| Tuesday was a beautiful day in Rotorua.
We've heard it referred to as Roto-Vegas as it's one of the more
commercial spots. They must have no idea what that reference means
because it's nothing like Vegas. Yes, it's more "touristy"
than some of the other spots, but it stops there. And like every
place else here, it's clean, clean, clean. Did I say that it's
CLEAN? It's unbelievable - and it's not like there are trashcans
sitting along the streets. It's just people picking up after
themselves.
We started off the day
with our spa appointments. We soaked for an hour or so and had our
treatments. We both had mud wraps which were delicious:) I had
a foot massage afterwards and Sharon had a facial. (She sprained her
ankle caving, so the foot massage was a bad idea.) |
 |
The spas are
thermally heated to temperatures of 98, 103, 107 and 110 degrees.
|
|
|
The views around the
spa were breathtaking. |
 |
|
| That night, we took
part in a Maori Concert and Hangi. What an experience! I was
hesitant to book this at first because I thought it might be a tourist
trap. I was wrong and we were glad we went. The Maori are a
proud people who have passed their heritage along through the
generations. We were very impressed by them and their
performance. You are bussed to one of their villages. It's not
an actual village, mind you, just a replica at this point. (Although
the Maori culture is still very much alive and they still have meeting
houses, chiefs, queens, etc.) They are dressed in their native dress
and share their rituals and ways with you. Afterwards, you dine on
their hangi - which is a meal totally cooked in a hole in the
ground. |
 |
Throughout the village, they had
areas set up where they would go through their rituals and warrior
stances. |
|
|
Because it was dark out, most of my
shots of the show didn't come out clear enough to post. So -
you'll just have to settle for a cheesy one of me with a
carving.....
Kia Ora!
(Maori for "Welcome!") |
|
|
| The bus driver was also Maori and
carried the show along the ride. Very entertaining. He had to
choose a "chief" for our bus on the way out. Luckily, the
Maori will only allow men to act as chiefs. I say
"luckily" as this person was responsible for representing our
"tribe" up on stage, etc. We were relieved to hear that we
were ineligible! Terror struck again on the way home, though - the
driver commanded us all to sing songs...from our native countries - in the
front of the bus - on the mike! Could it get any worse?!?! So,
as the only Americans on the bus again, we waited and
sweated...England....Australia...Ireland....Sweden....it went on and on
and finally stopped with no call for the US. Whew! Just as we
pulled into our place though it came - how 'bout a song from the
Americans? We thankfully were able to slink out as they all sang
"American Pie".
Tomorrow, we head to Napier. |
Back
to NZ Itinerary
Home |