Bledisloe Cup, Sydney, 2013

August 2013

A post from the first game, as we get ready to watch the kick-off of the second...

Its the classic rugby tournament, the Australian Wallabies vs. the New Zealand All Blacks.

It use to be we were an oddity, the opposing couple, but these days they are everywhere, including a new generation of supporters who wear both teams colours!

 We've been to Bledisloe Cup games in Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane. To be honest Brisbane has the best atmosphere, Auckland is very one sided, and Sydney just isn't what it use to be (low crowds compared to the sold out crowds of the past).

The result was disappointing, again (for me). But as much as I say we won't be back next year, we probably will be.....

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

We had such a good time at the rugby here in 2011 we decided to come back. Instead of rain and the miserable weather we had last year, it was bright, sunny and a balmy 30C (approx. 85F). We also had less time this trip taking a later plane from Sydney and catching an earlier flight back on Sunday due to DH being on the back shift.

Stay
Accommodation can be in peak demand and pricey for these games. So while I paid more than I would have wanted to for a 4 star hotel, I was much happier with this option than where we stayed last year. The room at The Sebel Suites was clean, had a good view and was quiet. My only complaint would be is that you can tell these hotels are old from their bathrooms, which don't seem to get updated as much as the rooms.



Eat
Lunch at AJ Vietnamese Noodle House. We were early at noon, but by time we left the small cafe was bustling.

We tried to find a better spot for breakfast, but due to time restrictions once again found ourselves at Spoon Expresso Deli. Give it a miss, the service is poor and the food is average, particularly for the price your paying.



Do
Catch a game at Suncrop Stadium, I still think it's the best venue to watch a rugby game

Have a drink and take a walk along Southbank

2011 Travel's in review

What a year 2011 has been. The places have quickly mounted up.

January 2011
Saw us start the year in the South Island of New Zealand. Christchurch, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Wanaka

February 2011

Once again in Auckland, we spent our 4th year wedding anniversary at Waiheke Island

April 2011
Bay of Fires walk in Tasmania, with a day either side in Launceston

May 2011
Back to finish part of a trip we couldn't complete in 2010, White Island, Whakatane, Mt Maunganui and Tauranga

July 2011
Back in Auckland of the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park

August 2011
The second Bledisloe Cup this time in Brisbane.

September 2011
The Rugby World Cup kicked off in Auckland, ad we enjoyed Samoa vs. Fiji

October 2011
Started with a weekend in Lord Howe Island.

Finished with a Rugby World Cup Quarter Final game in Auckland.

December 2011
Watch for a trip report in 2012

Wishing you all a great new year and many more exciting travel in 2012!

Auckland: RWC - QF4 All Blacks vs. Pumas

October 2011

Another rugby weekend in Auckland. This time for the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals. There were 2 games in Auckland and 2 games in Wellington. Due to DH being an All Blacks supporter we went to the Sunday evening game at Eden Park on Super Southern Sunday (both games involved Southern Hemisphere teams).

Friday night started with a stroll up to Parnell for dinner at Non Solo Pizza (NSP). If your looking for good service and good food this is where to go. We ordered a little bit of everything, except for the raw fish (they hadn't made any that night). We were glad to walk (or roll) down the hill home.

Saturday started with a trip on the link bus to the Auckland Museum. We stopped in for breakfast at Domain Ayr, and ended up having breakfast sitting next to Daniel Carter. A short stroll later we found ourselves at the impressive Auckland Museum. The Museum is split into 3 levels, the first based on Pacific and Maori NZ, the second Natural History and the third covering war. We spent 2 hours and really only got through 1.5 of it. We then walked back into town, stopping at Japan Deli for lunch and then shopping in Queen Street. That night we enjoyed the north hemisphere teams Quarter Finals on the big screen in the Queen Street Fan Zone (Wales and France made it through to the next round).

Sunday started with breakfast at Melba's on high street. We then made our way over to the Town Hall where they have the Union photograph exhibition. After a quick late lunch at Siagonz, we headed off down to the harbour to have a quick walk around (and run into a couple of French rugby players) before taking the fan trail to Eden Park.

It's rare for there to be a night of test rugby and both DH and I to be happy, because both our teams won, but the Wallabies just prevailed against the reigning champions and the All Blacks sent Argentina home.

Do

Auckland Museum - especially the Pacific section

Union photography exhibition at the Town Hall

Queen's Wharf Fan zone

Check out my other blog posts on Auckland here for more to do

Eat

Non Solo Pizza Parnell

Domain and Ayr for Breakfast or lunch before visiting the museum

JapaDeli

Cafe Melba

Siagonz

Auckland: RWC - Samoa vs. Fiji Weekend

September 2011

So since I've been working in Auckland it would have been a shame to miss the RWC, especially the clash of the Pacific nations. And what a rugby week it turned out.

We spent the Friday night in the Sport bar in the Casino. DH the forever All Blacks supporter thought he had died and gone to heaven, drinking his favourite kiwi beer (Steinlarger) out of an All Blacks cup, while watching a rugby match (Wallabies vs. USA). It was a good night, with quite a few Americans and Canadians out in force.

The next day we spent down at the Viaduct at the French festival, and checking out the black and white All Blacks photos in the . That afternoon we headed down to the Fans Zone on Queens Wharf early to catch the England Vs. Romania game and then the All Blacks vs. France game. For all the fuss in the media about out of control All Blacks fans, it was a great environment, where everyone was just there to have a good time and watch some rugby.

Sunday we work up to rain. This didn't stop us from walking to the game (about 4k), where they had plenty of entertainment, including the Island drums, face painting and free rain coats! The atmosphere at the game was electric, 60,000 people, flags flying, running rugby.

We'll be back for the Quarter Finals, lets see if Auckland can put on that good a show again (without the rain).

Brisbane, Queensland Australia

August 2011

I haven't been to Brisbane for pleasure since I was a kid and DH hasn't been for a number of years either, but it wasn't really a welcoming sunny Brisbane, when we arrived to rain and dark skies. After literally running into Conrad Smith (No for the All Blacks) on our way to the hotel, we checked into the Park on Royal we headed out in the rain to find some lunch at Southbank.

That evening we once again donned out wet weather gear for the walk to the stadium. That's the advantage of Suncorp is that it's easy walking distance from the CBD to the Stadium, and even in the rain all you had to do was follow the black and gold jerseys. It was a great game, a great crowd and it was great running into the Kiwi Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

The next day we caught the City Cat ferry from North Quay up the river. It was a beautiful day to spend on the water and a great way to see the city. Best thing was the ticket for 1.5 hours was under $5

Stay

I wouldn't stay here again but it was a convenient location, Royal on the Park

Eat

We didn't really have any fantastic food this trip

Do

See something at Suncorp Stadium, depending on the time of year you can choose Rugby Union, Rugby League or Soccer

Catch the CityCat up and down the river

Check out South Bank

Do some shopping on Queen Street Mall

Weekend in Auckland: Gearing up for the RWC

August 2011

So to cut down on my Sunday work travel (and really who needs an excuse to stay in Auckland for the rugby?), DH flew over to visit for the weekend. We didn't do a whole lot of touristy things, having done a lot of them before, and our main focus was the All Blacks v. Wallabies game. Some would say we (the Wallabies) got hammered, and yes at one stage I was a bit worried that it would be a one sided game, but I have to say it was enjoyable and the 30 to 14 scoreline wasn't all that bad.

Even though Eden Park wasn't at it's new capacity, it was still packed, and it's a bit different from the games in Sydney, where there's a 50/50 supporter split, I seemed to be the only one cheering when the Wallabies scored. I would question how "world cup" ready Auckland really are in terms of transport. No Kiwi wants to hear, talk to the Aussies about how they do it, but really they could learn a thing or two from the SCG and Bruce Stadium (comparing it to Homebush would be unfair, we did build that one fit for purpose). Having said that, I am excited about the 2 games we managed to get tickets to.

To do
Check out my last Auckland post for the basics here
Also check out my Waiheke Island post here

Davonport and North Head

One Tree Hill and Cornwell Park

Eat

Love a Duck - Hong Kong Chinese at it's best

Lord Nelson - love the Caper and Blue Cheese Steak

Shaky Isles - great breakfast and coffee in town

Daikoku Britomart - The best fresh, handmade Ramen I've had

Manuka Cafe Davenport - the ratings online aren't that good, but I would go back, we had the muscle fritters

My flight with celebrity

So, while not what I would usually blog about, it did happen on a flight, which is technically travel so I say it's related!

I'm quite a big rugby fan, supporting both the Brumbies and the Wallabies (while DH being a good South Islander is a Crusaders and All Blacks fan), so I was astounded to find out that one of my usual flights from Sydney to Auckland, also happened to be the flight that the Springbok were on in preparation for the Tri nations kick off this Saturday.

Bryan Habana just so happens to be one of the best players in the world at the moment, and while I didn't get to sit next to him I did happen to get his autograph. The gentleman I had the pleasure of sitting next to was the current Springbok captain John Smit, and while he has a rough reputation on the field, he was a wonderful flying companion (don't know if he felt the same way about me!).

So after all these flights over all these years and I finally get to sit next to a celebrity. If only I could plan a flight so I can sit in between Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw, DH would definitely have to be happy with that.