Saturday, August 16th 2003 – Day 179
Well I did have any major hangover. I was up at 8.30am but as I did not want to anything special this morning, went back to bed until 10.30am. I got breakfast and bought the weekend papers. I headed towards the wespac stadium which is about 20 minutes walk from the centre (past the railway stadium), This stadium is only a year or two old and is ultra modern. I stopped in a pub close to the ground to sample the atmosphere. It was lacklustre and there no was sign on the city streets that a big match was about to take place. Most talk was about the New Zealand V Australia tonight.
The gates were open at 12.00 but I entered at 1.30pm. There is a barcode on your ticket which you use you enter. No need for people and receipts. Very good. You get a aisle, row and seat number. Its so easy to find your seat without hassle and so many facilities from toilets to beer. Indeed some people are buying a few bottles of Tui ale for the match.
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Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wellington – New Zealand – on the way to Rugby (16-08-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wellington – New Zealand – Rugby (16-08-2003)
I enjoyed the match. It was close near the end. Southland went 1 point ahead with seven minutes to go. Wellington then scored a try and converted.
After the match we were asked to stay around so that a crew could record sounds for the 3rd Lord of the rings film. They asked us to chant six different things from roars to particular words. It was good and I hope they make it to film and in turn I become a small part of film history.
After that I booked my ferry ticket to Picton and the South Island. I did in online with Inter Island Line ferries. I have been checking this site since I arrived in Wellington. Last Friday was a fare free day and I could have the taken the trip FREE of charge but I wanted to go to the match today. I paid 40 NZD online and as it a paperless transaction, I got a booking number. Very easy and quick.
I usually eat in the Reading Centre Food court. I have not ate any western food since I arrived as I prefer the Asian (Thai, Malay, Chinese) food. Most plates are under 10 NZD ad one has self service. Its a dangerous move when backpackers are about. You can buy three empty sized plates. I usually go medium for 9 NZD. After that I stack food up until its about to topple (usually twice the amount of others). Ah hell, all is fair in love, food and war.
After that I visited Saint Mary of the Angels Catholic Church. I met a teacher from a Catholic School a few days ago and he told me to call in (because he said it was the nicest church in Wellington). The guys grandparents were born inn Ireland before they came to new Zealand. I called in. Nice church and nothing special. There were confessions on and as I have not been for a year, decided to do mine. It was very different from Ireland . More of an informal chat. The priest had studied with three Irish Deacons and we spoke of Ireland and new Zealand for about 5-10 minutes. He had been baptized by a priest called O’ Reagn. Anyway it was very different as you sit down in comfortable seats and and in a bright room with glass windows do people can look in. Its a far better system than the dark confessional boxes in Ireland where its all whispers and darkness with grilled windows and squinting eyes.
I went out for a few drinks (more than a few) at 7.30pm as the match was starting. The sports bar was packed and rowdy. Lots of booze and Australia bashing but all in good atmosphere and fun. It was a close match and all enjoyed it. There were great celebrations at the end. It was as if they won the World Cup. It ended 21-17.
After that I head down down for a few drinks .. I think Coyote bar. I did not stay long. I had one more in Molly Malones and was in bed by 12.00 midnight.