Doubtful Sound and Manapouri Trip

Doubtful Sound and Manapouri Power Station Trip:

This was a GREAT trip! I had never been in these 2 areas of NZ before and this was excellent.
Scenery and local knowledge by boat staff on the MV FiorlandII was really interesting.

The Power Station was also very interesting and hi to all the staff underground and above ground who keep things working for us.

Boat staff double as bus driver/tour guides also which was kool.

The second boat trip was also kool, Scenery was WICKED!
Hi to all the helpful, friendly knowledgeable staff aboard the ( apologies here as I seem to have forgotten the name of this boat. but will add it in when I find it) they know who they are.

My highlight of this part of trip was kool ride out to the seal colony and being SO close to them and seeing the dolphins and all the fiords.
Peguins VERY elusive lasses and fellows I mite add. Be quick to catch photos of these.

This trip I highly recommend to all visitors to this area.

Te Anau

Te Anau:
I spent a few very nice days in Te Anau at the Fiordland Motel.
They have comfortable and varying rooms available.
I want to send a VERY BIG thanks to all the helpful staff and owners here, especially driver/footlift (this person will know who they are). housekeeping staff and office staff and owners.
Local buthcher does nice cooked crayfish

I dined in Baileys Restaurant and bar in the main street of Te Anau. Big thanks to friendly staff Elizabeth and the chef( who I would like to say can REALLY cook blue cod well, can we have him in Auckland to teach some up here how to cook fish. But we will return him to you in Te Anau when he has haha)

Queenstown

Queenstown:
Now I did not stay here but wanted to thank the wonderful staff at the airport who helped me out. Baggage claim lady, Air NZ staff.
Also would like to say that it is a picturesque airport with wonderful views from the cafe.
And travel tip for people who are traveling to Te Anau (this was myself).
Topline Tours who do a wonderful service with friendly,helpful drivers DO stop at the airport to pick up and drop off passengers.
And I even met some interesting people on the return trips to and from Te Anau.

Beyond Auckland - Southland Trip

Hi All,
Yes I'm expanding my Auckland region to include places I visit. I recently took a trip to Southland (Homne of The Stags and RANFURLY Shield-Rugby).
Now im going to highlight some of the wonderful places and people I met on my trip. Starting with:

Cafes in Auckland, New Zealand

In conjunction, or maybe alongside my hotel postings im undertaking another look at something in Auckland CBD. This being Cafes and their fare. This are not limited to upmarket or full cafes either.
I will be also commenting on my favourite coffee being Moccachinos, and how they taste at different places. Also what nice food these places have.
First up place that is a relatively new place but heres 1 to start off with:

ME Cafe - Albert St: Opposite district Court, you can't miss it.
This place is small, new but excellent service. The thing about the coffee is it is roasted by the owner!!! So his own blend.
Moccachino ...Nice!

Hollywood Bakery (Atrium on Elliot):
Nice food including for Coffee Cake lovers
Coffee Sponge Roll.
And Chocolate Log...With Real fresh cream and Butter icing.
Moccachinos...Nice!

Continental Express: (Britomart Transport Centre):
Moccachinos...Nice!
And also good price for part of the day on their coffees. Down on the train platform area this is.
They also have a place upstairs across from subway.

Helpful Hotel Info in Auckland CBD

Hi Peoples around the world and locals wanting hotel info.
Im adding this subject because i'm doing a project on a certain aspect of hotels.
This being to report on mainly their standards of "Accessible" Rooms (Wheelchair and not).
So these are MY observations only, and I will add to this list over time when I have checked out a few more. ok. I hope these help people looking for accommodation in Auckland,NZ CBD:

Copthorne Harbour City Hotel:
Shower in a standard room has been removed to accommodate a tiled floor shower.Good sized one. With small step into it.
Deluxe Room has still a bath but a small corner unit shower has been installed.
Rubber bath/shower mats on towel rail available.
Nice Restaurant and Bar ("Tactics")
Great Seaviews.

Quay West Apartments (hotel of):
Shower I would say of smallish size. but good.
Apartment style rooms, great for entertaining, with full kitchen.
Great seaviews

Stamford Plaza Hotel:
Standard Room Shower good of medium size, but step up a bit higher. Bath also has hand-held retractible shower attachment.
Deluxe Room bathroom a big bigger overall with same meduim sized shower and bath has no retractible shower attachment.
Restaurant/Bar:
Yes to both.

Chifley Suites (Very new Apartment block/Hotel rooms):
Showers: This building has a few what are termed "accessible rooms". I cannot praise the showers and bathrooms in these rooms enough.
They have what are termed in NZ as "Hospital showers". No step up into as part of the main floor of the bathroom. These also have and added and VERY much needed for some travellers, an "L-Shaped" handrail in the shower. As these are also apartment style units, they have a washer/dryer combination on one side but this does not impede shower in any way.
In my honest opinion a lot of the other hotels need to take a leaf out of this buildings book to cater for some travellers.
Nice one People here!!!!

I will certainly be adding to this list in the ensuing weeks so that people coming to New Zealand over summertime or anytime can see this info and hope it helps in making your accomodation bookings and stay in NZ a more pleasant and safer one.

Do of course feel free to leave me a message if you would like me to check any hotels in Auckland out for you if you have specific things you are looking for.
Hope this helps.
First addition to this is:
Auckland City Hotel:
I went and checked out this place just yesterday, and to my surprise this Hotel also has same style of shwer as The Chifley Suites in their "Accessible" rooms. ("L-Shaped" handrail and seat also. No step up into shower also so easy access for both wheelchairs and not)
Good on you Auckland City Hotel!
Their standard rooms are also very nice, Studio rooms have a medium sized kitchenette for those travellers who want a break from dining out.
But this Hotel also has a very roomy (good for wheelchair access) Restaurant/Cafe.
Ramp Access to the side of main entrance also.

I will continue to add to this list and hope people find it helpful in their choice of bookings.
New Update:

Rendevous Hotel:
Showers is a good size, and very small step into it.
Roomy bathroom overall.
Restaurant (2)/Bar
Another good Access room in my book.

Getting Around Auckland

Here's just a few helpful tips on getting around Auckland for visitors to the "City of Sails", yes hasn't change name to its Supercity name ...yet:

- Shuttle buses available for pick ups anywhere anytime in Auckland to take you anyway you
may wish or need to go.
- Taxis to any areas you wish to go also.
- Ferries fr inner harbour or local Island excursions.
- Trains to most suburbs.
- Buses to most areas.

If any visitors to Auckland need any transport help feel free to contact me and I can put you in touch with some of these people.
Also if any of you local or overseas visitors have a group function also feel free to contact me with your safe driver needs for functions, etc.

Beach Hop 10th Anniversary 2010

Well hi out there to all car enthusiasts,
This event next year will no doubt be an EXTRA BIG EVENT. So I'm getting in mega early and doing a post on it with updates along the way.
Also if there are any nice sponsors that want to come on board do so just contact the organisers, and I'm sure they would be very much appreciative.
I will add on to my blog any sponsors of this event also along the way as this is what my blog is all about promoting and helping and informing on all types of businesses and industries.
So as I get more info I will do my best to post it on here.

National Sailing Champs

Well its this time of year again peoples, So go support you favourite teams. This year I have a team to support. So go "You know Who" from You know Where, Show them how its done!

And to all the visitors from out of town for the event Welcome or Welcome back, and have a good competition.

Specialty Shops

OK so if your after something a little different there are a few "Specialty Stores". that may be of interest to you in Auckland,NZ:
Exclusive, Prestigious Wines
Spirit Store specialising in one particular type of Spirit.
Cake Shop
Cheese Store
A one stop Delicatessen, Wine, Florist,Fruit and Veg, Cafe
to name a few, if anyone is interested in any of these just drop me an email.

Motorsport

Well folks its V8 Racing time again so just doing a post to cover this on its own. Being a HOLDEN fan im a tad bias. But friendly rivalry is always fun.
So if you are venturing to Hamilton, NZ Enjoy! and I shall enjoy from Auckland.
To all drivers....Good Luck and Go Hard! But be safe.
To all pit crews and all team members... Enjoy and keep those drivers safe, and yourselves.
To Sponsors... A BIG thanks in these tough times for the support to keep things going.
And Fans ...Go hard out and support your favourite teams, from myself it has to be a Resounding........... GO HOLDEN!!!!!

Business Service Centres

Well as I haven't blogged for a while I will endeavour to add a few more posts in the coming weeks starting with this one.
These centres are invaluable in today's busy society. They provide invaluable services to private and business people alike
From Photocopying services, Business cards, Mail centre, to Courier Services domestically and internationally, to name but a few services provided by these centres.
Their staff are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable people willing to help with whatever business services people require.
They are found in most cities and towns and are very handy in today's "on-the-run" business world.
So if you find yourself needing any of the aforementioned services and more...
Call into one of these centres and they are always willing to help.

Healthcare Product Industry

Healthcare Products Industry

Having commented on the downturn on some other industries there are some that are thriving still in these tough times.

I, in my opinion anyway, is showing that yes the innovative side of kiwis and others living and working in New Zealand are coming to the forefront.

Good on them I say and hopefully these industries will go some way to helping us win through the tough times also.

And through thriving industries in turn will filter out to other industries, as in lots of ways all industries intertwine with others in the scheme of things.

So yes kiwis and other cultures living and working here will survive through sheer determination and perseverance that we are known for.

Construction Industry

Construction Industry

Yes despite the global recession we are all in projects still go on. Although certain areas may have had falls in different areas this industry still keeps working on. With Infrastracture projects, etc. These larger industries I feel will all help in keeping things moving in the recession.

Along with innovative and small to medium sized businesses and projects happening. It will in time all sizes of companies and industries turn this recession around.

Amendment to my post on this industry

Having read a news item today I am amending this to say:

Yes the recession it hitting some areas of this industry as with most industries. Noting that Infrastructure construction is still going on but a downturn in the housing construction is it looks like affecting other sectors. Which in my book is really sad to see. But a friendly "Hang in there everyone" goes out to all in these tough times and as a kiwi myself. We kiwis will survive and be innovative to survive the tough times now and ahead. We will make it through.

Wine Industry in New Zealand

I will be having a few posts on different Industries in NZ. So if anyone would like to know more about any in particular just drop me a line.
I will start with:

Wine Industry

New Zealand's Wine industry is still thriving with a surge in different wineries being brought to the forefront that wouldnt ordinarily be. Which I find a step in the right direction as it gives a wider variety of wineries and wines to be able to be sampled, brought and marketed. Some already are known for their wines and have gained medals in industry awards also. This is going to give a wider variety to choose from with a more informed choice.