Mar 8

We woke to a lovely day before boarding the busses and leaving for the Waimangu Volocanic Valley. We drove through miles and miles of kiwifruit orchards. Did you know that kiwifruit grows on a vine, similar to grapes? It's harvested once a year and kept in cold storage to be shipped throughout the world.

We drove through the town of Rotorua on our way to the volcanic reserve, so Mike and I noted where out hotel was for Saturday night. Since this is an active thermal area, the aroma of sulphur wafted all around us. We went to the Waimangu Vocanic Reserve, one of several in the area. The last eruption here was in 1917, the last major eruption in 1886, so this is really a new (geologically) area.

We were met a the entrance to the park by a Maori party, who were rather frightening at first. We were told not to dare even smile during the welcome, as that would be insulting - and the last tourist to do that, a few weeks ago, got head-butted by a Maori warrior. They did a Maori dance and sang some Maori songs, and laid a fern branch on the ground in front of our group. Then it was our turn. We had chosen a "chief" from our group, and a song to sing. Our chief gave a thank you for the welcome speech, and then our group sang. We were real creative with our song, someone suggested "You are my sunshine", so that's what we did. And two of those big, fierce Maori warriors couldn't keep from smiling at us!

Then onto a little bus for our tour of the reserve. First a boat ride on a lake in the old crater for a close up look at the lakeshore, then a short walk around Frypan lake and up to the Inferno. Steam everywhere, mudpots, etc. Not a place to stray off the path! And, since this is essentially a rain forest area, tree ferns and other lush growth. It was like stepping back in time into the forest primeval. One almost expected a giant moa to pop out!

But instead, it was our Maori friends who popped out. Now they entertained us with friendly dances and even a love song by one of the women. Also, some participation - they taught the men the Haka, the Maori war dance. I think Mike actually enjoyed it, and I got a few pictures of him with one of the warriors.
The Maori party joined us for lunch, very pleasant ladies and gentlemen with lovely Kiwi (sounds a lot like British) accents. It seemed so strange to hear such cultured voices from these fiercely painted warriors!

After lunch, we visited a small animal sanctuary where we saw lots of birds, and saw how trout were raised. They also had a kiwi house, so we did get to see the famous bird. Two of them, tucked away into tight balls in the corner of their enclosures, sound asleep. Oh, well, apparently few New Zealanders have seen active kiwis either!
Back to the ship, We almost at the end of the cruise, we need to be packed and have our bags outside our cabin door before we go to sleep tonight.