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| Two Fantastic Ways To Experience Maori Culture In Rotorua, New Zealand
By R.E. Aconley
Do not miss going to Rotorua on a trip to New Zealand. It is one of the best places to experience the Maori Culture. Try these two fantastic ways to find out about the Maori customs and traditions.
Whakarewarewa Thermal Area is a great place to discover all about the Maoris. This a "living village" set in a landscape of geothermal activity. You will see hot bubbling mud pools, hot thermal springs and gushing geysers on your visit to this unique environment. The most noticeable feature is the pungent "sulphur" smell.
Your guide will meet you at the entrance and take you on a tour of the village. You will get a fascinating insight into their way of life. The guide will show you where and how they do the cooking and washing. Hot water is not a problem! An interesting part of the tour is an above ground cemetery.
Maori villages all have a Meeting House and the Wahiao Meeting House has some wonderful wood carvings for you to see. The highlight of this tour is probably the Maori cultural performance. Native skills are demonstrated to you and the wonderful "Haka" war dance is performed. If you sit at the front you may be lucky and get a Maori greeting. The chance to rub noses with one of the performers will give you a great photo opportunity.
Do not miss the chance to see the Prince of Wales Feathers and Pohutu Geysers erupting. They can erupt to a height of around 30 metres. There are lots of shops in the village to browse around and you can buy lots of authentic Maori products. On your way out of the village take a look at the Puarenga Stream. There are Maori children that will dive for coins if you throw them in the water.
There are many Maori shows in Rotorua but you will be well rewarded if you go to Tamaki Maori Village. You will get the complete Maori experience. Your driver/guide will give you a background of what to expect before you get to the village. He will tell you stories, history and the Maori protocols of your village visit. He will ask for a volunteer to be the "Chief" of the coach. Do it! All it really involves is being greeted by a Maori "Warrior" at the welcome ceremony in the Tamaki village.
Once the Maori villagers realize that you are a "friendly" tribe they will invite you into their village. It is very exciting as you walk through an atmospheric woodland area. You will see huge crackling open fires in front of traditional whare (houses) and the sound of the traditional Maori musical instruments creates a palpable electric atmosphere.
You are then led into the Meeting House where Maori traditions and customs are performed for you with songs and stories. Get your cameras ready when the Maori Warriors perform the fantastic "Haka" war chant and dance.
To top off your Maori cultural experience you are treated to a cooked "Hangi" feast. The Maoris traditionally cooked their food in earthen ovens. The food has a very distinctive taste and it will complete your Maori experience.
Rotorua has a lot to offer but do not miss these two fantastic ways to experience the Maori culture in New Zealand. Two Fantastic Ways To Experience The Beauty Of Queenstown, New Zealand | |
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