New Zealand-Day 12

This was our accommodation for the 2 nights in Rotorua.  This was a great house with more than enough space for our family.

Wake up Beth & Sudip!

Cute little open window between the kids bunk room and the large hallway

Beth having fun on the trampoline

There are several different places to visit around Rotorua that have the natural hot pools, mud pools, geysers and other geothermal wonders, but after a bit of research, we decided to go to Te Puia, a place that seemed to have it all. Te Puia is New Zealand’s living Maori cultural centre. Situated in the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, Te Puia’s 60 hectare site is home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, a live kiwi enclosure, the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, and more than 500 geothermal wonders.

                                     

The kids enjoyed the weaving and carving schools at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, watching and learning about the traditional and ancient art forms.

                                     

We went on a guided tour of the geothermal areas as well as the kiwi house, where we got to see 2 kiwi birds. I thought the mud pools were especially cool and grabbed several photos of the mud boiling.  The mud can reach temperatures up to 95°C (203°F).

Our first look at the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere – Pohutu. Erupting to a height of 30m (100 feet) up to 20 times a day, Pohutu is not only a spectacular sight, but also the most reliable geyser on earth. Eruptions can last from a few minutes to several days, and in one rare case between 2000 and 2001, Pohutu Geyser erupted for over 250 days. It was an amazing site to see!

                                    

We enjoyed watching a little bit of the Maori Cultural Performance.

                                     

Hallie being cheeky

                                      

We walked around the grounds, stopping at the model village based on a traditional Māori settlement. Houses made from punga trees, pātaka (food storage houses), and a collection of cooking tools including the traditional hangi pit (earth oven) and drying racks were available for us to look through.

                                     

                                      

The natural cooking pool, which is constantly boiling and flowing, is used to cook a range of delicacies including seafood, eggs, sweetcorn, and watercress.

                               

After Te Puia, we went into town to check out the playground, the market and grab dinner.  Then it was back home for popcorn and a show and some game time for the adults.