots of young children on board.   I watched “Jane Eyre” movie.

On arrival at Sydney there was a wheelchair waiting (last year the chairs had all disappeared) and we were assigned a staff member.   It was at this point while waiting to be processed we were told that Christchurch had again been hit by two large quakes registering 5.8 and 6 strength around 2pm NZ time!!!  We could not believe what we were hearing - Not again.

We were taken through the express lane, and down to Baggage Claim.    The staff member took me to the disabled area by the carousel (something I didn’t realise existed!) while Pete went to the Oversized Baggage Claim.    The bags were really slow coming through - ours were one of the first to come through as they were priority, but even so it was a real wait.   Then we headed over to the Oversized Baggage Claim to wait, and wait - then Pete had to go with another staff member all the way down the other end of the arrivals hall to go and look for the power chair.  They were gone ages, and by the time they returned the Baggage Claim area was empty as was Customs, and when we got into the Arrivals Hall there was a couple of small family groups, but otherwise deserted!!! 

We had booked a Cab via Corporate Cabs in Auckland so were looked around for a driver with sign board.  We eventually spotted him, and he was ringing The Menzies to see if we had checked in!!      It took us 55 minutes from arrival to out to the Arrivals Hall.  Our driver was a bit concerned at the amount of luggage, but with some planning by Pete we managed to get it all into the car which was a Ford Fairmont, somewhat smaller than the Corporate Cabs Fairlane.   So Pete had two small bags, the seat of the chair and the walker with him in the back seat!!!     We had what is called a Hire Car - all plates on the cars have HC prefixes, and are basically ‘signs down’ cabs.    As the cost was on account and charged back to NZ we actually had no idea what the price was!   Still worth it as you know what you are getting and not some random taxi driver who could take you anywhere.

We have been extremely disappointed with the service at The Menzies from arrival.   There was no Concierge in sight, so the Receptionist, as slight little girl had to carry two heavy bags up the steps - appalling.    At least there was someone to help.      

As we were checking in we were ‘ambushed’ by our Diamond Princess friends Kim and Rich Dart, who had come down from Katoomba to spend the night and go out to dinner with us!   It was great to see them.   They had just had a nap and decided to have a coffee on the Lobby while we checked into our room and got sorted.   Not that it too long to do, and when we joined them they were still waiting for their coffees - they eventually arrived 15 minutes later!!!   Extremely slow service.   Pete got a beer and a tomato juice for me, which thankfully not such a mission.

There was not much more news on the earthquakes, except only one injury had been reported but there was severe liquefaction again in the Eastern Suburbs.  

We spent a couple of hours chatting in the Lobby, in which time we were joined by Kate, my niece who had just moved to Sydney and her new job was close by.   Kate looked great and seems to be enjoying working in Sydney so far. Kate left about 7pm with her bags and we headed off to see of we could find somewhere for dinner.  In the end we decided to eat at The Menzies.  The menu was very average, the service the slowest in creation.    We waited probably 20 minutes before the waiter came to take our order, and strangely he was more interested in taking our food order than drinks!!!!    We went for the $45 Two course meal.   The service was bizarre for a supposedly top restaurant.   One waiter but a myriad of staff bringing out the meals and clearing the tables.    And the staff delivering the meals had no idea who ordered what - so slack.   For the price we paid, I would expect a better system of delivery of the food, Hospitality 101.  

Kim actually teaches Hospitality at High School, and she was not impressed.   Kim and Rich had the 3 course menu, and the time between courses was excessive.    I think Pete and I waited an hour before we saw our mains!!!    

However we can say we had great company and we really enjoyed catching up with Kim and Rich.    They are cruising on the Diamond out of Auckland on the 29^th December, so our ships will literally pass in the night.

So sorry but we do not recommend The Menzies for anything other than a bed!!!!