Naked rugby, Chocolate Carnival and “The House of Pain”
Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 10, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Dunedin, New Zealand could just be the most fun place in the whole world. Where else can you see a naked rugby game (really!!) or take part in a chocolate festival? I have lots of things to tell you about Dunedin, but c’mon, you must want to know about naked rugby?!!
Check out the photos from last year. (Warning!! There’s nudity – it is called NAKED rugby after all.) The annual nude rugby match will coincide with National Nude Day. A mixed international team will take on the unbeatable Nude Blacks. Guest referees in the past include ex-All Blacks’ Josh Kronfield and a blind referee. A nude haka will start the proceedings. (For those of you who haven’t seen a haka – it’s an incredible traditional Maori dance. It is very powerful and emotional…and well, now they’re doing it naked – go figure.) This is happening this coming Saturday, June 13.
The Cadbury Chocolate Carnival doesn’t happen until the summer, but who could resist talking about it! It is a week long celebration of all things chocolate, including a race of 30,000 Jaffas down the world’s steepest street.
30,000 Jaffas rolling down the street!
The carnival, now in its ninth year, includes other family activities such as a hot chocolate ceremony, chocolate fishing, chocolate facials, a Crunchie train, choc-art creativity classes and chocology with choc-therapist Murray Langham.
Also coming this weekend, Dunedin will host the first match between France and the All Blacks since the Kiwis were defeated at the Rugby World Cup in 2007.
The match will see France play their first ever game at Dunedin’s Carisbrook Stadium. Carisbrook, aptly known as “The House of Pain,” is set to be replaced by a new 35,000-seat stadium just in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
You have to admit, this is a city with a lot going on…and coming off!
