Maori Village and Rotorua

 Yesterday we arrived in Rotorua at a house with a river in our yard. Me and Mom had hopped into kayaks and paddled all around the river. We even saw a black swan. Then we took the owners dog Marley for a walk. Marley was very happy and ran so fast that I fell over and let go of the leash. The next day Mom said there was a Maori village nearby and that we should go check it out. So we drove over there and walked around. First we looked at the kiwi bird exhibit. We didn't think we would see anything but when we walked in two big kiwis scuttling around! Then we saw the geyser. Our guide said it only erupted once an hour but  we walked in on a huge explosion of boiling hot water. It started raining but I couldn't tell because of the heat of the geyser. Below the geyser was a big pool of bubbling mud. Dad was getting annoyed by the stinky smell of sulfur so we walked to the Maori village. The village had lots of huts made of grasses were the Maori people lived. Some huts were made of wood and had Maori carvings on them. I could crawl into some of them.

 After seeing the Maori village we went to a Maori cultural event. First a Maori lady picked this guy in our group to be the chief of tribe. The chief had to go up to a Maori guy and pick up this fern. This meant we came in peace so the Maori let us into their meeting house. Then the chief had to bump noses with the Maori which was like shaking hands. Then the Maori started tossing sticks to each other in a circle. They said this was a fun game they played. Then the Maori women took out poi balls and started swinging them around like crazy. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better they took out 2 more poi balls and started swinging those around too! Then the Maori men took out long pointed sticks and started sword fighting each other with them! Then the Maori men danced the Haka or Maori war dance, which had a lot of foot stamping and sticking out tounges. Then the show was over. I had a great time at the Maori village!

Walking with Marley.

Me and Dad with the geyser.

Cool Maori Carving.

Maori dance.

Me and Maori girls.

Maori hut.

Maori storage room.



Another cool Maori carving.

Cool Maori dude.