On that note, a recap of yesterdays after dinner post. So annoying that it got deleted. Basically after dinner, rather than going to bed I took another walk. Walked along the lodge driveway to check out some glow worms, and then up a muddy hill towards what turned out to be the sports barn. The mud - particularly in my flip-flops - made that part of the walk really hard. I almost fell in the mud which would have been horrible.
And then after that rather then heading in with Hope and having a chill night watching tv, I follow the rest of the group down the long winding driveway, then down the road , and then down some stairs until we hit the ocean. Part way along the trek, the sky cleared up and we turned out our flashlights and walked by moonlight, and could see the stats overhead. No pictures of any of it, as it was so dark, but the view from near the water was gorgeous. The clouds rolled in and out, but with the moon nearly full everything just seemed to glow. Started back early though, as the entire trek back was uphill, along with one of the girls who was nice enough to accompany me back so I wouldn't be wandering around alone. Was then finally able to enjoy my hot shower and then go to bed.
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Passed by this 'kiwiana' mural, basically lots of things ray are stereotypically kiwi, like the bird, fruit and various products. Other notables were getting stuck on the road for a bit because a cow was running loose which was kind of cool.
Did a Spellbound tour of the glowworm caves in Waitomo. It was really pretty - we walked down this beautiful hillside, then went through the glowworm cave in a boat - once our eyes adjusted it was looking up at the night sky, filled with stars. Except that really, it's hungry glowing maggots. We then stopped for a hot drink wnd some ciokies in this little field. The rolling hills and rock formations, not to mention the massive trees covered in moss totally call to mind the lord of the rings movies - especially with the mountains serving as mount doom and mordor off in the distance. The second cave we went had some nice rock formations, but my favorite part was the cave entrance which had a real 'lost world/jurassic park' feel to it.
I keep saying that everything I've seen here is 'beautiful' or 'pretty' but it really is. New Zealand is a really beautiful country, and we've lucked out weather wise, especially as its winter. Been rained on a bit, but not enough to impede our activites, and today is beautiful, bright and sunny.
After Waitomo, we passed by this place where you can watch Angora rabbits be shorn - theyre strapped into this rack that looks kind of like a midevil rabbit size torture device, but apparently is quite comfy.
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On our way to the marae now - Natalie ran through some rules about ehat to do when we get there, and has been teaching us some Maori words throughout. I only remember hello which is Kiora. Apparently we're somewhere in the Bay of plenty area.
Apparently this is the heart of kiwi fruit (the word kiwi by itself referring to the bird or the person) which is apparently just a big Chinese gooseberry with better marketing - apparently they grow on vines which is cool.
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At Uncle Boy's place - the marae we'll be staying at for the night. We just had a traditional Maori meal called a hangi. Well, quasi traditional - the entire place is pretty modern - hence te availability of wifi. Uncle Boy is from the Te arawa tribe, and at the moment we're Ngati Stray, with the bus as our waka. We're going to go to take part in a ceremony led by our chief - the oldest guy in our group, and will then watch some cultural performances. After that, it's a free night, and then sleeping here in the meeting house.
In for a fun night, and then a chill day at the mud spa tomorrow. It's times like these when I really enjoy my trip.
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