Communication:

Stayed at a boutique luxury lodge in Australia a few years back. After a hectic day out we returned to have a shower and…no water. When questioned the manager told us that the holding tank had run out of water.  This happened a couple of hours prior to our return to the lodge but the manager kept quiet, hoping that the problem would be fixed before anybody noticed.  No explanation was given until we actually phoned reception. The hours went by and still no water. Finally after our third phone call, we were at least promised updates and the water did eventually return.  Here was a golden opportunity for the Manager to restore goodwill and compensate his guests with a bottle of wine or a complementary breakfast. No gesture was made. What a missed opportunity!

Courtesy:

Visited a very unusual property in the South Island in New Zealand . We were 20 mins early (perhaps we should have rung to let the host know we’d be early). The first thing he said when opening the door was “don’t you just hate it when people arrive early”. As travel agents, we thought that if he was prepared to be so rude to us, we could only imagine what he would say to OUR customers.

As a host/owner, it is frustrating when people arrive ahead of check-in time but sometimes this happens for reasns beyond the travellers control.  You deal with it by explaining that although their room is not quite  ready, the muffins and coffee are.  Nothing says “welcome” more than the offer of food and a hot beverage.

No care:

We’d been travelling the Great Ocean Road in Australia and by the time we arrived at Melbourne we were frazzled. We’d pre-booked 4 nights at an inner city apartment and were looking forward to the experience. The owner met us at the apartment with a huge bag of towels and was anxious to get away.  “I haven’t managed to get any milk in”, she said, “I’ve just been too busy, but there’s a supermarket a couple of blocks away”. Considering that we were paying NZ$300 a night for this apartment, I was astonished at her lack of attention to basic hospitality. And negotiating the aisles of a supermarket, was the last thing on our minds.  We were also expected to dispose of our rubbish at the end of our stay which involved walking down the corridor, unlocking a chute and separating the plastics from the glass. Wasn’t cleaning part of the service?.  Her parting shot as she left was “I’ll leave you to unpack the towels”. I checked out the bathroom. The toilet was furry. It gleamed only after vigorous scrubbing with a toilet brush that had seen better days. The bath plug was missing and even after a call to the owner, she never followed up with a replacement for our 3-day stay or to enquire if we had found it. After heading out in the pouring rain to get our milk and desperate for a caffeine fix, we discovered that the inside of coffee percolator was furry with milk mould. The domino effect gained momentum after discovering not one, but six filthy disintegrating dishcloths underneath the sink. No checking, no care, no follow-up.

Taking responsibility:

This is an example of how a bad situation was reversed.  Checked into a nice motel, only to discover there was a horrendous vibration coming from the heat pump units that some builder had thoughtfully placed on the roof.  The manager of the hotel immediately took charge by acknowledging the problem, insisting that we change rooms to the opposite side of the complex.  He arranged to have someone carry all our lugguage and had refreshments delivered to our room.  We had a great night’s sleep and enjoyed our stay.

Ok, there are some people that you can never please but most reasonable travellers will give tourist providers the opportunity to reverse a negative situation.  they’re mostly a forgiving lot.

The beautiful scenery of the Central Otago area is often missed by international travellers and I highly recommend that repeat travellers cycle at least some of the trail, or explore by car. It’s off the beaten track, full of history and in April/May, the Autumn colours are breathtaking!

The trail starts at Clyde, a historical town where cars always seem to look a little out of place:

At Clyde you’ll find the lovely and very famous Oliver’s Lodge. Oliver’s has seen many changes since 1869 when it opened as a general store.  It’s considered a luxury accommodation with differently priced rooms to suit the budget.

Ttime to head off to Alexandra, 8kms away. Here you’ll find vineyards and the oldest in Central Otago, Black Ridge. Alexandra is the local hub of the area and famous for it’s tangy, mouthwatering apricots.

Onwards to Galloway (7km), Chatto Creek (10km), Omakau (12km), take a 2km side trip to historic Ophir. Return to Omakau. Further along the way you’ll come across Oturehua where in the nearby Ida Valley, is the historic Hayes Engineering works and Homestead. The original Mr Hayes designed the tools and his very fit wife did the marketing – which in those days consisted of loading sample tools onto her trusty old bike and cycling around the area to show the farmers.

Wedderburn and Ranfurly are next and if you have the time, take a side trip to Naseby, New Zealand’s only international year-round curling rink. Give it a go!  Also at Ranfurly, you’ll find a museum entirely devoted to art deco.

I’ve merely skimmed the surface here folks. By the time you get to the end of the trail at Middlemarch, you’ll have your own tales  of goldmines, tunnels, gorges, viaducts and of course the friendly folks you’ve met on the way.

If you opt to take the asian cooking classes at the school, you’ll be learning from guest chefs all around Australia. On the day of our visit, we met the lovely Chef Yukiko Anschutz from the award winning Shiki restaurant at the Hyatt Regency hotel – her Japanese and Thai classes are legendary!

The cooking classes are optional and you can to stay in the villas and be totally independent.  All 3 villas have that wow factor, influenced by Asian architecture and comfort with beautiful designer furnishing and standalone stone baths.

….and Jag kitchens:

Each villa is  individually styled to reflect the luxurious options often found in Bali, Thailand and Japan and each provides it’s own private walled outdoor courtyard and individual gardens.

Seriously, it’s a real oasis from the city……wish we’d known about this sooner.

At least 80% of tourists are looking for a day tour they can pack into an already busy itinerary – although these tours merely skim the surface, they do give travellers time to relax and view magnificent scenery while someone else does the driving. The Murray River Day Tour is NOT a small group tour but you’ll see a lot from the comfort of a modern and comfortable coach.

We were collected by coach from our hotel at 8.45am sharp and whisked away to the bus station where all the various tour buses are waiting.  It just so happened that the pick-up bus was actually the same one doing the Murray River Tour. So we stayed on board. We had a fabulous driver/guide. Tony was informative, relaxed and very funny in that dry Australian way. With a coach full of people, you’ll always get one who talks through the driver’s commentary. Tony handled it well.  He stopped his commentary and said “oh, sorry, am I interrupting again”? It was a strategy that worked. Just before this photo was taken, Barry did a monkey pose, but refused a repeat performance:

The “Proud Mary” is a boutique cruising vessel which also operates 2-5 day cruises where guests stay in their own cabin. It has 3 decks and an intimate lounge and dining area with its own bar. The lunch buffet was more than adequate and constantly replenished.  And we had a chance to socialise with other diners and share experiences.

The Proud Mary provides scenic views of orange coloured cliffs and various wildlife including a fabulous display of Pelicans swooping very close around the vessel. Believe me, these birds are built like freight planes!

After about 75 mins we disembarked from the Proud Mary to board our coach and travel to the historic river town of Mannum. For those interested in hiring their own state-of-the-art river houseboats, these can be viewed and hired in Mannum – an affordable option for families sharing expenses.

Meanwhile, back at the coach, there was the usual 10 min wait for the stragglers and then we were off again, driving through the beautiful Adelaide Hills, via Tungkillo and Mt Torrens. (We’re returning under our own steam tomorrow for an independent explore).

The only disappointing part of this tour was the stop at a Toy factory at Gumeracha.  Given there were no children on the tour, we felt this choice of venue was inappropriate, except to doting grannies. Perhaps a better option would have been e.g. a winery or chocolate factory where you could actually see the process of production. The giant toy horse was pretty impressive though.

All in all, this was a good option for timestrapped tourists and we enjoyed it.

The Adelaide CBD has a slight grimy edge to it, however I did find an inner city oasis within it’s superb botanical gardens – great place to pack a picnic and head down with the kids, especially after a long and fraught international flight and it’s only a short walk from most inner accommodations:

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is home to three architecturally significant glass houses – the Palm house, the Bicentennial Conservatory and the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion. We loved the Palm House:

Handy for travellers to know that the The Adelaide Zoo is pretty much nextdoor to the Botanic gardens

We enjoyed the Adelaide Central market. The atmosphere was incredible – such a buzzy place and really nice people – both sellers and buyers.  The variety of food was colourful, aromatic, authentic and VERY affordable. The City to Bay Tram stops right in Victoria Square/Tarndanyangga.  We used the Free Adelaide Connector Bus  Our driver was very quick to spot Michael waving his map around and stopped especially for us.

By the time this photo was taken, Michael had eaten a whole Italian Pizza and a massive piece of this magnificent Lemon cheesecake…

….yet couldn’t quite rid himself of the feeling that he had missed out on something. Must be a ‘man’ thing.

We’ve decided to have breakfast at Rigoni’s Bistro tomorrow…heard it’s the best brekkie in town.  We’ll see…

The beautiful West Coast of the South Island has the best weather during the winter months to see glaciers and rainforest.  You’ll get to enjoy winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing, glacier walks, glacier helicoper rides. See what I mean?

…it’s about the stuff you see on the way:

…like exploring vineyards and tasting great wine:

…relaxing in quaint historic towns with fabulous cafes:

Another Handy Hint: If you’re a skiing fanatic and this is all you want to do, you might want to rent a 4WD. Many of our ski fields are accessed by twisting gravelly roads and most motorhome companies will not permit entry to these. (However, shuttle bus services to ski fields are provided.)

Chains may be required in some areas and if so, familiarise yourself with how to fit them and when it is advisable to remove them.  Remember, Kiwis are used to this stuff so don’t be afraid to ask the locals. We love helping!

Michael and I are planning our own overseas trip! Time to air out suitcases and argue about the practicalities of taking the kitchen sink. We’ve also been a couple of sick people for the past week or so, having caught a flu bug. So what happens when you’re sick and very far from home?  Many travellers don’t bother with travel insurance. They see it as an unnecessary cost, but it is? The first time I travelled to Europe to meet Michael’s rallies, I made it as far as Auckland before I was rushed to an emergency medical clinic with a suspected annuerism. Fortunately it was just a vicious migraine.  However, we had to cancel our connecting flight to Singapore and rebook – our travel insurance covered this unexpected cost. Peace of mind can be a costly business but then again, so is an astronomical hospital bill.

Footwear

“Do we need proper hiking boots?” Well, unless you’re going on a recognised tramping trip, the answer is no – just good sturdy walking shoes for our many carefully laid walking tracks. And for goodness sake, if you’re buying new shoes for your trip, wear them in well in advance of your travel. Blisters are not fun!

The checking-behind-you habit

Get into the habit of checking behind you as you leave the plane, car, boat, bus…and yes, even bathrooms. I-pads and cellphones have a way of blending in with the decor. Had a client a few years back who left the country before remembering the $1000 carefully put away in the wall safe of her suite.  Fortunately we managed to contact the Manager and their honest staff who retrieved the money and returned it via the guest’s bank account.

What to wear?

Remember, that in our blessed little country you can experience 4 seasons in one day! Pack accordingly, but keep it light. New Zealand is a very casual country and people don’t dress up for everyday living.  There are one or two high end lodges in New Zealand where men are expected to wear formal jacket and tie to dinner but most of the time tidy and casual are the only guidelines.

Check the house rules

Unless you’re in a self-contained accommodation (with cooking facilities), cooking in your room is definitely NOT permitted.  You may also notice that toilet and shower facilities work differently to that of your homeland.  Good hosts are expected to explain these matters to guests but they don’t always. Don’t hesitate to ask the hosts about the bathroom facilities. Save yourself the awkwardness of having to explain the accidential flooding in the bathroom, especially on your first night’s stay.

Legitimate complaints:

Genuine complaints should be aired immediately at the time of your stay.  Give the service provider a chance to put it right and make you happy. A good host should NEVER respond with childish comments such as “well, nobody else has ever complained about that before”. If they do, then shame on them! We stayed at a beautiful luxury B & B in Akaroa a couple of years ago.  I mentioned to the hosts that the toilet seat in our ensuite was loose. By the time we returned from dinner a few hours later, the seat had been fixed.

Check seasonal availablity:

Your friends may have told you about a great boutique vineyard or a tour of a birdlife breeding colony.  Not all attractions are opened all-year round.  Many vineyards close for wine tastings and some tours only operate in the sumner. Also be aware that there are sometimes age and weight restrictions especially those relating to adventure tours.

Above all…

…remember that Kiwis (the two-legged kind) will do anything to help a traveller and you’ll never be without a helping hand.  Have a great New Zealand holiday!

These heroes of New Zealand’s tourism are known for marking the special milestones in the lives of their guests – this gorgeous wedding anniversary cake was prepared in advance by the owner of Clifftops Luxury Retreat at Ruby Bay, Tasman:

You might be invited to catch to some crayfish with your hosts or get a surprise tray of  port and chocolates delivered to your suite, like we did a few years ago at Breakfast on the Beach Waiheke Island.

..or complementary use of a Mini Cooper S Convertible to zip around the Sounds region as provided by the exclusive Sounds Retreat in the Charlotte Sounds. Aren’t we the bees knees!

The breakfasts at Boutique accommodations are often amazing – this breakfast table at Arrowtown House only shows the first course!!

We had a couple who had a morning helicopter flight. When the host at their accommodation realised that it would be cancelled because of bad weather, she rang the helicopter pilot to reschedule a flight later that afternoon. (helps that all these operators usually know each other)

A good host will think ahead for their guests, anticipate possible obstacles and work towards removing them e.g. unforeseeable events like a bridge being closed because of weather due to a big overnight rainfall – no problem, the host advises the guests and recommends an alternative route already mapped out over a relaxed breakfast. Good hosts will also know when to step back – not everyone wants to talk.  Also, expect them to be honest with their restaurant recommendations too.

Our personal fav for Host of the Decade, has to go to Anne of Eliza’s Manor House in Christchurch, who with her husband Harold, painstakingly restored Eliza’s to and beyond it’s former glory after the Christchurch Earthquake. It’s now regarded as one of the most structually secure buildings in New Zealand! Nothing is too much trouble to Anne and her guests love her.

Yep, sometimes it’s the smaller guys that make the biggest difference to the travel experience.

The blue dot in the foreground is me and yes, this is how much glorious space we had to ourselves:

The cottage interiors are decorated in pristine white and warm creams with dark wooden floors. The rainhead shower in the bathroom and lavender bathroom products added a nice layer of comfort.

Ivy and Andy are very generous hosts.  The fridge was groaning with food e.g.- export Portabello Mushrooms. tomatoes and cherries, eggs, fresh fruit, PICS Peanut butter (arguably the best in New Zealand), yoghurt, orange juice and milk.  The cupboards were stocked with cereals, condiments and baking ingredients.  On arrival, Ivy welcomed us with a huge gourmet platter and a bottle of their award-winning wines – we chose the Riesling – luscious!

On day 2, we finally wrestled ourselves off the deckchairs to explore the Kina beach area, passing by the gorgeous (9-hole) Tasman Golf club at Kina Cliffs.  Non-members are welcomed to buy a drink at the clubhouse and relax outside to enjoy the views of Tasman Bay at the Mt Arthur Ranges. Instead, we joined the locals at the Kina Beach Reserve:

There is a common misperception that you pay more for exclusive occupancy in New Zealand, but when you look at what’s provided, it’s excellent value. We didn’t eat out once!  But perhaps the true value of our stay was the peace and privacy we found here away from our busy lives…ok, Michael, just one more look:

…and then if you’re really lucky, a majestic White Heron will escort you into the Sanctuary.

Photo by Glenda Rees

The 20 min boat ride takes you to a jetty. From there, it’s a short boardwalk through native bush to the viewing platform. Here you can stay 30-40 mins to view the birds. Dion, our guide, has been doing this tour for years and the protection of the White Herons (Kotuku) and their environment, is his passion. You’ll find youselves falling into a respectful silence as you sit, mesmorised by the angel-like wings of the adult Herons swooping down to their nests.

They fuss about feeding their chicks, oblivious to our presence, although I suspect they’re probably used to visitors by now.

Photo by Murray Cave Photography

It’s here that you’ll also see the stunning and unusual Spoonbills (yes, their black beaks are really shaped like a spoon). The pristine rainforest environment refreshens the spirit and I can pretty much guarantee the memory of this tour will stay with you forever. It did for me.