Photo opportunity after the show

I’m looking forward to a quiet meal with a cold beer.

The day began with a jog on which I had more time running than walking or standing still for photos. Felt good afterwards. My extra photo was taken soon after I started and not long after the sun had risen. The ducks in the lake are Papango, the NZ scaup, which is a native diving duck.

Then we we went to Whakarewarewa Village for a guided tour of the village, which is within an active geothermal area. I was very taken with one very hot and constantly active (boiling) pool, known as Korotiotio (not spell check’s version: rioting), which translates as grumpy old man. I must not be like that, he promises self.

At the end of the guided tour, there was a performance by eight of the local iwi (tribe). Great voices in the singing, a superbly intimidating haka, two of the four women showed their skill with the short and long poi, and all eight performed a stick game without missing a beat, or dropping a stick.

Then the performers remained on stage for members of the audience to join them on the stage for photos. Granny S went with the two young Tsukens, and gave me today’s blip. I like how the young man has adopted a challenging look towards Tsuken who was taking his own photo.

Next we drove out of Rotorua to Waimangu where we had lunch followed by a boat trip on Lake Rotomahana. This lake is twenty times as large as it was before Tarawera’s eruption in the late 19th century, which obliterated the world famous pink and white terraces.

Dinner calls.