Kia Ora - Hello/welcome in moari!!!

Last night was awesome, we got picked up at 7pm from our hostel by the Kiwi Waka and taken on a journey through time back to the 1800s, Our driver, John, set the scene and taught us a bit of Moari language:

Carpie - very good
Kia ora - hello/welcome
Waka - historically a canoe or presently, the mode of transport you're using.

We had to pick a tribe name - Kiwi! very imaginative! And lastly we had to choose a strong, handsome man to be our chief - Brian from Canada.

The first part of the evening, when we arrived at the village, had to be taken seriously despite the fact they were pulling funny faces and making funny noises etc - was a bit of a challenge not to laugh, me and Lucy didn't look at each other as that wouldn't have gone well!!! haha

Then we went into the village where they were doing some demonstrations and had lots of little huts and bonfires and then into a hall where they did some singing and dancing and a bit of a play on one of their ancestoral stories.

The food was fantastic - Chicken, lamb, fish, jacket potato, kamara (New Zealand sweet potato), carrots, salad, gravy. And it was all you can eat so we were stuffed!!! Pudding was awesome aswell.

On the journey home the driver made us cheer for each of our countries and then...... we took turns to sing our national anthems!!!! hahahaha Brilliant!! Loved it. The English were by far the best although the 1 welshman on board did a very good job on his own!!

When we got back we joined the others at the lava bar, attached to the hostel, for a St Paddy's drink and dance.

We're off white water rafting in 10 mins so better go - so so exciting!!

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