Day 6: Rotorua, New Zealand

Day 6 7/11/06           

Our wake up call was at 6:45 a.m. We left at 8:30 to the Maori cultural center here in Rotorua. Our guide, Paul McGiver, gave a great presentation on the geysers and boiling mud that were on the grounds as well as the history and beliefs of the Maori people. Some of the things that I remember:

The Maori were the people who brought tattooing to the world.

The different Maori tribes attacked each other for reasons such as land, women, and power. For example, the land near the geysers made life easier for the tribes during the winter months. Other tribes looked in envy and wanted it. Warriors were always left at home to guard the women and children. If they were taken by other tribes, the first tribe could not grow and would eventually lose power to the other tribes. Women were important because they could bear children and keep the tribe strong so it could defend itself.

The Maori decided who did what for their next generation by watching the young play. If they tended to fight, they were trained to be warriors. If they liked listening to instructions, they were taught songs and customs to teach the next generation. If they liked using their hands, they could carve or make things etc.

Tim posing at the Maori school

After we left the cultural center, we went to the jade factory for a demonstration on how jade is made. Jade is quite a hard stone to cut. Our group bought stuff and then went to lunch. We went to the top of a hill by gondola to the go carts/luge place. It was very busy and some were lucky to go down twice in the two hours we were there.  

Brien Simpson in his zorbonaut attire

At 2:30, we went to the Agrodome, which is where the Zorb balls, bungee jumping and other activities are. Alex and Tim were amongst the first ones to bungee jump. The rest of us (with Alex) went zorbing. They filled the bubbles with warm water that felt good in the cold air. Everyone had a blast. The girls even went twice.

 Tim Van Prooyen bungee jumping

Chelsea, Kayla, and Stephanie on the go carts

Zorbing down the hill

 Zorbonauts Alex Bukoski and Sam Patton

 Zorbonauts Stephanie Cahoon, Chelsea Wiles, and Kayla Sherwood



We got back to the hotel with a half hour to spare before the big Maori hangi feast at 6:30. The food was traditional and most of it was prepared in the underground oven.

The girls practice with their little balls on strings decoration and the boys did the "Huka". The Huka is a dance meant to intimidate the opposition in a war or contest. The sports teams of rugby and soccer do the Huka before their games. Afterwards, we relaxed in our rooms in preparation for the next day.

The boys doing the Huka