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!

It was just disgusting

So woke to another day in Tutukaka.  Had to take a photo of what I have to put up with day after day after day.  The staff at Oceans are just so committed to our guests that they turn up regardless of it,  having to put up with the view, the great customers and fantastic atmosphere, they just get on with things, a true inspiration.

So, yes we woke to this awful view but we all got on and made the most of it.  Monday night is Pub night where you get to relax with a meal and a glass of beer or wine for only $15.  YUMMY.  Favourite is really the bangers and Mash, well tonight it was, seems every monday I have a different favourite.  I suppose you could say that that is the joy of coming to Oceans, there is lots to choose from. 

And if you think that I am saying this because it is my blog and I happen to work in the most amazing place, you are right of course, orrrrrrr you can review what other people are saying, that don't work here and don't write this blog.  They are on the Oceans Website and they are on places like Trip Advisor.  So read them as well.

See you all tomorrow,  if you can handle having to look at pictures like these.  We apologize now.

Mid Week Wednesday, yeeeee ha



Conference Group at lunch



Today was a day of YAYs.  First we got to welcome our new conference group to Oceans, always a good day when you get to meet new people and share the magic of Tutukaka.  To make it even better they are a great bunch of people so looking forward to seeing them all again tomorrow.

Next, the sun was shining and we had that playful wind again.  So once again you find yourself feeling happier with the sun out, the water sparkles and it seems that you feel just a tad lighter (probably because the extra jacket has been dropped)

Tex Mex Buffet - yeeeee ha!

Next was the fabulous Wednesday night Buffet.  Tex Mex was the taste of the week for our International Buffet night And I mean really the words "Buffet" and "Tex Mex"?  You know that you have to wear stretchy pants to something like that!

By the time the Buffet had started it was cold outside again.  Don't mind it being cold outside when it is night time, I have an electric blanket (which is on and waiting) and it is warm inside and their is a BUFFET!!!!!



Tutukaka Marina

 To finish off the Wednesday of the week I now get to relive the whole thing writing in the blog, so really I got to live today twice:)  A very lucky girl indeed.

Steve and Matt

Today's paradise was found in........walking down to our Marina and taking a photo.  Just the few minutes of quiet time and enjoying the beauty that is Tutukaka. ahhhhh, it really, really is a magical life.

and it's Tuesday!!!!!

What a fantastic way to wake up this morning!!!!  First slept in so woke with that kind of panic feeling that you get, one way to get the blood pumping, better than a coffee hit really.  Secondly when throwing back the curtains saw that Tutukaka had put on a fabulous blue sky for the day, I say Thank you:)



Oksana, always smiling!!!

 Then it was down to the office for the typical office day, I am not much of an office person I much prefer to be out and about talking with guests and working out the front, but alas there is always office work no matter where you work.

Tuesday is two courses for $40 at Oceans Resort Hotel, so I was back down to the restuarant with the children this evening.  How fabulous is having a Rib Eye, MR cooked to perfection followed by Cream Brulee finished with a hot chocolate?  I mean really people that is a fabulous Tuesday!!!  I work here but even if I didn't I would come here for dinner, the menu is fantastic and the new Winter weekly specials are fabulous.

We are also preparing to welcome tomorrows conference group with us.  Love getting to meet new people and sharing the magic that is Tutukaka.

So today I found my paradise in sitting in our restaurant, colouring in pictures with my children and chatting with the locals who filed in for dinner, two of which were celebrating some sigficiant birthdays:)  No names and  no ages will be given out:)  Also hearing a larger table of 16 in our A la Carte restaurant laughing and giggling.  (That is one of the nicest sounds in the world you know, the sound of genuine laughter and I would be surprised if it didn't make you smile when you heard it either)

Bring on tomorrow, I am looking forward to meeting it head on!

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

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:)