Happy Halloween

Oo, also it is apparently Halloween.  Happy Halloween! 

Now for something completely different

Every morning, when I get up early enough... but not too early, I get to enjoy the company of some brightly colored crossing guards.  The best part is that they generally wear bush hats.  Furthermore, they'll help me cross the road, even when there are no children around.  Considering that I tend to be a poor road crosser, this can be a great help. Usually I'm busy fumbling around in my mind and the blow of the whistle and the brightly colored jacket will get my attention, allowing me to safely cross the road. Another enjoyable sight in the morning is that all of the school children have to dress in purple sport jackets and ties, at least the school children at the school near work.  Even the girls  have to wear ties.  After talking to some Aussies, they may have convinced me that uniforms aren't altogether a silly idea.  Apparently, there are fewer cliques in Aussie schools and bullying is kept to a minimum.  One has to wonder if this corresponds with the lack of individuality, superiority, or inferiority associated with uniforms.  Then again, one also has to wonder if creativity is lowered or raised under such conformity.  On one hand everyone does the same thing, but on the other hand, this may force children to embrace different outlets of creativity.  The great Pink Floyd tells us that conformity at school just adds another brick to the wall, but also informs us that if you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding.  I for one do not have the answer.  All that I can tell you is that I laugh a little when I see the purple people.   

The Giant Squid

Now that I've got your attention with the title, I'll tell you about the south coast of the north island of New Zealand.  Like the rest of New Zealand, it was beautiful.  The west side of the mountains by Wellington was very rainy, therefore it was decided to head to the east side of the mountains (Rimutaka range).  That is one glorious thing about New Zealand.  If it's raining on one side of the mountain, one can drive to the other side and have sunshine.  Typically east-west driving only requires 1-3 hours.     

Essentially, there is no such thing is a bad day.  I can only say that because I don't live there now.  However, trips like this make me want to move back.  The coast contained shear cliffs and beautiful beaches.  Cape Palliser was the destination, mostly because there exists a seal colony at the cape.  However, the lighthouse that overlooks the cape catches the eye when first driving in from the mountains.  My instant reaction, as always is to climb up.  The view from the lighthouse was gorgeous.  It overlooks the entrance to the Cook Strait, which divides the two NZ islands. 

The next stop:  seal paradise.  For some reason, the seals loved Cape Palliser (who can blame them really?).  After bringing a beer, Epic, for enjoyment during the seal watch, it became curious as to whether there were any seals or not.  However, after staring at the rocks, it became obvious that some rocks were, in fact, seals.  These were a very lazy bunch.  Most could be found laying among the rocks.  It is a wonder as to why seals would choose one location over another, but for some reason they chose to establish their colony here.  It is also a wonder as to how they can find rocks comfortable.  Instead of moving to grass, they pick ed the most abrasive and sharp rocks to lay among.  Maybe, they're into that sort of thing.  However, one could fathom a guess that they enjoy the hot sun on the rocks and that the fat, which is plentiful in seals, acts as a nice soft cushion for the sharp hard rocks.    

How much is the fine for streaking?

 Ah back to NZ for the Aus-USA game, or as I like to call it AUSA.  USA fans were out in full force, mostly because they were playing Australia.  Kiwis have a friendly distaste for Australia when it comes to sports.  Therefore, any team playing Australia gets immediate support from the Kiwi folk.  I was bold enough to wear my USA shirt on the plane from Melbourne to Wellington and even made myself some new expat American friends. 

 For some reason (AFL ahem), Melbourne doesn't get into rugby, so I can wear All Blacks gear around or USA gear and no one gets riled up.  In fact, when the Kiwis play Aus in rugby, there are actually more All Blacks fans than there are Wallaby fans.  It actually makes me feel the need to cheer on the Wallabies.  To this regard, one player on the Wallabies has become public enemy #1 for all Kiwis.  He gets booed every time he touches the ball.  I began to feel for this fellow and it was visible how the booing and ridiculing  affected his game. 

His previous battles with the Kiwis have all went well.  Reds beat the Crusaders, Wallabies won the Tri-Nations tournament, but when it came to the RWC, this player, Quade Cooper just started to go flat.  He remains one of my favorite players though.  One of my favorite characteristics of Quade is his hula dance before kicking the ball.  He is of Maori descent, so the dance may actually be meaningful. However, many of the kickers have little dances they do before kicking.  Johnny Wilkinson of England clasps his hands and dances like he has to pee.  This dance won England the RWC in 2003.  Whatever works, I say!  One of the highlights of AUSA was a streaker.  For some reason I am very amused by streakers.  Some people find it to be a sign of exhibitionism, but I consider it a sign of humor, especially when the score starts getting lopsided, as it did during AUSA.  Proudly the USA did stay in the game for the first 20-30 min, but then Aus skill took center stage. 

Back in Black

I couldn't leave the RWC without first seeing the All Blacks play. However, I was in the wrong city, didn't have a ticket, and didn't have a place to stay.  NZ had the Brave Blossoms to play and I didn't want to miss seeing a bold blossom.  The atmosphere was amazing, upon arriving in the city, Hamilton.  This is the first time I've seen rowdy Kiwis.  Knowing that it would be a challenge to find lodging, I decided to head back to my old friends at the haunted house a.k.a. the not so nice hotel I stayed at on my first night.  I hoped to pick a nice room, but was brought to my usual, for double the price... a discount since I had stayed there before ;) 

It was worth it.  I was 2/3 of the way to attending an All Blacks game.  I started to wander around the city and tried to think of the places where people may be scalping tickets.  I was looking for trouble and Dave was its middle name.  After passing through some alleyways and pubs, I decided to head straight to the stadium.  That's where I have always seen scalpers in the past.  Unfortunately, the game was starting for many hours, so I had my qualms about walking all of the way to the stadium when I could be drinking beer. 

Once I arrived at the stadium, I found a nice shady looking Eastern European.  Perfect.  I thought I'd get him to drop the price by going to the ticket window and by wandering for a bit.  I returned and gave my offer.  I brought out my wallet and realized I don't have my offer in dollars.  Perfect grifting on my part.  I got a ticket for a "great" price, cheaper than the face value.  I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the game.  I was in the first row.  I even had to throw the balls back at the rugby players when they missed passes.  Win!

On a more somber note, there was a moment of silence at the beginning of the game to remember those who lost their lives and loved ones in the earthquake stricken nations.  Prime ministers from both countries were there.  Disasters generally bring people closer together, and I think this was true for the city of Christchurch.  The earthquakes were an experience that I'll never forget. 

Wale of a tale

Russia!  I returned from Mt Taranaki.  Upon my return I met a extremely talkative Welshman at the Backpackers.  Him and his wife moved from Wales to northern Ontario Canada to the north of the north island in New Zealand.  He took up jobs in impoverished areas.  He mentioned that the northern western tip of the island was about 70% Maori with about a 70% unemployment rate.  There used to be mining jobs in the area, but now there is no industry.  It is often sad to see blue collar areas after industry has left.  It makes me feel lucky to be in my current situation.   

The Welshman gave me a history lesson on how Canada began, a topic that, apparently, many Canadians do not know.  They are apparently British loyalists that wanted to stay under rule of the monarchy after the U.S. independence.  Anyhow, we also discussed more important topics, like rugby technique.  I was taught the torpedo kick.  The Welshman and his wife were also heading to the game and wanted to support the U.S., which I was happy with.  It's hard to get much U.S. support these days.   

I headed out a little early to grab a U.S. shirt and to do a little "tailgating."  The game was great.  It was very close... a little too close in the end.  I enjoyed some Heinekens (proud sponsor of RWC 2011) at the game.  They kept me warm at half time when there was a complete downpour.  You may notice the wet jeans hanging from the drying rack at the Backpackers.  I'd highly recommend this Backpackers.  I had a wonderful stay.  Best of all, there was no phone reception.   

From Russia with love

I chose to visit Ergmont NP upon my return to Taranaki. It was another cloudy day. The drive to the DOC station was amazing. The drive consisted if a tunnel of rain forest trees. I started a climb up the mountain to stretch out the old legs. On my way I passed people who were wearing shorts and a t-shirt. This was humerus because I had all of my mountaineering gear on.  

The trail began to turn to snow and ice. I saw one other pair of footprints in the snow. These climbed up to the last hut before the summit. I carried on. Snow conditions were actually very good for climbing. Unfortunately, the visibility was not ideal for climbing. After weighing the options and checking the time, I chose to head back down. I couldn't assess avalanche danger, but more importantly I wouldn't make the rugby game in time, if I continued up. I decided to take a different trail down. This one ventured into the rain forrest.   

It started to downpour.  It was beautiful though, extending in and out of steep ravines. Upon returning to the DOC station, the barista took one look at me and said I bet you could use something hot.  One of the best tasting cups of coffee. I headed back to the hostel where I met some Welch... But I'll save that story for another time.

Mordor

After Taupo, I visited Tongariro National Park.  This is the area where they apparently filmed Mordor for Lord of the Rings.  The area has some nice volcanoes.  Unfortunately, they were mostly shrouded by clouds.  This particular day was the clearest of all of the days.  I can say that it did rain every single day during this trip.  Anyhow, with the ski runs closed and no one on the mountains/volcanoes, I figured it would be a bad idea to try to do any climbing.  However, I did enjoy the scenery. 

I was later told by a fellow that the track up the one volcano is amazing and that I should definitely do it... in summer.  There was a lovely chateau associated with the ski resort... for those who want to rough it.  I asked at the DOC (Department of Conservation) station whether or not there would be a chance for the weather to get better.  Rain was in the forecast for every single day. 

The US-Russia game was on the following day, so I decided that I would head back to the New Plymouth area (where the game was being played).  I chose to drive back through the green hills.  There are alternative, straight, routes to get to New Plymouth, but I have to admit that I greatly enjoy the winding mountainous roads.  I imagine that it would be great to live out in this area.  However, one would have to be fairly self-sufficient.  I wonder if the farms of New Zealand are owned by massive corporations or if local small farming is still profitable in a place like New Zealand.  

Thermal Wonderland

Visiting Taupo was pleasent. I played the roll of a standard tourist. I stayed the evening at a holiday park that had a hot spring. I had it all to myself. I enjoyed a nice beer and read a paper for work. The pay I didn't enjoy was getting out. It was cold and rainy and I didn't have a towel.

I made my way to another thermal site on the following day. This place consisted of a giant pool, the champagne pool. Extremely hot water flows into the pool. The water then flows down, what I like to call a river. The river had very shallow water and a weird consistency.

This place was fun to visit. There were numerous nationalities. Everyone had on their rugby support gear. I wonder if people just wore the same shirts everywhere they went throughout the World Cup. Maybe I was the only one. I did notice that people tried to stay clear of me. I dose this can be attested to my smell.

I know I've mentioned the story multiple times, but the best part was that everyone kept putting their fingers into the boiling water to see if it was hot. The first guy did it and said, "wow, that is hot." I laughed out loud. I saw this happen two other times and heard the same thing in other languages.  Maybe they should give out burn kits when returning from the tour of the thermal area.