The winner!

Alan with his winning card. Congratulations!!!

Friday night is always a great night at Oceans Resort Hotel, it is our TGIF night and a chance for us to turn the juke box up, play some pool, eat some food and share a drink.  For some it is the end of the working week and others the start of the real reason we have the working week.

Tonight was of course no exception to the rule, the only difference is we were making the draw for the BBQ to one lucky person.  8pm came around and the bell was rung, which was a lot louder than I anticipated and the juke box turned down.  With the assistance of Hazel we made the draw.  Now there were a lot of cards in there with many guests having drunk their Export Gold, had their card stamped and put into the box.

Craig and James working their magic

It was Alan that won!  YAY.  Alan use to live in an apartment at Oceans Resort Hotel and for a long time was my neighbour.  Then he did what is only natural in Tutukaka brought a boat and moved to the water.  Not to far away from our front door:)  We are very lucky to have locals like Alan and we know it, so to be able to say his name as the winner for the BBQ was a true joy.

Congratulations from the whole team Alan!

Eating in Sweden

So this week Oceans is taking our customers to Sweden, tasting the delights without the airfare, how neat is that!  Again our Chef's did their magic, and it was Craig Estick at the helm tonight.  So again I did my job, as any good manager would, I ordered my dish:)  Well I mean really you do have know your product to sell your product surely we all know that. 

Salmon Entree.  It didn't last long at all

This week there are two dishes from the country of Sweden.  First the entree of Salmon.  I think Craigs exact words to me were, "Did you actually taste that?"  I will admit it was gone pretty fast and it was fantastic!!  The answer was "OMG did I taste that!"

Swedish Meatball dish, oh the shame:)

Then second was the meatballs.  Now being a Mother of two I will have to say that I am pretty good at making spaghetti and meatballs, lets face it, kids love it and it is easy to make and there are no groans and arguments of how much they have to eat before they are able to excuse themselves from the table.  Now being the connoisseur that I am with this dish, I wasn't prepared to give an inch when it comes to the taste, (I have pride in my own work you know).  I can now say thank goodness my children didn't taste Craig's Meatballs!  If that is what they are meant to taste like then I have failed my children's paletts, if that isn't what they are meant to taste like then I would like to start the petition that they should.  Served with Potato and Creamy mustard sauce again there was little time to spend looking at the dish.

Yip we pull it off!  Pfft not even close!  But we are having fun:)

So working the floor and welcoming the guests that came to play and dine was myself and Brent.  Brent has been with Oceans now for about 3 months and is awesome, makes a great cup of coffee and is a valued member of our small team.  Needless to say we rocked the night and made sure we looked the part, the difference is we made the night look good.  I know many will argue that point:)  Our problem is when we googled (thank goodness for google!)  "What is Sweden famous for?" we were listed with many many links to porn sites.  Now keeping in mind that we are family restaurant that simply wasn't going to do, so Bianca (Our Event Manager) came up with the wigs as our tribute to the top 20 links and that was as much of a tribute as they were going to get!  Apart from that it was ABBA playing and some soft candle light instead of electric lighting.  (NEVER under estimate what soft candle light does for your skin!  I felt young again:))

Tomorrow night is the last of Sweden and then we are packing down and preparing to arrive in Italy.  I think (since Brent had to wear a girls wig tonight) ALL staff will have to wear moustaches.  If you agree feel free to email me anytime with your vote.  Also have a look through our game board for a dinner that will suit your taste buds, or do what many are doing and turning up for all of them on either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night.  Remember to collect your game cards and save them up to play a game of chance and go in the draw for the Tutukaka Chest at the end.

And the Business Awards

I put my hand up to the fact that I do give Oceans Resort Hotel in Tutukaka a wrap on this blog.  Of course I do, I work, live and breathe this place and I still wake up each morning loving the fact that I do get to live and work here.

A few months ago Steve and I sat down with the team to ask their permission to enter this year’s Westpac and Northland Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.  With their permission (it is a team effort here) we put ourselves forward into two categories; Business Coaching NZ Best Emerging Business Award and the More FM Customer Choice Award.   For those who are considering entering these awards next year I can not tell you enough times to do it.  Completing the entry forms really does allow you to do a focused health check on your business.  I will be doing another blog on Business in Northland soon as the support you get as a business here is over-whelming, it just sits there waiting till you call for it.

So we put our entry form in.  At the beginning it was scary stuff, not knowing what the judges were looking for or what layout should really be done, but then it dawns on you.  This isn’t high-school, they want to read about your business and they want a clear understanding of your business, your values, your goals, how your business ticks and what the underlying spirit of your business is.  When you realise this it becomes so simple.  As you can imagine our entry form was bright and crisp, a bit of fun and a little bit different……just like Oceans.  And with the support of Tony from Smart Energy Solutions who won last year we put our entry form in with our shoulders back.  No matter the outcome we had presented our business on paper as it was in reality.  Not perfect, not shinny, not with all the answers, it was as we are honest, fun and with an air of excitement. 





What a great looking venue for the night



The judges read our entry and then came out to Oceans.  That part is fun!  We got to show off a place that in all honesty is just a great place to claim as “ours”.  There are not enough hours in the day to share the excitement of that!

Then it was the night, we knew we were finalists for both categories and that alone was a fantastic feeling.  I want to say that I didn’t mind if we won or lost, as at the end of day we were winners for entering….but that would be a lie.



The speech for Business Coaching NZ
Best Emerging Business Award



Business Coaching NZ, Best Emerging Business was the first of our two to be called.   Again I want to say that I didn’t have my fingers crossed and wasn’t silently saying “oceans, oceans, oceans” but again that would be a lie.  But to hear Oceans Resort Hotel called out as the winners was a heart filling sound!!!  To be able to walk up on stage and accept the award of behalf of our team was a treasured moment.



More FM Customer Choice Award

The next one for the More FM Customer Choice award was after Dessert, and the meals were fantastic.  I could have eaten more of that!

Then it was the second of our categories, I will admit now that both Steve and I, despite our desire, had not considered being able to walk away with two awards.  The other finalists were fantastic businesses and I know they are because I shop at many of them!  Though I silently hoped, I didn’t have my fingers crossed and I wasn’t silently saying “oceans, oceans, oceans”.  So when it was Oceans Resort Hotel that was called it was a feeling of gleeful confusion.  An award that was given to us from our customers, it was an award that directly reflected the fantastic nature of our team, it was an award that was of such high honour to receive that I will admit when I got on stage there was a moment when I thought there would be a tear.  And as I said when it was given to us, “This is an award that belongs to our team, it is a reason to thank everyone who has smiled at us, encouraged us, supported us and hugged us” This was really the award of the people.  All people who have ever been a part of Oceans; customers, staff and suppliers.

So thank you to everyone!!!!



Collective Concepts created a great night, The Chamber of Commerce created a great business support base and encouragement and Salt 'n' light have the most amazing photo's from the night, the ones of this blog are just a few of the many that were taken. The night was one that will not be forgotten.  So come into Oceans and look up on the bar and see our awards, Oceans Blue glass (it was meant to beJ) 



off to Dargaville

Coffee and muffins as we prepare for our day

Well Friday we all met at Oceans Resort Hotel, most had a coffee, some had breakfast and some had a beer (why not it is Friday after all!).  I personally had Coffee.  It was 9am!!!!!  And for those who know me you know full well that this girl does not really kick into gear until her third coffee!  (Can't open my eyes till the second!)
Then it was time to load Nimmo's bus with chill-bins, food, chairs, blankets, umbrellas and of course beer and head off to the Races!  We were heading to the "other" coast, we were going west, with cash burning a hole in our pockets. 


Checking out the new building works
That Blog will follow.  Oceans is changing



I am not sure, but am confident that they were ripping up the road and putting a new one in every 2 kms, the bus was stopped that many times with the man (or woman) holding a little sign.  The power of the little sign in holding up the fate of our group winning BIG at the races!!!!  I didn't mind as I hadn't travelled this road before and hand on heart can say it is amazing country!!!!  The last time I headed to Dargaville was when I was 12 years of age.  My interest of the countryside at that age was non existent.  Now it seems the peace that is promised in the rolling hills and gentle streams is something that makes you draw breath and hope for the lotto win - or the horsey win:)

The perfect spot nothing but sunshine

So we finally pulled up and manoeuvred the bus through the farm gates, Rob did a great job with the Nimmo's Bus and there were cheers from all seats.  We drove up the farm road and pulled to the right into the paddock and parked the bus where we all threw ourselves out from the bus and got to have a look around.  The description of "farm" is spot on really, we were far from the Melbourne races!  With the bus acting as a wind break and the chairs, food and beverage unloaded everyone set themselves up for a day of winning, laughs and fun.

Steve, husband, found the van that was selling the BIGGEST mussel fritters I had seen for a long time!  Then he found the bar so really his day was set and he was settled.  Most of our guys on the bus found the bar with surreal speed. 

The horses running - Dargaville Races

Then it was time to place my first bet.  My first bet EVER.  pfft should have really got a translation book before I went!  Most of the time their questions were met with one eyebrow raised followed with a slow "what?"

To cut a long story short (I don't do this often! ask my husband) but the day was filled with winning and losing and my final bet was placed with relative confidence and there was no smerk from the lady as I did so.  SUCCESS!!!!!!!!

I got back on the bus $4.50 up from what I started with.  Do that enough times and that farmlet with the rolling hills and gentle stream will be mine!

Tis the ladies of the day

Then it was back to Oceans, stopping at some pub in some town that I would have no chance of saying the name of, then stopping at another bar in Whangarei and then getting back to Oceans.  On the way home Rob did the draw for prizes on the bus, I missed out on the chocolates and plastic 'boobs' but with a smile I patted my pocket that contained my $4.50:)

 I will say right now that the wonderful group of people I got to share the day with really made the day.  It was full of laughter, smiles and fun, it was relaxing and the sun was beaming.  So thank you to everyone who came, to Rob for driving us and for Lew who organised it and of course Chippy who sang all the way there and all the way back, (he has a great voice so it was a blessing really:))

And just as I sign off, I won't mention names......but at 1am on the Saturday Morning as I went back down to the bar, there was many a horse watcher still dancing, laughing and having fun in the Oceans Bar,  no names will be given but you will know who you are:)  Bet they needed Coffee that morning!

This isn't the first time I will say this nor will it be the last time that I say this, but I am a very, very lucky girl to be living is such a paradise!

Tasting the Med in Tutukaka

We love Wednesdays at Oceans in Tutukaka.  We get to travel the world in the food way.  Last week was Tex Mex, yeeeeee ha.  But tonight, oh yes tonight we got to light the candles, put on some sexy music and taste the Med.  YUM. We got to welcome our regulars and got to meet new people to the Oceans experience.

The Wednesday Night Buffet really has it's own following.  $19.50 for a long buffet full of food and not only the healthy stuff, (and not so healthy but tastes really good food) but also the wonderful array of desserts.  I am a person who believes that all meals are just the road to the dessert.  Infact there are many times that I will start the dinner process with dessert so I can be assured there is room for it.  I would recommend doing this on a Buffet too, especially the one like tonight.  Ask Sebba, he will tell you because he is awesome

So as always with every post I have promised to find my meaning of life with every day.  And my meaning of life is finding that moment that makes you go ahhhhhhh and smile.  It is finding the good in a day.  And that today was knowing the warmth was inside, the food was inside, that wonderful cooking smell was inside and I was inside enjoying it all:)

Cantab in Northland

Well I missed the blog for Friday.  With very good reason I will have you know.  Oceans was rocking, restaurant full, customers waiting for tables, bar humming with that good vibe that you get on Fridays at Oceans. 

Joeren from Dive! Tutukaka was celebrating his birthday at Schnappa Rock, just down the road so all up Tutukaka had that fabulous Friday night feeling.  Not so great for the Saturday Morning buzz.

Not only do I love Fridays but really it has become a bit well known with some of our locals.  It is a chance for us all to catch up after the week and prepare for the weekend ahead.  You will drive into Tutukaka and think "does anyone really live here?"  The answer is a BIG YES and they are awesome.  The fact is that Tutukaka is not just the Marina area, only so many people can live in the direct area.  But Tutukaka and Ngunguru (settlement that is 4k before you get to Tutukaka from Whangarei) are just two small populated areas of an amazing coast and we are going to be blogging about those too!

So we say farewell to Friday and say happy birthday to Jeoren.  Sleep and wake to SATURDAY.  Ohhhhhh how I waited for this Saturday.  It was like the Christmas countdown from childhood.  Crusaders in the final.  The bar staff in red and black, Crusaders Music (Conquest of Paradise).  If you don't know the music we have added on the link below. 

	Vangelis - Conquest of paradise .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

primed to activate from EVERY speaker we could find, TV's operating and the rush of dinner service to get through as everyone tried to gulp down their food before kick off.  And as is typical with the Christmas countdown of childhood, you find you are ready and waiting way before you are able to rip off any paper.  So you wait,............

Finally I got to turn down the CD music (felt like a DJ with our sound system) and pushed the crusaders theme to full. 

For those of you who haven't guessed or don't know, I am 100% true blooded, forever loyal to the Crusaders!  Steve and I may find ourselves anywhere in NZ or the world doing what we do, but our drawers are FULL of red and black gear, we will always cheer for the red and blacks, we will respect the team where we reside but always Crusader fans.  And that is what was great about this final, NZ united!  We were all for those 80 minutes Crusaders fans. 

I won't lie the result was gutting but there was soooo much pride in what the boys achieved. over 300,000 kms traveled, no home ground and the stress of having a homeland that was hurting from the recent earthquakes.  Respect is also given to the Reds with the flooding and the attack of Mother Nature on their homeland.  So if I was being honest it really was a final of two deserving teams.  Both played well and both played a hard game.

As the bar emptied after the game and we started to lock up and prepare for Sunday it was still a good day.

Sunday is Sunday, a day to rest and relax, we have to say good bye to some of our guests but we get to welcome new guests.  Bitter sweet.  And paradise for me was found this weekend in being a part of something wonderful.  I am not trying to shake my promise of finding my meaning of life in every day, but I am being honest.  this weekend it was in so many moments that there are none that have ownership over another.  And I am looking forward to welcoming the new week ahead and our new guests and those returning to visit and stay with us again

Thursday and tsunamis

Can you believe it is Thursday again!!!!!  Is it an age thing or a reality thing when all of a sudden days and weeks are seemingly stolen from right under your nose?  You barely have mourned the loss of yesterday before you are farewelling today, surely that isn’t right.

Another beautiful day tin Tutukaka

So we woke again to a beautiful Tutukaka day, they have to be coming from somewhere right?  So where ever it is that is cold, raining and grey, we pass on our apologies we also pass on our sincerest thanks.

At 7.03am there was the earthquake located at the Kermadic Islands and 20k deep, registering at 7.6.  I have to say that the response of Civil Defence, the locals and visitors was fabulous.  Cell phones not only chimed with the warning, they rang with people ensuring the message was getting out, then the chimes and rings where joined with the sound of the civil defence alarms.  One located outside Schnapper Rock and the other located on the corner of Oceans Resort Hotel.

View from Ngunguru School

Ngunguru School was fantastic!!!  Having two young children attending and the knowledge that the school sits practically on the beach it was a wonderful relief having the knowledge that the school is well and truly ready.  Children were photo registered, lined up and marched promptly up the hill to a safe place, a place where all parents knew.  When my two got home that afternoon and were grilled “in a nonchalant way” not only were they aware of what was going on and aware of the serious nature of the situation, they were also relaxed and feeling safe.  AWESOME.  Of course there was concern if “Mum and Dad were going to be all right” and that is normal, and they have been reassured that we too have a safe place and a list of rules that we follow when the alarm sounds.

However it didn’t eventuate to much marine wise but it did allow the people of Tutukaka the ability to realise that the situation, should it occur again, has its process, has its communication and has very skilled people ready to jump into action.  Coastguard NZ and the other volunteer services all ready to go should they have been required.  It also gives everyone the chance to review any processes.  If it should ever happen as an extreme event I can put my hand over my heart and say I feel safe living here.

Oksana, Lukasz and Carlie

I am an incredibly proud Cantab, I will be wearing my red and blacks on Saturday.   Today I was proud to be a Tutukakian (not sure if that is a word), what a wonderful, wonderful bunch of people live on this coast.  You really do need to meet them

Click here to see a video that features two of our locals about the tsunami today being interviewed, one of which is the wonderful Kate Malcom from Dive! Tutukaka.  Kate and the team at Dive! Tutukaka have a great product and are very proud of the coast and the beauty of our Marine world.  So if you are coming this way and want to see why we were voted the second best coastal area by National Geographic head out on Perfect Day, you will never question again:)

Kind of obvious where my paradise was today, my meaning of life.  It was the pride to be a part of this community and a part of our team.  You will see it and feel it when you arrive here too.

Monday Pub Night at Oceans Tutukaka

So again we find ourselves at the start of the week.  Not a bad thing when you get to live and work in Tutukaka, you hear the usual groan of Monday-itis from others, the weekly plod that starts most working weeks.  But not here.  No sir.

Monday night is Pub night at Oceans.  $15 for a meal including a glass of wine or beer, now that alone is a great reason to welcome Monday.   hmmmmm I hear you say, still that doesn't make for a great Monday, and I reply with the ever famous buy TV quip, "but wait there's more!".  Free pool as well!  Want me to seal the deal for you also?....... Winter outside, cold wind and boats straining against their moorings, but inside?......... the fire is on, the lights are dimmed and when you walk in you can feel your body sigh with relief.  That does make for the perfect start to the week indeed.

Carlie and Lukasz doing the popular Oceans
Coffee thing!

As for what our team is doing, they are doing what they do best, smiling!  And what was I up to today, was writing my emails and doing up the plans for the exciting changes that the new Oceans is about to undertake.  Infact I will be so bold as to say that my Monday flew by, with a flurry.  How many others get to say that!

My meaning of life today, my paradise found was the feeling of accomplishment that today has given me.  Cleared my desk, emptied my inbox and cleaned the office, chatted with our guests, caught up with friends and watched that nasty winter day being denied entry into our warm restaurant and bar.  That has indeed made Monday a good day

Sunday in Tutukaka at Oceans Resort

What a CRACKER of a Sunday.  Really busy in the morning with our coffee machine really having to work hard to keep up, let alone the staff having to tell it what to do!





Then for Lunch was our Sunday Roast Buffet.  With Roast Beef and Chicken, yorkshire puddings, roasted vegetables and all the extra trimmings you would expect.  To top off all that was the most YUMMY Apple crumble.



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The Girls having a well earned coffee break



Thing about working here at Oceans is that after all the guests have had their fill we get to have some afterwards.  I LOVE buffet days.  This Wednesday is our next buffet where I will be wearing my stretchy pants and that is the Tex Mex Americana Buffet.  Yeeee haaaaaa.

Oceans has the bar and bistro area, an a la carte restaurant and a HUGE function room which we call the Tui room on the ground floor.  Then upstairs is the Marina Room,  The best view in Tutukaka, straight up the Marina out to the heads.  From here you can see all the boats coming and going.

Even though we had our Sunday buffet going their was no way we were not going to please the many other guests that came who wanted something a little lighter, so our Lunch menu continued full steam ahead.

 

Upstairs in the Marina Rooms was the first of the movie shows, A bee Movie.  What a fantastic turn out with over 100 people.  Congratulations guys!!!!!!!!!





Then to finish off what has already been a great night, our staff moved the pool table and set up a stage and mic system and prepared for an evening of open Mic.  WOW Tutukaka has some AMAZING talent.  We are doing it again as ALL of the acts I am wanting to hear again and again and again.  So lucky to live here and share what we do with so many wonderful people.





 So as promised I will continue to find my meaning of life everyday.  And my meaning of life is finding today's paradise.  And today's paradise was having such a busy, happy day and watching our customers, our staff and our friends enjoying themselves.



 And with that we are able to say that today is and was indeed a good day.







Saturday night in Tutukaka at Oceans

WOW what a night!!!!  Now great is it when the wind is howling, and our heavy doors are protesting at the extra work they have to do to keep that wind out and our Bar and Restuarant are full.  The fire was going the music was playing and the kitchen was humming. Our great staff were buzzing around and smiling from ear to ear.

The hotel is full of happy customers and as the night is drawing to an end we are all warm inside.  The Sky TV has the Blues vs. Reds playing, (come on Blues!!!!! I want a Crusaders/Blues Final)  As a team we had a bit of a gamble, coordinated by our Executive Chef Craig, and I am in for the win with a 24- 18 win to the Blues.

I know that I am lucky to be apart of everything that Oceans has.  Our wonderful location, the fantastic team energy, our customers and our friends.  It has been like winning Lotto working in Tutukaka.

So Saturday night at Oceans saw the Saturday special of a free dessert with every main sold.  (I have always been a believer that there is seperate stomach for dessert, so there is always room no matter how yummy your main was).  To finish off this fabulous meal deal we also have $10 Cocktails!  Double Yummy, what does it mean!  So really there shouldn't be any surprise that tonight we had people waiting in the bar until a table became avaliable in our restaurant, there should be no surprise that at the moment the juke box is off as we prepare for the win in rugby, and no surprise that there is still that buzz in the restaurant.

So what was my paradise found today?  That one is easy today.  On the way back from the bar, on my way home, I was stopped in the hallway by two of our guests, who with great excitment informed me how wonderful their meal had been, how great our staff were and how much they were enjoying their stay.  I was so very proud to be standing with them there hearing those words and the genuine way in which they were given.  The icing on the cake was when they informed me they were already planning on coming back in February for a week.  There is no better feeling in the world than hearing that from someone, knowing how hard your team work, knowing how much your team really do care and knowing that it was being appreciated.

So this blog is for my team at the new Oceans Resort Hotel, thank you!  You know that we appreciate you and you know that we love working with you.  I am thrilled that our guests are seeing how special you all are too.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I dare say that Mother Nature will still be flexing her muscles in the morning and we will wake up again to the fresh crisp snap in the air.  But is it SUNDAY and that brings us the $28 Carvery Buffet Lunch,  YUMMY.  See you tomorrow!!!!

The winter treats have arrived at Oceans Resort in Tutukaka

So there is no denying it.  Winter is a reality.  Even though here in Northland we are blessed with the fact that we are considered Winterless there is no ignoring the fact that Mother Nature has no intention of EVER letting you put her in a box.  So today Mother Nature did show us that she was in charge and will do what ever she wants to do.   As a result we woke to a VERY crisp morning indeed.
The good thing about winter (there is always something good to everything, just on some occassions you may have to search a little harder or wait a bit longer), Oceans Resort puts together the Winter Treats Menu.  So for the next few nights we are going to be going through these, night by night. 
Of course I could put them all down in this blog, but that really doesn't give the respect that each night requires, as each night is unique and each one is special.

Thursday Night at Oceans Restaurant and Bar introduces to our locals and ours guests "Kids Eat Free".  So for all those parents out there (I am one myself) take comfort in the fact that we are here and ready.  All of the kids menus are favourites (suggestions from our own two children, Jack 9 and Nikki 8), Steve and Myself, along with our Chef, Crig Esteck, also put that "green stuff" on the plate (Not popular but makes the parents feel better).

So tonight, Thursday Nights, Oceans Resort in Tutukaka will not only feed your children for free if you are eating a main, they also get their choice of drink, Pirates Poison, Mermaid in Pink, Choc Shake, OJ or a fizzy, they also get a dessert.  There it is:)  We have buckets of felts, pencils and colouring books, and a games room that has all those bright lights and exciting sounds.  Your night will be one of warmth, good food, great service and happy, quiet children.  Bliss!

So we thank Mother Nature really. 

So did I find my meaning of life today?  Today my paradise was found in the happy chatter of the staff, to know that not only are we supplying a unique experience for our guests and creating those new memories that make them want to return to us time and time again, there is a true warmth in the knowledge that our staff are also creating new memories.  We are forming friendships that will be called upon for many years to come.  And when you are apart of such a wonderful group of people you can not possibly imagine there is a better place on this earth to be.

The rooms are warm and as people curl up for the night we know that tomorrow we will wake to Friday's treats, the warm fire, the hot coffee, the fantastic Hot Chocolate Drink and Mother Nature might again show us who is boss but really the weather has nothing to do with it.....shhhhh don't tell her that though:)