New Zealand Adventures - Day 6

New Zealand Adventures - Day 6 - Rotorua

Kia Ora lovelies,

or welcome

Rotorua adventures today included the Skyline and the Mouri Village experience of Tamaki.

This morning we went to visit the Skyline adventure park where we took the Gondola up the mountain to top where we had 3 rides on the luge tracks.

These were really cool a must do in here. These were all gravity driven with hand bars use to go, stop and turn. The speeds you could reach was hard to tell but maybe 30k/hr on the 2 tracks we did. Each time we rode the chair lift back up the mountain – Lizzy hanging on to me for dear life (found out she hates heights – after 30 odd years of marriage not bad)

On to lunch at the Stratosfare – Wow what a good spread that was. Stuffed ourselves silly on buffet great food. Looked in the gift shop and bought a necklace for Lizzy which has a Mouri symbol - fishing hook and a cool meaning (Hei Matao – Determination, Strength, Prosperity and Safe Journey).

We also took advantage of the beautiful view to get today’s foot shot.

Back down the mountain in the Goldola where we returned to the caravan park to get some washing done and have a bit of a rest before tonight’s adventure.

We were collected by the Tamaki bus from the park, and it was there that the entertainment began. The driver was such a hoot. He and Rob managed to talk football for the first part of the trip, and then he proceeded to welcome us in more than 50 languages. He was just amazing. I would love to tell you his name, but it has 52 letters in it and so I called him Fred 😀

Rob was picked as the “Chief” of the bus for the night. It actually had a lot of cultural significance and was a great honour. He had to be greeted by the Chief of the tribe and accept an offering on behalf of the bus.

He then lead us to each of the different areas where we learned about some of the Mouri cultures and history, and how to do the Haka.

I got to participate in the Poi Ball Games, because the “Chief” selects participants. At least it was something not too hard.

Rob got to finish the night by helping sing “You are my Sunshine” with other “Chiefs” and the performers.

Back on the bus and with “Fred” at the wheel again it was laughter all the way back. Especially when he went around a couple of round-abouts 4 or 5 times. He was trying to get Robbie to make the decision to go backwards around the round-about, but that was a bit much we thought.

All in all an amazing day today. Lots of fun and lots of learning.

Things we learned today.

The Mouri’s travelled a long way in huge catamaran type vessels to reach New Zealand.

The Poi (ball on string) that is now used in dances was originally to strengthen warrior’s arms.

Don’t slow down on the luge ride or you get stuck.

You can get a luge made out of jelly beans but it is not suitable for driving.

I think it just might be shoe weather here most of the time. Today was long sleeves and a jacket and (gasp) willingly shoes.

All for tonight lovelies.

Rob and Lizzy

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