The smelliest place...

We've spent the better part of the past two days in Rotorua, New Zealand, which is a small town in the center of the north island. It is a sacred place for the Maori people and has some of the craziest terrain. It also smells. The second you enter the area you are overwhelmed with the smell of sulfur. It's everywhere and in everything. If only I could bottle up a smell to share...
The town sits on a milky blue lake of shallow water that's full of sulfur rising from below the earth. There are geysers a plenty. And then there are the mud pools. Now I had foolishly thought that all the mud pools that I had read about in planting this were like hot springs you find in the states - like natural jacuzzis that you could just climb into and enjoy. The reality is that they can be deadly. They can be so hot that they often actually rise above 100degrees Celsius (which, if you think back to sixth grade science, seems impossible).

Yesterday, upon our arrival we aimed to be cured of our "arthritis" - neither of us has it but one ancient story tells of the mud pools curing the disease and we wanted to feel the cleansing muddy waters for ourselves - so we set out for a place called "Hells Gates" where you can bath in the famed mud and sulfur waters and also check out some of the natural hot mud baths. We noted what a strange name this place had considering so many others have kept their Maori name and then upon our arrival we learned that the name came from none other than George Bernard Shaw! (my mother the thespian was SO happy to find that one out). First we got to put our feet in a shallow mud pool (and but shallow I mean no more than 5 inches deep). Somehow I managed to lose my balance and fall completely into the muddy water, completely clothed. Oops! At first I just looked wet, but as I dried the mud consolidated. Yup, I'm that klutzy American. We walked around the pools where we heard every kind of bubbling noise you can imagine. At some points the terrain looked forest-y and then at others it looked like we were on the moon!



Those bubbles formed and moved so quickly... Like bats out of hell.



It's hard to understand how much of a threat that is unless you are there.



And then you would turn a corner, and you'd find a nice little waterfall. This is the one that warriors would bath in to heal after war.

Then we got our mud baths. Considering how much I've always loved clay, it was no surprise how happy I was getting in the water. My mom crudely said I looked like a pig in sh**. She did not look as happy and anxiously awaited the 20 minute time limit (for health reasons) to be up.


Me, covered, and mom.

We are both happy to have done this but even now, over 24 hours later, sent quote sure that the smell of sulfur is out of our skin...

Today's big event was Te Puia. We knew part of it was getting to see the famous Pohutu Geyser, which spurts out 5meter high boiling water multiple times per hour, but that was about it. Included in the tour was a Maori cultural show. This was so impressive. From our group, in order to enter the tribal performance area, a man had to come forward and be the "chief." Our greeter taught us all what he must do in order to gain us all entry - accept a leaf offering from a very scary tribesman and then upon entry, touch noses twice with each man.

We were both really shocked at how well done this very touristy attraction was. The singers and dancers so clearly were trained and well versed in their craft. We learned a lot about their songs, dances, games, and hunting tools.



The main guy showing the main warrior move (tongue out) used to intimidate the enemy.



The women spinning these balls on strings used to mimic native birds in flight.



Me with the warriors..



Mom becoming a warrior...

We then began the tour part where we got to learn about the skill that goes into Maori carving (men) and weaving (women). Would you believe that the skirts they are all wearing above are made out of leaves? I wouldn't have until I was let in on how...
After that we got to see a pair of kiwis. Not the biggest bird people, we had actually decided against another opportunity we had to see these strange flightless, long beaked avians, but here we were on a tour. So glad I saw them. they are about 10X the size I thought they would be! Also, they are an insanely territorial bird and thus can on,y be kept in twos (male and female) or they will kill each other. Not a great thing when you are already a very endangered species.

Then we finally saw the geyser.



I don't really know what to say about it... Bur it certainly was powerfully pushing up heaps of HOT water (we could feel the steam).



Me and all the steam.

We finished the day at a fun pub called the Pig 'n Whistle (named because it used to be the police station). Determined to learn a bit more about rugby in anticipation for the world cup (we are now totally poser All Black fans), my mom asked the bar tender (a Brit) what the main difference is between Rugby and American Football are. His answer, "Rugby is better, and is for men." So that was one answer, I have a feeling my mom will keep asking around though, so stay tuned on that one!

Now Lisa (my middle sister who is feeling forgotten without a shout out) - we've spoken about you CONSTANTLY. It's mainly been a game of "would or wouldn't Lisa enjoy this?" And here's our thoughts:
- Waitomo caves: you would have loved this but would have been WAY WAY too cold. Our suggestion should you ever come- do yourself and whomever pi come with a favor and opt for the boat float trip. It doesn't involve wetsuits and you can bundle yourself as much as you want.
- Rotorua: you may be the one person I know who would welcome the strange smell. You would also be fascinated with the bubbling mud pools and shooting geyser.

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