Marseille
A week or so later we were off to Marseille for the All Blacks opening game against Italy. Whilst on the train from Perpignan which was constantly filling up with more and Kiwis along the way we met a Maori guy called Grant who was heading to Marseille to meet his French partner and had everything crossed that he could get tickets to the game! When we finally arrived the train station was packed with people wearing All Black jerseys and a surprising number of them were French.
It was such a hot sunny summers day that Tama ended up just wearing his flag and sun glasses.
A couple of drinks and a baguette later, we went into the stadium and found our seats and to our surprise there was former Mayor of Wellington Mark Blumsky in the row in front of us. We were practically on the half way line and had a great view of the game that the All Blacks ended up winning very convincingly.
A week or so later we were off to Marseille for the All Blacks opening game against Italy. Whilst on the train from Perpignan which was constantly filling up with more and Kiwis along the way we met a Maori guy called Grant who was heading to Marseille to meet his French partner and had everything crossed that he could get tickets to the game! When we finally arrived the train station was packed with people wearing All Black jerseys and a surprising number of them were French.
It was such a hot sunny summers day that Tama ended up just wearing his flag and sun glasses.
A couple of drinks and a baguette later, we went into the stadium and found our seats and to our surprise there was former Mayor of Wellington Mark Blumsky in the row in front of us. We were practically on the half way line and had a great view of the game that the All Blacks ended up winning very convincingly.
The celebrations afterwards were awesome. We met up with Tama's cousins Sean and Katrina, her husband Martin, Aunty Fay and Uncle Mike and others.
We had a couple more Heinekens in the sun before heading down the port of Marseille where the festivities continued on into the wee hours. We had a great night and caught up with Grant and his partner Ginie (who managed to get tickets in the end) and Barrett and Sparrow. 
The port was a hive of activity and we finally made it back to our hotel room a bit worse for wear. We had been very lucky as Mike Te Whata had offered us the spare double bed in his hotel overlooking the harbour so we awoke to a spectacular view of Marseille.
We had a couple more Heinekens in the sun before heading down the port of Marseille where the festivities continued on into the wee hours. We had a great night and caught up with Grant and his partner Ginie (who managed to get tickets in the end) and Barrett and Sparrow. 
The port was a hive of activity and we finally made it back to our hotel room a bit worse for wear. We had been very lucky as Mike Te Whata had offered us the spare double bed in his hotel overlooking the harbour so we awoke to a spectacular view of Marseille.
The next morning feeling a tad under the weather we caught up with Grant and Ginie for brunch. They told us all about the amazing jobs they have in France working on luxury yachts for millionaires and mixing with the rich and famous celebrities of the world - what a hard life.
We then went to an Irish pub to wait for Katrina and Martin and watch some more World Cup Rugby. Whilst there Tama ran into some friends from New Zealand (surprise, surprise).We were going to be moving on to Toulon that afternoon but when Katrina and Martin arrived they had a special surprise for us - they had shouted as a hotel room in Marseille for the night so that we could spend the day together and catch up properly. Very generous! 
So once the last game had finished for that day we went and checked into our room and dropped off our bags. We decided that we would go on a harbour cruise that evening so we walked along the harbourside to where we would catch our boat. Katrina had run ahead to make sure we wouldn't miss it and when got there she was having apertifs with some people on the wharf. We assumed that this was part of the cruise so when they asked to join them we said thank you and had a drink with them. The next thing we knew the captain of the boat we were going out on came over and asked us if we were going on a cruise and if so could we hurry up and board so we could leave. It turned out it was a local dive clubs drinkies!
So once the last game had finished for that day we went and checked into our room and dropped off our bags. We decided that we would go on a harbour cruise that evening so we walked along the harbourside to where we would catch our boat. Katrina had run ahead to make sure we wouldn't miss it and when got there she was having apertifs with some people on the wharf. We assumed that this was part of the cruise so when they asked to join them we said thank you and had a drink with them. The next thing we knew the captain of the boat we were going out on came over and asked us if we were going on a cruise and if so could we hurry up and board so we could leave. It turned out it was a local dive clubs drinkies! We left the harbour and the views from the sea of Marseille were breathtaking as was the gorgeous sunset that followed. 
We met another Kiwi couple, Selena and Angus on the cruise who had been to the game the day before as well. As we swapped stories Selena said that she worked at MTV UK and that I should send in my CV as I might be able to get some work at the Anuual MTV Awards in Munich later on in the year. We sailed out to an island and anchored off the shore and then the captain offered everyone a drink of rose or picard ( a French liquer). We all had a toast and then we heard a big splash as Katrina and Martin jumped off for a swim. It was a beautifully still night and when we sailed back into the harbour Marseille looked like incredible all lit up.
We met another Kiwi couple, Selena and Angus on the cruise who had been to the game the day before as well. As we swapped stories Selena said that she worked at MTV UK and that I should send in my CV as I might be able to get some work at the Anuual MTV Awards in Munich later on in the year. We sailed out to an island and anchored off the shore and then the captain offered everyone a drink of rose or picard ( a French liquer). We all had a toast and then we heard a big splash as Katrina and Martin jumped off for a swim. It was a beautifully still night and when we sailed back into the harbour Marseille looked like incredible all lit up. 
A quick shower and change back at the hotel and then the four of us went out for dinner. We found an amazing restaurant and settled in for what was to be a delicious feast! 
The menu was incredible and we were starving and thought that we would order a main each at least! What happened in reality was we ordered a "Stella Pizza" to share which had four different cheeses on it for a starter which disappeared before it touched the table. Katrina spotted a gorgeous looking pasta on the table next to us so we ordered that as well as another "Stella" this time "avec champingon" - with mushrooms. The wine continued to flow and when we knocked those dishes off we realised that we may not be as hungry as we had thought! So it was yet another "Stella" but this time "avec champignon, avec chorizo". YUM!
The next day we had a coffee and croissant in the foyer of the hotel then went for a walk along the harbour.
We all went to a seaside restaurant for a seafood lunch then to a beach for a swim. 
After that we packed our bags and jumped on the train and headed off to Toulon.
Toulon
We arrived in Toulon after a short journey and were picked up at the station by Sean's cousin in law Francois who we met in St Jean Pied de Port.
He took us to his house where we met his gorgeous children and after dinner crashed out so we could get an early start to look around the next day.
The menu was incredible and we were starving and thought that we would order a main each at least! What happened in reality was we ordered a "Stella Pizza" to share which had four different cheeses on it for a starter which disappeared before it touched the table. Katrina spotted a gorgeous looking pasta on the table next to us so we ordered that as well as another "Stella" this time "avec champingon" - with mushrooms. The wine continued to flow and when we knocked those dishes off we realised that we may not be as hungry as we had thought! So it was yet another "Stella" but this time "avec champignon, avec chorizo". YUM!The next day we had a coffee and croissant in the foyer of the hotel then went for a walk along the harbour.
We all went to a seaside restaurant for a seafood lunch then to a beach for a swim. 
After that we packed our bags and jumped on the train and headed off to Toulon.
ToulonWe arrived in Toulon after a short journey and were picked up at the station by Sean's cousin in law Francois who we met in St Jean Pied de Port.
He took us to his house where we met his gorgeous children and after dinner crashed out so we could get an early start to look around the next day.The next morning we caught the bus into town and went sightseeing. We got off outside the Toulon rugby stadium where Tana Umaga had just returned from New Zealand to take up a position as player coach and wondered about the waterfront where we eventually had an amazing seafood lunch. 
From there we strolled through the stunning buildings and once again were blown away by how beautiful European cities truly are, especially in baking sunshine. 
When we got back to the house, Francois and Chantalle packed up the children and we headed off down to the beach for a dip in the "Med". To say it was a breathtaking setting would be an understatement. The water was like a bath and the view down the coast was accentuated by the evening sun. 
Feeling totally refreshed we ordered pizza for dinner and weren't disappointed when it finally arrived. Over dinner Francois had a little surprise for us and asked if it would be ok if we went into his school the next day to give a talk to some students. The group would be made up English language students and some that were involved in playing for the schools rugby team. Of course we said yes and the next day we went to the school and ended up doing a presentation to about 40 kids. It was a great deal of fun and Olivia and I told them all about New Zealand and I am gave them a demonstration of the haka. There were many questions about the All Blacks and all in all it was a lot of fun. The kids all wanted Tama's autograph after he did the haka! 
From there we strolled through the stunning buildings and once again were blown away by how beautiful European cities truly are, especially in baking sunshine. 
When we got back to the house, Francois and Chantalle packed up the children and we headed off down to the beach for a dip in the "Med". To say it was a breathtaking setting would be an understatement. The water was like a bath and the view down the coast was accentuated by the evening sun. 
Feeling totally refreshed we ordered pizza for dinner and weren't disappointed when it finally arrived. Over dinner Francois had a little surprise for us and asked if it would be ok if we went into his school the next day to give a talk to some students. The group would be made up English language students and some that were involved in playing for the schools rugby team. Of course we said yes and the next day we went to the school and ended up doing a presentation to about 40 kids. It was a great deal of fun and Olivia and I told them all about New Zealand and I am gave them a demonstration of the haka. There were many questions about the All Blacks and all in all it was a lot of fun. The kids all wanted Tama's autograph after he did the haka! 
Francois lent us his car as he had to work for the rest of the afternoon and we went for a drive to the coast to check out the local market. What can you say about the French and their markets - unreal! This had all the trimmings plus it was set right on the beach. We got some olives, jambon and baguettes to take back to Perpignan.
We drove back to the school in time for Francois to drop us off at the station and we settled in for our homeward journey. We read and played some more Grass and Fran was there to meet us at the station to take us back to their place. We spent some more time in Perpignan and a week or so later we were primed and ready for the next game of the All Blacks campaign.....
Lyon
We caught yet another train to Lyon and were lucky enough to find a room at an Ibis which was quite literally 800 metres or so from the entrance to the stadium. Getting off the train we got a connecting Metro to our stop and found our hotel right across the road. There were All Black and Portugese jerseys and flags everywhere and a festive atmosphere was already in swing! 
We checked in and went down to the bar where we waited for Uncle Mike and Aunty Fay to arrive as we had a couple of spare tickets for them. A couple of nice cold beers later they arrived and we al headed off to the game. 
The stadium at Lyon is in another class to the one in Marseille. It was so well laid out and it was an easy transition through the turnstiles and searches by the guards. 
Once in the ground we found our seats, which were once again AWESOME and watched the All Blacks absolutely run riot over the poor team from Portugal. 
To their credit though they scored a try which was hugely popular with everyone in the ground.
We checked in and went down to the bar where we waited for Uncle Mike and Aunty Fay to arrive as we had a couple of spare tickets for them. A couple of nice cold beers later they arrived and we al headed off to the game. 
The stadium at Lyon is in another class to the one in Marseille. It was so well laid out and it was an easy transition through the turnstiles and searches by the guards. 
Once in the ground we found our seats, which were once again AWESOME and watched the All Blacks absolutely run riot over the poor team from Portugal. 
To their credit though they scored a try which was hugely popular with everyone in the ground.
After the match we said farewell to Uncle Mike and Aunty Fay and went back to the hotel bar to watch another match. There we met a whole crowd of other Kiwis including one group that we ended up going out with in town. We caught the train into the centre of Lyon and went to have a beer at a local pub/ cafe which was a lot of fun. From there we trekked off to find the "Maori Cafe" which was owned and run by a Maori guy who had been living in France for 20 odd years after a career in Professional Rugby League. It took awhile to find it and we saw group after group of All Blacks fans enjoying the Lyon cafe and bar scene until we finally found The Maori Cafe. 
It was amazing to go into a bar in France and see New Zealand beers and hundreds of pictures of our gorgeous homeland and the All Blacks. 
We met Tai the owner and ended up buying Tama a t-shirt as well. For dinner we ate these incredible Kiwi burgers which were yum! We continued partying for awhile there listening to Kiwi music and after Tama got a buzz out of meeting an ex-All Black captain and great Tane Norton we all headed for the train back to our hotel. 
We met Tai the owner and ended up buying Tama a t-shirt as well. For dinner we ate these incredible Kiwi burgers which were yum! We continued partying for awhile there listening to Kiwi music and after Tama got a buzz out of meeting an ex-All Black captain and great Tane Norton we all headed for the train back to our hotel. 
The next day we went into town again to find somewhere for breakfast and ran into Richie McCaw, Leon MacDonald and Andy Ellis. 
After a quick chat (in passing) we had a good walk around the centre of town looking at all the sights and beautiful buildings, fountains etc. 
Then we went down to the side of the Seine where there was a gorgeous farmers local market where we found fresh oysters, empanadas (Argentinian Cornish Pasties), fromage and coffee!
All eaten on the side of the Seine - magnificent.
After a quick chat (in passing) we had a good walk around the centre of town looking at all the sights and beautiful buildings, fountains etc. 
Then we went down to the side of the Seine where there was a gorgeous farmers local market where we found fresh oysters, empanadas (Argentinian Cornish Pasties), fromage and coffee!
All eaten on the side of the Seine - magnificent.It was a fitting end to a wonderful couple of days and so reluctantly we headed back to Perpignan. Lots more fun to come though!
