I was woken up by Geoff telling me we have to leave in 20 minutes. I didn't have enough time for a shower so I just ran and jumped on the bus! There were 15 randoms who hopped on the bus at Raglan. Kerry( had his laptop stolen by locals last night) drove us to Waitomo and I had something to eat in the cafe. Myself and Kerin walked down the road to the Angora Rabbit Shearing Shed while the others went caving in Waitomo Caves. We gawped at the huge furry rabbits and bought some funny postcards. We then watched a rabbit called Marty get sheared. We then got to feel the fur and stroke the frightened rabbit while it was still tied to the rack(no longer a furry rabbit). We had lunch in the cafe nd waited for the others to return from the caves. I tried the "Irn-Bru" of New Zealand and when I say that I mean it's national soft drink. It was called L&P (Lemon and Paseroa) and tastes like sugary water, it's not as sickly sweet as the Bru. Anyway, we drove to Rotorua which is a very low rise town with few if any high buildings. We drove past massive hot thermal pools that gave of huge clouds of steam. Most people got dropped off at Hot Rocks Hostel but myself, Team America, Jeff and Cornelius all stayed in Base Hostel. We showered and got changed for our cultural evening at Slim's Pig Hunter's Hall. There was a CD player so we listened to a young unknown Scottish band that Margaret gave me (she got it from a friend of hers) called Trash Can Sinatras. We arrived at the hall and were greeted by a Maori called Linton who gave us a "hongi"(pressed noses together and shake hands) this transfers "mana" between two people. We sat in the hall and were welcomed in Maori by Linton. We then watched the girls go up on stage and learn the Maori female art form called the "poyie" which is a ball attached to rope. Then all of us guys got up and were taught the haka warrior dance. It was great and I can remember the actions although the only words are "Ka mate ka mate, ka ora ka ora". We then had a Maori feast called a "hangi" which was great. We ate pork, silver-side steak, chicken, kumura, potato, pumpkin and salad. We then made our way to the theatre and watched a traditional Maori play which centres around a love story. We were all taken up on stage at various points in small groups. I got to play around with a Maori spear. At then end we took photos of the actor and actresses doing "pukuna"(scary eyes and tongue sticking out!) We all then went for a few drinks in the Lava bar before calling it a night around 1am.