The Team
Danny
Danny will commonly be recognised by his ginger hair and green check shirt. This former chef rarely comes out of hibernation unless for a Manchester United game, the occasional night out, or his awesome Tuesday quiz nights. He is world-famous for his truly awful dad jokes and the most random music playlist you’ve ever encountered. Danny loves his rum, but has been know to get “white girl wasted” when the white wine comes out!
Likes: Man-U, Mother drinks, Boy bands, Spontaneous marriage proposals.
Dislikes: Heights, Cooking, Good dad jokes, People disrespecting the POWER of RUM!
Hannes – Hans
With Hannes’ love for things that move fast and have big engines, we are not surprised he decided to hop on a plane for as long as possible. Fresh out of high school this German Bursche loves to talk. Whether that is to someone else or himself really doesn’t matter all that much.
Likes: cars, bikes, clothes
Dislikes: seeing injuries, failing, disrespect for his family
Charlotte
This Dutch Rapunzel got tired of waiting for prince charming, so she cut of her long blonde curls and packed her bags. Enjoying Queenstown life, Charlotte is usually happy and energetic but she can occasionally be found spending her days off in bed, watching Netflix, because she’s been partying a little too hard.
Likes: tequila, biking, burritos
Dislikes: deadlines, wearing glasses, slow-walking people
Jorge – Jordi
Have you heard about the elves from Iceland? We believe one of them might have ended up in our hostel. Jorge claims to be from Portugal but knows far more about The Land of Fire and Ice. And though he’s short in stature, he’s big at heart.
Likes: Iceland, puns
Dislikes: heights, people that think Portuguese and Spanish are the same language
Lisa
The heart and soul of the hostel, Lisa’s been part of the AQ family since starting out as a seasonal worker in 2012 to now being Manager! Originally from London (the Canadian one), 5 years ago she expanded our hostel family when she had baby Molly, our littlest crew member! But this mama’s still cool: talk to her about anything from skydiving, to road-tripping, to Bob Dylan or The Beatles, and we think you’ll agree.
Likes: Music from before 1979, Molly, Hockey, Sleep.
Dislikes: Music after 1979, Parental costs, Double letter names, and the Maple Leafs being so terrible for so long!
Brett
Having visited 60+ different countries around the world, and stayed in 100+ hostels… and counting, Brett knows exactly what backpackers want in a good hostel. He has lived in Australia and England as well as New Zealand, and brings a wealth of experience in understanding what intrepid travellers want in a short stay. An avid snowboarder with a love of sport, music and the outdoors, he’s always planning the next adventure . . . and driving his managers crazy.
Likes: His snowboards, Vinyl collection, Bluebird days, Fine wine, Being grumpy.
Dislikes: Crap snow, Crap wine, Mornings, Feeling irritable, Modern R&B & pop music.
Monkey – aka Chiquita
Monkey has been living most of her life in beautiful jungles all over the world, but after the birth of Mini-Monkey she decided to settle down at AQ2 and give the little one loads of nature to grow up around. Working hard to give Mini the best, Monkey ensures everything keeps running smoothly in the hostel. On a day off Monkey can be found in the locals bars drinking Pisang Ambon or swinging around town to meet fellow Monkey-travellers and discover some local forests.
Likes: Bananas, Pisang Ambon, and Mini-Monkey
Dislikes: Over-cuddly humans, finding Wally, and being squished
Anne – Moose
Our first zookeeper on staff (surprising right?), Anne came to us after working for 7 years at a Zoo in the Netherlands. Her skills with animals transferred remarkably well to her new position in the hostel, but we’re not going to think about why that is too deeply.
Likes: Animals, Milkshakes, Singing, Gert (her car).
Dislikes: Cheese, Explaining where places are in the Netherlands, Not being able to find solitude.