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Today the weather has been kind to us, only rained later in the day but still seriously cold. We have our thermal vests on and must say it is a long time since we have worn vests let alone tucked them in our pants to keep our backs warm!! We are saving the long johns for the the south island where it is even colder they say.
Rotorua is certainly a wonderland of splendid geysers, colourful rocks formed from silica and lime deposits, hot bubbling mud pools and steaming forests that consist of trees that could be either temperate or tropical. It all looks very pre-historic and magical. There are several geothermal parks in this area and we visited two - one of them called Waiotapu (Maori for sacred waters). It was comical when I said, "I have come to see some tastey geysers." Fortunately the lady on the admissions desk had not lived in NZ for long and was from the UK and laughed but they say 'gysers' here. Think she welcomed the sense of humour.
Later we had some culture at Te Puia where they have a Maori village and had a powhiri (traditional welcome and meeting of noses). We escaped that one as it is serious business and it is considered disrespectful if you laugh and you know us!! The concert was excellent and Ray is now fluent in the Haka. We did, however, pass on the Hangi (Maori dinner, pronounced 'hungi' and traditonally cooked in the steaming pools) as it mainly consists of meat and veg and you know how Ray loves anything green.
Rotorua is situated on a huge lake where they have trout fishing and boat cruises, you can also do Zorbing (rolling down a hill in a huge ball with water in) and Luging (riding down the side of the mountain on a type of go-cart) but due to torrential rain we didn't do any of these - not for any other reason you understand.
Heading further south tomorrow.
Jen and Ray
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