Important notice - the do is cancelled (see post #31).
Wijomas is organising a do at Waimarama (North Island), not necessarily on the same dates. Check out the
Waimarama do thread for more info.
As requested, the 3rd Kiwi Mainland Do is tentatively planned for Blenheim, 27-29 November 2009.
Blenheim is in the heart of wine country, most famously Sauvignon Blanc.
How to get there
By Air
Air New Zealand flies to Blenheim from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. There are also commuter airlines Air2there (flies Paraparaumu to Blenheim) and Soundsair (flies Wellington to Picton).
By Train
Take TranzScenic from Christchurch.
By Ferry
3 1/2 hour ferry ride from Wellington to Picton (via Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds). Then take bus (30 minutes) to Blenheim.
By Bus
From Christchurch, Picton or Nelson.
Programme
TBC
Options being considered include wine tour, scenic flights, cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, day trip to Kaikoura, day trip to Nelson Lakes, etc.
Unfortunately there will not be a repeat of the Air NZ tours of Kiwi Mainland Do Two (hangar, heavy engineering, engine centre, avionics).
Attendees
Platinum - confirmed (1)
Kiwi Flyer
Gold - probable (14)
wijomas
NZ_Flyer
Thai-Kiwi
tuapekastar
chchkiwi
Itsalongwaydown +1
SQ421
JohnK
vysean
harryhv +1
TiggerK +1
Bronze - maybe (11)
serfty
infoworks
Mwenenzi
boxo
flysurfer
Blackcloud +1
anat0l
monitor +1
Aus_Mal
Red flagged - can't make it
Flights
Both Air New Zealand and Qantas have domestic and international lounges at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Please advise flight bookings to coordinate meeting up and sharing transport.
There is no airline lounge at Blenheim.
Accommodation
There are no major chain hotels in Blenheim. Hotels are (from AA)
Scenic Circle Blenheim Country Hotel
Copthorne Hotel Marlborough
Marlborough Vintners Hotel
Chateau Marlborough
Criterion Hotel
Kiwi Mainland Do Two CHC 19-21SEP08
Kiwi Mainland Do ZQN 9-11NOV07
updated to post #30