Te Puia - ANZAC-Day in Rotorua

Te Puia: interesting background information about Maori culture

welcome ceremony

in such boats the Polynesian people came over the sea

Maori dance to frighten the enemies

Bruno joining the Haka dance training

our Maori guide who told us a lot of legends and stories

impressing geyser in the park

scarving school to keep the skills alive

footbath at the hot pools in the Kuirau Park in Rotorua

ANZAC dawn service at the lakeside with touching songs of the boys high school choir

pipe band at the top of the parade

veterans at the parade:
on the left our host William who joined the Army for 21 years

coffee (with rum) and lunch at the RSA (=retired service army) after the ANZAC civil service

Tikitapu (Blue Lake) near Rotorua

Waitomo Caves - Mt. Taranaki

Hot Pools in Polynesian Spa in Rotorua

Ruakuri Cave in Waitomo Valley

Marokopa Falls

at the sea shore in Marokopa

sunset view from dinner and over night stay car park

"Wind Wand" at the shore of New Plymouth

loo 1400 meters over sea level:

DOC (Departement of Conservation) does everything for the tourists!

Mount Taranaki in full brightness

stairways to heaven (or to Fantham Peak = side peak of Mt. Taranaki)

gravel field: much better to go down than to go up!

one way tunnel on "Forgotten World" Highway 43

nice to know...

back in the centre of the Island

camping ground with hot pool in Tokaanu

Rotorua

steaming and stinking almost all over Rotorua

sulphur mist on thermal areas in Rotorua

sheep shearing

not really a problem during daytime...

fantastic colours

Lady Knox Geysir

Wai-o-tapu thermal park

mud pools near Wai-o-tapu

Rainbow Mountain with beautiful view over the whole volcanic area from the summit

bad experience on the Rainbow Mountain Carpark:

Corinne's backpack with some clothes inside has been stolen,

 but luckily we didn't have any money, passports or electronics inside the van.

From Wellington to Rotorua

Southward Car Museum

lunch at Otaki Beach with roasted chicken from the supermarket

impressing rock faces along the highway

canyon cut into the landscape near Mangaweka

gate opening and closing tour for Corinne (7 gates!) 

on our way to the camp ground in the middle of nowhere

at the border of Ruahine Forest Park

curious cute cow

Corvette meeting in Waiouru: our Jucy can't stand the pace!

first view of Tongariro National Park

landscape with volcano: we will get used to it...

lakeside near Taupo

our favourites: Tim Tam (there are a lot of special offers we aren't able to resist)