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Kiwis take flight to India as sports tourists
By John Satish K., Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Call it sports tourism if you wish. Some 20 New Zealanders here to watch their women hockey players, including their daughters, are having a rollicking time.

The visitors, from seven families, are busy enjoying the Indira Gandhi Gold Cup hockey tournament - and exploring the country too.

"Our intention was not just to be with our daughters but also to get a first hand experience of this country that we have only heard so much about," Brian Naylor told IANS here.

Brian, whose daughter Emily is part of the New Zealand squad, made the trip along with his wife Sarah and younger daughter Alice.

"What hits me about India is the organised chaos. The masses of people, the sights, the heat, the traffic... it is still sinking in," Brian said when asked about his experience.

For Ted Kight, who came to watch his granddaughter Bridget, this is the first trip outside his country.

"I tried to imagine what India is like, but it has far exceeded my imagination. Everyone here is so well mannered, Indians are gracious people," said the septuagenarian.

"There is quite a stark difference in the class of people based on income, but the people from the lower sections seemed to be perennially happy," he observed.

While some of the New Zealanders have remained confined to New Delhi, a few have already done their tourist bit -- with trips to Agra and Jaipur.

"The forts and palaces are amazing and the details unbelievable. India has absolutely amazing sights and sounds," said Cameron Alistair Orr, who came with parents Alistair and Dawn. His sister Meredith plays with the team.

"I knew it was going to be an eye-opener, but when I got here, it was a lot more than I had expected. It has just been such an intense experience," Cameron added.

His mother Dawn found the traffic conditions on Delhi's roads highly amusing.

"Traffic is such entertainment! It is such a big tangle that somehow seems to work and I still cannot figure out how we come out unscathed," she said.

"As long as you have a good horn, a good driver and most importantly - good luck - you're fine," she said.

Indian food has been an instant hit with all the New Zealanders, and they are using every opportunity to explore more varieties.

"The food has been really good, there are so many varieties and we have absolutely loved every bit of it," said Ted Kight. "The beer is on the expensive side though, compared to home!"

The Kiwis do have one complaint.

"You cannot go down the street without being hounded by people to buy things, which is frustrating," said Brian. But he is still happy to be in India.