A full day of culture, nature and downright FUN!
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro to our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard for people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Maori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and fully immersed ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking the Rotorua crater.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving perfomance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenel fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving perfomance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenel fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving perfomance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenel fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving perfomance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenel fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving perfomance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenel fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown how they cook their food in hot water pools and hot boxes [that utilize the natural steam heat]. Then we were shown their communal baths which are Hot Springs. While on this tour I went up to one of the hot pools which was spewing steam out of it. I put my head over and let the steam surround me and white out my vision. I was overcome with a sense of calm and peace. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in this place. After the tour I decided to buy a Greenstone necklace with a geyser picture infused into it created by the earth. I then went on my own back to the same pool where I let the steam come over me and had a moment of peace [and] put on my Greenstone in the steam. This place felt very special to me and I will return. --Will H.
Rory and Will H. soaking in the steam
Our geothermally prepared "hangi" lunch
It is hard from people not familiar with the Maori culture to understand the meaning of traditional the traditional Haka, particularly because the faces made during this ritual dance seem so odd to us. Here Grant describes watching a moving performance:
The way [the Maori] live their lives is really interesting. All the people in the tribe seem very close and connected together. My overall favorite part of the tour was the performance they did for us. They sang Maori tribal songs and did the Haka, which is a Maori warrior dance which they used to do before battle. A lot of people still do this Haka in New Zealand. It was really cool to see how the Mori tribe live and to see what their culture is like. --Grant (for example: You can see the New Zealand national rugby team doing the Haka at the 2015 world cup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfHv9FOpXw)
After our time at the Maori village we went to a local "hot spot" and got fully emerge ourselves in the thermal experience...literally.
And as if that wasn't was enough for one day, we wrapped it up with high-adrenalin fun on the mountain overlooking Rotorua.
We'll start by letting Will H. give an intro do our day:
Today we visited a traditional Maori village. Upon arriving you get this distinct smell of sulfur. We started our tour with a very friendly woman who took us into the village. Once you walk into the village there is steam everywhere due to the geothermal geysers. Continuing with the tour we were shown ho
