Did someone fart or are we in Rotorua now?

Rotorua and the Maori people

There is a lot to learn about New Zealand. It is largely inhabited by the native people called Maori.

Unlike some of the lack of respect America has for it's natives New Zealand really celebrates and actively participates in raising awareness about its first culture of Polynesian tribes called the Maori.

Rotorua is the place to go to learn all about the culture.

We splurged a bit to take a tour through Te Puia.

Here we started with a typical tribal dance that included other shows and singing. Interactive audience participation, means Kevin got up and I have video of him learning the intimidating way to scare the enemy by popping out your eyes and sticking out your tongue. crazy.

We got to see the Kiwi animal which is the national bird that is the closest to a mammal!

It is WILD! It has bird feet a bird beak but fur instead of feathers. It lays huge eggs, has nostrils and whiskers! On top of all of this, it is nocturnal. The organization set up an observatory so it was in dim almost dark lighting for our viewing convenience. At night they turn on the lights for the animals to sleep. It was incredible to be able to watch these little nearly extinct creatures groom themselves and search for food.

Next we got to see geysers and bubbling boiling mud pools. New Zealand is apparently full of natural geothermal activity and this town called Rotorua SMELLS of the activity. As we have learned these sulfuric acids and natural geothermal sites STINK like fart. The whole town, imagine that! So aside from the smell I got to see a geyser for the first time in my life. Never saw "Old Faithful" in Yellowstone.

We followed these areas with the wood carving and basket weaving areas. Sounds uneventful but their carvings are incredible. Their culture is so closely related to Hawaiian culture and their wood carvings are similar to the totem poles we are used to seeing. There is an on site school for wood carving. This only accepts males who are between the ages of 18 and 30 and of Maori decent. Specific rules, but major scholarships and fascinating outcome.

We were running low on time and after getting a kiwi bird mammal necklace for such a good price we were out of there.

We left Rotorua for Lake Taupo and then Napiers.