So, we arrived in Paihia, dumped our stuff at the motel and took off for nine holes at Waitangi. I last played golf about fifteen years ago so needless to say I was a little apprehensive about slinging the old irons around. And yes, my fears were proven correct ... a more shambolic and inconsistent round you'll hardly be likely to see. When the ball got off ground and flew in a straight line towards the green, it was sheer magic. When it didn't ... well, let's just say that by the eighth hole, the toys were just about to vacate the pram.
After that throrough leg-stretching, we repaired to the town centre and proceeded to leer up in true last-weekend-of-freedom fashion. Byron was forced to wear a pink nylon shellsuit for the evening (although not that much actual coercion was necessary ... hmmm) and we wound up at a backpackers bar which was conveniently running a karaoke night. Several rounds of beer later, the groom-to-be entertained us with his inimitable vocal stylings ("I Will Survive" will never sound the same again). Another of our number, Brent, then wowed the masses with his rendition of Eminem's "Without Me". The lad then went on to win the whole damn competition and us a fifty dollar bar tab ... somehow the order for fourteen shots of tequila became forty shots of tequila which was promptly deposited in various men's room receptacles by certain members of the group (your's truly excepted, thankfully). The evening was rounded off with a quick visit to a ropey nightclub (yes Mr DJ, you can successfully mix Metallica with hard house!) before we all called it a night.
Day two commenced with various hangover remedies before setting out into the Bay itself for a day's fishing. I managed to catch a few rubbish fish (and foul-hooked them to boot - the shame) and the rest of the gang's tally wasn't much better. Still, a day in the sun and shooting the breeze in beautifully still conditions is nothing to complain about. Following fish and chips for dinner, the New Zealand v. South Africa cricket match was watched - we watched the Black Caps getting slaughtered by the Saffers but awoke the following morning to the news that by some freakish miracle, our guys had won. Wonders will never cease.
Our last day saw a bit of culture injected into the proceedings - we returned to Waitangi and took a tour of the Treaty House and grounds, where New Zealand offically began all those years ago. A very interesting experience and one that provided some food for thought for the English guys in the party. After that, it was a leisurely drive back to Auckland, dinner with ex-London flattie Jason and then the flight back to Wellington. Phew!
Right, now I'm off to Auckland again ... this time for the wedding proper! By gum, this jet-setting lifestyle leaves a boy exhausted. But in the best possible way, of course.
‹ 20.2.03
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