Rugged Rugby & Wacky Waiheke

21st July 2007
If there is one sports that you have to catch in New Zealand, then it has to be rugby. Rugby Union Tri Nations 2007, it was the finals between the New Zealand's All Blacks and the nemesis, Australia's Wallabies.

Never mind majority of us know nuts about Rugby, it was the face that matters. *Roar!*
After the face, it was time to eat eat eat.
After gulping down a mug of Beer and Bread with sausage at Globe's Bar, it was time to head to Mount Eden Stadium. That was when I tucked in my second meal of ultra oily Fish & Chips and Mochachino awaited for me.
Okay, I admit that the Fish & Chips wasn't too palatable.

Everyone was busy snapping pictures, taking videos and soaking up the enthusiastic atmosphere.
But we soaked up more than just enthusiasm... Yes, the sweh buangz in the NUSsers literally triggered a downpour.
Umbrellas began popping up as the incorrigible Kelvin continues to take photos and videos despite risks of getting his camera wet.
Others resorted to hiding under whatever that seemed remotely waterproof. Nice try, Swee Yong...It wasn't before long that the boisterous crowds started chanting, "Down with Umbrellas!" And so... for much of the game, the NUSsers sat miserably in the freezing rain, shivering their butts off.

The rain eventually stopped and All Blacks won.

I think it really feels good when you belong to a nation that is genuinely excellent in a certain sports.

28th July 2007
Ah... The weekend again and it's time to explore the boring New Zealand again! The destination this time was Waiheke Island.

Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand and is located about 17.7 km (about 35 minutes by ferry) from Auckland. The second-largest (after Great Barrier Island) of all the gulf islands, is also the most populated and the most accessible due to regular ferry and air services. Waiheke is the third most populated island in New Zealand, after the North and South Islands.

It was further than Devonport so we had to donate 28 bucks for the short ferry ride.

Somehow, I'm weirdly reminded of "Welcome to Pulau Tekong" sign.

Sea kayaking in Waiheke Island is one of the main attraction but once again, the sweh buangz in us strikes! Apparently, the kayaking shop was closed in winter.

Agad... So we settled for the next best, biking.

"Stupid Asians"

After a quick hiccup with the gears on one of the bikes, we were peddling happily like retarded kids. Until we met inclined roads...
Which were utterly bike-unfriendly...

So by the time we reach Ostend Market, the stallholders were already packing up.
Thanks to the incredibly slack ang mohs, we were reduced to eating Chinese Takeaways. Once again, you can always depend on the Chinese to be working.

My grotesquely huge Sweet and Sour Fish with Fried Rice

After a heavy lunch, we headed to Onetangi Beach which was immensely nicer than the beach at Mission Bay.

Of course, in such a romantic beach, love blossoms.

And yes, that guy already has a girlfriend in Hong Kong. Heh.

And the rest of us...

Satisfying the thirst of local kiwis, Waiheke Island is one of the numerous places in New Zealand which produces wine.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we had to settle for Cable Bay Vineyards which was closest to the port.
Irritatingly, the $5.00 wine-tasting session was over. And while it was one of the cheapest vineyard (on Waiheke Island) to sample wines, it was rather pricey to drink it from the bar.

But still, I ended up forking out $11.00 for a glass of Pinot Noir.
At first, the waitress was just friendly, recommending to us different wines. After delivering our wines and cheese, she asked us if we would like to "try" their olive oil. And before we knew it, we were served with soft fluffy bread with fragrant Cable Bay Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

*Yummy* Until the bill came...
#@&@!#@!&^*???!!!
18 BUCKS FOR SLICES OF BREAD AND OLIVE OIL?!

Lesson of the Day: Don't agree readily when someone asks, "Would you like to try...?"

Of course, we were even more alarmed when we exited the bar because we were greeted by utter pitch blackness. The roads were not lit and our bikes did not have any lamps in front. And to exacerbate matters, the ferry we wanted to catch was arriving in 15 minutes time.

Thankfully, the skies were pretty clear and the moon became our only source of light. Free wheeling down the slopes, we manage to make it to the ferry in time.

Sore-Butts.