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Published: August 6th 2006
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Haka banter
The Maori guy decided not to stick his tounge out for some reason, opting for the cheesy grin instead- not quite as intimidating. Bonjour
The first thing that you notice upon arrival in Rotorua is the smell: it has loads of thermal activity with "bubbling mud pools, gurgling hot springs and gushing geysers" (Lonely Planet) which gives the whole area a horrible eggy smell. Maybe it should be called Rottingrua eh?! Ha Ha Ha- sorry again about the Sprigsy styled puns.
Our hostel, Hot Rock Backpackers, was quality: we had our own private bathroom and balcony and there was a heated pool. On our first full day in the place we took a Cable Car ride up a huge hill that overlooked the city: very similar to the one in Queenstown. We decided to have five goes on the Luge tracks that went from the top to pretty much the bottom of the hill, they were awesome. We had to get in these small Go-Karts and then bomb down one of the three windey tracks, complete with chicanes and plenty of opportunities for overtaking. They could fairly motor and it could get a bit hairy at times when you approach a tight bend. On the first run down I was in the lead before I got caught in traffic (AKA 2 little
Tiger Sprigens
At the top of the Luge. girls having a go), Tiger Sprigens had no qualms about bombing through them at break neck speed: I couldn't get past him again so he won.
Round Two went to Sprigens in similar circumstances before I took the plaudits in the third race: once i overtook him on the first bend their was no catching me. We had a faller on Race number 4, Wilson crashed right into one of the barriers at full pelt: he was limping a bit but came out of it relativley unscathed (apart from the fact his trousers were pitted) I managed to fend Freddy off again, ensuring Race 5 wouldn't be a dead rubber.
On the final race JJ got off to a flier and as he is so ruthless in front I knew overtaking opportunities would be few and far between, I would need to try something very special/very dangerous. My overtaking manouvere would qualify as both of the aforementioned: going through the chicane I spotted the smallest of gaps and managed to sneak past him (taking half of the barrier with me I expect!- was a tight fit) Once in front again Sprigwell couldn't get near me. I did add
Eeeehhhh I canny go on the Luges likes
Frustrated Cookmeister at the top of the hill. some of the Sprigsy ruthlessness to my game though, I gave a girl who was in my way bit of a fright as I brushed past her kart (Cue Jonnny and Will claiming that it was a full on collision and I could've killed her?!)
Post Luging we headed to a nearby pub at night for a Pool Comp. There were only seven people entered in it, and with there being three of us we fancied our chances. I was defeated by my arch nemesis Senor Scotty in the semi-final, whilst Tiger Sprigens took the plaudits beating Scotty in the final: winning a $25 bar tab in the process.
Friday was an action packed day, it was also Master Williams Birthday: He's now joined the 22 club! this time 22 years ago eh Scotty! In the morning we went Zorbing. Zorbing is an activity that originated in Rotorua and it involves getting in a big inflatable ball, which has a bit of water in it, and rolling down a hill in it. We decided to get in one all together, was a bit of a tight squeeze. As we were pushed down, we started running like Hampsters in
Abzorbing Zorbing
Was a sunshiney day a wheel, this only lasted about a second though: soon we were all on our arses slipping on the water and spinning everywhere. There were flailing elbows all over the place and at one stage my neck was getting cruched by someones shin: wasn't a pleasant experience. Overall though the zorbing was good for banter.
That afternoon we visited a Maori Thermal Village in Rotorua. Families have lived here for generations and continue to do so today. Thoughout the village there were several Thermal Pools and Mud Pools, some over a 100 degrees,which explains why there was tons of smoke coming from them. There was also a Catholic and an Anglican Church, aswell as a huge Meeting house. Our guide, who lived in the village, showed us where they prepared the Hangi, a way of cooking food under the ground: apparently the natural heat from the Thermal Pools heated the food quicker than an oven would.
We went to a small Concert Hall in the village where we were treated to some traditional Maori singing and dancing, they all had the gear on so it looked pretty cool. They asked for volunteers, nobody put there hands up so
they just came and picked people, as fate would have it the Birthday Boy was summoned and had to go on stage and perform some dance with them. After Will finished tearing it up Maori style on stage (he was blazing it up!) the Maori men on stage performed the Haka. The dance,made famous by the All Blacks, was originally performed on the battlefield in an attempt to scare the other army into fleeing through fear before the battle had even started: so it can be pretty intimidating.
After our culture vulturing we began the Brithday celebrations in dignified fashion by going for a nice meal: went for a Carvery, was absolutely awesome. Ever since Jonny saw some cows in he field during one of our drives he's been desperate for a bit of lamb?!?! So he got his wish. After food we went to a Belgian Bar, which unsuprisingly had loads of Belgian Beers on the go, including the original Pale Ale Hogarden: smashing. Next we stopped off in the place where Jonny won the Pool comp so he could cash in his coupon, before heading back to Lava Bar: the bar by our hostel. We had a
You should be dancing yeah
Wilson tearing it up Maori style. wicked night and in the morning there was barely a hangover in sight despite our early start: and I thought we were becoming more lightweight in our old(er) age!?
Thats it from me,
Mike
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