Rotorua

We had 2 free days after we visited Cody, JoEllen and family in Taupo, so we drove up to Rotorua. It is a major tourist spot. The earth's crust is thin here, and they have lots of steam vents and hot pools. Kind of like a Yellowstone experience. Only not in a national park, but with a city built around and through it. Sometimes a new steam vent will show up in someone's front yard, or a hot sinkhole appears. Then they have to abandon the property.  Very beautiful place.  We first toured their "Redwood Forest". Many trees were imported when the Europeans began settling New  Zealand. Everyone seemed to bring their favorite tree, plant, dog, weed. Now many things have become pests, and they are trying to eradicate them or control them. The redwoods came from the US, because they would grow fast in this climate.

We rented a small Airbnb (vacation rental) about 20 minutes north of town, across the lake. It was quite rural, with the assorted chicken, dogs, llamas and cat. This was our view of Rotorua the next day.

One thing the tourists like to see here is the Maori culture. We found a village in town that gives tours of their village, and talks about their way of life. You can buy a lunch there too. Twice a day they put on a show for the visitors. It is only open 9-5, so that they can have a normal life the rest of the time.
Here are a few photos.

This is the village. The Whakarewarewa (Fahka-roo-a-roo-a) Village. Now try the name on the red sign.

There are steam vents all around. It rained off and on most of the morning. Most of the pools are just below boiling. The people here heat their homes with the built in steam heat. They cook using both the hot water, and steam. (see below)

They have gardens for raising vegetables.

This lady is cooking flax for making mats and capes and skirts.
This pool is just below boiling. They also cook fish and vegetables
in this pool, rather than a stove.

This cage is used to cook meats using the natural steam.
They separate the meat from the other foods, so that
the oil and grease doesn't contaminate the hot pools.
They also divert the hot water into their community
baths (used after tourists are gone). Almost no utility bills.

Village Cemetery. 

Houses and shops mingle together along the main street.

The meal includes two meats, vegetables, stuffing, gravy and sweet-corn on the cob.
The dessert is the world famous Whakarewarewa steam pudding (cooked in the steam boxes)
 and served with fruit salad, custard & cream. 

 After lunch, we went to the Maori performance. Pretty fun.

this shows some of the songs and dances that they do.

This is the Marae (Mah-ri). This is the social hub of the community. In days past, this would be the church, school, social place, where wedding would be held, and funerals. There are intricate carvings inside and out.

A couple of impressive buildings in Rotorua.

Not quite the grand canyon, but these folks went totally under at the bottom
of that rapid. The guy in the kayak was counting heads when they resurfaced.

All accounted for!!

The walk to the falls.

And, in typical Mike fashion, on the way out of town, I made a stop for a couple of hours.