Newzeland7🇦🇺

Day 7 and what a day it was!

It was a 3 phase or 3 distinct experiences. 

Phase/experience 1 - loaded up on our bus and off we went to explore the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Leisurely stroll down into bottom of the valley delighting us with breathtaking views at every step. Steam rising from the water and out of crevasses in the hills. The color of the steaming water was so inviting but exceedingly dangerous. The temperature of the water is twice that of boiling. Another multi-sense experience- sight, sound, smell, touch...but no taste. At the bottom, boarded a bus to Rotomahana Lake. It was so cool to see a number of geothermal cites not visible from the walking paths. It was enlarged significantly by an eruption as recent as 1984. Enjoy some 2 dimensional views. 

Phase/experience 2 - Ziplining! Jen and Shannon, our guides, showed us a fantastic fun time swinging through the tree tops and walking cable bridges. This organization is also actively involved in removing non native predators who have decimated the native bird populations, some to extinction. The rat, possum, and stoat are their friends... The zip line company have a good start creating an environment in this section of woods safe for the native birds. A couple of us had the delight to feed a NZ robin right out of your hand. It was cool!  But the coolest was zipping from tree to tree. Sometimes as high or as a 7 story building. Those in our tour group with uneasyness (a bit of an understatement) with heights did really well. Have a look see...

My new adult beverage buddy, Lisa. We sure had fun in the tree tops!

Phase/experience 3 -- an evening with the Maori in the Matori Village. The cast and crew regaled in song and teachings of their traditions. The BEST part of the show was one of our own, Dorothy, volunteered to sing a song to the chief. She did us proud. What an amazing voice! The meal was cooked in pretty close to traditional Maori manner. Layers of wood, stones, and food. The wood is burned to heat the rocks. Then the food is wrapped and buried over the rocks. Quite an interesting taste... lamb, chicken, NZ sweet potato, and potatoes. The best was the desert table. Yum! Pavlove, NZ meriangue, very tasty. 

Lisa and I properly ended the evening with a night cap, very fun.  Now to pack to move to the South Island in the morning. Off we go to Queenstown for 3 nights....anybody's guess what mischief we can get into... stay tuned!