[Hayden1002]

Ok here we go....
Sarah, my wife has now been told she can't fly in November, so bang goes our holiday/recce and visa activation.
As we need to activate my visa I am still going to fly but will only be in Auckland for 11 hours before flying out again.
I am literally going around the world in 59 hours!!!!!
So, what is there to do for, in reality 8 hours?
Offers of being picked up and shown around greatfully accepted!

I can't put it off either as we left it til the last month we could. Nor can I go through the process again as I won't make the points anymore!
What to do.......

[jubjub]

My first reaction is you are completely mad, and you should just check into a hotel and sleep!

If you want to do something to show you have actually been to Auckland, you could take yourself down to the viaduct harbour and have a relaxing lunch, and maybe a tootle on the ferry to Devonport and back? I am guessing the buses will run from the Airport to the CBD...

The only thing that stands out to me is that you will have activated your visa, but you are still left with Sarah not having activated hers? Have you checked out how that will affect her when you both arrive to NZ for good?

[Hayden1002]

Yeah I know what you're saying about Sarah and Amelia's(My little girl) visa's. But our visa officer sent us an email and I am guided by the following:

"I pointed out that you, as the principal applicant, could still activate your visa on your own anytime before the expiry date and come back to the UK with your 2 year returning resident’s visa. You are unlikely to re-qualify under the skilled migrant category with 100 points and no bonus points. So it would be easier if your wife and daughter had to re-apply for residence later on, on partnership grounds, provided that you had activated your residence visa. Please think about this option carefully, as I would hate you to lose your chance to live in NZ, if this is what you really want to do."

So that's what we intend to do.
What do you think?

[Sam B]

If you're anything like me, then after 30 hours of sitting upright, you will want to lie in a flat horizontal position and SLEEP!!! Unless you're going business class?

[speckythecky]

I would go for a swim, sauna and massage to try and get those muscles working again.

Would love to pick you up and show you around but haven't got a car sorted yet. If you haven't had any better suggestions by the time you are coming out PM me and if I haven't got a job but have a car then I will gladly take you for a trip around Auckland, (if you really want to be strapped into a seat for any longer)

John

[jubjub]

Yeah I know what you're saying about Sarah and Amelia's(My little girl) visa's. But our visa officer sent us an email and I am guided by the following:

"I pointed out that you, as the principal applicant, could still activate your visa on your own anytime before the expiry date and come back to the UK with your 2 year returning resident’s visa. You are unlikely to re-qualify under the skilled migrant category with 100 points and no bonus points. So it would be easier if your wife and daughter had to re-apply for residence later on, on partnership grounds, provided that you had activated your residence visa. Please think about this option carefully, as I would hate you to lose your chance to live in NZ, if this is what you really want to do."

So that's what we intend to do.

What do you think?

Well if the case officer suggested it as an option then you should be fine! :nice1 go for it.

[Tia Maria]

If your plan is just to kill a few hours then I agree with the relaxing option as you will be frazzled! There are plenty of hotels near the airport and its probably worth keeping one in mind just in case you don't feel like sightseeing or the weather is atrocious.

However, if this is your first chance to visit Auckland (and I think you are right in estimating 7/8 hours in reality), then I really like Jub Jub's idea, with maybe stopping off at the Sky Tower first, admire the overall view and maybe grab a bit to eat - you could always do the sky jump, that would certainly wake you up if you are feeling jet lagged! :eek:

www.skycityauckland.co.nz/skycity/auckland/sky-tower/sky-tower_home.cfm

The Viaduct is only a walk away, go via Queen Street so you can see what its like. You can have lunch or just a beer (depending what time of day it is) and watch the boats on the harbour:

www.viaduct.co.nz

There is also a visitor information centre nearby so you can arm yourself with lots of leaflets to take back.

Then get the ferry over to Devonport, buy an ice cream at the Devonport terminal, maybe sit on the beach for a while and contemplate life. Grab something to eat at one of the cafes (have you noticed I've had you eat about 5 times so far?!):

www.devonport.co.nz

Head back to the airport in time to eat and pick up a few souvenirs.

Shuttle buses are a reasonably priced way to get from the airport, but they will drop off at the various hotels - could be a nice way to see a bit more?

On a more boring note you could activate a bank account (check for 'not in use' charges), reserve a PO box if you will be living in Auckland, get a mobile phone etc etc

There are obvious tourist things like Kelly Tarltons but I think Jub Jubs idea gives you a nice balance of being able to see the city and recovering a bit from the flight.

Cheers

Tia

PS If you have a stopover in an airport with a transit hotel then do book in for a shower/lie down, as it means you'll be able to make the most of your 11 hours in Auckland.

[Oregonkiwi]

I am guessing the buses will run from the Airport to the CBD...
The Airbus runs between airport and downtown:
http://www.airbus.co.nz/home/

[whiskythedog]

hop on the red city tour bus - its free
pay $7.50 for a daytripper busfare - can go anywhere (well up to 3 stages i think at least in any direction)
sky tower
auckland zoo
kelly tarltons then carry on for a coffee in mission bay (along tamaki drive) - beaches,great iconic view of rangitoto island 10 mins from cbd (off peak)
mount eden for city views
mind you get some great views across at the devenport hills whose names escape me
i will be amazed if you are still awake though !

[lockstock]

If you're still conscious and compus mentis (sp?) do the bus tour. The commentary is interesting and sounds like someone's Uncle Bert is reading it whilst sucking on a Werther's Original

[LesleyS]

:laugh :laugh :laugh

[Hayden1002]

Thanks for all the ideas. I have been to Auckland a couple of times so the sight seeing thing doesn't bother me much. I was just thinking of things to do, but like you've all said I'll probably be out on my feet.
As for business class, Air NZ has kept £1400 from having to cancel the 3 seats (one was for Katie my step daughter who doesn't have a visa...but thats another story) but won't allow me to put it towards any upgrade etc We are claiming the money back via our travel insurance so no real worries there, but was a little disappointed by Air NZ's lack of flexibility.

One other thing do you still get fingerprinted etc at LA? Are you still herded into the strerile box or can you actually do something there? I only ask as outbound from UK is via HK and inbound via LA (it was cheaper after having to move the original flight forward, they wouldn't use the £1400 mind you, I had to pay extra if I wanted to fly back via HK again).

[Jo Jo]

I flew back from Auckland to London via LA a few weeks ago, and yes, you do still get fingerprinted, and you are kept in a holding lounge. LA customs' computers were down when we flew back, so we were kept on the plane for over an hour, and then kept in the holding lounge for a further 4 - 5 hours. But we were lucky (apparently) - when we took off we were told that the passengers on an Air France plane that landed at LAX the same time as us hadn't even been let off the plane yet.

[Hayden1002]

Well, what a nightmare........
Was due to fly out on the 1st of Nov but the night before my 2 year old was taken ill and ended up on a drip in hospital. Obviously I cancelled the flights so have had to rebook them. It cost an extra £200 which I wouldn't mind but the robbing B'stards still have £1400 of mine! (I have claimed on the travel insurance :) )
Anyway the long and short of it is I now fly out on the 6th, via HK, land on the 8th. Leave on the 8th (yes, I know I'm mad) and land back in the UK on the 9th.
The only bonus is that I no longer fly via LA.
Oh well c'est la vie, all in the name of activating my residence visa. Plus having read some of the threads lately I have to go or I will never ever reach the points score again (well if it keeps going up anyway).
I'll let you know how tired I was when I got back, once I've got back!!!!

[Hayden1002]

Well, it was a long way and everyone I met, who asked me about why I was only staying a day (11 hours actually), said I was mad!!
You know what, they were right!
I basically travelled for 72 hours for a stamp. Was it a really cool stamp....No!
It was just a run of the mill official stamp.
But it means I have now got another 2 years to sort out selling the house etc.
I'm knackered by the way................

[kiwidebs]

Wow. Let us know how long it takes for your body to recover from all that flying. But yayyy for buying yourself two more years :raebanana . Hope your little one has recovered from her/his hospital visit.

[jackie m]

Hi Hayden
Also hope little one is ok now. Think you need to sleep for a few days after all that travelling. It tired me out just reading your posts:D
Jackie

[Hayden1002]

Hi all
Well I didn't suffer from jet lag at all after my journey. I can only put it down to sleeping when I was meant to sleep (UK time) and being wide awake when everyone else was fast asleep!
Anyway it was all good fun and I shall look forward to doing the journey again, albeit one way and business class!!!
Amelia has made a very good recovery, she had gastroenteritus (spelling). Worst thing I've had to do, holding her tight whilst they put a drip in her hand. Was quite worried about her throughout the trip.
All worked out ok in the end.