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

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:)

Queens Birthday Weekend in Tutukaka

Tutukaka did not have the greatest start to Queens Birthday Weekend.  Well not weather wise anyway.  Last night was Friday night and those who are in the know will already know that Friday night at Oceans is always a great night!  Those who don't know, should know and not know just by reading this blog, so come on out and be in the know.
With the great night came some great winds also, pretty amazing really and to be honest there is something exciting about being out in a warm wind, which it was.  Reminds you of childhood in someway with no finger on any real memory.  Strange how a smell, feeling, sound or other sensation can hurtle you back in time with such force that you can't help but be surprised at it.  Even with these edges of sweetness there was the reality that our Sky ariel wasn't as excited, or, was over excited.  So down she came.  No matter how hard you try, beg, pled and whimper there is no way on this earth you can get a Sky Tech to even contemplate coming out on a long weekend.  Amazing the attitude some companies can have when there is no competition out there.  sigh.  (I think they even got a bit of kick out of desperation)
Saturday has arrived, our Bar is full, the restaurant full the kitchen has that excited noise that reminds me of cooking shows on television (no ramsey in our kitchen though), The bar has sky sports (don't ask me how, it has something to do with some cable somewhere else that I can't access)  The sports playing, the pool table humming and the beer pouring.  I love how the restaurant has that steady hum of conversation.  You should try and listen to a restaurant one day, there is a hum from peoples hushed conversations that is mixed with bursts of laughter, it is quite musical.

The wind has died down and according to Mr Jim Hickey all is on the mend.  The boats are still at their morings and every room at Oceans has guests curling up for the night, waiting to see what tomorrow will bring.  (Come on Jim!!!!).  Some are off Diving, others are out charter fishing and most have no plans at all and will wait to see the day.

Tutukaka Surf Shop has their sale, which started today.  YAY!!!!  So that is one stop for me tomorrow.  Was gutted to see one of our guests wearing the necklace that I had my eye on.....but you have to be in quick around here and the SALE is awesome, I will get another one that is for sure:)  Simon from Tutukaka Surf was still heading out on the water with the surf lessons today and that is something that I am going to have to do, go surfing with Tutukaka Surf, from the beginner to the experienced these are the guys that know all those secrets of surfing on the coast.

So where was my meaning of life today?  It was.............(had to think about this one today, as the more busy you are it seems the less you savour and acknowledge moments.  Note to self that I must work on that!)........Todays paradise, my meaning of life was, Working with Matt Genefaas, one of our staff, on the new winter Oceans HOT CHOKA CHOC.  I love it when small ideas turn into excited thoughts that lead to fabulous results.

So today, the start of Queens Birthday weekend I can proudly present the new Oceans Hot Choka Choc, a delectable, slightly naughty Chocolate drink.  What better way is there to warm up in winter?