This years Rugby World Cup is going to be the games grandest event of 2011 in New Zealand. In a tough competition against South Africa and Japan, New Zealand was chosen as the country to host this years much-awaited event. The event is expected to raise at least NZ$280 million in sales of tickets, while the event itself costs NZ$310 million! In New Zealand, the 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the largest sports-related event since it hosted the commonwealth games in 1990, with about 70,000 foreign visitors expected to visit and watch the much-awaited tournament. If you want to know the Rugby World Cup 2011 dates, continue reading along for a brief rundown of everything that revolves around this years rugby tournament!

The Rugby World Cup will be sprawled along seven weekends. The Rugby World Cup games will commence on September 10 and will host games through out New Zealand, culminating to the bronze playoffs starting October 21, 2011. The finals are will be held on a long weekend, allowing people free time away from schooling and jobs to watch the event. Finals fall on a Sunday, October 23, 2011 and are scheduled to be played in the city of Auckland, at the lush greenery of Eden Park. The Rugby World Cup 2011 dates are final, and it is highly advised that you remember them so you can follow the events head on.

List down the Rugby World Cup 2011 dates, ready your placards, your body paint, and your snacks for you're about to have the time of your life! If you're coming from another country or city, however, you need to know that there are 70,000 foreign visitors entering New Zealand to witness the rugby event. What this means is that thousands and thousands of people will be clamoring for a place to stay in, and accommodations will be extremely tough to find. A legion of people will scurry over to Auckland to witness the final, so you have to be prepared! If you're looking for a Rugby World Cup accommodation in Auckland, you have to be quick, lest you miss a place to stay in!

As of the 19^th of February, 2008, the country of New Zealand has received an A+ rate form the International Rugby Boards chairman and executive chief, just for their progress in implementing and preparing for the said event. With 20 teams to watch, this is bound to cause extreme excitement! Jot down the Rugby World Cup 2011 dates and prepare for the event today!

The Rugby World Cup 2011 Dates by Pool Click Here

 

I had the priviledge to try out diving in Paihia on my Holiday, and I would like to recommend it to everyone out there. On Jan, 3rd 2011 my day started early, my dad (who was over from Germany on a holiday) and my husband caught the 7am Ferry from Russell to Paihia, to meet Craig and Debbie at the Dive NZ.
After signing all sorts of forms and fitting all the gear - wetsuits, shoes, snorkels, vests etc it was off to the Wharf to get all our gears loaded onto a boat and off to Deep Water Cove.
Both Craig and Debbie where so friendly from the beginning, we departed Paihia around 8.30, it was a gorgeous day, blue skies all the way. On the way we stopped for some dolphin watching, a group of Bottle Nose Dolphin crossed our path and our Skipper (Craig) turned the boat around to follow them for a wee bit.
After 40 Minutes we reached the wreck of the Canterbury at Deep Water Cove, we were greeted by a group a 25 Common Dolphins who entered the Bay and just swam one round to leave the Bay on the other side again. It was beautiful to watch, and I was gutted i didn't have my camera with me.
The two groups got ready to dive the Canterbury, my husband and me went snorkeling, because we had never dived before, and had no experience to dive that deep.
Once both groups had returned we got our chance, Craig was absolutely amazing. I am terrified of water, deep water and the thought of breathing under water. Craig went through an introduction to Scuba Diving, he explained everyhting with patience and a smile on his face.
Once he asked us to suit up and put all the gear on my heart started pounding like crazy, I could feel it in my chest trying to expand. I had troubles getting all the gear on and was shaking all over. I think the color actually drained out of my face.

No matter where you are in the world, all of us here at Queen Street Backpackers would like to wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas.

And for those who get a little to Merry and wake up with the the dreaded Christmas Hangover below is an article from the internet which may help improve your performance the next day when Santa Bells are still ringing in your head.

1. Sleep. Rest is your best friend at this point to give your body a recover. It is best to stay in bed so call in to work if you have to, tell them you have the stomach flu. You will sound so horrible on the phone they may believe you (unless they saw you at the bar, not a good idea then).
2. Replenish your body with fruit juice and water.
3. Avoid caffeine. A weak cup of coffee may be okay but a lot of caffeine will continue to dehydrate you, the opposite of what you want right now.
4. Drink orange juice for Vitamin C.
5. Drink a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade.
6. Eat mineral rich food like pickles or canned fish.
7. In Poland, drinking pickle juice is a common remedy.
8. Drink a Bloody Mary. While the popular phrase “hair of the dog that bit you” may sound logical with a shot of whiskey left in the bottle next to your bed, it’s only temporary. Try a Bloody Mary instead, while your blood is dealing with the new alcohol it is ignoring the old and in the mean time tomato juice and celery are full of vitamins. If you drank the last of the vodka make a Virgin Mary. Another spicy morning after drink option is Hair of the Dog, in which gin and hot sauce are sure to bite your hangover back.
9. Take a shower, switching between cold and hot water.
10. In Ireland it was said that the cure for a hangover is to bury the ailing person up to the neck in moist river sand.
11. Try Alka Seltzer Morning Relief. One reader says that it's all that he and his wife have found that really works for them. He stumbled across this "cure" while his wife was still suffering after two days, within 15 minutes after taking the Alka Seltzer she was fine.
12. Get some exercise. Another reader suggests doing some sort of physical activity. He writes, "In the rare case of having hangover I usually drink about 1-2 liters of water and go outside to do some exercise like mountain climbing, swimming, cycling or just about anything that keeps me sweating." It takes willpower to move like that when standing seems like a challenge, but it is a good theory.
13. The side effects of aspirin, Tylenol and ibuprofen can be magnified when alcohol is in your system, so it is best (even though it may be the first thing you reach for) to avoid them to kill the hangover pain. Aspirin is a blood thinner, just like alcohol, and can intensify its effects and Tylenol (or acetaminophen) can cause more damage to your liver. Ibuprofen can also cause stomach bleeding. So be cautious when going for the quick relief.
14. Watch the video: Hangover Remedies. Jonathan Stewart demonstrates how to make a blended hangover remedy. There are a more than a few ingredients so you may want to have everything organized prior to overindulging.
15. As an antidote,take a little extra multi B vitamin and drinks a lot of water before going to sleep.

Have a Merry and Safe Christmas Everyone!

Last Saturday I had the chance to shoot out on a chartered fishing trip with Abalone Cruise/Red Boats. This trip was going to be 4 hours between 5pm-9pm and catch the change of light. In case your wondering what the significance of "change of light" means in New Zealand. It's been a well known fact in NZ, fishing is considered one of the most popular past times and if your fishing from land, change of light is magic hour when fishing can be at it's most active and exciting. On a boat it's no different if fishing in shallow waters and 20 meters of water can and is considered shallow water. This trip promised to provide all the excitement needed to get the adrenaline running.....and boy, did it send the adrenaline into overdrive.

I got down to Z Pier about 4:30 pm and was greeted by the skipper Dan and his Wife Jen. I was promptly seated in my spot for the night and sat and started chatting to some of the other people on board who funny enough were regulars and go out every weekend with Dan and Jen. By the time we started to make waves and on our journey there were 14 of us on board. The chartered fishing boat itself is big enough and can hold up to 20 people comfortably and has enough room for everyone to fish at once. It took about 30-40 minutes to get to our destination and with a quick circle of the area, Dan had dropped anchor and we all had our lines in the water trying to catch our first fish.

The action was thick and fast with peoples lines racing off their reels in all directions. There were 4 of us on the back of the boat and it wasn't unusual for 2-3 of us hooking up at once. The fish were in a frenzy and we were definitely getting a work out. In fact the fish were so veracious that at one point, 2 people pulled up the same fish who had taken both their baits at the same time....in all the years of fishing I have done on both boats and land I have never seen one fish take two hooks from two different rods....we were shocked and amused to say the least.

Now the fish that was pulled on board were of an excellent size. In fact the best quote of the night came from one of the regulars who pulled in a fish which was about 35cms and remarked "thats tiny throw it back". The size limit for legal snapper in New Zealand is 27cms so it was definitely big enough to keep if she so chose. But the size of the fish being pulled on board was of such exceptional quality that a fish of that size was considered a throw back. During the 4 hours of non stop fishing alot of us took a break from fishing as it started to feel a little like work. As it turned out everyone started to take breaks and sit down and chat away and have something to eat. Jen was kind enough to run around and take our tea and coffee orders and bring them to us. Dan was running round the boat non stop taking fish off peoples hooks, killing them and putting them in their chili bins to be taken home. All in all the boat was a hive of YAHOO, WOHOOO and "thats a nice fish".

Saturday evenings fishing is definitely one I will never forget. What was the final telly for the evening? Fourteen people fishing pulled in 129 snappers. Enough for each person to take home their limit of 9 snappers each. Below are some photos from Saturday evenings fishing trip. The quality isn't that great so forgive me as I only had my camera phone on me at the time.....next time I'm definitely taking the digital camera.

Thanks to Dan, Jen and Abalone Cruises/Red Boats for a most excellent evening of fishing.

For more information on Red Boats fishing charters go to Abalone Charters. We highly recommend them not only for quality but also on price and location, only being a short 5-10 minute taxi trip from Queen Street Backpackers.

Bob the Builder, Pocahontus, Sheet Man, Double D Dangerous Dave and a 118 Man were just some of the costumes sported at this years QSB Party. There was prizes for best male and female dress, Island Punch, Bobbinf for apples and buffett finger food for everyone who attended. It was truley an epic night. For the prizes of best male and female dressed contestants had to do a cat walk down our Red(blue)Rug(carpet) and were scored by our ever so tough and stoned faced staff Mitzy and Marcos Smith. Best male costume in the end going to Anthony who was dress to impressed as a 118 Man. Best female was fierecly competed but finally won by Bex who looked very authentic as a white American Indian :).

The night was a huge success and enjoyed by all who attended and partied on till the wee hours of the following morning.

Check out some of the photo's and videos below from the 2010 QSB Halloween night(more to follow).

Armageddon has become one of the largest events to be held over the Labour Weekend in Auckland and attracts thousands of people over the 3 day period. With activities, games and guest appearances from TV, Movie and Comic writers, it has been a geeks wet dream come true.

Over the last few years Armageddon has morphed into a huge family orientated festival bursting with fun activities and competitions for everyone to enjoy and this years is going to be the biggest yet. Boys, girls, blokes and nerds of all ages will find something to spin their wheels at the 2010 Armageddon Expo. With cyber game tournaments, national skateboarding championships, paintball, comic guest panels, IPW wrestling stars, eating contests, trading card tournaments and even a 10-foot tall Armageddon burning man, Armageddon will be the last word in entertainment for the entire weekend with the largest offering of its kind in Australasia.

For more information and details of guest appearances and competitions and general information visit http://www.armageddonexpo.com/nz

For many backpackers coming to New Zealand, Auckland is one of many stops which are part of their world wide travels and with also most backpackers who arrive from destinations around the world, travel is restricted to a budget. If your new to Auckland you soon learn that Auckland Central City which is the hive of Auckland and where 99% of the backpackers are located, is not a cheap city to eat out in. As with many metropolitan cities around the world, Auckland is home to hundreds of Restaurants, Bistro's and Cafes. The problem though is that alot of these places charge alot more than most of us are willing to pay for a simple meal. Fortunately as with most cities around the world there can be deals and cheap places to eat out in IF you can find them as most of hidden or in areas you wouldn't think of looking. One such place which fits this bill to a tee is Food Alley.

Food Alley is only a few minutes walk from Queen Street Backpackers and offers a large variety of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines for people to choose from. With a side selection which includes Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Turkish, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and a couple of European style eateries it definitely doesn't lack in choice. With two levels of eateries to choose from, you can guarantee that the prices are kept to a minimum in order to attract business.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $5.00 to $13.00 for enough food to have you wishing you had more more room in your stomach. As you can expect with a place like Food Alley, it's a hugely popular with the locals in the city is often extremely busy during the days and evenings but with such a large variety of places to eat you can usually have your food ordered and served within 10 minutes. One of the other appeals about Food Alley is that it's the cheapest place you can order a beer to have with your meals. With prices starting from $3.50 for your common beers such as Tui and Speights, splashing out that little extra for an alcoholic beverage to have with your meal won't be pain staking process of choice between food or beer.

The only downside to Food Alley is the look of the building itself. When you first see it, you'd think it was a condemned building trying to make a quick buck. The restaurant area itself is not what you'd find in other eateries, but that being said, the different stores are clean, the food is exceptional and the atmosphere is buzzing with activity and if you feel upto a short walk, the water front is just a couple of minutes walk away where you can sit down and enjoy an hour of food settling chillness before deciding what your going to do next.





Food Alley
9 Albert Street
Auckland 1010

Food Alley Reviews



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After a lazy Saturday afternoon I decided to go for a quick fish on the East of Auckland (can't say where though ;) ). Fishing Sat night was a little hit and miss with a couple of runs but no hook ups. After deciding to do an all night fish I headed down to local McD's for a quick dinner and then back into it again.....well so I thought. With a biting southerly wind cutting through I decided to hide in my car till it calmed down a bit, unfortunately I fell asleep and woke to find it was nearly morning again. So off down to another one of my local spots for another quick two hour fish. This time round the fishing was more productive and kept me busy with some nice runs and a few hook ups. By the time I packed up I had caught one small KY and a couple of nice size snappers. All three were photo graphed and released for another day. The rod which is in the photo with the two snappers has a measurement from base to the end of the red tape of 48cm's or 18.9 Inches.



For backpackers who enjoy a bit of fishing, then summer in Auckland can prove to be a fishing dream come true, with easily accessible spots for those who wish to fish from land to very cheap individual charters with companies like Abalone Cruises who run summer trips through out summer for those who don't want the hassle of trying to fork out anywhere between $600-$1200 for an all day fishing trip on Auckland Harbor. For individual trips you would look at about $85 for the trip and rod hire.

The East and West coast of Auckland provides some spectacular Snapper, Trevally and King fish fishing during the summer. The West Coast providing the additional enjoyment of fishing for Gurnard.

What an awesome weekend. Concert, sun, beach and fishing. As most know, the weather in Auckland has been anything but exceptional over the last two months. We've had rain, followed by more rain finished off with a storm which hit the country the size of Australia. But, the weekend gone has been a blinder for us Jafas(Just another friendly Aucklander for those who aren't in the know, and yes the F is for friendly no matter what anyone says :P)with Friday being headlined by a free concert on Fort Street hosted by Vodafone and Dane Rumble. The event kicks off 30 days of music. The month of music is part of Vodafone’s countdown to the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMAs) . There were some very surprised people including us, for some reasons we all missed the huge billboard which gave us ample warning of the live concert. The live concert was attended by Young and old alike and a couple of odd looking people in full body green and purple tights who were giving out LOL energy drinks. The concert went on for just over an hour or so and was a great event enjoyed by all.

Can you believe it? It seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago we had the huge onslaught of Big Day Out concert goers charging through the doors, hyped for what is by far the biggest and most anticipated concert event of the year. Everyone from metal Heads, Bogans, Indy Rock and pop heads will find something to their taste at this huge event. Tickets go on sale on the 7th of October and with the huge line up being announced today, tickets will likely follow suit and sell like hot cakes.

For a ticket sales and a list of acts scheduled, follow this link to The Big Day Out  Auckland.

If your looking to sample one of the countries hottest Dub/Drum ‘n’Bass/Reggae/Hip Hop and Groove based Rock (try saying that 10 times really fast) acts New Zealand has to offer, then look no further than Salmonella Dub. Since their formation in 1992 in Christchurch, they have paved the way for some of New Zealand's most influential music. Artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Scribe & PMoney, Shapeshifter and Cornerstone Roots who recently just played at Crash Palace Backpackers, all thank Salmonella Dub for reaching new international audiences and fans which otherwise would have stayed oblivious to New Zealand's genre of music.

Salmonella Dub DJ Soundsystem play Live at Crash Palace Backpackers on the 3rd of September. If you would like more information or would like to purchase an accommodation + event ticket package, then contact Chris at Crash Palace by following THIS LINK.

Its another round of Smackdown in Aucklands Vector Arena on thurdays 5th Aug 2010. We are in close proximity of the Vector Arena, about 5 Minutes to walk!

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Hurricane Higgins maybe gone but his legend lives on!

This awesome night was a month in the making. After many pool games between Nick and myself we decided to step it up a notch and head down to the new pool hall, Feelings. At one stage we did make it down to Feelings but thanks to Nick messing up the times we got there 3 hours before they opened so came back (thats my story).

Last night it finally all came together and we got out for a for a couple of hours of pool. What started out as being just the two of us ended up being about a dozen guests which made for a great night. As can be expected there was alot of smack talk by all the guys. Chests were puffed out and struts in place which would have made John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever jealous, as we all walked into the pool hall. The ladies of group on the other hand had ambitions which included the Feelings Pool Hall Bar and watching us men look like clowns on the pool table....and they weren't disappointed.

Three tables, a dozen people, beers, non alcoholic drinks(for us soft people), fries and battered chicken breasts, chessy hip hop and pop music and a good couple of hours to kill, the night was going to be interesting. All I can say, even though us guys claimed and on many occasions have proven to be the pool masters of the sexes, Thursday night belonged to the ladies, in fact, the game of the night has to go to Anne-Marie who put Nick the "God Father" of Poole to shame and won herself a well deserved beer after battering him all over the table, much to the cheering of the some of the ladies, and the guys, myself cheering the loudest "get in there son". As much as we would like to say that the men let the woman win, the honest truth is, we were all put in our places but throughly enjoyed every game in the process. And those that were not on the tables sat on the couches re-telling stories of foreign adventures, stories better forgotten and generally just "shooting the breeze" and lending much needed moral support to anyone playing.

If you want information on Feelings Pool Hall follow this link: Feelings Pool Hall and Bar

Photos will be coming shortly :)

WHAT AN AMAZING NIGHT!

Well once again Tom aka Bula has pulled off another amazing mid year Christmas dinner party here at Queen Street Backpackers. The mains was amazing, the deserts exquisite devoured by hungry frenzied guests, our English Santa who gave out presents and the games that kept everyone entertained and in particular, one German guest feeling very sick, but that's another story best described by one of the below pics.

A huge thanks needs to go out to Bula who ultimately organized the Christmas Party, Tim who helped cooked the massive meal enjoyed by all, Andy who provided the live entertainment and had everyone singing alone to his silky smooth renditions of acoustic favourites and Mike who was our mid year(and very skinny) Santa Claus.

Check out the pictures below, there might be someone you know ;).