Letters to the Travel Editor
Weighty issue [Re: “Food secrets”, November 29] I have just returned from a North American cruise with my sister. We had breakfast delivered to our cabin each morning. For lunch we had a main meal and we climbed the stairs from Deck 4 to Deck 9 every time and then again for dinner, which was just a salad. We also walked 1km every morning. By the time we got home our weight was the same. Doreen Gordon The Travel Editor responds: Next time I go on a cruise, I’ll try this approach. Why no improvements? Dear Sir, [Re: “Letters to the Travel Editor”, November 22] sure — millions of dollars have been spent on improving the road over the Brynderwyns on the northern side but not on the very steep southern side. Why? It is not possible to improve this torturous side except by cutting back that highway into the very steep hillsides to create extra lanes.
The real cure is to create a new highway to the west of those hills (such a minor road already exists) or to take the coast road through the back of Mangawhai and Lang's Beach rejoining the main highway at Waipu. It is not possible to do much to the southern side of State Highway 1 on the southern side of the Brynderwyns. The alternatives would be longer and would take more time. Yours sincerely, Eric Strickett, Massey The Travel Editor responds: I dig tunnels. Frustration at Air NZ Dear Sir, I’m writing to vent my frustration over Air New Zealand’s handling of a maintenance issue with Flight NZ5207 from Auckland to Napier on September 16. I arrived at domestic at 11am and we boarded on time. After three-quarters of an hour of starting and stopping the engines we were told that due to a maintenance issue we were to return to the terminal, collect our bags and go to counter one to rebook. What a mission that was — a long wait for bags and a 20-minute queue to rebook. I was given the choice of bussing to Napier or waiting until 6pm for another flight. I chose the latter. I figured I could get some work done at the terminal — not so! The airport only allows 30 minutes free Wi-fi. I approached Air New Zealand and asked for their Wi-Fi password (it was due to their problem I was stuck there) and was told that no, it was only available to Koru members! At 5.30pm the delayed sign flicked up Millions of dollars have been spent on improving the road over the Brynderwyns on the northern side but not on the very steep southern side, says a reader. and we didn’t finally get away until 7pm.
I spent eight hours all up at Auckland domestic airport with 30 minutes free Wi-Fi — not good enough! I was given two $6 vouchers for refreshments during that time. I ordered a salad from Tank at lunchtime and they said they don’t take the vouchers. When the flight was delayed at 5.30pm I ordered a glass of wine from the bar. You can’t use the vouchers for alcohol! Sue Bailey The Travel Editor responds: Offering free Wi-Fi for stranded passengers is a neat idea. Rail embarrassment [Re: “Letters to the Travel Editor”, October 26] Anyone who has experienced airport-city rail transport in first world countries such as Singapore (adequate — domestic metro), Hong Kong (brilliant beyond belief, plus free bus transport from both Kowloon and Hong Kong stations to your hotel), London Heathrow (three train sets to play with), London Gatwick, Amsterdam, Paris (all good) and Madrid (adequate — domestic metro) will know what a third-world embarrassment Auckland’s airport bus service is.
As is the abysmal “lurch-lurch” terminal transfer bus service with its “wouldn’t get off their backside to help their own crippled mother” drivers. And then there’s the uncovered “just as fast as the bus” walkway between the terminals. Appalling. DB Smith Napier The Travel Editor responds: I don’t reckon we’ll ever have a railway out there. Buses can work, but the service needs to be regular and reliable, and it needs to connect to key transport hubs.