So after a quick stay up north we headed back down past Auckland again. A good stop-off at a marine reserve for another beach picnic and an "ecology walk" along the coast, through forest, jungle and wetland. Some beautiful birdsong there. The next day we visited Waitomo caves. One of them, the main reason for our visit, had lots of glow-worms just above a river at the bottom of the cave. It was quite magical. It helped that we all had to be very quiet and of course it was very dark!
Stayed in a lovely B&B that night with great breakfast! Yesterday we set off for Rotorua, Maori culture and geothermal capital. On the way I managed to persuade N to take me to Hobbiton. I told him it could be for my birthday which I may say quite a lot over the next few days!! It was good fun and lovely weather too, which you can't say about today. We borrowed the DVD from the motel last night so we could say, "we were there!"
Today we've been educated in Maori ways and visited a village amongst mud pools and hot springs. There was a song and dance session, which included the Haka of course, and it was very catchy, made you feel like swaying and humming along! I was interested to find out that when they do that kind of hand shaking it's to make the words come alive.
Bilbo's house
The Shire
Another walk
Is that Neil I see at the back of the Haka.? If not, why not? Thanks for the postcard. Have put your birthday card filled with cash in the post. You cant blame me if you dont recieve it as you can't seem to stay in the same place for more than a day or so. Hope your both okay. Love all of us x x x
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