THE FINAL INSTALLMENT
2011 Rugby World Cup Trip
Thursday September 8th thru Monday September 26th, 2011
DRIVING MILEAGE – 1659 miles or 2670 kilometres
FLIGHT MILEAGE – 4240 miles or 6824 kilometres
TOTAL TRIP MILEAGE – 5899 miles or 9494 kilometres
I think it was back in April, when I was on the phone with a good mate of mine, Ross Sowerby, about heading over to Japan, with the Alice Springs Dingoes, for the 19th Annual World Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in Fukuoka.
As conversations go, Roscoe asked what I was doing later in the year, around September, in particular.
"No a lot" I answered.
Those three words, ignited a chain of events that has produced some wonderful lifetime memories, brilliant experiences and a couple of new mates for life.
9 of us spent the best part of 3 weeks, in 3 motorhomes, attending 5 Rugby World Cup matches at grounds all over the North Island of New Zealand.
This is my second visit to the Shaky Isles, which has always fascinated me as a kid. This time I was with a couple of locals – Muggsy, Marie & Roscoe who gave a different prospective of travelling round, especially when visiting their old stomping grounds.
Aside from the aforementioned Muggsy, Marie & Roscoe, I knew some of the rest of the trip participants Dody, Nev and Chuck. New to me were Vicki & Peter Mac, but it didn’t take long to say G’day and get along like a house on fire.
Highlights for me was seeing and photographing some of the most spectacular countryside in the world, meeting the just retired New Zealand woman’s cricket captain, spending time at the various local hosting rugby clubs. I was also fortunate enough to catch up with some the Crimson Lions crew, who I played rugby when I lived in Boise.
What really stood out, was how much of the locals had got into the fun and spirit of the World Cup. Everywhere we went, people in the street would ask where we’re from, how we’re doing, do we need any info on things to do and see. It was a real credit to the nation as a whole.
The only negative I had for the entire trip, was the crowd booing Quade Cooper every time he touched the ball, no matter the venue or match. It’s not Quade’s fault he was born in New Zealand and plays for Australia.
All in all, it was a brilliant trip and thoroughly recommend New Zealand to anyone as a must do destination.
Special thanks to the rest of the travel party for making the entire trip a truly wonderful experience. 