Well theres been a lull in blog posts since we landed I realise, the truth is we have been far too busy having fun and couldnt be fussed with paying for internet out here until now.
We spent friday down at the Viaduct and Wharf ready to watch the opening festivities. The entire downtown area was closed to traffic so for once it wasnt possible to get run over. We saw a flash mob dance in Queens Street and watched the Waka (Canoes) leaving for the afternoon performance. We attempted to explain Rugby to a german girl (she seemed grateful if a little bewildered) and found some very friendly old ladies to hang out with at the railing to wait for the Waka. One of which has invited us back to her house in Taupo when we get there to share the photos we took with her. Seems like a fair deal!!
The Waka looked awesome, sculling into the viaduct 5 at a time (carrying 600 mainly naked warriors). 200000 people managed to pack themselves into an area that at most was able to hold 150000 (it got a little cramped) and we had to get through the crush of people to get out and run to the game. Sadly for the organisers the transport system couldnt cope. Two idiot english blokes thought it would be fun to press all the emergency stops on the train because they do it in the UK all the time, not realising that here they have to shut the ENTIRE network of Auckland down to reset it and then they have to account for every passenger before they can move again. This left 2000 people with game tickets stranded as a few tourists jumped off the train and ran up the embankments so the trains couldnt move for the rest of the night. Fortunately we caught a bus and got there with an hour to spare to get comfy. We didnt get to see the 600 strong Haka because of the crowd of people.
The Opening ceremony was great and the game was brilliant for the first half but everyone here is criticising the ABs for slacking in the second half. Having watch England last night, I wouldnt think they are too worried now!!
Getting home was a nightmare, the busses couldnt cope, Loads of people got stranded. We had to wait an hour for a bus but at least we got home OK. We upset the cleaner the next morning though by still being there when she came to tidy our room. I'm on holiday, I shall sleep in if I wish, methinks!
Yesterday was a turn up for the books, I got a free ticket to another game. France Vs. Japan. Penny couldnt bring herself to leave Ada-Marie for a whole 5 hours so Faye went over to effectively baby sit to get her used to the idea of being away from Penny (with her still there) and Nik took me to see the game at North Harbour Stadium. The whole stadium is open to the elements so we felt much closer to the action and bless the Japaneese, they tried their best, but the French team were just massive compared to them. They were fortunate to score 21 points. We worked out that the only time Japan could score was if either Nik or I was at a concession stand whilst the other watched the game, so we were forced to go for tea and donuts more than once. The Fish and Chips here was also superb, even in a little van they can cook it here better than in restaurants. You dont even need a stupid wooden fork to eat it.
We got back just in time to watch the second half of the england match and have cuddles with Ada before she went back to bed. Shes a little rugby fan for definate. We couldnt get her attention away from the tv even to eat whilst the game was on.
Today the weather has remembered its spring and is soaking. Penny and I were planning on going for a little run but as I now have a cold from sitting outside too much, I thought running in the rain might be foolhardy so we are off to the museum for a few hours, and hopefully later on it might have stopped long enough to get a mile or two in before dinner. Right now I am not convinced though.
Tomorrow the parents fly out here. I know they are going to be grumpy and tired when they get here, so we intend on taking them for breakfast as soon as we get them into town. They should arrive on Wednesday morning for us before going to Paihia in the evening. I've now got to find a car to hire to get them all here, or else they have a long bus journey and I will have sore ears.
No more rugby games now until Saturday so will have to content ourselves by watching them on TV for the rest of the week.
Hope all is well in Blighty!
Tui and Kiwi
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