Life in Hawke's Bay - A Comfortable Fit

We've been doing our best to blend with the locals. Our days have been a mix of poking around the local areas and hanging about the bach relaxing.

I have continued to spend time with the Napier Boys' High School rugby program and I enjoyed their homes games Saturday. School spirit was more than evident and testosterone levels were overflowing! The NBHS U15 and 2nd XV teams ushered the 1st XV onto the field with a haka to rouse the warriors. Hastings and NBHS 1st XVs squared off at centre field and challenged each other with their hakas. It was a showdown that ended up with both teams chest-to-chest chanting in each other faces. I've never seen anything like it and it sure set the tone for the game that followed. In the end, NBHS bettered their opponents and made it a clean sweep for NBHS's teams that day. I felt very honoured when the 2nd XV coaches, Billy and Russell, presented me with an NBHS Super 8 jersey and supporter t-shirt, and I will wear them with pride.

History Preserved

'Creations' Covers All The Bases!

Norma and I took a sightseeing drive south Friday through Otane, Waipawa, Waipukurau and Porangahau. The latter was our primary destination as it is home to the world's longest place name:

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokai-whenuakitanatahu

It means 'The hilltop where Tamatea, with big knees, conquerer of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his kaouau (flute) to his beloved.'

Imagine our surprise when we arrived to find the famous sign gone and an excavator

At Least The Hill Is Still There!

surrounded by slash piles, downed trees and stumps in its place! I even came back a few hours later hoping to find the sign behind one of the slash piles...well, it was a nice drive...again.

Porangahau Countryside

The entire area was beautiful, filled with small hidden valleys and surrounded with low rolling hills. We stopped for a late lunch at Te Paerahi Beach and had it to ourselves. It stretches 8km and is a popular spot in the summer for holiday home owners and campers.

Te Paerahi Beach

We poked around the shops in each town and I finally purchased my All Blacks jersey. I had long promised that I would only buy an AB jersey in NZ and I was thrilled to find it on sale in Waipukurau, a town with a population of approx. 4500. The shop owner and I had a good chat about the ABs, and he enjoyed the thought of a Canadian cheering for the home team!

All Blacks' Jersey - The Real Deal!

I also promised that when I finally bought an AB jersey, I would have my photo taken with it outside the shop. Norma succumbed to my pleas and indulged my weirdness!

I wore my new AB jersey to watch the second test against the French last night (June 20). Some of the NBHS supporters invited me to join them for a "boys' night out" but I guess they forgot where they told me to meet them! No worries, tho'; I ended up meeting some local fellows and watching the game with them over a few Tui's. We had a good time chatting with each other, sharing lots of laughs and shooting a few games of pool. Cheers to Brent, Spencer and Dennis, all good blokes who originally hailed from Otane! Our paths may cross again at RWC in 2011!

I had an 'it's a small world' moment earlier in the week when we strolled the shops in Taradale, a community near Napier. I don't know why but I had to check out the smaller of two butcher shops. I was wearing my Ebb Tide ballcap and hoody, and the butcher asked if I played "footie". I answered that I did and told him where we're from. Imagine my surprise when he told me that he played a season for the Prince George Gnats in the mid-90's! His name is Chris Stringer and his shop is BC Meats (BC = best cuts, not our prov.) 313 Gloucester St Taradale, NZ.

Chef Shane's Lamb Shanks & Veg

We thoroughly enjoyed the lamb shanks and cajun chicken pieces that we bought from him.

Fruits of the Vine from Church Road Winery

We visited Church Road Winery while we were in Taradale and had a private tour with a brilliant tasting of eight wines afterwards. We left with three bottles of absolutely stunning wine that cost almost $100NZ yet a real bargain once we factored in the exchange rate! We tasted a fantastic 2006 reserve merlot-cab that was sold out but the staff went out of their way and pulled a bottle out of their restaurant's cellar for us. Another good day in NZ!

We have really enjoyed Hawke's Bay. Everyone is friendly and we have had some great chats with people that we've met along the way. Everyone we've met has been keenly interested in Canada and to hear what we think about their region and NZ. They all beam with pride when we tell them that we would very happy to live here. We have found it very easy to blend with the locals and that says it all!

PS. The ABs won 14 - 11 and NZ sighed a huge breath of relief! I know wearing my new jersey helped the cause!

written by

Shane & Norma on June 20, 2009 from Bay View, New Zealand

from the travel blog: "Not Just Another Rugby Tour" - New Zealand, Samoa and Australia

Send a Compliment

Hi Shane,
Got your blog from Shinie. What a wonderful trip you are having. Haven't read it all but I found the part about the Muldrews very interesting. When I mentioned it to Mom she was quite excited to hear about it. It seems like a beautiful place and very friendly. You've peeked my interest for a trip!!! I hope the rest of your trip is just as adventurous.
Colleen.

written by

Doogie1 on June 21, 2009

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