Jules,our wonderful tour guide, pointed out this building which depicted all things kiwi. I had never thought about where Kiwi shoe polish got its name - now I know.

back to index

For more than 100 years this cave has attracted millions of people from all over the world. The New Zealand glowworm is the larval stage of a small fungus-gnat which emits a light to attract its food. These glowworms are found wherever conditions are damp and there is an over-hanging wall but are most spectacular in caves such as this one. Not only did we get to see the lights of these little critters, but also the stalactites and stalagmites that have formed in the cave.

back to index

These wonderful tree ferns seem to grow everywhere and are a delight to look at.

back to index

We had a wonderful BBQ lunch at Roselands where they cooked a local fish called hoki in foil packets - yummm. It was so pleasant sitting in the gardens eating and enjoying the company of our group. Here is table one ....

back to index

...and table two...

back to index

...and table three.

back to index

One little village we drove through (whose name escapes me) was decorated with corrugated metal art. Here you see a dog. We also saw sheep, flowers, trees, store signs and the list goes on! If nothing else, it was unique.

back to index

We arrived in Rotorua with time to wander through the wonderful gardens...

back to index

...and catch the last half hour of their annual art sale in the park. The sailboats in the lake are actually weather-vanes.

back to index

Walking back to the hotel we spotted these birds which we think are purple gallinule.

back to index

This evening we attended a Maori Hangi dinner and concert. Our group attends this event as a "tribe" with a chief. I volunteered Al for the job and from that time forward he was referred to as chief!. Being greeted in traditional Maori style is unnerving as the native warriors test to see if we come in peace or otherwise. The eerie sound of the putatara announced our approach and then a fearsome warrior jumped and stamped the ground showing the whites of his eyes and the protrusion of his tongue as he challenged and tried to intimidate.

back to index

The warrior placed the offering in front of the visiting chief. When Al picked it up, it showed that our tribe cames in peace and we were then welcomed into the ceremonial house where we were entertained with traditional songs, dances and stories.

back to index

We were glad there was time for a photo op - here Tryna poses with the chief of the tribe.

back to index

Chief Al shows his inner Maori action!

back to index

Today found us touring the area around Rotorua. We visited Paradise Valley Springs where we got to see some unique New Zealand animals like the kea, kune kune pigs (called Cookers after Captain Cook) as well as some imports like trout, wallabies and a pride of lions. Did you know that New Zealand has no native mammals?

back to index

The springs here at Paradise Valley are clear, cold and drinkable.

back to index

The silver fern is the national symbol of New Zealand. Because the underneath portion of the frond is a silver color, Kiwis are taught if ever lost in a forest, find a silver fern and face fronds silver side up so rescue airplanes can find you. What a great plant!

back to index

Our next stop was the Agrodome where we got to see an informative, humorous sheep show. There are some 19 species of sheep (all imported of course) here.

back to index

Lavonne really liked this merino sheep and the sheep liked her even more. It was fun to see them playing around. We learned that the wool from this sheep and that of the possum is combined to make a light-weight, very warm, water proof wool.

back to index

We found ourselves back at the Maori Cultural Center to see their carvers and weavers...

back to index

...and to see their boiling mud pools and geysers. Hmmm are we back at Yellowstone!

back to index