Coddiwomple Stardate 171118

Woke to rain this morning but cleared up early. Headed off to Hamilton expecting to get evicted off the bus due to too many people being booked on. One of the down sides to this Stray bus peak season and not enough seats. But there is always alternatives & our tent.

On the way to Hamilton we stopped at a great bakery for morning tea called The Big Café and Bakery in the town of Paeroa known for there famous L&P (Lemon & Paeroa) drink supposably as famous as coke over here.

Then to Hamilton for our eviction, fortunately by the time we arrived our booking moved from standby to booked! So onwards to Raglan on the west coast. Drove today from the white sands of the east coast to black sands of the west coast. Most of the drive was stunning mountains and ocean views. Dinner tonight was fish & chips on top of Inspiration Point as the sun was setting overlooking Manu Bay.

Left Raglan this morning heading to Waitomo to see maggot anuses at a cost of $70nzd each. Once we arrived caught another bus for a 12km trip to some caves. Beautiful drive in and nice walk to the caves. Once kitted up with our hard hats we were off to the cave to inspect the maggots and how wonderful they were. We were taken to a rubber raft and pulled through the cave to a magical light show from those maggots (Glow Worms as Glow Maggots didn't look as good on the brochures!!)). The roof of the cave was like looking up at the milky way but had to be careful of falling stars (especially with your mouth open as its their poop). After more than 3 hours we were off again to Rotorua and the smell of rotten egg.

So after spending a night at the YHA in Rotorua one of the nicest backpackers so far even got a free upgrade to our own room, we walked over the road to a park full of thermal activity. We both had a enjoyable stroll and fun with all the steam. Then on to a bakery and a walk along Lake Rotorua walking back through the Government Gardens to be picked up by our bus and onwards.

So upon leaving Rotorua...we headed towards Murupara....just before we got to the town we picked up Rook's who welcomed us traditionally and we ventured into a scared site of rock carvings dating back 1050ad. It was raining, so we didn't spend much time there. Had a drive through the once prosperous town (timber plantations). Used to be just over 4000 people in its peak but now only 1500.  Onto our lodgings for the night...these lodgings at Kohutapu are delightful ...sitting up over looking the Lake Aniwhenua. We arrived to another traditional greeting and welcome.  This lodge helps the community by tourism.  So by staying here, eating here and using the facilities and activities all money is given back to the community. 

We played two stick games after we settled in ... Then those of us who chose the paid activities went off to do either weaving, learn the Huka or in the evening do some eeling.
We watched the men prepare the traditional way of cooking for a large group.  A Hungi-. A pit is dug and volcanic heated rocks put in and then the food in...placing the longest cooking food on the bottom and stacking accordingly.  Water is poured over the rocks and food...wet cloth's then placed over food and the clean sand covering everything. This keeps in the steam and heat. 2 1/2 hours later our dinner is ready.  It was so delicious....we all helped clean up and leftovers were put in containers to be given to the school children we were visiting the next day.
Reflection time after dinner sitting around a fire outside. 

Our morning was started by a crisp morning of fog....after breakfast loaded up the bus , said our goodbyes and off to the school.. most of us were quite excited.
We spent about an hour with the children doing indoor and outdoor activities . Mine was colouring in and Evan was playing basket ball.  Lots of hugs and good byes then we were off to start our next adventure.