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Sunday 06th MayJournal brought to you by a zorbed out SophieThis morning we checked out really early (I was very sad to leave this hostel as I absolutely loved it and the people who owned it were the sort of people you would want to be your grandparents - they were so sweet) and went to the Karangahake Reserve to do a crazy walk across some swing bridges and to go in some old mining caves. It was pitch black in there and none of us had torches so we had to keep taking flash photographs so that we could see where we were going. It was so much fun. I am really considering taking up a career in adventure sports as I really love that sort of thing. Maybe in SPain so I can make use of my degree! Our next stop was a place that was actually called Hobbiton (and had a statue of Gollum out of Lord of the Rings there) so had our photos taken and ate lunch. I can really see why they chose New Zealand to film Lord of the Rings because the country is so diverse and picturesque. It is stunning. I love New Zealand. I know this sounds so cheesy but it is so beautiful it chokes me. You cannot believe a place could be so intensely magical. Anyway enough of the soppy stuff. Our last stop was Roturua - the most geo thermic place in New Zealand. Due to this it has a very sulphuric smell. Tami and I didn't find it too bad - I think it was from our training in Guatemala - but everyone else seemed to be gagging. We went to the Maori cultural centre first of all to have a quick introduction into the lives of the first inhabitants of New Zealand. The Maori are the original tribal nation of New Zealand - they are a bit like the equivalent of the Aboriginal people of Australia. Their traditions lie in tattooing their faces and using the land to survive. They are fishermen and fierce hunters. They travel around in their wakas which are their wooden canoes. When faced with an enemy they would undertake a dance that involved protruding eyes and the sticking out of their tongues along with defensive movements with their spears. They use the harakeke (flax plant) to make their clothes and other necessities. The All Blacks (the rugby team) traditionally perform a haka (M¨¡ori posture dance) before each match. After this education we went to do zorbing. Zorbing is so much fun! Basically it involves three of you climbing into a plastic hamster ball in essence and having it filled with a bit of warm water and then rolling down a hill in this ball. It is hilarious. We all had to dress up in this fetching grey and orange outfit and then we were driven up to the top of the hill in a four wheel drive. We then slid through the tiny hole inside the ball and attempted to stand up. I fell over when Ben jumped in so I knew it wasn't a good omen. We all had to push the ball to the edge of the hill and then we lasted standing up around 2 milliseconds before we were rolling around on the floor of the ball. APparently it is possible to stand up! It only lasted about 20 seconds but it was worth every penny. I only wish we could have had another go!We went back to the hostel and then jumped into the heated swimming pool and spa. Yes, I know it doesn't sound like we are back packing at all! All luxury accommodation. NOT. Then Tami, Sorrel and I got ready to go out to the Maori cultural evening that we had signed up for. At 7 we got on the bus with some people from another hostel and we were told that we were on a waka (canoe) and had to elect a tribe leader. Ours was an English guy called Dave. The way the Maoris greet eachother is by touching nose to nose twice. Dave was informed that he would be required to do that if he was accepted by the tribe leader. He was also told that he would be faced with the dance that we were told about earlier in the day and that to laugh or imitate them was a great sin.Once there the welcoming ceremony was carried out and it was quite scary to watch. Dave performed his duty perfectly and then we were allowed into the village. Laid out were several stalls demonstrating what skills the Maori possess and other things about life in their village. For example there was a small corner dedicated to their weaving techniques and another to the way they prepare their food. We wandered around for a while and then were invited into the special meeting place in order that we could enjoy their dancing and singing display. It was absolutely fantastic. They sang and played instruments and did some traditional dances. Everyone was wearing the traditional Maori clothes and performing everything perfectly.  It was so good - I can't explain it. After that we were invited into the food hall where we were treated to a real feast. Us veggies had spring rolls and samosas on a bed of rice then could help ourselves to carrots and sweet potato (kumara) and pasta salad and other yummy treats. Apparently it is a great sin to run out of food for your guests so there was enough to feed 300. For pudding we had steamed cake, fruit salad and pavlova. It was soooooooo good. I would say best food I have had but that would be about the 6th time I have said that this trip. We were then shown a demonstration of how they cook the food - by putting it in a big pit of volcanic rocks that heats it over a period of about 5 hours. The whole evening was a great experience. I wasn't going to do it (money thing) but I am so glad that I did. It really got us involved in the culture and made us appreciate the life of New Zealanders. When we got back we had a couple of drinks in the bar and then headed off to bed.  Today was a 10 out of 10 day.Â
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