Rotorua is located on top of a very active geologic zone with lots of geysers, hot springs, and stinkiness. It is also home to many Maori peoples and they provide many cultural shows to share their heritage.
Dexter wearing a jade necklace we purchased at a local Maori workshop.
We drove to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley just outside Rotorua to see some of the cool water features.
Fluffies before we start our hike.
Steaming lakes.
Bubbling waters.
Even these mounds along the path are warm with volcanic-y goodness.
It is a little stinky.
The steaming river.
And the photographer.
We ended up at this lake which was home to hundreds of these black swans and lots of other water birds. Apparently, there were some truly outrageous silica terraces where this lake is now. In the 1800s people used to come and bath in the waters until the whole thing blew up in 1886.
Lakeside geyser.
After our hike we went to a Maori show presented by the Mitai family. Here we saw the warriors coming in by boat.
We got to see a bunch of the cultural traditions when tribes would meet or fight each other. This included the famous Haka where Maori stick out their tongues and look as terrifying as possible. After the dance, we went to a Maori feast known as a Hangi.
