Weather - Fine & Warm
This was a very busy day so I am writing yesterday's post on Thurs morning.
We were up bright & early, showered, luggage out & at breakfast by 6.45am. Down to the lobby & checked out by 7.45, so I attempted to upload more photos using the free Internet .... No luck as you would gather.
All loaded (full tour) and off just after 8am. We have already made some observations about our fellow passengers ..... most good, but some negatives. However that is life and one must deal with life's little challenges. Our new tour guide, Phil, seemed really nice & is well organised. He has just returned to AAT Kings after spending time doing similar work in Europe & Australia. He was born in NZ & has a vast knowledge of the country, so keeps us from falling asleep after lunch!
We did a quick tour of Auckland before heading off. First up was a coffee stop, then on to Waitimo where we did a walking tour of the glow worm caves, followed by a short boat ride through the cave. Very interesting & I managed all the steps & claiming onto the little boat, just! Must confess I was ready to get back on the coach. Back on the coach for 20 minutes, then a lunch stop in a nice little town (can't find the name), before heading off to Rotorua. After approx 2 hrs we arrived in Rotorua, did a quick orientation tour then straight to our hotel (Novatel) in a pretty central area. We had just one hour to unpack, shower etc before our bus came to collect us for the Maori concert & hungi.
Another hotel room, another town .... They are all starting to look alike except the room numbers change. Can be an issue of you leave the little card with the number written on it, in your room because the actual room card/key has no number. Now I know why I love cruising ..... Same room all trip!
All ready and out waiting for bus at 5.45pm. We have a great Maori lady driver who teaches us some basic Maori words and selects our "chief". He was pretty good, but not as great as Tom! After about 20 mins we arrived at the village and went through the rituals to enter. Then followed demonstrations of various traditional crafts, games & of course The Haka. We were then guided to a hall where they performed an excellent concert. After the concert we were taken to the dining area for a traditional Maori Hungi. All the hot food was cooked in the traditional manner (we were shown the pits and how the food is covered with wet heshan and soil. The food was delicious, especially the lamb & vegetables. We had a couple of Speights Ciders to wash it down!
Back on the local bus and a jovial ride back. Our driver was a good singer so we had a sing along. At one roundabout she stayed on it for 4 full revolutions and caused some laughter. Back at our hotel it was 10pm and time for us oldies to head for bed. A very long & busy, but fun day.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
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