Auckland - New Years Eve
Trip Start
Aug 16, 2003
1
44
92
Trip End
Apr 21, 2004
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Auckland, New Zealand
Thursday, January 1, 2004
Luckily we weren't refused entry and made a bee-line for the bar. Drinks safely in hand we started off the evening in the foyer area of the huge complex where there were plenty of costumed performers dancing, juggling and generally entertaining the crowds. An aerial show followed, in which the artists balanced on high wires and performed various acrobatic feats.
A few vodka and tonics later (Dan was of course drinking beer), we decided to move through into the casino which although huge, was very busy. We found a spot by one of the bars where there was a live band and a few couples showing off their jiving and cha cha cha-ing skills. Unfortunately, Dan couldn't be persuaded to take to the floor, and somehow didn't seem overly enthusiastic when I mentioned enrolling us on to a Latin American dance class upon returning home!
An hour or so later we wandered back into the foyer area, which was by this time buzzing with people, and we made our way back to the original bar. Another band, comprising a male and female singer, were now in full flow and had the crowd rocking and the dance floor heaving. At this stage we decided not to move on to the Loaded Hog as originally planned - this was turning out to be a good night and the price was right too!
Frightened we might miss out on something back in the casino we wandered through just in time to catch another excellent band and some brilliant performers on the main stage. Comedians, singers and dancers followed in quick succession. Dan particularly enjoyed the exploits of the female dancers who's clothing budget seemed to fall somewhat short of the mark. I was happy to admire the talents of the Aussie male tap dancers (that sounds a bit dodgy, but I can assure you they were all butch young men) as well as the 'Chicago Police' strippers who gave an arresting performance! (Sorry I know that's lame, but I couldn't resist)
After a big countdown to the New Year, led by the compere, the whole building erupted with the sounds of hooters and party poppers at the stroke of midnight. Streamers littered the whole building and Dan and I were amused when an army of cleaners immediatley trooped in to try and clear up all the mess - we couldn't understand why they couldn't wait a couple of hours - they had no hope!
After enjoying a few more drinks at a couple of the bars, we headed back to the hostel. Dan would have been happy to carry on (surprise, surprise) but the double vodkas had taken their toll on me and I'd reached saturation point!
Happy New Year everyone!
Andrea and Dan
