Tewhakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao

On our way down to Rotorua, we stopped in Tirau, which has many corrugated metal sculptures. The dog's tongue was made of cloth, so it waved in the wind.

Each business seemed to have some sort of sculpture near it.

When we reached Rotorua, we headed over to Whakarewarewa. There is a village where the native Maori live on thermal activity. There was a nice young man working out front. After chatting with him for a bit, he told us that when he was serving over in Afghanistan, one of his friends was asked by Americans what a kiwi was. The friend told them it was a twelve foot tall bird that was feared in New Zealand and it ate dogs. The Americans believed him.

Tewhakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao means "the gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao." Wahiao was a Maori chief. It was quite fascinating to see how the Maori used the thermal activity for cooking and bathing.

All over the village were small carvings. We were told that the carvings were not gods. They were more like guardians.

If you pat one on the shoulder, it guards you while you are in New Zealand.

After leaving the village, Dad and I walked around Lake Rotorua. There is a fair bit of thermal activity there as well. It smells like an egg has gone off. I told Dad that it was the only city where he couldn't get in trouble for the smell.


In the evening, I found a fish and chips shop. Dad reckoned it must be good since they wrapped the food up in newspaper, which is traditional.

I managed to locate a local beer in the nearby supermarket. It was quite good.