| Rotorua |
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Leaving Pokeno we had a leisurely drive down to Rotorua, stopping at
Lake Karopiro to eat our hotel Du Vin picnic lunch. |
| We stayed at the Millennium hotel, Rotorua, adjacent to the
lake and Polynesian Spa. Most of the buildings make use of thermal waters
and steam for heating etc. Thermal springs are everywhere and anyone who
knows the Fletton (London Brick Company!) area of Peterborough, England will
be familiar with the aroma which greets you. The sulphur is ever present
but is fairly subdued and is not really a problem, good for the old nasal
passages. The steam rising from blow holes and the lake surfaces provides
a wonderful and weird sight, particularly early morning. |
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The following day we travelled South on our way to Napier on the East
coast. Wai-O-Tapu was the first
stop to visit the thermal park. |
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The Champagne pool is one of the spectacular features and you can get
an idea of its size from the figures around the edges. |
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The Lady Knox geyser erupts daily at 10.00am. Unfortunately the amount
of thermal energy being drawn locally is thought to be affecting the geyser
and its now less than half its original height. |
| A Maori Village visit had been pre-booked for us and we looked forward
to this as our Maori coach drive aquainted us with Maori custom and some
of the language. Strict customs have to be observed before we entered our
location, Tamaki. Our hosts performed the ritual Powhiri (formal welcome)
and a warrior performed intimidating gestures and movements wielding his
Taiaha, spear like weapon (glad to be standing well back behind all those
big strong blokes in the front!) Each coach had appointed a "Chief" and one
of them received the Teka (peace offering) and after the welcomes calls from
the villagers it was safe to enter the Marae (village) After a tour round
the village we entered the Wharenui (the big house or meeting house) Strange
customs here to, no women in the front in case fighting breaks out between
the rival tribes! The traditional Hangi (earth oven) dinner was delicious,
some of the ovens are shown below. The highlight of the evening was undoubtably
the Poroporoaki (closing ceremony) where all the staff, bus drivers and all
treated us to a great song and dance routine. |
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Large stones are brought to white heat in open fires and placed in the
earth pit and baskets of meat placed over them followed by the vegetable
baskets and a pudding basket on top of that. The whole lot is covered with
a wet cloth and hessian and earth piled on quickly. |