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/

Waihi Beach - RWC 2011

Marvellous to see Waihi Beach featuring on TV 1 last night as part of the hosting of the Welsh supporters in NZ while the Rugby World Cup is on. John and Kay Morgan - well done for putting up your fantastic property on the beach - lets hope we see plenty of the Welsh supporters in and around the village and any other countries supporters as well.

Great also to see some retailers getting into the spirit with their flags - it really adds to the feeling that we have a world cup happening right throughout the country not just in the big cities.

For more info on accommodation for RWC 2011 - http://www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/

Cone watch update

After 3 or 4 days of really strong and persistent winds coming from the west the cones in the island view norfolk pines are still intact although the cone part way up has moved considerably around the tree.

For more information on Waihi Beach http://www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/

RWC 2011 Opening

Images from the opening ceremony for the RWC 2011 amd the opening game AB's v Tonga

Awesome opening ceremony and a game of two halves with great atmosphere.

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

RWC 2011

Off to the opening game of the RWC 2011 and really excited. This is my 3rd World Cup as I have been to the first one and the one in 2007 in France and Wales.

Was in Auckland yesterday for a meeting down in and around the Wynyard quarter down at the waterfront - it was buzzing and you could see things were starting to happen.

Looking forward to a great night

Go the AB's

For more on the RWC 2011 http://www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/

Sunshine coast critters and Waihi Beach

Just back from 10 days on the Sunshine coast - great place to relax with some sun on your back. 22 /23 degree days and plenty of swimming - not in the ocean but in a semi heated pool - great all the same.

Running round while we were there were several critters we don't have here at Waihi Beach - thank heavens for that - a blue tongue lizzard and this was a small one. On previous visits we had seen much larger jurassic park like creatures and we kept right way from them - we were told they were harmless but we were totally unfamiliar with them and at first sight they looked a tad prehistoric

What many visitors to NZ and in turn Waihi Beach do not understand is we don't have anything in the wild that is likely to kill you - quite different from Oz where they have snakes and crocs to name a couple