Rotorua

We toured the geothermal area. It was like a mini Yellowstone with geysers, mudpots, fumeroles etc. It was a two and a half K walk but up and down stairs constantly and our calves were screaming. About halfway through a warning siren started going off. It's a little intimidating to hear that when you are in an area prone to tsunamis and earthquakes and whose local volcano is 600 years overdue to erupt. But we figured we were having fun and it would be as good a way to go as any. In the afternoon we went to the Rotorua museum located in an old Victorian bathhouse from the last century. It was surrounded by beautiful gardens and parks - very English. In the evening, we went to a Maori village for a hongi (dinner cooked in the ground) and a performance. They told Maori stories and myths, did songs and dances, and displayed weapons and fighting techniques. It was a really entertaining and informative evening. There were guests from 19 different countries and I think we were the only Americans. Everyone at our table was very friendly and they love to tell you where they have been and what they have seen.