I try to select the best photo of the day to start the blog. Here is a Maori warrier as they reenacted the ceremony checking out and then welcoming strangers to their land. We traveled inland for about 1.5 hours to get to the Maori Center and Geothermal fields. The crowd of about 100 was silent as this chief showed just how fierce and brave he was.
The Mars' fog horn sounded most of the night, the fog was heavy. I'm glad we have have seen only a few ships through our travels less to run into in the fog.... We docked this morning at 9:30 facing an extinct volcano Mt. Manganui. This is a popular tourist area, it is Sunday and the beaches were bustling. There were surfers, swimmers (NO jelly fish here - the waters are too cold), hikers (around the base or to the top of Mt. Manganui) and coffee drinkers.
We are in the Bay of Plenty, named by James Cook.
Our tour was a long one @6 hrs so back onto a motorcoach headed to Rotorua, through beautiful country. There were fields of kiwi growing in teepee like set ups. They grow three varieties: green, golden and a new variety of red kiwi. Many of the fields are hidden behind tall rows of shrubs (wind screens) to protect the plants. An interesting tidbit - the area is on water restriction. They don't have a shortage of water, they have a shortage of storage tanks to hold water. There is a lot of growth, people moving to the area, new housing developments, they can't keep up with infrastructure. Sounds familiar.
Kiwi fields.
The community is very environmentally focussed. They constructed this barrier to prevent two lakes from mixing waters. One lake is clean the other not.
The Maori, original settlers in the 13th century, live throughout NZ, but more are in the Rotorua area where 45% of the population is Maori. They are working hard to document and carry on traditions. Their center is an official trade school in addition to a display of their crafts. They value: people, and land most.
A very long word...
Here is the beginning of the 'welcome' ceremony. They came out ready to fight, just in case we weren't friendly. Good thing we came in peace.
Then the fun show, singing, dancing, throwing batons.
Demos of their crafts.
Here are the geothermal fields, on Maori lands. It is the 4th largest geyser in the world. Yellowstone in the US has two that are larger.
They have mud fields too, steam bubbling through mounds of giant ant hill like mounds.
Our bus driver made a quick drive through Rotorua on the drivve back.
This beautiful old historic building has been fenced off, no longer in use. The foundations were compromised during an earthquake 5-6 years ago. They are trying to figuure out how to repair it.
Rotorua has more motels than I've ever seen in an area. Here is one. There were easily 100 more...
Pine forest with undergrowth of fern beds.
Last night we listened to Sergey. He sometimes is very dramatic playing a piece from The Pirates of the Caribbean (Johnny Depp). He also plays a few James Boond theme songs in addition to all the classical music. Behind the piano in thThe Atrium there is a changing display of Norweigen artwork (15 feet tall). Lately it has been old stamps.
Oh and we also enjoyed a little tea and biscuit at afternoon tea. We skipped the plates of goodies and went straight for the tea and biscuits/scones.
We have just one more day, about 36 hrs before we head home. Tomorrow is America's Cup Sailing, packing and hopefully a little time to tour Auckland on our own. Where has the time gone? Although its been a fabulous experiance, we are both ready to be home for awhile!
What I remember most about driving around Rotorua was the overwhelming smell of sulfur!
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