NZ life has cranked itself up a few notches in the past few weeks with the start of the Rugby World Cup and the influx of more than 100,000 tourists.  Every major town (and keep in mind, in a country of 4M people 'major' means more than 75,000) stadiums have been refurbished and central districts have built common viewing areas with alluring names like 'fan zone' and 'party central'.  Different cities around the country and different neighborhoods around Auckland have been assigned second teams to host and thus have decorated their streets with the colors of the assigned nation, and hosted festivals and parades celebrating the countries culture.  Takapuna (Nicky's town) is hosting France so we've enjoyed the influx of French food and seeing the French rugby team strolling the streets black and blue from previous games. 

Last week Brendon (Nicky's brother) was completing a Rescue Diver training course in the Northland region near the Bay of Islands, 4 hours drive from Auckland.  With nothing else on our plates Nicky and I decided to join him for a change of secenery and a few days to explore the rugged coasts of the North.  It was nice to get out of the city for a bit and take in some of the scenery NZ is famous for.


Entrance to Maori beachland

End of Oki Bay walk -- nice reward

Napping at Matauri Bay beach

Driving along the beautiful coastline

Lunch in Russel

As soon as we were back in Auckland Nicky and I headed 4 hours southwest to spend the weekend in New Plymouth for the opening US rugby game against Ireland.  This turned out to be yet another STUNNING drive along the jagged green hills (dotted with white sheep) that NZ is famous for.  It's amazing some of the coastal views livestock has in this country.  It was a lovely drive through the countryside despite passing dozens of caravans of Irish supporters. 

Hard to make out but you can faintly see Mt. Taranaki just to the left of the house.  And yes, this is all open ocean to the right.  Nice view little bow peep

A clearer view of Taranaki

In New Plymouth we spent our first night in the last room available on the outskirts of town and walked through the 'fanzone' to watch the matches on the big screen.  The next day we headed to the local tourist site to inquire about any openings in housing so that we could avoid driving back to Auckland after the game that night.  The woman behind the counter mentioned that all the hostels and hotels were full but said she would contact her 'walking buddy'.  Next thing we knew Nicky and I were spending the night with a retired couple outside of town in their spare bedroom -- gotta love Kiwi hospitality.  After 'checking in' to our accomodation we headed into the central city for a performance from the Marine Corps band to celebrate the opening game of the US Rugby Eagles and to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary.  I was expecting patriotic songs with a marching band feel but instead the crowd spent the morning rocking to covers of Earth, Wind and Fire, James Brown and Reel Big Fish.  It was unexpected from a group of Marines but was a lot of fun and a good way to convert some kiwis to the US side in the 25th hour.

The boys in blue

 Mr. Ambassador

That night we made the exodus to the stadium and took our seats (I use that term facetiously as we purchased standing tickets on the end zone lawn).  Despite the inclement weather it was a pretty awesome experience.  New Plymouth is a small community so it was great watching a World Cup level match in a stadium of only 20,000 people.  And best of all, with all the Irish supporters coming in from the homeland, most of the kiwis were supporting the US!  Our standing neighbors even had a US flag to cheer on the boys.  Well, Ireland is ranked 5th or 6th in the international rubgy system whereas the US barely made the tournament so losing was to be expected but it was a fun atmosphere and we put up a good fight. 

We're back in Auckland now and still living all rugby all the time.  This weekend we went to the suburb that is hosting the US for a US parade and festival and this weekend the US take on the mighty Aussies so hopefully we will head into town where the overwhelming majority of kiwis will certainly be supporting the US.