Trip to Invercargill

Sorry I was involved in a lot of activities and finally sorted myself out and finally i have some time for my blog.
So, as far as I remember, the trip to Invercargill was on the 30th March 2007. Being a mentor to few International students at University of Otago, meant that I could get a free ride to Invercargill for the super-14 Rugby game between Highlanders(Dunedin based team) and Cheetahs(from South Africa). So we hopped on the bus, around 1pm, with the mentor coordinator and the students.

The place we stayed was the Tuatara backpackers. (Tuatara is called as the living dinosaur and it is found in New Zealand)
The kickoff was at 7:35pm. But before that is when the the Highlander man comes with a sword and does this routine of his. Then the teams come out first the Cheetahs in orange and white then the Highlanders in blue and gold. The following is an example of a line-out like the throw-in in soccer, but unlike soccer few players from the two teams line-up in a straight line and the player throwing the ball has to throw it exactly through the middle. Both the teams jump up to catch the ball. One reason you need few tall guys in the team. This was a well rehearsed, perfect line-out from the Highlanders.

The game is 80min long, two sessions of 40min. each. So when you are at the stadium the half time is very exciting. The cameramen focus their lens on couples and the big screen broadcasts them and the crowd encourages them to kiss.Well back to the game the Highlanders won by 21 to 17. We all went back to Tuatara backpackers. Next to it is the Speights Ale House so we got together and had a good time there.

This is Invercargill in the night.

Next morning was wet but beautiful and we all started for Bluff, the southernmost town in the South Island of New Zealand.

The New Zealand Pipe band competition,March 2007, Dunedin

A nice sunny Saturday, the 10th March was mesmerized by the tune of several pipebands from New Zealand and Australia playing and marching down on the main Street, George Street. It was fun to watch and listen to them. Here are a select few.



Balclutha pipeband



Taupo and other Districts Pipeband




St. Andrew's College, Christchurch pipeband



Temuka pipeband



City of Dunedin Pipeband



Champions of Otago pipeband
Hamilton Caledonian pipeband


NZ Police pipeband
City of Wellington pipeband

Dalewool Auckland pipeband

Bagpipe competition in Dunedin

The 17 th February morning opened with the music of pipes playing. The competition happened in the Octagon the 8 sided central city junction. There were different categories of competition with teams marching in, standing in a circular formation and then playing in tune, but I was there just to see whats going on.

Dayout at Carisbrook- House of Pain

This was a lovely day the 24th of February. Perfect conditions for a Good game of rugby.
So went with mates and friends to Carisbrook, the Dunedin stadium also called House of Pain. ElemenoP(NZ) band played before the game started and then the teams arrived and the game began. Thanks Stormers for coming so far from South Africa. The final score 35- 24 to Highlanders.

Travel

After meeting my father, Brother and Appu, my nephew I went to the Mumbai Railway Station. It was great and a bit frightening to see so many people at the same time.

Travel

I traveled from Dunedin to Christchurch on the 12th Dec,06 in Bus and stayed in Christchurch for a day. Boarded Singapore airlines flight from Christchurch to Singapore and then met Mani, my friend there. Went around Singapore and then Again Boarded Singapore airlines flight from Singapore to Mumbai. Met my Father, Brother and appu, my nephew after 15hours of flying.
Then Boarded Train to reach Bhopal on the 15dec 06 at 9:30am.