Sunday we awoke to a
very rainy and windy Rotorua, we also could not figure out how we had slept for
a solid 10 hours! It wasn’t until later in the day that we realised the clocks
had gone forward and spring had officially arrived in New Zealand (although I
think somebody had forgot to inform the weather).
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| Bubbling mud pool |
And so we set out to Whakarewarewa. I did not know what to
expect from a living thermal village or even what one was. Whakarewarewa or to give it is full name Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao (no matter how often
they said it, I still couldn’t pronounce it!) is home to the people of Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao and they
welcomed us to their village with a Haka (a war dance), waiata a Ringa (song
with accompanying actions) and the ever entertaining poi dance.
We both thoroughly
enjoyed our welcome to the town with Matt even saying that it was the best
thing we have done in New Zealand so far and as New Zealand is a geological
wonderland that is saying something!
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| One of the many bubbling pools |
Following our welcome
we were taken on a tour of the village by a very knowledgeable village resident.
The families in the village all use the natural geothermal resources as part of
their everyday lives, from the area to live, their houses being built directly
on top of the area heating up their homes a treat. Our guide also showed us how
he cooks his tea placing the food in a Hangi- a wooden box built to cook food
via steam, much like a steamer at home except using the natural land rather
than electricity. He simply prepares his food in the morning, warps it in tin
foil and places it in the box. When he arrives home at night the food is ready
for him. Other food is dipped into the lake which at 50* above boiling point
cooks the food quickly and efficiently.
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| Meeting hall |
Another highlight of
the tour were the geysers, erupting water 10-14 meters into the air in a
splendid fashion. Although by now we were rather soggy from the rain the steam
off the water kept us nice and warm and you could still appreciate the sheer
force of nature.
Luckily the weather improved dramatically and we were able to enjoy this sun set from our camper on our penultimate night in the van!
Where is this? It looks like the campsite we stayed at when in Rotorua!
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