Kiwi: A fruit, a bird, and the wonderful people of New Zealand

This is a country of warm, friendly, beautiful people. It is so interesting to travel to a place where the history of a people is so much an obvious part of the present and in such a positive way. The Maori people, indigienous to New Zealand, are of a polynesian background. Kiwi's (as New Zealanders are commonly called), are a mixed society of Maori, European immigrants, and an increasing Asian population.

On a day trip to Rotorua and Waitomo we visited Te Puia, a former Maoiri village and cultural center frequented by visitors. We began with a welcoming ceremony where a male member of our group (brother George from South Carolina -- you know everywhere I go I must find my people) was welcomed by the chief of the Maori tribe. We then watched a traditional welcoming ceremony and dance.

Rotorua is situated on a volcano and several fault lines with frquent tremors. The volcano is dormant (really...?) but the mud pools, hot rocks, and geysers serve as "presure points" relieving the build up that could potentially cause the area to be active again. The region is known for it's homepathic therapies and geothermal treatments -- mud and water. Driving to the location the aroma was present nearly 5 miles away. The strong smell of sulfur and the low steam of geysers were obvious. The pictures below show the mudpools and geysers that are used at the facilities nearby. The pictures are great but don't do it justice. We stayed, breathed, sat, and enjoyed overselves for over and hour trying to "be healed". My mother even did her pilates moves on the hot rocks in honor of Pam! I was just trying to heal my right hip which has been aching since I arrived.

It was amazing. There are very few things this unique and it is one of the memories that I will cherish most.

So...you know we bought some mud. And, some water products from the geyser. We hope that the healing will continue but more specifically just want to have a special memory of something that we are unlikely to see again. My hip hasn't hurt since....