Other trip days
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To Huntly Morning Tea
Did not sleep well. Got 6AM wake-up call. Put luggage outside at 6:30 AM. Ate breakfast and checked out. Met Peter the bus driver. Boarded the bus, which set out southward from town. Drove to Huntly for morning tea and got Rum Raisin ice cream and post card.
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To the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Continued on to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. There was a large crowd at the caves and we had to wait for 10 minutes, so went to the gift shop. Got a set of post cards since photography was not allowed inside the caves. Finally entered the caves and saw lots of stalactites and stalagmites. Saw some glowworms in the caves hanging threads of mucus for catching flying insects. Went down a dark passage and saw some glowworms (little blue-green lights) on the ceiling. Then got on a boat that the guide pulled along on overhead cables. Saw a lot of glowing spots on the ceiling. Emerged out of the cave into the sunlight and back up the steps to the bus.
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To lunch at Lake Karapiro
The bus retraced some of its previous route and we continued on to the lunch stop at Lake Karapiro. Took pictures of the grimey B-room that Jann warned us to avoid and also took pictures of the dam and the lake.
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Arrival at the Maori Village
The bus continued on to Rotorua. Arrived at the Maori Village. While waiting for the guide, Jann passed out Tim-Tams (Aussie and Brit popular cookies). Met the Maori guide Hoh. Saw the wood carving school and the traditional weaving. Saw cheap Kiwi bird that did not move.
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The Thermal Wonderland
Went to see mud hole, hot springs and geysers.
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The Maori Hangi
Boarded bus to the Novotel (Rotorua hotel). Had complimentary OJ and the Mol’s welcoming address. Got into room 328. Had to put the room key card in the slot to get the electricity to come on. Sat at the table with John, the couple from St.Pete, FL and Richmond,VA. John did not wait to eat, but the food was off limits. Finally was allowed to start on the soup, the rest of the buffet which was cooked in the traditional manner in an underground oven. Saw the Maori show and the Kwut participated in the warrior dance. After the show we walked back to the hotel (next door) at about 9 PM. Set the hotel alarm clock
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