Rotorua

On Saturday, we picked up our car and headed south to the Wiatomo Caves, on our way to Rotorua.  The countryside was very dry, as they have been experiencing a drought in the north island for several months.  The caves at Wiatomo contain glow worms, which hang from the ceiling of the cave which has a river running through it. There were lots of stalactites and stalagmites in it as well. We weren’t allowed to take pictures when we were there, so I don’t have many.  

The countryside on our way out of Auckland.

These are the glow worms (taken from a poster). They look like stars.

Exiting the cave in our boat.

Looking back at the cave that we just exited from on the boat.

This suspension bridge was built back in the 1930s over the power dam in the gorge.

We ended the day at a beautiful B&B out in the country in Rotorua.   Our hosts, Lindsey and Jonathan Barran were very hospitable. Their B&B can be viewed at http://124onbrunswick.co.nz/

The view from our room.

In the evening before dinner, we went to the Polynesian Spa for a dip in the hot sulfur springs to easy our pains. We splourged for a private spa room and it was worth it.

Our private room in the Polynesian Spa.

On Sunday, we went to mass and then journeyed down to the Wai-o-tapu thermal reserve. This is an area with extensive volcanic hot springs venting and bubbling up from below. The reserve was an amazing experience to see nature at work.  We drove further south to Lake Taupo, which is the result of the largest volcanic eruption in history. We also visited Huka Falls on the way. We got back in time for a few hours of R&R before heading out to our Maori cultural event.

The hot bubbling mud pools would erupt every few minutes and spit mud up into the air.

These are collapsed steam craters

The "champagne pool" is a very deep cavern of very hot water (300 feet deep and 100 degrees). 

You wouldn't want to take a bath in it.

The yellow colour comes from the sulfur.

There were 'danger warning signs' everywhere cautioning you about the hot water.

The forest here was very dense jungle.

The colours come from minerals in the hot water.

Due to the reflecting light, the colour of this slime green pool turned yellow as you walked past it.

Huka Falls

Lake Taupo with the active volcano in the background.

In the evening we attended a Maori cultural experience, which included native history and dancing, as well as a traditional Hangi dinner (earthen cooked meal).  I was selected to be Chief of our tribe and had to perform several rituals, including making peace with the Maori warriors before we could enter the village. There were several exhibits of Maori culture performed for us and we ate a dinner cooked in the ground. It was a fun evening and we learned a lot about the Maori people.

Not a very friendly first impression.

This warrior was very fiece looking, but was actually very nice.

 Here I am performing the "hongi" or greeting with the warrior by touching our noses twice 

and saying "kia ora" or hello.

In the Maori village, we participated in several demonstrations of their culture.

The food or "hangi" being removed from the earthen oven, where is has been cooking for 4 hours.

 The 4 Chiefs being introduced in the "wharenui" or big house.

 Our Maori village hosts shared several traditional dances and songs with us.

 Here I am trying to perform the traditional "haka" at the end of the evening (not very successfully, as you can see). The "haka" is the Maori war cry. It is used by the "NZ All Blacks" rugby team as their warm up exercise.