NZ Holiday - Thames NZ to Rotorua

Hiding from the Haka - October 8th

On song - Mitai Village Performers

Danger - TW by the lake

A bit of a goosebery - Kiwi fruit farm

The Coromandel was far too nice, we needed to go somewhere smelly and touristy. We were on the move South to the Sulphur City of Rotorua. Bit of a dull morning which then became wet as we headed towards Tauranga and on past Kiwi fruit growers to Rotorua. It was windy and damp when we arrived. Most towns with a Tourist business have an I-Site office where you can get information and book accommodation. We knew that the Rotorua Motel market was very competitive so we hoped for a good deal. We were sent by I-Site to a terrible Motel with a price of $80 dollars a night. What a disaster, the room might be fit to park a car in but there was no way we would want to sleep there overnight. We went over the road and paid a bit more at the Palm Court Motel and it was lovely. They lent us Mountain Bikes, we had a big Spa Bath and gave us loads of Tourist Info. From now on we will ask the I-Site if they have been to the property they want to book us in to and will only go to Kiwi run properties. Anyway, happily settled in, we set off for a walk beside Lake Rotorua to sniff some Sulphur. After the inhalation our entertainment for the evening was at the Mitai Maori Village just out of town. It might be a bit touristy but it was great fun and we thought they pitched the whole evening about right. Lots of history with singing and dancing and a few jokes but it was also respectful to Maori culture. I hid behind someone when they did the Haka and we all practised bulging our eyes and sticking out our tongues. The guys paddled a canoe up the stream in the village, we had a short walk in the bush and saw glowworms. Oh, and we had a Hangi, a sort of roast meal of chicken and lamb cooked in a pit oven. It cost $183 for the two of us so it was  bit of a treat.  Some of the girl singers were quite good, I just hope the owl tattoos on their chins were temporary. Having that done is too much of a sacrifice for your career or your culture. By the way, we had found a 10% off voucher from one of those books of discounts you can pick up in Tourist Offices. This at least softened  the blow. First time for everything, normally the vouchers are for something obscure that nobody wants to do. This evening was fully booked and was hugely enjoyable.