AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
I'm back from my little trip to Melbourne. Below is a bit of a write up on it. Whether you're a Novocastrian or not or just inexperienced at any travel by plane as I am currently then take whatever info from my experience here that may help you in your own Rugby travels.
DISCLAIMER: I am at times taking the piss here so please try to engage your sense of humour when reading the following.
"A Country Hicks' Short Trip to Melbourne"
Details
Package: Sorted thru Flightcentre, no probs with these guys.
Game tickets: Ticketek, seated high but not right up the top, nice view of the whole ground but I would have liked to have been closer
Flights: In & out with Virgin Blue, Newcastle to Melbourne airport then back. Virgin were very good. Oh yeah & they have a sign up near checking in that says something like "Don't joke about having bombs in your bag". Good thing I saw that because I was going to make a similar joke - quite possibly avoided a Nate Myles/Anasta-type situation there.
Transport from & back to MEL Airport: Sunbus service. NOTE: Nothing wrong with these guys but I may use the SkyBus next time that was right outside the terminal exit (T3) & have buses every 10min that go into the city, probably a cheaper option. http://www.skybus.com.au/
Stayed at: Mantra on Jolimont. http://www.mantra.com.au/victoria/m...urne/accommodation/hotels/mantra-on-jolimont/
No frills. Basics with a few extras. Close to the MCG & the other grounds like AAMI. $79 per night per head was the rate at the time I stayed. Apparently there is a bit of train noise (I had been told) but given that I collapsed on the bed intoxicated after trying to erase the memories of the Crusaders performance earlier that night I don't think I heard any (really went against my diet with my alcohol consumption the other night). Had a Zac Guildford nightmare too, not him on a bike nude drunk chasing me but rather that bomb he did in his own 22m that went almost straight up & down ("Why Zac!!! Why!!!!"). Mantra has a bar, cafe/restaurant, & a few other perks - their breakfasts were very good, no pancakes though. May experience a few other places but I would use this place again if need be.
Game: Rebels v Crusaders at AAMI Park
Set out on Sat morning, Sat game at 7:30pm, home Sun afternoon
General Pros of trip
Crusaders: It has been years since I've been at a ground to watch the Saders play live & despite them losing I still enjoyed actually getting to see them.
The Staff at AAMI Park: Quite literally everyone I encountered was very kind & helpful.
Food & Drink at AAMI Park: In addition to regular footy grub AAMI Park has a few different burgers, chicken or fish on top of chips, hotdogs, dim sims, & few other things that I can't remember off the top of my head. Carlton mid str & Bulmers was on tap, they have a number of pre-mix drinks - all in all a good collection. The higher alcohol content options became very handy as the game went on.......
The Crowd: Tame! Compared to what I'm used to. Incredibly well behaved so from a family perspective I think it gets plenty of points. Just over 18000.
Pre-Game Games/Viewing: I enjoyed watching MGS v Scotch & the Women's sevens Emeralds v Flames. The kiwi welcoming I thought was a nice touch for kiwi fans. The introduction of each Rebel player on the big screen showing the charities each player was involved in was good also, I didn't know that each Rebel player had a charity.
Merchandise: They look like they have a very comprehensive Rebel merch store (for anyone in the Hunter or elsewhere that's a Rebels fan). Maybe online would be cheaper? (seems to to be that way with most supporter merch). My Ma asked me "Do they have Crusader gear?". I can't believe she was serious.
General Cons of the Trip
Crusaders: They were both a plus & a minus. The negative was how they played but don't worry boys, to quote Whitney Houston "I will always love you".
Time: Really felt rushed. Ideally should have gone down Friday & given myself a bit more time. Or perhaps being inexperienced it just added to the stress & with experience I may get used to it.
My right ear: 15min away from landing I just couldn't pop it. I was deaf a few hours after landing.
Odds n' Ends
AAMI Park, stadium/atmosphere, etc: AAMI park looked good outside & in, it echoed, we had good cover from rain, & felt like the stadium went up real narrow. All-in-all good but I think I feel more at home at old or traditional styled grounds, in particular the 'ground with grass hills' type of ground. Pretty much just personal pref though.
Melbourne itself: I was only there for the game but I got a ride around Melbourne before hand. To my eyes Melbourne really just looks & feels like Sydney but add trams, slightly more overcast weather, & loads of AFL shite. And with that I've just offended every Sydneyite & Melbournian saying each is pretty much like the other - nicely done ASH
.
Overall: Highly recommend. I really want to watch an international Rugby match there at some point.
LASTLY, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE!!!
DISCLAIMER: I am at times taking the piss here so please try to engage your sense of humour when reading the following.
"A Country Hicks' Short Trip to Melbourne"
Details
Package: Sorted thru Flightcentre, no probs with these guys.
Game tickets: Ticketek, seated high but not right up the top, nice view of the whole ground but I would have liked to have been closer
Flights: In & out with Virgin Blue, Newcastle to Melbourne airport then back. Virgin were very good. Oh yeah & they have a sign up near checking in that says something like "Don't joke about having bombs in your bag". Good thing I saw that because I was going to make a similar joke - quite possibly avoided a Nate Myles/Anasta-type situation there.
Transport from & back to MEL Airport: Sunbus service. NOTE: Nothing wrong with these guys but I may use the SkyBus next time that was right outside the terminal exit (T3) & have buses every 10min that go into the city, probably a cheaper option. http://www.skybus.com.au/
Stayed at: Mantra on Jolimont. http://www.mantra.com.au/victoria/m...urne/accommodation/hotels/mantra-on-jolimont/
No frills. Basics with a few extras. Close to the MCG & the other grounds like AAMI. $79 per night per head was the rate at the time I stayed. Apparently there is a bit of train noise (I had been told) but given that I collapsed on the bed intoxicated after trying to erase the memories of the Crusaders performance earlier that night I don't think I heard any (really went against my diet with my alcohol consumption the other night). Had a Zac Guildford nightmare too, not him on a bike nude drunk chasing me but rather that bomb he did in his own 22m that went almost straight up & down ("Why Zac!!! Why!!!!"). Mantra has a bar, cafe/restaurant, & a few other perks - their breakfasts were very good, no pancakes though. May experience a few other places but I would use this place again if need be.
Game: Rebels v Crusaders at AAMI Park
Set out on Sat morning, Sat game at 7:30pm, home Sun afternoon
General Pros of trip
Crusaders: It has been years since I've been at a ground to watch the Saders play live & despite them losing I still enjoyed actually getting to see them.
The Staff at AAMI Park: Quite literally everyone I encountered was very kind & helpful.
Food & Drink at AAMI Park: In addition to regular footy grub AAMI Park has a few different burgers, chicken or fish on top of chips, hotdogs, dim sims, & few other things that I can't remember off the top of my head. Carlton mid str & Bulmers was on tap, they have a number of pre-mix drinks - all in all a good collection. The higher alcohol content options became very handy as the game went on.......
The Crowd: Tame! Compared to what I'm used to. Incredibly well behaved so from a family perspective I think it gets plenty of points. Just over 18000.
Pre-Game Games/Viewing: I enjoyed watching MGS v Scotch & the Women's sevens Emeralds v Flames. The kiwi welcoming I thought was a nice touch for kiwi fans. The introduction of each Rebel player on the big screen showing the charities each player was involved in was good also, I didn't know that each Rebel player had a charity.
Merchandise: They look like they have a very comprehensive Rebel merch store (for anyone in the Hunter or elsewhere that's a Rebels fan). Maybe online would be cheaper? (seems to to be that way with most supporter merch). My Ma asked me "Do they have Crusader gear?". I can't believe she was serious.
General Cons of the Trip
Crusaders: They were both a plus & a minus. The negative was how they played but don't worry boys, to quote Whitney Houston "I will always love you".
Time: Really felt rushed. Ideally should have gone down Friday & given myself a bit more time. Or perhaps being inexperienced it just added to the stress & with experience I may get used to it.
My right ear: 15min away from landing I just couldn't pop it. I was deaf a few hours after landing.
Odds n' Ends
AAMI Park, stadium/atmosphere, etc: AAMI park looked good outside & in, it echoed, we had good cover from rain, & felt like the stadium went up real narrow. All-in-all good but I think I feel more at home at old or traditional styled grounds, in particular the 'ground with grass hills' type of ground. Pretty much just personal pref though.
Melbourne itself: I was only there for the game but I got a ride around Melbourne before hand. To my eyes Melbourne really just looks & feels like Sydney but add trams, slightly more overcast weather, & loads of AFL shite. And with that I've just offended every Sydneyite & Melbournian saying each is pretty much like the other - nicely done ASH
.Overall: Highly recommend. I really want to watch an international Rugby match there at some point.
LASTLY, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE!!!
