Once again I packed my bags for Oktoberfest, Europe's Premier Beer Festival in Munich, Germany. I had learnt my lesson after last year's adventure and flew direct to Munich, as enticing as it sounds I did not want to endure another 16 hour bus ride from Londontown. As my travel companions for this trip and I are high rollers now we also decided to stay in a hostel instead of camping this time round, so that when it rained our possessions stayed nice and dry.

I had the pleasure of having the company of Abby all the way from Perth, her favourite hobby is horse racing in particular betting on trifecta's. Kelly, the token Aucklander who likes walks at night under the twinkling stars and long lie-downs in the park, and Jess from Nelson, whose curls melted all the boys hearts.

We flew into Munich on Thursday night specifically so we could attend the Hundred Club on Friday. For those who are innocently unaware Hundy Club consists of mainly Kiwi's and Aussie's who sit round in a big circle with buckets in front of them, having to do a shot of beer a minute. Along with the judges throwing flour in their faces and into their buckets of beer, which makes it a lovely appetizing clumpy texture. In-between each shot making them beer bong all sorts of heavenly treats mixed in with the beer, such as cat food, jellied eels, sardines and eggs.. you get the picture.

Regrettably we missed the main event as we were drinking 6.9% RTD's for 80 euro cents each (daylight robbery right there!) at our hostel, and all fell asleep on the train to the camping ground meaning that we only arrived for the aftermath. I also knew a lot of the participants this year which would of made it far more entertaining, with my old Uni neighbour Stu 'Pid' McLeod gaining the utmost honour of reaching the highly reputable 100 shots, plus whatever other food/booze/human exerts he had to consume. A nice addition to this year's guest list was the German Riot Police equipped with helmets, batons and shields who were not too happy as someone had skillfully spray painted male genitalia on the back of a police car.

The opening morning of Oktoberfest was greeted by a consistent downpour of rain, but we powered on through and meet up with some friends whom we had met in Spain. Once the German beer starting flowing we forgot about the wet and the cold and had a great day. Followed by another 4 non-stop great days after that. With one of them meeting up with my cousin Nicola, I am just putting it out there now that her and Si are a bad influence on me (just so Grandma knows this), with a lot of steins being consumed. Also some amazing dancing on the huge stage in the middle of the Lowenbrau beer tent with the brass band occurring, I felt like a rock star with a sea of a few thousand hearty beer drinkers in the crowd below.

I even managed to fit some culture in this time round with a bus tour around the city of Munich, and sampled some delicious German delicacies. Had an amazing time, funniest trip yet and some great memories to cherish. Cannot wait to go back again next year, my drindl bar wench outfit was well worth the investment.

Until next time, PROST! xx