...I decide to visit the thermal area of Rotorua with the world's tallest jet geyser - the Pohutu, which rises up to 30 m
...I enjoy the visit includes a tour of a kiwi bird house - kiwis are nocturnal so to let people see them, the turn off the lights by day and turn them on by night, fooling the kiwi into thinking he's on European time :) - you can't see much in the dark but I did get a glimpse of my first kiwi!!!
...I watch the included cultural performance, which comprises the famed Maori war dance, the Haka,
...I learn two new Maori words: Kura (school) and putanga (exit). My vocabulary is this expanding, through still seems pretty piecemeal.
...I am told by the geyser guide that it is the Southern Hemisphere's only geyser area. These guys have obviously never been to Chile.
...I meet some French Canadian family, with a particular way of expressing themselves: "Tu veux un brownie (pronounced: brooney)? Oui? Ok, look, là il y a du bread. Wonderful, chérie!"
...I experience firsthand the particularity of kiwi Engish, where, by some Maori linguistic influence, in most place names the initial "wh" is pronounced as "ph"; so "Whakatane" reads "Phakatane", "Whakapapa" reads "Phakapapa" (however funny that sounds :)), but "Whanga" is still "Wanga". Also I learn that "Te Puke" rhymes with "cookie", not with "fluke" :D. To my surprise, the voice in my google maps navigation knows the correct pronunciation!
...I struggle with toilet and show stall doors, which, following the grand British tradition, always open inwards, even in the most cramped cubicles. Getting in is ok. Getting out is a challenge sometimes.
...I observe a great many people sport tattoos here. Maori in particular, some even on their faces.
...I drive to Whakatane and do a scenic flyover of the Whakaari called the White Island. It is an island located some 50km off the coast and the country's most active volcano. There's just me and two Australians in the small Cessna with the pilot and the views are breathtaking.
...I drive to Taupo to spend the night. Of course no hotels available but I find a freedom camping area (that's what they call free camping here). Which even has toilets, supposedly showers (can't find those) and a guy at the entrance even checks my car for alcohol (it's not allowed on site). The place is noisy and full of youngsters but it would be, wouldn't it. It's called Reid's farm if anyone's interested, very close to the center.
...I walk around downtown Taupo and wonder in which of the three available pubs I'll spend. New Year's Eve :)