Day 13 - Rotorua Sun 21st Feb 16

After the drive yesterday and the shopping episodes it was decided today to take a trip to the Te Puia Natural Thermal Valley. It is basically a traditional family village that has been placed near a hot spring (geyser) and is now open to the public !! Having had a leisurely breakfast we set off in search of the Village. It was not far from where we are staying and we found a near empty car park to park in !! This due to the fact we were in the overflow carpark but the main one was not yet full. No worries mate, this would do fine ! We had booked our tickets the previous night so we got straight in without any problems !! Once inside we had a little wait until the first show began so we had a drink and a quick look at the geyser, which was beginning to ease down at this point ! Even at this stage it was quite spectacular but we did not know how good it would later become ! As it neared time for the show we walked across to the meeting point, where lots of people were beginning to gather in anticipation ! After a short time a lady dress in traditional dress exited the main house and sauntered towards us all ! She introduced herself and bade us welcome.. Then she explained what was going to happen and why it had evolved into what it was . She explained the meaning of a traditional welcome and what the Haka (or war dance) meant ! She then asked where people were from and got replies from USA, Germany, China, Columbia, of course Australia and England, Italy, Switzerland and a host of other places. She explained a little more and then asked for a gentleman from England ? Trev being nearest raised his hand and instantly became the "Chief" of our tribe for the afternoon ! He was called forward and told what he had to do when challenged by the elders !!! Looking perplexed and possibly a little afraid Trev turned to see the "Local tribe" coming to meet him along the pathway !! A warrior approached and issued the official challenge to "Our Chief" ! Trev - ooppss sorry CHIEF stood still and stared at the warrior giving the challenge, when the challenge had been issued CHIEF had to approach the warrior and take up the Fern Frond as an acceptance of the friendship offered. If he conducted the ceremony correctly we were all going to be welcomed but, if not, possible Armageddon would rain down upon us .. As I am writing this it can be deduced that the ceremony was correct !! We were then all ushered into the Main House, Tr…..CHIEF first , then the rest of the euro-6 group who were his family were ushered into the front row of seats given prime positions to observe the show and take 'millions' of photographs !! The rest of the visitors from other nations ( CHIEFS minions) were shown to the rearward seats and told to keep out of the way.

Very shortly the show began with another warrior explaining what was now going to happen and what the ritual meant !! Part of it was an introduction to the Maori way of life and customs then an invite to the "CHIEF" to go on stage and be accepted by the elders as a way of welcome !! A pretty fantastic display began with some singing and dancing and chanting and challenging, but was explained at places so we all knew what was happening. "CHIEF" was then invited on stage to accept the welcome, here he had to shake hands with the elders and also touch noses twice with each one !! The last elder was rather on the "Large" size and because of his exertions on stage was sweating profusely !! "CHIEF! However put on a brave face and concluded the welcome to the satisfaction of the elders, meaning our lives would go on for the foreseeable future !! We were then treated to some fantastic displays, one of which was a duet between two of the tribe, which was said to resemble Romeo and Juliet , but with a better ending ! It was a traditional show of love between two people of the tribe but they lived happily ever after !! A few more displays and then it was the HAKA !!

Unless you are right up and close to them it is hard to understand how menacing and terrifying it is !! No wonder many of the early settlers ran off when challenged in this way !! Words do not adequately describe how wonderful this display was !! It was definitely one of those memorable moments in life !!

The ceremony concluded we were invited for a photo shoot with the "Tribe" members… Then it was off for lunch before taking a tour of the village. Lunch completed we went to the 'tour meeting place' and waited for our 'guide' to show up. Eventually one did and we were off on our walk…we were taken close to the base of the geyser and told what was happening underground to for the water spouts !! We saw boiling mud pools that would act like quick sand.. at least you would cook on your way down !!! Next we were shown a Kiwi house but as they are nocturnal and the house was in complete darkness nothing was seen of the Kiwis on this occasion ! Onwards the walk went and we saw where they make the traditional dress and carvings and had the reasons for carvings explained !! All very interesting and well worth listening to glean what it all meant ! Although only covering a small area there was plenty to see and take in and all agreed it was a thoroughly interesting day !! Towards the end of the day Paul & Trev (not the CHIEF any more as he had been succeeded on a later expedition ! ) wanted to see the geyser erupt to its full glory… it meant a long hot wait but the end result justified this !! Again, something not to be missed !!

After the eruption it was time to make tracks "home" but a quick stop off in the Gift shop was called for !! The obligatory post cards, fridge magnets and gizzits bought we made our weary way back to the car !! A little shopping on the way back and then "home", our day done !! Another experience ticked off in the task book of life and the realisation that this day had more than made up for the day missed in Waitangi due to the mess up with the car. A big thank you to both John & Dee for finding this tour !!

Tomorrow morning we leave Rotorua and heads off towards Napier for the next adventure !!!!!