Rotorua evening

So having thrown our clothes on we hurried out to the next trip. This was due to be a Maori village evening with entertainment and food.

We got on the bus and was taken to a visitors centre to be given some of the history before being transported out of town to the village. On the bus a volunteer was required to be the chief for the evening and ever the shy person I stepped forward. It started with me leading the rowing chant to get to the location.

I was then taught the maori traditional greeting and had to lead our people into the village where I was joined by three other chiefs from the other buses. It was taken very seriously and we were given a strict warning that we had to stand and face the maori warriors while they went through all their dances and tribal challenges some right up to our faces, just like the haka. They would then choose one chief to represent the group and collect the symbol of peace....yes it was me that was chosen to collect the twig of peace.

We managed to do it without upsetting the Maoris and were allowed in to the village. We were then given examples of maoris dance and entertainment before being led through for food cooked traditionally Maori Hangi (a hot pit of stones). We followed the meal with a sing song and then all us chiefs were given a present for our troubles.

We travelled back on the coach but then had the worst experience of the night, the chief had to lead the singing, my version of swing low will not go down in history!

We finally got back to the hotel at 9pm after an amazing day.

Tomorrow we travel again, got to be up for 6am as we fly to Queenstown so probably no blog tomorrow.