Hot spots and Hangis

Done a big loop since we last posted. North to Rotorua where we caught up with some old friends and got pampered by Judy (the mother of an old family friend). She even did our laundry! Went bathing in 2 types of hot springs, the first was outdoors where a natural spring met with a freezing river (imagine a hot river Dodder flowing into the Boyne). Was really interesting as you could have your legs in the cold and your bum in the warm spot.
Then we tried the deluxe version, $50 for a half hour in a private pool, surrounded by boulders with a view of sunset and flying birds over lake Rotarua - it was fabulous. Sadly we forgot the camera!



Then we did our usual round of adventure stuff with Zorbing (thats us in the big ball rolling down a hill), Go Karting (Sian's fastest time narrowly beat Dave's slowest), Swooping (chickens bungy jump - they put you in a sleeping bag, drag you up 40m by the legs and then you swing down), Luge riding (gravity powered low sized go kart) and Kayaking for Dave (he did a 7m waterfall on the Kaituna)


Then we went to a Maori cultural night where Chief Dave was elected to lead his people (50 or so tourists) through the greeting ritual - mad warriors chanting/shouting and spear throwing. He then accepted the peace token, gave a speech to the Maori chief and unveiled the Hangi feast! The Hangi was a mix of lamb, chicken and sweet potatoes slow cooked the traditional way underground in a steam vent - delicious :)





Ciao for now xoxo Sianny moo & Dave-o