We’re delighted here at Sportsmate Mobile to bring you our first blog post of 2012.

No longer will you be without a suite of sporting apps in your pocket and have to ask
strangers the score when your favourite team is playing and you can’t be there.

To help us make the best product possible that reflects the sports you know and
love, we are intent on using all available social and digital media platforms to keep
you all informed and up to date. It’s very important to us that our customers
know everything about our products and subsequent updates.

The Round 1 action isn’t far away, so let’s explore Rugby League and Aussie
Rules Live for the 2012 seasons, including some of the new additions to the app
and everything that you have come to expect from us over the years.

So many people have been in touch with their feedback and we thank them all.
Do you know that every single one of your submissions is read by our team?
I wish we could implement absolutely everything, but it’s not always possible.
A number of restrictions can prevent us from doing certain things, but our
full coverage of the AFL season won’t be diminished by this fact and our
commitments to you – our fans – will not waver!

What we heard from you in the off-season was a demand for more stats and
I’m hopeful that our latest updates have catered for this wish. If you were
thinking we would beef up our match-day engine too, you were absolutely right!

Of course we can’t tell you everything just yet (still tinkering with a few things), but
you will be the first to know when everything is submitted for approval. We know you
wouldn’t tell anyone, but we have to keep it hushed for now but can’t wait for you to
get your hands on it!

This year’s version will be bigger and better, but the fundamentals won’t deviate
from the 2011 edition that you were all so fond of (thanks for making it so popular).
Any time you have feedback on what we’re doing with our various apps, or any
other matters to raise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Don’t be “that
guy” who has issues with our product but doesn’t communicate. We love to chat!

I want you to know that our team will always respond to your query if you
just drop us a line. We’re online seven days a week and (to speak colloquially),
wanna do everything we can to help you get the most out of our apps.

Tell your friends and family about what we do, because our fans – that’s
you – are our biggest asset. We can’t do this without you guys and don’t know
how our apps would prosper without your downloads and feedback.

I’m going to wrap this up here. Sorry it might have been a bit vague, but we have a
feeling that the 2012 version of our sporting apps will be the best yet (so you’ve
gotta go and get them if you haven’t done so!)

Make sure you stay in touch all the way throughout the season. Remember that
you are our primary motivation for continuing to enhance our work and we
understand your desires for fast, visually appealing and informative sporting products.

Ok… now go back and only read the FIRST WORD of every line, then click here to see what else we have in store.

#2 Alex Ovechkin (Drafted 1st Round)
#17 Dustin Byfuglien (TRADE – Drafted 2nd Round)
#18 Zdeno Chara (Drafted 2nd Round)
#47 Pekka Rinne (Drafted 3rd Round)
#67 Chris Stewart (FREE AGENCY – Drafted 5th Round)
#79 Mark Streit (Drafted 5th Round)
#82 Vincent Lecavalier (Drafted 6th Round)
#84 Derek Roy (TRADE – Drafted 6th Round)
#94 P.K. Subban (TRADE – Drafted 6th Round)
#111 Gabriel Landeskog (Drafted 7th Round)
#114 Dustin Brown (Drafted 8th Round)
#129 Patric Hornqvist (FREE AGENCY – Drafted 9th Round)
#131 Teemu Selanne (TRADE – Drafted 9th Round)
#142 Jaroslav Halak (FREE AGENCY – Drafted 9th Round)
#143 Kari Lehtonen (Drafted 9th Round)
#146 Stephen Weiss (Drafted 10th Round)
#151 Steve Downie (FREE AGENCY – Drafted 10th Round)
#153 Brenden Morrow (FREE AGENCY – Drafted 10th Round)
#175 Brian Campbell (Drafted 11th Round)
#193 Michael Del Zotto (FREE AGENCY Drafted 13th Round)
#207 Sheldon Souray (Drafted 13th Round)
#308 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (TRADE – Drafted 20th Round)
#335 Vaclav Prospal (Drafted 21st Round)

KEY POINTS

9 of my 23 players (39.13%) are original Top 100 draft selections
6 of my 23 players (26.01%) have been plucked for zero cost from the waiver wire
3 of my 23 players (13.04%) were drafted from #207 downward in a 384-player draft
20 of my 23 players (86.94%) were drafted in the top half of the draft

ANALYSIS

Granted… draft position is absolutely not indicative of how successful a player is (or will be), however it’s a great way to evaluate the early season effectiveness of one’s wheeling and dealing.

The numbers above speak for themselves. I’m thrilled to have nabbed so many top-level players; some who are doing beautifully, others who aren’t but are more than capable of shaking short-term slumps. And those who were not originally that highly rated (Souray & Nugent-Hopkins), I dare say would both be top 150 picks if a re-draft was held right now.

Bottom line = any more trading and waiver transactions will be limited to injuries and absolute necessity. I do like having a ‘flex’ spot on my roster to stream with each passing day depending on need, but how can you refuse when the core of your team is from the top half of the NHL?

Catch me if you can.

Dear Mr Balfour,

I am writing in response to your recent letter to members of the Sydney Blue Sox.

First and foremost, well done on being so proactive in your communication. Fans enjoy being consulted (even if we are simultaneously being harangued) and I applaud any sporting administrator who makes a habit of creating open dialogue with the public.

Within this passionate piece of communication, you implored fans to show up for games and help to establish the future of the league and sport in this country.

I love baseball. I love it to bits.

Unlike yourself, I have never progressed out of the Sunday scrub leagues but have been a fiercely passionate follower for many years and was thrilled to hear of an Australian league backed by none other than Major League Baseball.

Sadly, I don’t believe the ABL as a whole has seized upon the impetus of an enthusiastic local baseball community, nor the vast resources of its American counterpart. As such, the sport finds itself at somewhat of a crossroad and struggling to find its true identity and niche within the crowded Australian sporting market.

While I am not a member of the Blue Sox, I read your letter via a tweet and decided to put some thoughts together on how the ABL and MLB can work together to create a dynamic and engaging baseball community right here in our own backyard.

I’m a Melbourne Aces fan, but my interest can best be described as casual. Of course I hope they prevail on any given game day, but I feel nothing after a loss. I presume this speaks for most fans of the club who have no personal connection to the players, which is a big problem.

It goes against everything about traditional sporting culture.

You want to ride the elation that comes with victory and feel a burning sense of pain or determination when the ledger doesn’t go your way.

I dare say that most ABL fans – both casual and diehard – have MLB allegiances that are much more passionate than their Australian links. It’s not fair to compare the two entities, but it’s something to keep in mind when moving forward. We must find a way to drive passion.

We must engage and empower our fans. Make them feel a part of the team. Take them on the ride with you. As it stands, there are too many people (including myself) who have a passing interest but don’t make it to many games for whatever reason.

Why?

People are time poor. If you have four spare hours on a Saturday will you be off to the golf course, a family event or an ABL match? Why do you think cricket has bastardised the sport beyond recognition? Because fans no longer have the time to attend for hours on end. I’m not for one second suggesting this is the answer; rather merely pointing out that the league and clubs should temper expectations as to physical attendance.

Every other sport you care to watch in our fine country contains the best athletes in the world in that particular endeavour – and I say that with all due respect to the Australian baseball community. Go to watch the AFL, cricket, NRL, Super Rugby and Australian Open – you will see the world’s best players competing. Perhaps the notable exceptions are basketball and ice hockey – both American sports by origin – and they are going through similar woes in terms of attendance, sponsorship and broadcast.

I don’t believe there is any ‘fix’ to this issue but again, it serves as a stark reminder about why it’s so difficult for lower tier sports to gain cut-through in the busy local landscape.

You spoke of your disappointment of recent crowd figures when entertaining sponsors and the New South Wales Minister for Sport.

Did the Blue Sox and/or the ABL have an engagement strategy around these fixtures?

Promote a giveaway night in the weeks leading up, make bobbleheads, heck… throw the gates open free of charge. Guarantee bums on seats when you are entertaining VIPs. Sure – it’s not a sustainable long term plan, but these groups will be left with a perception that baseball has a burgeoning fan base and the sport won’t be left with egg on its face.

I’ll raise my hand and say that I’ve only been to a handful of Aces games since inception despite my passion for the sport and living just a few blocks from the Melbourne Showgrounds. The main reasons I have seldom been are outlined above; 1) lack of time and 2) lack of personal connection to the club and players.

I would much rather sit on my couch at home and stream a Los Angeles Dodgers game than ride five minutes down the road to see the Aces play on a Saturday afternoon. That’s an incredibly sad state of affairs, but I honestly believe it reflects the attitude of many fans (and potential fans) throughout Australia.

The ABL needs to create more dynamic and authentic environments in which to play and watch baseball. It doesn’t help that our local venue doubles as an agricultural paddock, but it’s the best we have.

In my limited trips to the ballpark I have been frustrated by;

1)    The utterly abhorrent selection of food and;
2)    The exorbitant price of beer and small bar area in which you can drink it.

Isn’t part of baseball culture buying a couple of beers in the sun to enjoy from your bleacher seat? The last thing fans want is to be herded into a bar where you can barely see the game as you pay $8 for a bottle of beer or $6 for a can of local draught depending on the venue.

I understand these factors are probably dictated by licensing laws and the like but again, it’s a contributing factor to why people aren’t showing up for games (at least here in Melbourne – I can’t speak for other venues).

If you want a snack or a ‘meal’ at an ABL game, good luck! Where is the caramel popcorn? The nachos dripping with guacamole and jalapenos? The hot dogs with a million choices of sides rather than “sauce or mustard” that we have here? Baseball is a sport built around food! The fan experience at stadiums is heavily dependent on what you can get to eat and drink while you’re sitting there for three hours watching a game unfold. If I can’t drink a beer in my seat or find anything other than a soggy dim sim and something that once resembled a corn dog, forget it.

I was in the States several months ago and was fortunate enough to attend the World Series. I’m not going to sit here comparing the amenities of the Melbourne Showgrounds with Busch Stadium, but I might as well have been on another planet. It’s as if Australian venues and vendors have never watched or attended the game in the USA before. The cultural divide is vast and it results in a significantly diminished fan experience.

Just one of the many ballpark culinary
delights you will find in the USA.

Finally, I’d like to discuss the sport in the media.

For baseball to increase its audience, it needs to be visible throughout all sectors of the industry. The ABL and clubs have done a fair job trying to use Twitter and Facebook – but mainly because it’s inexpensive and relatively easy to manage once you are up and running. Sadly, this medium is largely preaching to the converted and can give the illusion that it’s hitting the mark.

One regular season ABL game needs to be broadcast via Fox Sports or ONE HD every week. This is understandably a complicated and expensive exercise, but with the right sales pitch to big brother in the United States, I’m certain the ABL could broker a deal with Australia’s preeminent sports broadcasters to showcase our sport.

It’s great to see the All-Star Game going out live this week and I admit that it’s a start to attracting the fence-sitters, but the bread and butter of the sport should be the priority over a once-a-year novelty hit around.

Some clubs live stream certain games but it’s not uniform throughout the league. Why is this? Is it a question of resources, or is it the prerogative of each ballclub rather than a league-driven directive?

In this day and age, live streaming is a must. If the sport can’t get itself on TV it should be broadcasting every single match online. I applaud the clubs that have moved in this direction but will politely add the quality is ordinary at best. I acknowledge there are many factors at play, but the ABL should be taking this project by the scruff of the neck and ensuring that local Australian baseball can be beamed LIVE into living rooms, iPads and bars throughout the world. It’s too important to not get right and with the backing of the MLB, I honestly can’t see why this hasn’t been implemented to the extent that it could be.

The MLB is widely acknowledged as having the best digital, social and conventional media strategy in world sport. No other league can compete with the way Bud Selig’s team has presented the sport to diehard and new-coming fans. That is why I was so optimistic to hear that the ABL was a partner to the MLB, but there are very few visible links that would give anyone the impression that these two sporting bodies were in partnership.

The ABL needs to lean on this resource. It needs to get the MLB’s best digital staff to come and visit in the off-season to draw up strategic plans. It needs to find ways to leverage sponsorship and deliver baseball to as many Australian homes as possible. At present, the league seems to be relying on a traditional marketing strategy and hoping people show up to games. In this day and age, this is not going to be effective and the sport will stagnate.

If anything, the digital space can be vastly more beneficial than packed stadiums. We’d all love to see the bums on seats, but I contend that a potential investor would be much more interested in plunging capital into the sport if they saw a high quality streaming platform with integrated social media feeds and sponsorship opportunities.

Far too often ‘success’ is dictated by attendance (which incidentally is quite regularly embellished by a number of sports and venues). Would you rather have 500 at the stadium and zero watching at home or 200 at the stadium and 1000 watching at home at some point throughout the game?

The first Big Bash League match in Melbourne attracted some 20k people less than what was anticipated. Sure, this was a blow for administrators but their frustration was quickly turned to optimism when they heard it had smashed all previous Australian pay-TV records.

It goes to show that you can have a commercially successful product without necessarily filling the stadium.

An online broadcast adds flexibility. It allows you to drift in and out of the game, fit baseball into your busy daily schedule or watch a replay later when you have more time. This is ultimately what society is demanding and it’s what sport should be catering to.

But I digress. I’ve strayed from the initial premise of your letter – which was imploring your members to show up – but everything I’ve raised above is intrinsically linked to your goal and the future of baseball in Australia.

I greatly respect your passion Mr Balfour, but I think fans desperately need alternate means of consuming baseball rather than a stern (yet heartfelt) diatribe from their General Manager. I agree that people should turn up whenever their schedule permits, but the fan experience – as it currently stands – is not conducive to enhancing this facet of the sport.

We can’t expect the ABL to be perfect off the bat. Like any burgeoning league, it needs time, sound management and true belief and passion from those working within. I can only hope those wheels are churning, but there is a lot that needs to happen at all levels before this league can expect any significant growth – and I truly hope to see it happen.

Yours in baseball,

Alistair Hogg

I was seven at the time.

I’m now 26.

Can you believe it’s taken me almost two decades to see Dodger Stadium? Admittedly I haven’t had many opportunities, but it’s certainly something that was a ‘must’ this time around.

When season 2011 started back in April, I was following my Dodgers with an interest that was far more intense than usual. If they could make the playoffs, I’d be able to see them play while I was here. Sadly for me (and the city of Los Angeles), they pretty much stunk and were out of contention by mid August.

Despite this, I had to go on my pilgrimage to Dodger Stadium to gain a greater understanding and perspective of this historic American sporting venue.

Dodger Stadium is situated in Chavez Ravine, just north-east of downtown LA. For some reason I thought it was much further from the city, but was pleasantly surprised.

A hop, skip and a jump from central LA

A view of downtown LA as the road snakes its way to the upper deck

Although located in the ‘ravine’ the stadium is actually built into a hill. This is done for two reasons;

1) Earthquake-proofing
2) By designing the stadium in this way, fans can get to their seats with ease, regardless of whether they’re in a ground level field box or the upper deck nosebleeds. There are multiple entrances and car parks as the road winds around the stadium, each corresponding with a number on your game ticket. Think of the road as an ‘elevator’ that allows you to stop at your desired point.

Outside the main gates at the bottom of the hill

It’s soon obvious that you’re in Dodgertown USA

It was a turbulent year for Dodger fans and many local businesses
made their feelings on the ownership very clear

Don’t complain about MCG parking prices again

After making my way up the winding road to the upper level, I met a friend and walked through the open gates.

I usually wouldn’t be this excited about striding into an empty stadium in the off-season, but I couldn’t believe that I was at the place I’d seen on TV and in video games countless times throughout the years. It’s a fabled and iconic venue throughout all of America, not just Los Angeles.

My first ever view of Dodger Stadium will be with me forever

I moved around the upper deck like a kid on Christmas morning. We were a good half hour early for the tour, so I spent a while soaking up the atmosphere (of an empty stadium) and getting my head around the fact that I was at the home of one of my favourite sporting clubs.

My first impression was how good the cheapest seats in the stadium were. If I had the choice of paying $12 to sit here or $500 to sit in the Dugout Club, I know where I’d be. I can only imagine how lovely it would be to relax in the upper section of the stadium on a summer night as the sun sets and the Dodgers take the field. I’ll get back there one day for sure.

Ticketing prices for the season just gone

Once 10am rolled around, a couple more people had arrived, as well as our tour guide. There was a Japanese couple and young family of four from Detroit which meant a small and intimate tour group.

When handing over my $15 for a ticket, I said something along the lines of, “Man I feel dirty giving my money to Frank McCourt” (reference to team owner who has driven the club into the ground). I pulled my head in though. I didn’t want to be ‘that guy’ before the tour had even started!

We got the introductory spiel and a bit of history about the venue. Some of it I knew quite well while other parts were completely new and fascinating to me.

On top of the world

One of our first stops was the press box.

As someone who has studied journalism and worked in sports PR for a number of years, this was very interesting. Perhaps unsurprisingly, not a whole lot actually differed from most setups we have back in Australia.

There were three rows of labelled benches, a dining area at the back and adjacent areas for broadcast and scoreboard operations. It seems to be a tried and true formula at venues throughout the world.

The thing that struck me however was that it was an open-air media room. Yes, it was covered to shield from any (rare) wind or rain, but the lack of windows allowed you to get a sense of atmosphere, sound, emotion and feel for the life inside the stadium. I’d give my right arm to cover the Dodgers as a career, although you’d better take my left arm or my writing won’t be all that good.

Where Los Angeles’ baseball scribes praise or scorn the Dodgers

Anyone need someone to spend his life watching baseball?

The press box is named in honour of Vin Scully who is one of the world’s pre-eminent sports broadcasters.

Vin just called his SIXTY-SECOND SEASON of baseball and has just committed to a 63rd in 2012. He is an absolute treasure.

The room that bears the name of one of baseball’s most respected

Just making sure the lineup is right

The corridor outside the press box is adorned with images of famous Dodgers. From Jackie Robinson to Sandy Koufax and everyone in between. It’s a fantastic tribute and reminder of the guys who have made the club great.

Doing my best Kirk Gibson impression (watch the video here)

Gibson’s shot is baseball folklore.

Down 4-3 in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda called him up to pinch hit despite a banged up hamstring, sore knee and the lingering effects of a virus.

Dodgers’ advance scout Mel Didier claimed to know Oakland’s legendary closing pitcher Dennis Eckersley inside out.

The following plaque with his immortal words is displayed in the Dodgers clubhouse in the batting cage that Gibson used to warm up before that historic blast that would give LA a 5-4 win and eventually a World Series title.

Needless to say, Gibson got his backdoor slider on the 3-2 count

That 1988 World Series crown is on display in the Dugout Club

At this point of the tour we burst out of the doors and into the brilliant sunshine on the lower level of Dodger Stadium. These were el primo seats. The ones behind home plate that mean plenty of TV time and hobnobbing with movie stars and hedge fund managers.

The only drawback is viewing the game through the net!

On the hallowed dirt of Dodger Stadium

It was amazing surreal to be at ground level. The whole experience was unbelievable, but this in particular.

Everything is under control guys

GET BROXTON OUT OF THE GAME RIGHT NOW!

For those unfamiliar with procedures and processes in baseball, the manager is responsible for making pitching changes when he sees his guy fatiguing or when he wants to exploit a match-up. Pitchers don’t live in the dugout with the rest of the team. They live in the ‘bullpen’ – a separate area elsewhere in the stadium that allows them to throw and limber up.

When the manager wants to make a switch, he gets on the phone to communicate with his pitching coach. This is the actual phone used in the Dodgers dugout.

The home bullpen; where pitchers psyche up (or shit themselves)

“Is that Hogg? Yes! Yes, I believe the manager has made the call to
the bullpen and sent his Australian prospect out to pitch the ninth!”

It takes a special breed of player to be a pitcher

Believe it or not, the above photo is the area where the relieving pitchers watch the game. It is a ramshackle room underneath the left-field grandstand that must feel like a sauna during day games. It’s somewhat difficult to believe that a room in this condition exists in the Major Leagues.

The pitchers keep a tally of their wins on the wall inside the bullpen

They also record quotes from… I don’t even want to know

While walking from the clubhouse to the bullpen I said, “This is the exact same walk that Jonathon Broxton makes each night before he gets lit up.” That comment was met with a chuckle from the tour and a smirk from the tour leader who tried her best to stifle a laugh remain diplomatic.

Jerseys of ‘retired numbers’ adorn the clubhouse wall

A source of inspiration for current players

Just outside the clubhouse door and the long line of retired numbers from legendary players is a frame with nothing in it. This is designed to remind players that anyone can eventually reach a level that would result in them being considered among the truly elite. I thought it was a nice touch and something that the players pass each and every time they take to the field.

Is it too late to launch a Major League career at 26?

‘Reflecting’ on what could have been

Today was one of my favourite days on this trip so far.

I seem to be saying that EVERY day which is obviously a fantastic situation to be in.

Although I am yet to see my Dodgers in action, just having inside access to the stadium gave me a true feeling of the ballclub, the facilities, the local geography and only increased my desire to return for some on-field action soon. I’m still pinching myself that I was sitting in the Dodger dugout earlier today and roaming the bullpen!

It’s actually quite funny when I think about it.

This would be no big deal to many locals and those in the baseball industry – just like it would be no big deal for me to walk on the MCG or sit in the press box.

But when my favourite sports and  one of my favourite teams in the world is almost 13,000km away, these experiences can be the most memorable.

Then it hit me. Once the pool stage concluded, matches would only be played on weekends from the quarter finals, right through until the glittering showpiece on October 23. While I love the land of the long white cloud, it was a hell of a long time to remain there with no midweek rugby and little to do (not to mention imposing myself on our lovely hosts for another few weeks).

Several months ago I approached a travel agent that I know and asked him to find the cheapest fare from Auckland to Los Angeles, thinking I’d head across the Pacific for some sun and American sports before returning for the Rugby World Cup Final. The best fare he found was with Air Tahiti Nui. As soon as he said that, cogs started turning inside my head. “Do you think you could extend my layover in Papeete from three hours to three days?” I queried.

Boom. I was going to Tahiti.

My chariot, named ‘Bora Bora’ (sadly I wasn’t going there, this time)

It’s not the sort of place you’d really go to in normal circumstances. It’s extremely isolated (4000km from Auckland and 6600km from Los Angeles) and is a destination that you would probably plan a stand-alone trip around rather than simply ‘popping in.’ Thankfully my circumstances and travel schedule allowed me to do just this for no extra cost than my ticket to the US.

Flight time from New Zealand is a mere five hours and it was an absolute breeze. Unlike most airlines that have a 3-4-3 seating configuration, this one was 2-4-2 which meant no middle seats on either side and more room to move. After receiving a tiare flower and a beaming smile upon boarding, I quickly learned that despite being seated in the very back row, there was nobody next to me which meant glorious leg room and a relaxing flight to Papeete.

We landed in paradise late on Saturday night and were greeted at the airport by Polynesian singers and dancers. The cheery strumming of the ukulele made the painfully slow immigration queue somewhat bearable. It’s somewhat expected with smaller destinations like Tahiti, but the processing inefficiencies were glaring. I was one of the last off the plane however and the tracksuit pants I was wearing in 27 degree humidity didn’t make it any more bearable!

All visitors receive a local welcome at Faaa International Airport

Originally I’d planned to go ‘all out’ and spend my three days at the Radisson Resort. However after giving it some thought, I wanted my Tahitian experience to be genuine and not confined to the walls and swimming pool of a (stunning) resort. Additionally, most of the luxury hotels are located quite some distance out of town and since I was only there for a brief time, I wanted to be in the thick of it.

I’ve been a member of the international Couch Surfing project for some time, but never actually participated. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, Couch Surfing is an initiative whereby travelers can request to stay with locals when they’re on the road. Not only is it designed to eliminate accommodation costs, but it also seeks to provide people with unique cultural experiences, local knowledge and new friendships throughout the world.

I got in touch with a woman by the name of Lenaik who lives in Papeete with her son, daughter, mother and father. She was more than happy to host me and even collected me from the airport. The Couch Surfing ethos was immediately evident when she took me on a brief tour of the city before we’d even gone home!

‘Home’ was nestled about 1km inland just outside of the Tahitian capital Papeete. After arriving and settling in, I hit the hay for what was going to be a busy few days of island exploration.

Looking up at the house from the street below

The reverse view from the balcony

Looking back towards the ocean

Sunday morning was certainly an interesting and unconventional start.

As Lenaik’s father is ill and confined to bed for most of the time, they were not able to attend worship as a family. Therefore, the priest made a house call early in the morning. Although I didn’t understand a word of French, it was engrossing to listen to the reading, singing and blessing. Tahiti is a very spiritual place and it was a great cultural experience on my first morning.

Shortly thereafter I took off to explore the local market which sold almost everything. As mentioned in a previous blog post, I aim to go to more markets and buy more fresh produce when I return to Australia and this only served as another great reminder! The sights, sounds and colours of a foreign marketplace are a fantastic experience and I urge you all to check them out if given the chance.

Nice catch, but I can’t help but think they look better in the ocean!

That equates to just $1.15 a bunch for those of you playing at home

Local vendors looking for business

After leaving the markets I explored Papeete on foot. The city’s population is just 26,000 but it seemed like a LOT more. I imagine that illusion is created by cramming almost all of those people into a few square kilometres in Tahiti’s most inhabited area; not to mention other tourists roaming the streets.

Out and about in Papeete

One of the pre-conceptions I had about Tahiti was that it was all white sand, coconuts and beaches. Boy was I wrong.

Papeete itself is a shipping port. There is not a beach within miles of the capital and even then, they consist mainly of rocks mainly rocks rather than sand. To get the pristine postcard imagery, you need to spread your wings and get to nearby islands such as Moorea or even better (but infinitely more expensive), Bora Bora in the Society Islands archipelago which is popular among honeymooners and the super rich (and quite often, both).

The Papeete foreshore

On Sunday afternoon I decided to hit the coast and just walk. I had no idea where I was going, but isn’t that half the fun of travel?

After getting past the outskirts of Papeete it soon became evident that there were people living in abject poverty (although this did not come as a surprise). There were homeless people fishing, cooking on fires and seeking shelter near the water as well as families living in corrugated iron huts near the airport.

And Darryl Kerrigan reckons HE lived close to the airport…

Living in poverty, but still boasting a backyard lagoon for the kids!

After walking and taking in the scenery for several hours I decided to head back to Papeete via the inland route. I was walking down the side of the freeway and noticed a gathering of people up on a ridge on the other side of the road. I crossed the highway, clambered up a hill and found myself in the middle of a pétanque tournament.

For those that don’t know, pétanque is a French game that is similar to lawn bowls. You hold a metal ‘boule’ with an overhand grip and toss it down the rink towards the jack.

A stunning afternoon in the sun at the ‘Boulodrome’

I was the only westerner in the area. I was surrounded by hundreds of Tahitians playing their games, drinking beer, singing and enjoying their weekend in the sun. They looked at me like I was from another planet, but were happy with my presence and carried on, some even trying to communicate with me in broken English. It was a fantastic experience and one of the random things that you can encounter when heading off the beaten track.

The situation looked pretty grim for these guys

Plenty of rinks were in action

Once arriving back in Papeete I found a local bar for a late lunch and cold beer. It just so happened that the NY Jets game was also on TV, so I watched a bit of it with a couple from New York before it became evident we were going to be destroyed by Baltimore.

The fresh seafood salad was absolutely amazing

Accidentally paid A$8.46 for a drink earlier in the day! Maths fail.

I will miss enjoying my breakfast out of a coconut

A stunning public access beach football arena in the heart of town

I quickly became addicted to Rotui canned juice. Amazing stuff!

Most of Monday was spent relaxing, hanging out in Papeete and catching up on news (my house had wireless that I could tap into via my phone). I also spent a great deal of time planning what I’d do on my final day in Tahiti.

It seemed criminal that I’d been there for 48 hours and not even dipped a toe in the water. As I said however, the beaches are well out of town and since I didn’t have a car or the time to spend a few days on an adjacent island, my options were limited.

Ever since deciding to visit Tahiti, I was absolutely desperate to see Teahupoo. Just the name itself strikes fear and awe into the hearts of surfers around the world. It’s widely renowned as one of the globe’s fiercest surf breaks and is situated at the southern tip of Tahiti. I’d come this far. I HAD to see it.

I decided that the best course of action would be to hire a car on Wednesday. Not only would it allow me the opportunity to explore the island in total freedom and with unlimited flexibility, but it would also allow me to get to the airport with ease later that night for my departing flight.

Every in Tahiti is le French. Right down to le hire car.

It was only when I sat in the car and began to pull out of the driveway that I realised,  ”Okayyyyyy, shit’s about to get real. You all drive on the right side of the road here…”

I’d noticed it all week, but it’s a different matter when you’re at the controls of a left-hand drive vehicle on the right-hand side of the road for the first time! Fortunately since I’m a male, I’m blessed with the genes that allow you to drive a car in all circumstances without panic or stress, so I was fine! (tongue might or might not be firmly in cheek right now…)

I left before 8am and decided to circumnavigate the island in an anti-clockwise direction starting from Papeete (in the north-western corner) and simply stop at my leisure. Here is a map for your reference.

Not long out of the capital I came across my first beach. I had to stop for a swim. You have no idea how joyous this was for me!

Invigorating

The west coast of Tahiti is known for its surf, although as you can see in the photo, the shoreline is serenely protected by reefs further out to sea. It’s not until you squint and look to the horizon that you can catch a glimpse of the waves that make this island one of the most desirable locations on the planet for surfers.

Most surfing locations require a boat ride to reach the break

I stopped numerous times to take in the jaw-dropping scenery, but I was keen to push to Teahupoo on with earnest. The closer I got, the more excited I became.

I stopped at a marina just outside the township and did my best to speak a combination of broken English/French to a woman in the office. Somehow I was able to communicate that I wanted to take a boat out to the surf break. She spoke to a local fisherman who told me to keep driving as far as I could and one of the guys there would be able to take me.

I jumped back in the car and several minutes later was arriving at surfing nirvana. Mighty Teahupoo.

The furthest point that you’re able to travel by far to the south

Directly behind me in this photo is a pedestrian bridge that crosses a small inlet. You then reach a peninsula with a handful of houses – all inhabited by surfers from all over the world; some professional, but most of them bums who spend their lives and money chasing waves (and who could blame them?)

I met a big Polynesian guy who was clearly the friend of the man I’d previously spoken to at the marina. He took me to the beach where we waited for his French buddy. He actually spoke very good English and we spent a while chatting about the break and the geography of the area.

The view from Teahupoo’s beach looking towards the famous break

Not a good idea to frolic in the shallows though. These little bastards
can kill you in a matter of hours.

After some brief price negotiation we jumped in the boat and headed towards the reef. The Polynesian guy had initially suggested 1500 Francs (A$17) but his mate wanted 2000. Whatever. I was in no real mood to haggle over a mere A$5.

My French buddies and I head for the reef

The guys were surprised that I wanted to go out on such a “bad” day, but understood I was only in town for the day. There was not a single surfer in the water due to the onshore winds and messy waves. I was dumbstruck. It was like when I worked a ski season at Heavenly in California/Nevada in 2005/06 and the locals complained that they “only” had six metres of snow. When you’re blessed with one of the world’s best locations, your standards rapidly increase.

Yeah. Absolutely shocking conditions, right?

The stunning view back to the coast with the heaving surf

The 2011 Billabond Pro was held at Teahupoo in August and the waves were utterly insane. Here’s a taste and a good perspective of the power Teahupoo can produce on its day: video. Bear in mind that a sharp reef lies just a few feet below the water and will chew you up in the event of a wipeout. I recently had a friend tell me that he’s less apprehensive about surfing 15 foot waves at Mavericks off the Californian coast than he is at the prospect of hitting the reef at Teahupoo in much smaller conditions.

I could not have been happier or more relaxed

We were bobbing around in a spot between the reef that gave us a great view of both breaks. Although I didn’t have a board (or the skills) to surf the wave itself, I absolutely had to get in the water.

In the water at Teahupoo. It was so thrillingly surreal!

Of all the great travel experiences I’ve had, this rates well up there. Although not a “great” day according to the locals, it was just amazing to get into the water and see one of the world’s best surf spots first hand. I was bouncing around full of energy and life. This is what travel is all about!

An unforgettable day

Retirement location anyone?

I jumped in the car and after grabbing a quick bite at a local cafe, continued my drive around the island.

Upon arriving at Taravao I headed inland to climb up to the plateau for the stunning views. I’d been told that when driving up into the mountains, Tahiti will completely change appearance. The water and surf vanishes and is replaced by trees and cows. You wouldn’t have a clue that you were in the middle of paradise. If not for the heat, humidity (and LUSH LUSH greenery), you could well be in Australian farmland – and this was just 10 minutes from the coast.

Ok. Where did the water go?

The climb was well worth it (looking north up the western coast)

Immaculate scenery wherever you turn

Looking north across the island

Refer back to the map I posted earlier for a moment. See the narrow piece of land at Taravao that joins the two large portions of the island? That can be seen in the image above. Hopefully that should provide some geographic perspective.

I continued on my merry way and started to trek up the eastern coast. It was a lot more lush and serene than the western side of the island and there was no surf as far as I could tell.

Tahiti is a very, very small island. I was able to drive around it in less than a day but you could do it in a couple of hours if you were in a hurry. But not many people are in a hurry in this part of the world though, and with very good reason.

Shortly before arriving back in Papeete there was a series of waterfalls slightly inland. It was a beautiful hike through the forest that took you to the base of these monsters.

Another beautifully diverse piece of Tahiti

Signs warned people against swimming, but how could you not?

I arrived back in Papeete in the early evening and returned ‘home’ to thank my hosts before packing my bags and heading back to Faaa International Airport. I planned to arrive SUPER early (five hours before my flight) to check in first and get a prime seat with leg room for the eight hours it would take to get to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, everyone else seemed to have that idea. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I got to the queue and there were already 50 people in front of me!

I guess that’s what happens in a small place like Tahiti where there are only a handful of international flights each week and departing guests really don’t have anything else to do but head for the airport.

I stood in line getting frustrated at the fact I’d tried to be so smart and it had not paid off. Then a Calvin Harris song started booming through my headphones.

I don’t want to be one of “those people” who find life-altering messages in every bloody piece of music ever written, but I couldn’t help but smile when I heard this.

Here’s the song and the vibrantly upbeat chorus kicks in at 1:32… “These are the good times in your life, so put on a smile and it’ll be all right.”

Why was I annoyed? I was in TAHITI about to board a flight to LOS ANGELES! I’m 26, traveling the world and shouldn’t have a care in the world. It’s funny how music can bring you back to earth and be a source of relaxation.

After checking in, I quickly cleared immigration and found a seat in the lounge. The departure lounge at Faaa is set up beautifully. There are plenty of seats and tables inside, but also some lounge chairs on an outside deck which was perfect on a humid night.

Best departure lounge I’ve ever been in!

Are you ready for a radical theory? Jetlag is a myth. Bunkum. Bullshit. Made up.

If you manage your body right, the effects will be nil (or minimal). Several hours before departing, set your watch for the current time at your destination and live as if you were there. In my case, it was 2am in Los Angeles when I was killing time at the airport. My plan? Get drunk and sleep. It was the best move ever.

In the two hours before boarding I tallied a modest two beers and three glasses of whiskey on the rocks. Provided you can hold your liquor and not act like an idiot, this works wonders. I was asleep just minutes after take-off and didn’t wake until the sun streamed through the windows when we were 30 minutes off the Californian coast. I even missed meal service and don’t remember stirring for seven hours.

Genius. I was able to start my first day in LA rested, relaxed and full of energy.

Ready to roll

Stay tuned for the start of my American blogs in the next day or two. I’m trying to catch up as quickly as I can, but there’s far too much to do here!

Thank you Tahiti for a magnificent three days. I’d dearly love to return again to explore the outer archipelagos, but it was such a treat to get a taste of French Polynesia as I hopped from New Zealand to the United States. A beautiful land with beautiful people. I highly recommend going if you ever get the chance. I was just happy to leave my footprint.

Sitting in Auckland last Friday, it was difficult to comprehend that I only had two games remaining before heading off. When you spend more than 12 months preparing for a trip, the weeks disappear in the blink of an eye when you’re actually on the road. It’s sad, but it also goes to show how much fun I’m having.

That night we ventured back to North Harbour stadium (a third such occasion for me) to see South Africa take on Samoa. It was the first time the Springboks had seen Auckland throughout their campaign and I was really looking forward to watching them play. I’ve seen them countless times on TV and most of their superstars throughout the Super Rugby competition, however I’d never seen the national team live which is something that I was pleased to rectify.

The national anthems ring out at North Harbour

Another stirring Samoan performance of the Siva Tau

The game itself was a very entertaining contest. Despite being all but eliminated from the World Cup, Samoa sought to turn it on for their fans one last time and took it right up to the Boks. The boring, predictable South Africans tried to play their boring, predictable (but effective) kicking game much to the chagrin of the crowd (be sure to check out this Facebook page if you want a chuckle).

Although not crowd pleasing, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m completely in awe of the respective boots of Morne and Francois Steyn. These guys will kill you in multiples of three if you give them the chance, so I was thrilled to see these guys play live for the first time. They put on a first half show, confidently arrogantly attempting shots from well inside their own half, aided by a strong breeze. It was one-way traffic but South Africa only had a 13-0 lead to show for their domination.

Morne Steyn adds another three

To Samoa’s credit, they came out and forced the issue in the second stanza. It was great for the fans and great for the game, despite what the increasingly disgruntled South African fans thought. Although prevailing 13-5 (yep, a scoreless second half from one of the World Cup favourites), the game could have gone either way. There were plenty of questionable refereeing decisions against Samoa and most of the post-game media was weighted heavily in their favour. Captain Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono took it one step further and lashed out on Twitter, earning him a ban after he failed to show up to the disciplinary hearing (new hearing scheduled for October 15).

I wasn’t impressed by South Africa in the slightest. As I write this, it’s a little over 24 hours until they square off against the for the right to (probably) face New Zealand in the semi-final. I’m going on record now to say that Australia will win and win comfortably. If we can limit penalties (something we’ve admittedly not done well) and keep the ball in hand, I can’t see how the Boks will win. I dearly hope this is not misguided optimism, but I’m confident the Wallabies will last at least one more week.

Bryan Habana down for the count as injuries start to hit the Boks

The following night we ventured back to Eden Park for the salivating clash between England and Scotland. Argentina’s narrow victory in Wellington the week prior was the shot in the arm this game desperately needed as it set up a delightful scenario whereby the Scots had to win by at least eight points to stay alive (and put their arch rival on the next flight to Heathrow).

We had superb Level 1 seats this time around, situated undercover which was just as well as the heavens had once again opened up.

We were positioned just in front of the plush corporate areas where the name tags on each seat usually started with “Lady” or “Baron.” As much as I looked, I wasn’t able to spot any embarrassing members of the Royal Family acting like idiots. He was out on the field.

Lucky beneficiary of plush seats among the prawn sandwich brigade

The singing of the national anthems was on a level that I’d never experienced before. It was goosebump-inducing – even though I have no strong loyalty to either side (but was heavily in the Scottish corner on the night). If you know fans from both sides, you will know they are renowned for creating vibrant and loud atmospheres in sporting venues worldwide. God Save The Queen and Flower Of Scotland were just AMAZING and it set the scene for a great game.

Taking in the scenery at Eden Park

Scotland was switched on from kick-off and started to slot penalties from all over the field.

As the Scots grew their lead three points at a time, English supporters around Eden Park turned to a quivering pile of nerves. They were biting nails, yelling in frustration at their own players and cowering in their seats, scarcely able to watch what was unfolding.

But the thing about northern hemisphere rugby is that more often than not, it’s a slug fest. All it takes is a try to completely break the game open.

One of the best and one of the worst playing strips at the World Cup

The game itself reminded me a lot of Australia vs Ireland, although I enjoyed this one much more as my emotional investment was minimal! It also helped that Johnny Wilkinson couldn’t hit the side of a barn door. The Scots (and the neutrals) loved the associated schadenfreude!

England got their act together however and not only got inside the margin required to top their pool, but won the game outright which was quite undeserved in my humble opinion. Scotland were brave, but were probably 10 minutes shy of causing a huge upset and one of their greatest ever results.

Boooooooo, hissssss! Johnny’s gonna miss, Johnny’s gonna miss!

So that’s it! Where did the pool stage disappear so quickly? It honestly seems like mere days ago when we were on our way to Eden Park for the RWC opening clash between New Zealand and Tonga. Some three weeks and 10+ games later, we’re done (well… I’ll be back for the Final!)

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in New Zealand for being such accommodating hosts.

You’ll be hard pressed to find more a welcoming group of people than Kiwis and they have so far done their country proud. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, the country had rugby fever and it was great to see.

The volunteers are also doing a magnificent job in what can often be a tedious and thankless task. Some luck out and get jobs on the field of play, others are posted 1km from the stadium in the rain telling patrons which way to walk to their gate (and always with a smile on their face). I know they will receive the plaudits they deserve from the RWC brass in the coming weeks, but I just wanted to say thanks for playing such a pivotal role in helping international guests such as myself get the most out of New Zealand.

I look forward to returning for the Final for a one-day curtain call on October 23!

I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I went to a market which is crazy considering how much I love fresh food. Usually I’m too lazy to rise on the good side of 10am and subsequently miss all of the action. I must seek to change that upon my return seeing as Melbourne is blessed with some of the country’s best markets!

I could have stayed there grazing all morning. Bacon and egg rolls with home made sauces, venison sausage, fresh pastries, smoked meats, seafood, organic fruit juices, and more South American desserts than you could poke a Churro at. Amaaaazing!

We also stopped at Puriri Hills winery for a brief tasting session on the way back. The woman who owns it has the most breathtaking homestead overlooking the 100-acre property and vineyard. If you’re ever in the area, definitely check it out.

Very impressed with the benchtop iPad that allowed you to browse
vintages and register for the Puriri wine mailing list

We headed home for a brief stop before making our way towards Eden Park for the much-hyped Pacific Islands clash between Samoa and Fiji.

The game had been long sold out and promised to be an explosive show of raw power and explosive pace from two nations of rugby purists. Sadly the incessant rain dampened our expectation for high-speed running rugby, but I looked forward to the clash nonetheless.

Evidence of a sellout was clear the moment we arrived at the gate

The highlight of the match for mine was seeing the two teams perform their traditional pre-game war dance simultaneously. Unlike the respect that is paid to the Haka (where opposing teams wait before performing their ritual), the Fijians immediately responded to the Samoans and the crowd went BALLISTIC! It was a truly amazing spectacle to witness.

Sadly for Fiji, that’s about as fired up as they got all day. They were clearly overmatched by a bigger, faster and more skilled Samoan rival, going down 27-7.

A surprisingly good view despite the height and distance

Although the game itself was never much of a contest, today’s result helped set the scene for later in the week (as did Argentina’s exciting win over Scotland).

My remaining games are:

South Africa vs Samoa (the Samoans have to win to be a chance of pipping Wales to a berth in the Quarter Finals) and;
England vs Scotland (the Scots must win and hope Argentina suffers a monumental defeat to Georgia a day later)

The worst case scenario is that both pools would have been decided by now and there’s nothing worse than dead rubbers. Thankfully that’s not how it played out.

The Springboks game looms as a genuinely feisty clash and while I think Scotland have Buckley’s chance of qualifying, at least they play the day before Argentina so must treat it as a ‘live’ fixture. Hopefully this means two cracking games to round out my time before boarding a plane for Tahiti next Sunday afternoon.

I will be back for the Final however.

In last week’s post I discussed how the Wallabies have all but ruined their World Cup campaign by losing to Ireland. While I still think they blew a huge opportunity, I’m not quite prepared to write them off just yet. It will require unprecedented vanquishing of southern hemisphere foes, but it can be done.

I’d dearly love to see us there on October 23, but will appreciate the opportunity regardless of who takes to the field in search of rugby’s greatest prize.