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Sat 8 Nov 2014
First thing we set off for the Agrodome - a working sheep farm with displays and demonstrations of the various breeds of sheep, sheep dog yarding and milking cows. A ram of 18 different sheep breeds were displayed and the presenter briefly explained the history and origin of each. He then shore a sheep followed by a demonstration of the sheep dogs - first the Border Collie then the NZ Barking Dog or Huntaway (bred from a cross of Black Labrador, Hound, Border Collie and German Sheperd).
I volunterered for the milking demonstration and now have a Certificate of Udderance as proof.
After the Agrodome we went to Rainbow Springs - a bird and animal sanctuary. There were Rainbow Trout, native birds including Kea & Kiwi and NZ's only lizards: Skinks and Geckos. There were many of introduced species including the Blue Tongue Lizard, Water dragons.
The entire experience is built around New Zealand’s largest and most successful kiwi conservation centre. Since 1995 they have released over 1,200 kiwi into the wild.
Then onto a gondola to take us to the top of Mt Ngongotaha for panoramic views across the city and Lake Rotorua. We had lunch at the top overlooking Rotorua. Then a wander around the complex - lots to see and do including luge rides, the sky swing walking tracks and the large jelly bean shop.
On the gondola again for the trip down the mountain to join the coach for the trip back to the motel for an afternoon of free time.
We found the Princes Gate Hotel (formerly the Palace Hotel) where Mum worked in the 1950's. It is a very exclusive hotel with a silver service restaurant. We stopped and had a drink and admired the grandeur and opulence.
We found Crowther House (another place Mum worked) which is now the Rotorua Sub-Branch of the Returned Servicemens's Asscoiation (RSA). There is a movement in the area to raise funds to restore Crowther House to its former glory.
Dinner tonight was very special. It was at a traditional Maori village just out of town. On the way in the bus driver explained that the traditions are enforced at the village and that each busload of visitors needed a chief. I was nominated the Tribal Chief for our bus.
There were 3 other buses so there was 4 Chiefs who had special roles to perform during the night. For exampke we represented the Tribe at a traditional Maori challenge/welcome, were taught the Haka and we led the Tribe into the Moari concert then into dinner.
The concert was excellent and the meal was a traditional hangi.
One of the best evenings we have experienced - especially so because I was so involved in an "official capacity".
Today's insights...
There a 5 types of kiwi native only to New Zealand. About 80 years ago there were approx 80 million kiwi in New Zealand - today there are only approx 50 - 60,000.
For 130 years, sheep farming was the New Zealand's most important agricultural industry, but it was overtaken by dairy farming in 1987. Sheep numbers peaked in New Zealand in 1982 to 70 million and has now dropped to about 40 million.
Today's temperature: Min 10 Max 19 (Rotorua).
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