Mid-Winter BBQ Breakfast

Since the weather was so beautiful this weekend, a group of us decided to wake up early on Sunday morning and head to Michael Joseph Savage Reserve (a park out near Mission Bay) for a nice BBQ breakfast. This is a beautiful little park overlooking the city and the ocean and was a perfect way to relax and enjoy the weather. The winter here has been pretty rainy but it was sunny and around 60 degrees today (not bad for the middle of winter).

I brought my portable BBQ which has proven to be the perfect thing to bring to NZ. We cooked eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoe, french toast, and had coffee and orange juice while relaxing in the camping chairs and enjoying the beautiful day and good company. I think we were out there for a good 3.5-4 hours and it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

View of Devonport from the park

Paul, Romain, me, Fi, and Michelle relaxing

The best chef in the world

Mmm...tomatoes, sausage, and a mushroom & cheese omelette

French Toast

Chi and Paul making a bacon / french toast sandwich with syrup

Nothing like cooking breakfast with those views of the city and ocean

First course - bacon and toast

Setting up

All Blacks v. Australia

I decided that there is no way that I can be in New Zealand for two years without going to see the famous All Blacks rugby team play. They had a game at Eden Park a couple of weeks ago so I went along with Steve and Deon to go check out what all the fuss is about. We were told how crazy things were supposed to be and I was a little concerned that I would have things thrown all over me or get in a fight or something, but it was quite the opposite really.

I couldn't believe how tame things were. The crowd was not loud at all. Considering that this is New Zealand's most famous sport and that they were playing against one of their biggest rivals in Australia, the stadium didn't even sell out until a couple of days before the game. And the stadium is only at about half capacity anyway as it is undergoing big renovations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup which will be hosted here. I was almost whispering to Steve and Deon during the game and when anyone stood up to cheer, the rest of the fans yelled at them to sit down. The loudspeakers hardly even worked, either. The All-Blacks won in a close game but I was pretty unimpressed with the atmosphere - nothing like a PSU game, that's for sure. Oh well, at least I can tick that off the list and it was cool to see the Haka before the game.

The All-Blacks doing the Haka before the match.

Me and Steve - we invented our own cheer - YEEEs! (in a kiwi accent)

Me and Deon - the only fans cheering

Finally, a real fan

This looks more like the crowd I expected to be surrounded by

Brew on Quay

Recently, a new bar opened up downtown called Brew on Quay. It has quickly become a great hangout with over 100 types of beers and lots of games to play. Here's some pictures of a recent evening after work.

Dominos (me, Alex, James, Michelle, Paula)

Alex building a masterpiece

Michelle ready to destroy the sculpture

James - intensely into the dominos course we made

A hard fought game of Connect Four (the men won every time)

I Luv 'Ye, A'ways H'ave

So while I was back in the U.S. attending two weddings, my good friends Paul and Fi got engaged back in New Zealand on their 5 year anniversary. We had a little engagement party once I returned. I am hoping to make the invite list as I think I would look good in a kilt - we'll see if I make the cut!

Paul and Fiona

Paul, Chi, me, and Paula

Me and Paul

I guess the duct tape didn't hold...

Do you remember the post I put up about going to Great Barrier Island on Great Barrier Airlines? If you recall, there was a lot of duct tape inside those tiny planes. I guess it did not hold in this case (see the story below).

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10583122