Saturday+Jun+13+2009

Early start to our day. Wake-up at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30. On the road by 8:30. Our first stop was a Jade Factory where we saw the works of artist and learned about the different shapes meanings to the Maori people. We then went to the geothermal Maori village. The natives live and die among the mudpots, geyers, hot springs and steam baths were their village is built. It was amazing to see how they lived in harmony with the steamy surroundings. We went to on a godola ride above the city of Rotorua. The sun came out in time for beautiful pictures of the area. On top there were wheeled luge rides that were quite reasonable. Most of the students gave it a go and really enjoyed the gravity ride to the bottom. From there we headed to an adventure park to try some New Zealand "sports". At the park they could bungie jump, swing, freefall, motor boat and schweeb. Most students tried something crazy - even the adults!! Our last spot of the day was a registered "All Blacks" shop that had sporting gear from the NZ World Champion Rudby team. As it happened there was a game on the television tonight that had the NZ team against France. Seeing the whole NZ team do the "Haka" War chant prior to the game was quite intimidating. The day ended with free time. Many of the students went to the local spa to soak in the 10+ pools of geothermally heated waters. What a great way to finish the day.