February 24 - Tauranga, New Zealand

We set the alarm for 5:00 am since we had to be ready by 6:50 am for our tour.  We had room service breakfast and were on the bus a little after 7:00 am.  We had a very long bus ride to our first stop at Waiotapu Geothermal mud springs.   It was quite beautiful, but the smell was a little nasty.

Then it was on to Rainbow Springs, a bird sanctuar,y where we got a very quick tour, and were able to see a kiwi bird.  Since they are nocturnal, they are kept in a very dark room and visitors aren't allowed to take any photos and are asked to be quiet.  I saw one skittle by, I think!

What a kiwi looks like

Next was a lunch aboard the Lakeland Queen, a paddlewheeler, and a short Maori performance on a one hour cruise on Lake Rotorua.  They pulled me and a few other women to learn to use a maori instrument, at which I was very inept.  Then they pulled up some men to learn a quick version of the haka dance. 

Phil, on right, trying the haka

Finally the long drive back home through beautiful country.  Roturoa is a lovely town that was built around the geothermal springs and lakes.  We were told that you can NEVER put your head under the water in the springs as the water carries the meningococcal virus.  The only current bath house still operating heats the water using the geothermal springs and a heat exchanger, but the water is fresh water.  Sounds like a good idea.

A former thermal bath house, now closed due to earthquake damage.  Too expensive to repair at this point.

A golden kiwi fruit farm

While driving home Daniel called for a vide chat, but my battery was almost done and most of the bus was sleeping so we didn't really talk.  We were able to have a call later on board.

The port for Tauranga is in a lovely spot called The Mount.  Here's the view from the Observation Lounge on deck 12.

Trivia was pathetic with 10/15.  We had pre-dinner beverages and dinner at Compass Rose with Jan & Tom, Steve & Leona and Chris & Sheila.  Another lively and fun evening.  But then it was back to the cabin for an early evening after our very long day.