Day 99 - Geothermal Areas and a Maori Evening

We got up and left camp early to go and collect our tickets, then drive up to the famous Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-O-Tapu. The geyser goes off at 10:15 every morning… with the help of a special catalyst (the geyser would go off of its own accord every one to three days.) A huge crowd gathered to watch the show which was quite impressive and lasted quite a while too.

Everyone then drove back down the road and parked up to go into the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park. We followed suit and were soon walking along the 3km of pathways that would take us to all the points of interest in the place. We saw a lot more steam and craters, though we also saw much more here; we could see: sulphur caves, sulphur mounds, mud pools, and waters and rocks of varying colours due to the mineral levels in them ranging from oranges to purples and greens.

The last pool we saw was called the Devil’s Bath and its colour was the most intense lime green. We each took photos but none of the digital cameras could capture the zingy vividness of the pool; Corrie did take a snap on a film camera that she’s sure will have bested the digital snaps.

After Wai-O-Tapu we made a quick stop at the mud pools up the road; a very therapeutic little visit watching and listening to the bubbling and plopping of the boiling mud.

We then went back to the campsite to leave the van and walk into town. In town we went to a great place for lunch – The Fat Dog café which offered great meals to suit all tastes. We made short work of our hearty meals and then wandered around the town a little and also went and sat by the lake for a while too.

After getting some info from the local i-site we went back to camp and decided to book an evening at one of the Maori Villages. Danny was unsure about doing this as he thought it would be cheesy and tacky but Corrie and the receptionist assured him it would be great.

We got picked up and taken to the Mitai Maori Village at about 17:45 and once there were led into a large marquee-like room with about 16 tables all capable of seating about 12 people each. We took a seat at our assigned table and got some drinks in! Once the room had filled and some of the guests had gotten to know each other a little our host for the evening began. The talk was about what would happen etc and was quite a humorous spiel.

Then we went to check out the hangi food being unveiled; though before any of us could eat it we had to go on a short walk down to the river. Here we lined the banks in the dark and waited. The chanting grew louder and the lights became brighter as a huge waka (canoe) filled with about nine scantily clad tribal Maori’s paddled hard into view. The sight was quite impressive and quite a moving show; the warriors back-paddled and then advanced once more before disembarking their waka and disappearing into the trees.

We were then led to a seating area under a huge canvass marquee and once we were all seated we were asked to remain quiet during the opening performance. What followed was some very intense, verging on intimidating at times, moving and powerful performances by the whole tribe (who were all actors.) They all did tribal dances and hakas, along with demonstrating: rituals, weapons, tools, and dances etc of their ancestors. The whole 40 minutes or so was not cheesy at all and captured everyone’s attention for the whole time – especially the very passionate haka.

Once finished here we were ushered back to the food hall where all the hangi contents were now out, along with other foods, in a buffet like fashion and everyone was instructed to help themselves to as much as they could eat… and we did. The food was great, though we ate way too much of it and it was soon almost over. 

One more thing remained and that was a half hour walk through the forest of glow worms where were learned of more Maori ways and traditions.

The whole evening was entertaining and fun, and Danny left full and happy that he’d attended!