Rotorua

We started off today with breakfast at the cafe at the top of the Skyline cable car.  If you know me at all, you'll understand that I don't like cable cars and going up there before breakfast was quite a big ask.  However, we made it safely.


The cable car people also have a luge run down the hill.  I was thinking seriously about doing a run down - after all I can ride a bike, how hard could it be? - but was turned off by the news that after the luge down the hill it was a chair lift back to the top.  Cable cars are one thing, but a chair lift is definitely not on my list of things to do ever again!  So no luge run for me.  Les doesn't mind the chairlift, however, and went down and back  twice.  He would have gone again but there wasn't time.


Next on the list was a visit to the Agrodome for the sheep show, which included a show of 19 different breeds, a couple of different sheep dogs, and a shearing demonstration.  The fellow doing it was good, and we had a fun time.


Back into town for lunch and a bit of a walk around.  Les went for a swim in the hot spa, and I have been for a  walk around and a bit to eat.  The smell of Rotorua is quite strong, to put it mildly, but I think we're getting used to it.  It's much stronger than the hot pools in Moree, and can be enjoyed everywhere in the town.


This afternoon we go to the hot pools and geyser, then have a Maori welcome followed by a hangi for dinner.  I'll try to do another update after that, I'm not sure when the internet allowance runs out.

Later

We’ve been to the Tu Puia area, which is where the hot springs and geysers are located, for our cultural visit, Maori welcome and hangi.  The place does not smell attractive at all, but is very interesting.  The local people still cook food there, and the mud is now sold in skin care products, after being cooled down quite a lot.

The Maori welcome took place outside the marae or meeting ground, and comes from the practice of challenging strangers who come into a tribal ground.  Having passed the challenge, we went into the whare nui, meeting house, for a performance by a group of entertainers who sang, danced, did a haka and a poi dance.  The singing was absolutely beautiful, wonderful voice and harmonies. 

Then came yet another meal, this time a hangi, consisting of meats and vegetables cooked in a pit on hot stones.  The original method was to wrap the food in leaves and place it on hot stones in the pit, but these days it’s cooked in baking dishes and covered with foil.  It still tastes good, though!

Back to the hotel now to re-pack and get ready for a long day tomorrow, an early start with a 6 am wake-up and on the road by 7:30 am.  I wish I was a morning person!