On-the-Road Tales

Motored along the coast and got to see some islands that through geological testing they have recently figured out were blasted from a volcano hundreds of miles south in the middle of the country. Apparently when Taupo erupted, in 186 AD the Romans and Chinese recorded the red skies – one of the largest eruptions ever as evidenced by these massive islands spit out into the sea. Stopped at the Karangahake Scenic Gorge and did a cool little hike into some old mining tunnels. Passed through the town where Hobbiton is located. There are all sorts of Lord of the Rings tours around NZ since they filmed in various location. Amazing what an effect it had on tourism increasing it multiple percent although that is wearing off now.

Got into Rotorua. Took a gondola up to the top of a hill and then got these little luges and pummeled 3 different concrete tracks and courses down the side of a mountain. Pretty insane but fun. On the ski lift back up to the top you would see all sorts of luges off the tracks in the grass, down ravines – did not want to know how they got there!

Rotorua is the thermal capital of NZ, just like Yellowstone. The earth’s surface is normally 50-60 km thick, here it is a mere 16 km so there are bubbling mud pools and hot springs everywhere which was weird to see in the middle of a city. The real question is why they put a city in the middle of a hot spring field! It is just really amusing to see a playground right beside a boiling water geyser. I think the origins come from the Maori taking advantage of the natural hot water system whwen they arrived to NZ.
The Maori have a strong presence in New Zealand. Hailing from Polynesia as well, these explorers landed around 1000 AD in what they christened Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud. It is hard to believe that NZ was only inhabited by humans just at the time when the vikings were running around invading Ireland- donkeys years into Irish history! Unlike Tahitians, or Rapa Nui, the Maori have a formal written Treaty with their settlers, the English. That did not necessarily prevent robbery or exploitation of their lands but did give them more rights.

That evening went to a Hangi dinner and concert. Another Polynesian village, much better set up than the other villages I visited overseas. The songs and dancing was more upbeat too. Really interesting to see the differences between three groups of people originating from the same place, yet settling in diverse environments and being taken over by three very different nations.

Tags: Travel

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