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Kiwi Experience day 5 consisted of wifi in Waitomo
Day 6:
Drove to Rotorua today. Lay by pool then Anna and I went to the museum to learn all about Maori history (yay for intellectual part of gap year), Olivia continued to sunbathe.
That evening we got picked up and driven to takomi, a mock Maori village. We chose a chief did some Maori chanting and then arrived for the welcome ceremony. Strict instructions not to smile or laugh as the Maori men come running out chanting, dancing, tongues sticking out and eyes popping out. Anna almost crumbled but we managed. Then on to different sites to learn about Maori traditions. At one there were games, you had to volunteer - she turned to the three of us and said one of you girls - Anna and oliv stepped back so it was me. Fun game, where you had to let go a stick and then run left or right and grab the next stick, came second - quite proud of myself! Then saw food being prepared - cooked it with hot stones underground in layers, meat, veg and potatoes.. Next was performance - lots of shouting and dancing (see video) really fun! Then food time, not sure I've eaten that much in a long time - was buffet with lots and lots of food. Goodbye songs, and then bus home singing songs of different nationality (Anna wanted God save the queen...)
Day 7:
Drove out of Rotorua - via geothermal pools - boiled some eggs in the hot water (yay for some protein) and then saw one erupt, that appaz never really does (tour guide only ever saw it twice).
Then drove onto Taupo, stopped at Hanuka Falls - really pretty and fast waterfall. Arrived in Taupo, ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and went for a walk. Then in the evening went on a boat cruise, super beautiful on the lake as the sunset, and all jumped in, was pretty cold!
I leave you with two great words - Kia Ora.
- comments
Rich fisler Sitting here with Anna's drunk godmother and partially inebriated parents in NYC. Your gap year sounds wonderful. Stop by Connecticut on your way back!