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After flying from Wellington to Auckland, Ithe previous night, settled in my hotel and readied myself for the start of my bus tour. Didn,t see much of Auckland except from the air, which of course looked beautiful from 33,000 ft upwards!!!
Was picked up at 7am, and rambled through the farmland along the main river of Waikato. It is interesting to note that the cattle business is now #1 export in NZ, followed by timber and then sheep. With the decline of the sheep business, the farmers had to find another income, and with great investment have done so. Also irrigation of the fields has been introduced and many areas that were always brown expecially in a drought (as it is now), many fields were green providing good pasture and crops. The countryside then became hilly with a few small mountains. We stopped in Waitimo and enjoyed a tour through the world famous Glow Worm Caves. I had never been in a cave/cavern before and it was very interesting with the stalagmites etc., hanging down. one cavern was so large and the accoustics so beautiful that they have held concerts there with the likes of Pavarotti etc. singing. There were millions of glow worms on the ceiling, minaiture little starts blinking on and off. We also got in a boat, and floated down a river for a bit, still admiring the glow worms.
We arrived in Rotorua about 2 pm, and had the rest of the afternoon off, so I wandered around the harbour, found a liqour store to purchase my libations, and then got ready for a wonderful evening at a Maori Village about 15 mins outside the city in an ancient forest. We gathered in the area in front of the fortifications for the village. After the sacred welcoming ceremony we entered the village where the natives were stationed at various sites. We were introduced to many of their traditional art forms, weapons, games, tatttoos, clothing and ancient horticultural practices. The flres were burning, the ancient trees protecting the village, and the pride the people had in their culture was just magical. Everything was just as it should be, no glitz and very well done. After more dances and songs including the Poi done by the women and the powerful war dance, the Maori Haka, by the men, we observed how the feast we were to eat was prepared. Firstly a large hole was dug into the earth, then a fire started followed by rocks. When the rocks were glowing, the food was lowered into the earth in baskets. First the meat, then potatoes, followed by vegetables. A heavy cloth was then put over everything, then earth to cover. This is called a hangi. We gathered in a large room to enjoy our dinner that was excellent, a little smokey taste but delicious. Of course desert was the famous Pavlova, that was mouth watering to say the least. Closing songs and best wishes closed a most wonderful evening.
I am very impressed by the way the Maori culture is being shared with the world, both personally by the natives with their wonderful personalities, and in museums. This business venture was started by two brothers (Tamaki) about 15 years ago.
The bank would not give therm a loan, so one brother sold his Harley and they were off. They now employ over 300 people!
Our bus driver was amazing, with a personality to go with it!!! When we arrived on the bus, he welcomed us in over 60 languages and sang a few songs, with a beautiful voice. As we returned he had us all singing songs from our countries, and then the clincher was singing "The Yellow bus goes round and round", as we circled a roundabout at least 20 times!! Then at the next roundabout we did the same, singing "She"ll be coming round the Mountain"!! He must have an agreement with the police!!!
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