Tuesday 10th March

What bliss – a lie in and late breakfast. When we eventually left the hotel the sun was shining and it was lovely and warm. The hotel is on the outskirts of Rotorua and as we got closer to the centre the smell got stronger.

We went to a place called Te Puai – a maori complex in a geothermal valley. We ended up spending the day there as there was so much to see. There were loads of bubbling mud pools and the famous Pohuto Geyser (pronounced gizer – they said that the geyser was the one behind the camera). It erupts on average once or twice and can reach heights of up to 30 metres.

The cynic in us was convinced that it was all manufactured, that there was a lot of plumbing and electrical heating under the rocks.

Our ticket included a maori concert in their traditional Te Aronui a Rua meeting house. This consisted of the Maori greeting, demonstration of the Hukka and native songs

We had pre-booked an evening out at a maori hangi and concert to be collected from our hotel at 6.30. Very promptly the bus arrived and we joined other passengers. Then off to make the next pick up at the Novotel to collect another two. Our driver Wati announced that we had some backpackers to collect from one more hotel before we could begin our journey to the Hangi – and would you believe it, we were back again at our hotel!! Once they had boarded Wati said that all the passengers on his bus belonged to the Weka tribe and asked for someone to volunteer to be the chief of that tribe for the night – said it had to be a man because they were superior to the women – until they got home! Fred then remarked out loud “Always” and that was his downfall – he was chosen! He was called up to the front of the bus and introduced to everyone and told what to do in the ceremonial part of the evening. When we arrived we were joined by four other bus loads and each one had their own chief.

Each chief then had to be introduced to the Maori chief and go through the welcoming ceremony which included touching noses. There was then a presentation of the maori story with music and dance and then we went off to have dinner which was all cooked in the traditional Maori way, under ground. It was wonderful and there was loads of it. However most of the evening, apart from the meal was outside and it was very cold. We all had to meet the Chief – as you can see I was not too sure!

When it was all over, we got back on the bus, and then Chief Fred was the MC to organise the community singing on the way home. He did a great job and everyone enjoyed it. It’s been ages since I have seen him so animated – the old Fred was back!!

I have to say that the lunchtime concert was better than that included in our evening trip – it was more attractive, and more professional, more tuneful – and the men were more attractive!!

I will be sad to leave tomorrow as there is so much more to do here.

Still, onwards and upwards….