Monday, March 25th
Today we are scheduled to visit the city of Tauranga, in New Zealand. It is situated on the eastern shore of the North Island. It is one of the main ports and it has a population of about 67,000.
This nearby area is Rotorua and it is famous for hot springs and geysers and is a lot like Yellowstone with its boiling mud pots and thermal springs, and the smell of brimstone. Because we have been to Yellowstone we decide stay in the Tauranga and to visit a scene of the Maori culture instead.
We awake to rain for the first time in all of our cruising. It is a fine rain but it is heavy. The mountain top is covered by a cloud but just beyond it we can see the blue sky. When the sun rises the passengers are treated to an amazing rainbow.
When it is time to head for the bus the rain has stopped but we take our umbrella along just in case.
We are pleasantly surprised by a big bright air conditioned modern bus.
Dave is our driver
and Michelle is our cultural guide. Michelle is a Maori and she can trace her family back 8 generations and the Paparoa Marae that we will visit is of her family.
Our first stop is changed because the driver and guide wanted us to be able to see the amazing view from the top of the Minden Lookout. I gather it sometimes closes in but we were lucky because the view was wonderful.
Here we saw what Michelle told us was a fern tree. We thought it was a new kind of palm tree. It is similar in appearance until you look closely at the fronds.
This is a photo op of about 10 minutes. We get back on the bus and Dave maneuvers the bus down the winding road. While we are travelling Michelle begins to prepare us for our forth coming visit. She tells us what we can expect and what we should do. She also tries to teach us a song that we will be expected to sing at one point during the ceremony.
Soon we arrive at the Marae village Paparoa.
As instructed we gather at the entrance of the Marae with the females or Wahines in front.
At the very front is the person we selected to be our leader.
The people of the village send out a warrior to make sure that we have come in peace.
He places a peace offering on the ground and by picking it up that offering we let them know we come in peace.
Next we hear the voice of a woman. She is welcoming us and telling us we may enter the sacred ground of the Marae.
We are all ushered to seats and the speeches begin. This time the men are in front and the ladies are in the back. These are speeches of welcome spoken in the native language. Then another elder translates and explains the significance of what was said.
Maori are very spiritual people and so their speeches acknowledge “God” and those who have passed on. Everyone is welcomed to the Marae.
Our group leader accepts the welcome and tells them that we have come in peace.
Once the speeches are over we sing the song that Michelle taught us. The Waiata is the song sung in support of the speaker.
Next we have the Hongi, which is the traditional greeting. It is the touching of noses and foreheads and shaking hands simultaneously. When you touch noses with your host your breaths mingle together and you become one. When you touch foreheads you exchange and share knowledge. There were three people in the receiving line.
The Hongi is the last part of our traditional welcome. Now we are considered one with the people and we take our seats again. This time we are allowed to sit with whomever we wish.
At this time a group of young people entertain us. Ken and I are blown away by their voices. They sing beautifully and we love every note. They perform four native songs and dances.
Next the ladies are invited to join them and learn a dance. I volunteer and manage to be completely mixed up. But it was fun.
When it was time for the men Ken followed my example and he volunteered to do the dance with the young men.
This ended the proceedings and we are invited to take pictures and have our pictures taken with the young people.
Next we are invited to have tea and cookies. Crafters are set up here and we are able to shop.
I choose a wonderful wood carving. The sign on it says that it is a Wahaika. It is a type of weapon that is ceremonial and practical. Waha-ika means the mouth of a fish. If you look at the shape of the weapon it looks like the shape of a whales’ lower jaw. This Wahaika had a small figure carved on the side. This figure is usually the guardian of the owner and is often a venerated ancestor.
Michelle tells me that it is carved from the Kauri tree. The wood is very hard and is highly polished and very smooth. It is about 8 inches long with a maximum width of 3 inches.
I also got a wonderful little Kiwi ornament.
Soon it was time to board the bus again and head back to the city.
This was an amazing experience and we both enjoyed every minute of it.
PS
Starbucks!!
They are everywhere !!Even in Tauranga
This nearby area is Rotorua and it is famous for hot springs and geysers and is a lot like Yellowstone with its boiling mud pots and thermal springs, and the smell of brimstone. Because we have been to Yellowstone we decide stay in the Tauranga and to visit a scene of the Maori culture instead.
We awake to rain for the first time in all of our cruising. It is a fine rain but it is heavy. The mountain top is covered by a cloud but just beyond it we can see the blue sky. When the sun rises the passengers are treated to an amazing rainbow.
When it is time to head for the bus the rain has stopped but we take our umbrella along just in case.
We are pleasantly surprised by a big bright air conditioned modern bus.
Dave is our driver
and Michelle is our cultural guide. Michelle is a Maori and she can trace her family back 8 generations and the Paparoa Marae that we will visit is of her family.
Our first stop is changed because the driver and guide wanted us to be able to see the amazing view from the top of the Minden Lookout. I gather it sometimes closes in but we were lucky because the view was wonderful.
Here we saw what Michelle told us was a fern tree. We thought it was a new kind of palm tree. It is similar in appearance until you look closely at the fronds.
This is a photo op of about 10 minutes. We get back on the bus and Dave maneuvers the bus down the winding road. While we are travelling Michelle begins to prepare us for our forth coming visit. She tells us what we can expect and what we should do. She also tries to teach us a song that we will be expected to sing at one point during the ceremony.
Soon we arrive at the Marae village Paparoa.
As instructed we gather at the entrance of the Marae with the females or Wahines in front.
At the very front is the person we selected to be our leader.
The people of the village send out a warrior to make sure that we have come in peace.
He places a peace offering on the ground and by picking it up that offering we let them know we come in peace.
Next we hear the voice of a woman. She is welcoming us and telling us we may enter the sacred ground of the Marae.
We are all ushered to seats and the speeches begin. This time the men are in front and the ladies are in the back. These are speeches of welcome spoken in the native language. Then another elder translates and explains the significance of what was said.
Maori are very spiritual people and so their speeches acknowledge “God” and those who have passed on. Everyone is welcomed to the Marae.
Our group leader accepts the welcome and tells them that we have come in peace.
Once the speeches are over we sing the song that Michelle taught us. The Waiata is the song sung in support of the speaker.
Next we have the Hongi, which is the traditional greeting. It is the touching of noses and foreheads and shaking hands simultaneously. When you touch noses with your host your breaths mingle together and you become one. When you touch foreheads you exchange and share knowledge. There were three people in the receiving line.
The Hongi is the last part of our traditional welcome. Now we are considered one with the people and we take our seats again. This time we are allowed to sit with whomever we wish.
At this time a group of young people entertain us. Ken and I are blown away by their voices. They sing beautifully and we love every note. They perform four native songs and dances. 
Next the ladies are invited to join them and learn a dance. I volunteer and manage to be completely mixed up. But it was fun.
When it was time for the men Ken followed my example and he volunteered to do the dance with the young men.
This ended the proceedings and we are invited to take pictures and have our pictures taken with the young people.
Next we are invited to have tea and cookies. Crafters are set up here and we are able to shop.
I choose a wonderful wood carving. The sign on it says that it is a Wahaika. It is a type of weapon that is ceremonial and practical. Waha-ika means the mouth of a fish. If you look at the shape of the weapon it looks like the shape of a whales’ lower jaw. This Wahaika had a small figure carved on the side. This figure is usually the guardian of the owner and is often a venerated ancestor.
Michelle tells me that it is carved from the Kauri tree. The wood is very hard and is highly polished and very smooth. It is about 8 inches long with a maximum width of 3 inches.
I also got a wonderful little Kiwi ornament.
Soon it was time to board the bus again and head back to the city.
This was an amazing experience and we both enjoyed every minute of it.
PS
Starbucks!!
They are everywhere !!Even in Tauranga
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