Bathurst V8's - Waihi Beach

Great to see support for the famous race this weekend is alive and kicking here at Waihi Beach.

Our neighbour is a petrol head and obviously supports both camps - me I am Ford through and through.

RWC 2011 - rugby followers from around the world come to Waihi Beach

              Image Mike Hill photography

It is really pleasing to see so many rugby mad overseas visitors who have found their way to Waihi Beach on their way around New Zealand. Most visitors are one team or others supporters but there are some who have been to pool games of other teams just to get the atmosphere and vibe of RWC 2011.

What has been great to hear is the compliments about New Zealaners and about all the towns they have visited - comments like how friendly kiwis are and each town really gets into the spirit of the RWC - does not matter where you go.

To date at Waihi Beach lodge we have had French, Irish, English, Australian and South African supporters and most have also spent time in and around Waihi, Waihi Beach, the Karangahake gorge and up the Coromandel on a day trips. On the rainy Monday recently we had one couple who went to Waitomo and thoroughly enjoyed themselves doing the spellbound tour of Waitomo caves.Even though the weather was not so flash earlier in the week  everyone checked out our beach and thought we were so lucky to be living here - we agreed.

One comment from many of the english was that our spring weather was better than the summers they have been getting over the last few years although whilst they have been over here they have had balmy 29 degrees in London.

To find Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/map.html

Rugby Fans and RWC 2011

We can learn a lot about how to be a fan from the French & the Irish.

This guy was passionate about his team even when they were not on the winning side of the score line during the game.

We have had French and Irish guests fo far - all very enthusiastic and passionate about their team. Their countries fans have contributed majorly to the great atmospheres at Eden Park and various venues. Take a look at the enthusiasm and passion that the Argentinians have for their team and you will see how we can learn to be great fans win, loose or draw and still have a beer or two after with the opposing fans.

To find out more about RWC 2011 accommodation at Waihi Beach Lodge http://www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/

All Blacks v France Eden Park RWC 2011

Scenes prematch at the All Blacks V France RWC 2011 match at Eden Park - the French really know how to get along and support their team. The costumes and the nationalistic pride was there for all to see - not sure where mickey mouse and superman fit in but hey they were happy

The atmosphere at the ground was special - you could feel the support from both the French and New Zealand supporters for their teams.

For more info on accommodation for RWC 2011 at Waihi Beach Lodge http://www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/
                                      

Waihi Beach

              Orakawa Bay

Great to see a fabulous shot of Waihi Beach in issue 36 page 14 of the Arrivals magazine - the guide to New Zealand. The image shows off Waihi Beach perfectly as a family relaxes on the beach while a youngster has a swing on a rope hung from a tree.

For more images of Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/photos.html

Waihi Beach & Honeymoons

                    

Image Mike Hill Photography

In the last few weeks we had more honeymooners - this time Indians from the UK - a match of London & Birmingham stoping off in NZ on their way to Bora Bora.The bride new nothing of where they were going on their honeymoon until the night before they left as it was a surprise and NZ was on their bucket list.

Not sure what it is about Waihi Beach but it must be a combination of the magical beach and the surrounding reas where there is plenty to see and do.These guys just loved the peacefulness of Waihi Beach and the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore

They also did a day trip up the Coromandel  - up to Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove as well as looking at Whitianga, Onemana and Whangamata - the Hot Water Beach opportunity was from 6.30am - 10.30am so they left here at 7am to be there by 9and were amazed at what they experienced.

For more information on honeymoons at Waihi Beach check out www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/specials.html

Great Sporting weekend for New Zealand

I minutes silence pre game for the Christchurch earthquake and the Tsunami in Japan

It has been a great sporting weekend in NZ. The All blacks beat Japan, The Warriors beat The Tigers and Ireland beat the Wallabies  and Marina Erakovich is in her first tennis singles final on a global stage- what more could you ask for????

Both the RWC 2011 and the NRL finals make compelling watching with NZ teams doing well up to this stage.Fingers crossed for the Warriors against the Storm next week and the AB's as they progress forward through pool games - especially against France.

We have been to 2 RWC matches to date and the atmosphere has been amazing - everyone wearing some form of gear to show who they are supporting. Also interesting is the number of kids at each game considering there are no kids priced tickets and also fans from other countries/teams who want to watch the All Blacks play even if their own team is not playing.

For more info on RWC accommodation here at Waihi Beach - http://www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/