Waikato
Trip Start
Jun 07, 2005
1
4
27
Trip End
Jun 07, 2006
Hamilton, New Zealand
Saturday, June 11, 2005
The day started early when Joe and myself went to the airport to pick up his friend Niamh at Auckland airport who came up for the match. Whe's working in Christchurch where its -6 degrees. Fantastic!
There didn't seem much point in going to Hamilton direct since the match wasn't for 12 hours so we decided to take in the the wonderful Waikato countryside. I can only describe it as a mix of rural Ireland and Massachusetts with rolling hills and autumn leaves. Ok, ok, the whole place is like Hobbiton! We even went through the home town of Neil and Tim Finn, Te Awamutu. Nothing there really to be honest but Neil Finn is a cast-iron genius in my book so I got a kick out of it.
When we arrived into Hamilton things were starting to simmer nicely. We managed to fluke a space for the car near the stadium in a rugby club where the Barmy Army had set up camp. Obviously the result wasn't what we wanted but the atmosphere in the stadium was mighty, it was great to see the Maoris in action, Carlos Spencer's farewell and at last, a haka. Two of them as it turned out. Its hard to begrudge them the victory dance though.
I don't think Hamilton had ever seen anything like the party after the game. Not that it was mental or anything but everyone seemed so happy whether they be Kiwis or Lions. We were yapping away to people from Palmerston North, Taranaki, Huddersfield, Kenmare, Napier and even Newfoundland! Hell, the barmaid in the Moose got so carried away with the good vibes that she decided a top was surplus to requirements. 'Choice' as they might say in these parts! Can't wait for the next match...
So far I've found that the Kiwis must be one of the friendliest people on earth. They see you wearing the jersey and talk away to you about anything from rugby to the time they spent in London (and they all have at some stage). Guys offer their drinks cabinet to you after the pubs are closed on condition you don't wake they're mother. Folk you've just met give you their numbers and tell you to call around to watch the test games and they mean it! Makes you feel good about life that sort of attitude.
Slan!
Comments
Getting Jealous!
Hey Feargal,
I'm getting jealous already and you're only a few days into it. It's bringing it all back. Just wait til you hit the south island....Queenstown is where it all happens and Wanaka is amazing!
Keep up the good work.
A very depressed, Karen