On tour in our campervan.

On Thursday 1 May we pack our van and drive to our first camping site at the Coromandel Peninsula east coast. The site is called Hot Water Beach. As we check in a friendly lady at the reception asks us if we want to hire a spade. .??? A spade? Why do we need a spade? For digging a hole at the beach to take a hot bath she answers. We cannot believe it. She tells us to go to the beach two hours before or after low tide. 

So Friday at noon we go to the beach and really there are many people with spades digging like mad, having a lot of fun. But careful, the water may be up to 64 degrees hot. At some places we jump because the sand is too hot for our feet. Look at the steam. 

As traveling takes some time in New Zealand we go on to reach Rotorua at the same day. The camping site is situated close to the city and when we step out of the car, we smell that the air is different from everything we have experienced before. A little bit like rotten eggs? 

Rotorua is a town situated at a huge volcanic lake, there are a several geysers and hot springs and holes in the ground and steam comes out of the earth at many places. 

Besides Rotorua is a centre of Maori culture and many Maoris live here. They own some districts and are responsible for maintaining and governing the reserves. We get to know that the NZ government and NZ people highly respect the Maori culture and the Maoris have rights on properties, for example NZ Paua shells and Jade. 

On Saturday we visit TE PUIA, a Maori historic site and enjoy a guided tour. We can see the huge geyser, hot mud pools, Maori houses, dance and art, like carving and weaving. Finally we see a real Kiwi bird. These are an endangered species and as they are active at night, we cannot take any photos. They are really big birds and it is almost impossible to find or see them in nature, so we are lucky to see them in a reserve. 

Lake Rotorua with many black swans, we have not seen any white ones here. 

The Maori culture and arts show:

The Haka dance. It is all about intimidation to avoid a real fight. Eyes wide open: I watch you!

Tongue out: I will eat your flesh. Really frightening!! 

A house to store food.

The geyser is about 98 degrees hot and 30 m high. 

The rocks are about 50 degrees hot and are covered with sulphur. 

The blue lagoon.

The mud pool, 80 degrees hot. The Maori used to chase their enemies into the pools, nobody can get out of them. 

Our friendly tour guide Melody. She shows us how to make ropes from flax plants and weaving them to produce mats, clothes, baskets, building ships. 

The carving school. 

An experience you cannot forget!