R-OKTOBERFEST
From Zagreb, we found a train service that went to Munich via Slovenia, Austria and eventually into Germany. The comfortable ride felt surprisingly quick, most likely due to the incredible countryside we passed on our 9 hour journey. The anticipation was amplified knowing that we were soon to meet up with good pals Macca and Noelle from home – another exciting chance to see some familiar faces. We had already arranged to meet up with our drinking allies at our accommodation but as we stepped off the train and waded through the ocean of traditionally clad “Oktoberfestrians”, we were deafened by a glass-shattering screech from none other than one Mr Jamie McNamara. Cute as a button, the burly mountain of decibels stood boldly in the middle of the exit gate, blocking all through traffic – waiting for us with open arms and a few more “whoooooooooooo hooooooooooooooo’s”; just incase we missed him in his fluorescent yellow t-shirt. After many spine-snapping hugs, we gathered our things and raced back to the hotel to offload our luggage and headed straight for the ultra-authentic Augustiner Bierhalle where fellow Fanatics Tour Group members were enjoying a meet & greet night – including one very patient Noelle. The P.M. quickly turned into A.M. and we eventually decided to send ourselves back to the hotel in order to catch a few hours of snooze time before our scheduled 5:30am rendezvous at the Oktoberfest entry gates that morning. Sure enough, it was time to arise and nurse our throbbing heads down to where the action was about to begin. After lining up for 2 hours, the crowd FINALLY began to move through the entrance and within minutes, there were literally thousands of froth topped steins swaying from side to side to the beat of the Oompa band’s version of Sweet Caroline. A scene that was repeated at least 6 times throughout the following 14 hours that we remained at the beer halls that day. And there was little variation for the next two days. However on Sunday 2nd October, it was Noelle’s birthday and we started at the underground “Ned Kelly Aussie Bar” to watch the live airing of the NRL Grand Final between the Sea Eagles and Warriors alongside possibly every other Aussie and Kiwi that was in Munich at the time. Due to time differences, it was another ungodly start, stepping out of the Hotel at 6am to ensure we got good seats. After the game and plenty of more fluids, we headed back to the beer halls and afterwards, managed to mix it up with some neck-jerking, tummy-stirring thrill rides to celebrate. Special mentions go out to the Kiwi group who we fell deeply in love with, the ever accommodation group leaders (particularly Caili and Moose!), the strongest beer maids in the universe as well as the squillions of strangers who shared a sense of camaraderie and joined in the festivities. There wasn’t one person amongst the masses who didn’t have an enormous grin from ear to ear at any time of the day – the air was electric and to live and breath (and drink) such excitement is a memory to go down as yet another one of our highlights.
WIN:
Ads found a BRAND NEW iPhone 4 for free, tried to return it to the Apple store and the Police but insisted there was nothing they could do due to the locked screen and associated privacy invasion and said he may as well keep it.
FAIL:
Where Ads found the iPhone. Let’s just say that it isn’t one for the faint hearted or weak stomached.
theflightclub 