Kiwi Mainland Do Toru (3), November 2009
 

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

Will look into this ... am very interested, but late year dates often clash ...

I have pencilled in the dates. It's a beautiful part of the world. Last time I was there I stayed at the old convent B&B, which was outstanding (but not cheap) over a magical Easter.

I would say I'm gold (but given I'm 0 for 2 so far) perhaps a bronze. I am already booked to be in SIN the week after for work (yes - 2009)

I can't really plan this far ahead, but since this year's Do was so enjoyable even though I missed a good portion of it, I'll do my best to plan around these tentative dates. Put me down as gold for now :)

More than 12 months out I can't say for sure.

But I'll be a Gold for now as I will most likely be in NZ around then.

Make me Gold also, although very early for me too.

Bronze - maybe for me at this time, since was not able to attend Kiwi Do 2 in my home town

As others have said, it's a long way out, and the calendar can be crowded in late November, but please colour me Gold for the time being, because I do wish to attend, having thoroughly enjoyed KM DO 2! Thanks.

Please put me in the Gold category for now - can't see any reason why I can't attend, so should be able to go Platinum a little later on. Love these Mainland DOs!

At this stage Gold X 2 is looking good. ^

No hotel points (to earn or redeem)?! :eek:

I'm a maybe.

I'm interested. :)

I think 1 or 2 hotels may earn points with Air NZ and Qantas, and you can get/use points before and/or after the Do (at AKL/WLG/CHC).

Copthorne earns 1 Airpoint Dollar per $15 spent or 600 QF points per stay.

Timara Lodge, Blenheim earns 1000 QF points per stay.

It is possible to survive such traumas as we did so in Hobart this year. ^