Biarritz

<div align="center">Biarritz Olympique vs Border Reivers</div>

Well, yesterday I woke up at 6 AM to take a train from Tarbes to Pau going through Lourdes. This was followed by a long bus ride that went through an industrial town that smelled like gasoline due to nearby factories. The bus arrived in Bayonne close to 11 AM and my fianc? and I decided to wait there so we could look around the city since neither of us had been there yet.

We had time before our train to Biarritz so we took a stroll along the riverfront. It was raining and I didn't want to get the camera wet so I couldn't take any pictures of the area. Not a big deal really as the weather made everything dull in appearance despite the city being quite beautiful.

Anyway, we took the train and then waited for our bus to Parc des Sports Aguilera (rugby stadium for Biarritz) around 1 PM in Biarritz. We arrived 15 minutes later, but the stadium shop was too over crowed and I couldn't be bothered to pick up the Basque flag that I wanted that has the B.O. (Biarritz Olympique) logo on it. Next time I get into town next year I'll be sure to pick one up when a match isn't being played.

The match was fantastic though. Great atmosphere and people, there were even visiting Scots wearing their kilts in support of the Reivers. There was even a band playing for B.O. during the entire match and they played plenty of chant songs as well as famous songs. My favotire player, Dimitri Yachvili, didn't play because another guy at his position started since it was his birthday.

At the end of the first half it was B.O. up 17 to 3, but in the second half the Reivers came back and tied it up 17 - 17 into the final minutes. Yachvili then came on as a sub and totally changed the match for B.O. He provided the work to get the team a try (score) by kicking the ball perfectly from one side of the pitch (right) to the left and Bobo came out of nowhere to catch the ball and touch it down for five points. Yachvili also helped them score another try with fantastic teamwork and passing. That was the end of the match into extra time at 27 to 17.

It was fantastic and I had a great time. The food was also amazing with very flavorful Basque spices on Lomo (small sliced pork) with tomato and sauces. Enjoy the pictures of the match!

B.O. - red and white
Border Reivers - blue











Other pictures (Biarritz)

After the match we had time before our three hour direct train ride home so we walked along the ocean front. Still one of my favorite cities in the world. You could still see surfers in the water despite it freezing outside. This place is also one of the top two surfing spots in the entire world. Any of you would love it.

 

My fianc? has been to Saint Malo, she loves it as well. I have yet to get there, but I'm sure I will sometime in the next few years if not sooner perhaps. As for Biarritz you really have to get there sometime. That's the type of place where once you're there you become desperate enough to try and think of a way of staying. I swear had I been alone and not previously purchased my train tickets, I probably would've walked the city all night into the next day.

 

Sounds like you're having a great time, I'd love to visit France one day. Quick question, is that the national Rugby competition in France? Like do they select players for the national team out of that competition, or is it only a local league?

Also one of my friends (I have about 3-4 French friends) just found out her father has a brain tumour, and doesnt have long to live, so shes going back to France on Sunday

 

<div class="quote_poster">NTC187 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sounds like you're having a great time, I'd love to visit France one day. Quick question, is that the national Rugby competition in France? Like do they select players for the national team out of that competition, or is it only a local league?

Also one of my friends (I have about 3-4 French friends) just found out her father has a brain tumour, and doesnt have long to live, so shes going back to France on Sunday </div>

Yeah it is great here as always. You definitely should find the cash to visit one day. I would say stick with the south, but then you'd be missing things in Brittany. You have to go to Paris of course, but when you ever do go I suggest making it that you stay there a day or two to check out the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre thoroughly.

Afterward I think the Aquitaine, Pyr?n?es, C?te d'Azur and other regions in the south (basically all of Occitania) are the best to get to. Most importantly to visit both of the mountain regions if financially possible.

The rugby match I went to was the fourth of six during the Heineken Cup, which is basically the European Cup. Biarritz lost in the final last year and are undefeated so far in the pool stages. They are the second ranked rugby club in the world at the moment closely behind Stade Fran?ais. They normally play in their own French rugby union system called the Top 14. There's plenty of great detail about it at Wikipedia if you're interested because it is a fantastic league. One of the three best in the world ranked between the Super 14 of your region and the Magners (formally Celtic) league. There were a few Brits and Aussies at the match I went to as well.

The French National team does select players from Biarritz (most notably Dimitri Yachvili, Imanol Harinordoquy and Damien Traille. They also have many Italian, Fijian and Samoan International players.

I'm sorry for your friend's father that is one of the worst things. I've always strongly supported foundations that try to find cures for that because it also has claimed many members of my family.

 

Kool, thanks for clearing that up for me, as you may have picked up, I'm a Rugby fan myself (having been born in NZ) but I'm not too familiar with the European system.

Also I've got the money to go to France (I have about $5,700 saved up for somthing like this) its just finding the motivation to go, like I mean really want to go, its just 'being serious' about it, if you know what I mean.

Salut.

 

<div class="quote_poster">NTC187 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kool, thanks for clearing that up for me, as you may have picked up, I'm a Rugby fan myself (having been born in NZ) but I'm not too familiar with the European system.

Also I've got the money to go to France (I have about $5,700 saved up for somthing like this) its just finding the motivation to go, like I mean really want to go, its just 'being serious' about it, if you know what I mean.

Salut.</div>

Well if you don't speak French much it can be confusing alone, but I don't think intimidating actually. You should go when you feel that you're ready. I think it is more of a get-up-and-go sort of thing rather then planning it out the first time to go there. I did that first time, I just basically got up and left to the airport with cash in hand and a good bye.

Nice to see another rugby union fan on the board, of course I had no idea you were born a New Zealander. I've been planning to head there myself someday. I follow the All Blacks along with other International sides and they're as always impressive. I was saddened when NZ captain Umaga retired from International play, but now he's playing for the French league Pro D2 (division 2) club Toulon.

Toulon signed him in hopes to get right back up to the Top 14 after they dropped last season surprisingly with a very poor result. So far they're sitting at fourth place in the standings with plenty of matches left to be played. The problem for the club right now is that the top two in the standings are well ahead (Auch and B?ziers) and not looking to fall back.

Do you watch the Super 14 at all? That is the top rated rugby union in the world for club play. The Brumbies seem to be Australia's only strong club though. Meanwhile New Zealand have the Crusaders and I don't think anyone wants to face a club with Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. That has got to be rough as hell. To put in the best way I can, facing Biarritz Olympique for the majority of European clubs is like Western Force or the Cheetahs facing Canterbury's Crusaders.

If you want to chat about rugby sometime, I'm always open to it.

Bonne Nuit.