Businesstrip to Auckland (NZL!)
Apr. 30th, 2023 11:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beelikejI'm back! Since my last post in February, I have been very busy with work, preparing for another businesstrip... At the end of March I flew to New Zealand for a five day meeting in Auckland:) After that, I traveled around for a few days and on the way home I visited my brother and his family in Australia. Here's the first of the picspams from my trip down under.
(The Auckland Sky Tower and me:)
NEW ZEALAND, WEEK 1
Friday, March 24 + Saturday March 25: Amsterdam-Dubai-Auckland
Because of work, I had to travel with a laptop, besides my own shoulderbag and backpack.
Ready to go at the busstop across my house. At the airport (a trainride later) I managed to get windowseats for both my flights, yay!
Had a freshly swirled smoothie and warm croissant at Jamie's Deli before boarding.
Plane number one: from Amsterdam to Dubai (3440 miles, about 6 hour flight)
Early Saturdaymorning: Dubai! I had to take a bus to another terminal to catch my flight onward to Auckland.
Plane number two: from Dubai to Auckland (about 9000 miles, 16 hour flight)
Time means nothing, this flight is loooooooooong. Oh look: breakfast (I'm guessing, because of the croissant;)
Sunday, nearly noon: hello New Zealand!
Sunday, March 26: Auckland, day 1
Tadaah!
I take the Skybus to the business center of Auckland. When I want to walk to my hotel from the busstop (underneath the Sky Tower!) I find the road obstructed, but eventually discover how to reach the entrance, pfff.
My hotelroom is overwhelmingly big and has a bathtub, woohoo!
When I register for the conference, I run into two colleagues from the Netherlands (both have traveled through New Zealand the weeks before the meeting). After catching up, I go for a walk. First sight: the Civic Theatre (1929, Architects: Charles Bohringer and William T. Leighton)
Then I climb the stairs of Albert Park. The trees in New Zealand are very impressive.
The goal of my walk: the magnificent art nouveau University Clock Tower (1926, Architects: Roy Lippincott and Edward Billson)
Also hidden in Albert Park: the Old Government House (designed by William Mason and built in 1856 by Mr Hay) This was the colony's seat of power until 1865 when Wellington became the capital. It remained the Vice-Regal Residence until 1969 when it was transferred to the University.
From here I walk to the Auckland Harbour; the red mermen are on the gate of the Captain Cook Wharf.
More cool red faces on the gate that runs along Quay Street; you can enter at the Queen's Wharf pier. There's a heritage trail with metal sculptures of historic figures accompanied by drawings and photographs telling their story. (Many Lovers of Auckland by Art of Fact Design; the Maori name for Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau = City of Many Lovers:)
I sit at the end of the pier for a while, enjoying the view over the water *chinhands)
At the end of the pier stands art installation the Lighthouse (2017, Michael Parekōwhai)
Inside the Lighthouse sits a stainless stell Captain James Cook surounded by neon lights; the house's design is a commentary on sovereignty and colonialism.
I wander around the city centre for a while (keeping an eye on the Sky Tower to find my way;) before I find a place to eat at Elliot Stables: Hop In Latino. (A Pony Malta and a Arepa burger (Chargrilled white corne maize flat bread filled with shredded beef, tomato and lettuce):)
Auckland Day 2 - 6: Conference (+Food+Bubblebaths+Covid...)
First day of meeting, at the end of the day we have an 'Ice Breaker' get-together with snacks and drinks:)
Second day of meeting (I discovered the elevator with the outside window. Am feeling a little snotty, but tested negative for Covid) Excellent breakfast.
More food during breaks of meeting (and I'm drinking loads of tea with milk and sugar:)
In the evening I read in the bath \o/
Third day of meeting (photo of room during morning break, my seat is in the front corner by the door, on the windowsite). I have three presentations today and they are a big succes, with loads of feedback and a discussion resulting in a workinggroup afterwards!
In the evening we're supposed to have dinner with the whole group, but I test positive for covid, so it's room service for me. A Club Sandwich (bread with aioli, bacon, egg, chicken breast, tomato, lettuce) en Steak Cut Chips (grof gesneden patat:) with ketchup & mayonaisse.
(Never had that before and it sucks that I can't be with the group, but it's lovely to have food delivered to the room, will definitely try that more on future travels)
Fourth day of the meeting and I'm in isolation in my hotel room:( Fortunately I can join in through Teams and present my proposal virtually.
The hotel forgot my breakfast order and to make up for it, they bring me ALL THE THINGS! (enough for lunch as well and another breakfast and lunch the next day, haha).
For dinner I have a delicious cauliflower soup, which spilled a little when delivered, but there was still plenty to enjoy:)
Despite the snot and coughing I enjoy my book and hot bath.
I wash my underwear in the tub by way of evening entertainment;)
Fifth and final day of the meeting, again through Teams. I miss the interactions in between and when the meeting is over I feel very alone. The men from the Dutch delegation do keep in touch with my with messages and phonecalls, but this is not how I wanted to end the week.
I finally finished that breakfast from Thursday, heehee.
I treat myself to a dessert with dinner: an Angus Beefburger with shoestring chips (aka French Fries;) plus Crème Brûlée (with Fresh berries, white chocolate tuille, raspberry gel)
Saturday, April 1: Vacation Time! (New Hotel:)
When I spoke to the New Zealand Covid Coordination, I asked if I was allowed to move to a new hotel as planned and they had said it was okay, as long as I masked and kept my distance. I did buy some groceries for the next few days on my way to the bus stop. I was exhausted from walking the steep streets, pfff. Fortunately the bus dropped me of right in front of my new hotel.
A lovely hotelroom with a balcony (and bath:)
I had lunch (orange juice and cross bun). Mistakes were made when I walked on the balcony and discovered the black top layer got stuck on my feet. I felt like I was in a slapstick when I managed to drop myself on my bum and wiggled my way to the bathroom without touching the carpet with my dirty feet. :'-D
Needless to say I enjoyed the balcony from the safety of the room for the rest of my stay.
Roomservice in this hotel was amazing and served on fancy black plates: Pork Belly Bites with Sticky Garlic Chilli Sauce and salad, plus steamed rice.
I have a view of downtown Auckland (the Sky Tower is hidden by the building on the left).
What a first week. Goodnight!
I'm glad I managed to explore Auckland a little bit upon arrival because I didn't have time for that during the long meeting days and then of course I got stuck in the hotel with Covid. Fortunately I was feeling better every day and -spoiler- I fully recovered during isolation. After that, I still had some time left in Auckland before my planned train-ride. More photos in the next post!
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/580239.html
Lurk or comment wherever you like:)
(The Auckland Sky Tower and me:)
NEW ZEALAND, WEEK 1
Friday, March 24 + Saturday March 25: Amsterdam-Dubai-Auckland
Because of work, I had to travel with a laptop, besides my own shoulderbag and backpack.
Ready to go at the busstop across my house. At the airport (a trainride later) I managed to get windowseats for both my flights, yay!
Had a freshly swirled smoothie and warm croissant at Jamie's Deli before boarding.
Plane number one: from Amsterdam to Dubai (3440 miles, about 6 hour flight)
Early Saturdaymorning: Dubai! I had to take a bus to another terminal to catch my flight onward to Auckland.
Plane number two: from Dubai to Auckland (about 9000 miles, 16 hour flight)
Time means nothing, this flight is loooooooooong. Oh look: breakfast (I'm guessing, because of the croissant;)
Sunday, nearly noon: hello New Zealand!
Sunday, March 26: Auckland, day 1
Tadaah!
I take the Skybus to the business center of Auckland. When I want to walk to my hotel from the busstop (underneath the Sky Tower!) I find the road obstructed, but eventually discover how to reach the entrance, pfff.
My hotelroom is overwhelmingly big and has a bathtub, woohoo!
When I register for the conference, I run into two colleagues from the Netherlands (both have traveled through New Zealand the weeks before the meeting). After catching up, I go for a walk. First sight: the Civic Theatre (1929, Architects: Charles Bohringer and William T. Leighton)
Then I climb the stairs of Albert Park. The trees in New Zealand are very impressive.
The goal of my walk: the magnificent art nouveau University Clock Tower (1926, Architects: Roy Lippincott and Edward Billson)
Also hidden in Albert Park: the Old Government House (designed by William Mason and built in 1856 by Mr Hay) This was the colony's seat of power until 1865 when Wellington became the capital. It remained the Vice-Regal Residence until 1969 when it was transferred to the University.
From here I walk to the Auckland Harbour; the red mermen are on the gate of the Captain Cook Wharf.
More cool red faces on the gate that runs along Quay Street; you can enter at the Queen's Wharf pier. There's a heritage trail with metal sculptures of historic figures accompanied by drawings and photographs telling their story. (Many Lovers of Auckland by Art of Fact Design; the Maori name for Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau = City of Many Lovers:)
I sit at the end of the pier for a while, enjoying the view over the water *chinhands)
At the end of the pier stands art installation the Lighthouse (2017, Michael Parekōwhai)
Inside the Lighthouse sits a stainless stell Captain James Cook surounded by neon lights; the house's design is a commentary on sovereignty and colonialism.
I wander around the city centre for a while (keeping an eye on the Sky Tower to find my way;) before I find a place to eat at Elliot Stables: Hop In Latino. (A Pony Malta and a Arepa burger (Chargrilled white corne maize flat bread filled with shredded beef, tomato and lettuce):)
Auckland Day 2 - 6: Conference (+Food+Bubblebaths+Covid...)
First day of meeting, at the end of the day we have an 'Ice Breaker' get-together with snacks and drinks:)
Second day of meeting (I discovered the elevator with the outside window. Am feeling a little snotty, but tested negative for Covid) Excellent breakfast.
More food during breaks of meeting (and I'm drinking loads of tea with milk and sugar:)
In the evening I read in the bath \o/
Third day of meeting (photo of room during morning break, my seat is in the front corner by the door, on the windowsite). I have three presentations today and they are a big succes, with loads of feedback and a discussion resulting in a workinggroup afterwards!
In the evening we're supposed to have dinner with the whole group, but I test positive for covid, so it's room service for me. A Club Sandwich (bread with aioli, bacon, egg, chicken breast, tomato, lettuce) en Steak Cut Chips (grof gesneden patat:) with ketchup & mayonaisse.
(Never had that before and it sucks that I can't be with the group, but it's lovely to have food delivered to the room, will definitely try that more on future travels)
Fourth day of the meeting and I'm in isolation in my hotel room:( Fortunately I can join in through Teams and present my proposal virtually.
The hotel forgot my breakfast order and to make up for it, they bring me ALL THE THINGS! (enough for lunch as well and another breakfast and lunch the next day, haha).
For dinner I have a delicious cauliflower soup, which spilled a little when delivered, but there was still plenty to enjoy:)
Despite the snot and coughing I enjoy my book and hot bath.
I wash my underwear in the tub by way of evening entertainment;)
Fifth and final day of the meeting, again through Teams. I miss the interactions in between and when the meeting is over I feel very alone. The men from the Dutch delegation do keep in touch with my with messages and phonecalls, but this is not how I wanted to end the week.
I finally finished that breakfast from Thursday, heehee.
I treat myself to a dessert with dinner: an Angus Beefburger with shoestring chips (aka French Fries;) plus Crème Brûlée (with Fresh berries, white chocolate tuille, raspberry gel)
Saturday, April 1: Vacation Time! (New Hotel:)
When I spoke to the New Zealand Covid Coordination, I asked if I was allowed to move to a new hotel as planned and they had said it was okay, as long as I masked and kept my distance. I did buy some groceries for the next few days on my way to the bus stop. I was exhausted from walking the steep streets, pfff. Fortunately the bus dropped me of right in front of my new hotel.
A lovely hotelroom with a balcony (and bath:)
I had lunch (orange juice and cross bun). Mistakes were made when I walked on the balcony and discovered the black top layer got stuck on my feet. I felt like I was in a slapstick when I managed to drop myself on my bum and wiggled my way to the bathroom without touching the carpet with my dirty feet. :'-D
Needless to say I enjoyed the balcony from the safety of the room for the rest of my stay.
Roomservice in this hotel was amazing and served on fancy black plates: Pork Belly Bites with Sticky Garlic Chilli Sauce and salad, plus steamed rice.
I have a view of downtown Auckland (the Sky Tower is hidden by the building on the left).
What a first week. Goodnight!
I'm glad I managed to explore Auckland a little bit upon arrival because I didn't have time for that during the long meeting days and then of course I got stuck in the hotel with Covid. Fortunately I was feeling better every day and -spoiler- I fully recovered during isolation. After that, I still had some time left in Auckland before my planned train-ride. More photos in the next post!
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/580239.html
Lurk or comment wherever you like:)
no subject
Date: 2023-05-01 09:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-05-07 07:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-05-02 02:12 pm (UTC)So great that you got to see New Zealand! Very sorry to hear, though, that you got Covid while there.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-07 07:59 pm (UTC)