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  Rotorua, New Zealand
Friday, November 16, 2007

Today was a smelly day. Not too smelly. Just smelly enough to get everyone excited about mud and steam. We started with a stroll through the sulphur flats, where Yasmin was heard to exclaim that she liked the smell, and it smelt like mud. We enjoyed watching mud bubble, and hearing it when we couldn't see it.
After this, it was time for lunch by the lake at Rotorua. This consisted of sandwiches and an apple. Quite pleasant. But oh too brief.
Back into the fray, we took a tour of the Blue Baths, where we learnt about how New Zealanders used to swim in pools. Apparently they don't do that anymore, or is it that they don't do it much in short ones like the Blue Baths? Anyway, it was interesting to see the baths restored to their former 'glory'.
Then it was across the road to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History

Sulphur self-portrait

. Here we learnt about how they used to think the waters around Rotorua could heal any ailment, and how combined with radium or electric shock treatment, could REALLY heal any ailment. But best of all was when we went to the 15 minute screening about the volcano that destroyed the pink and white terraces in 1886. Mckayla screamed throughout at all the loud bangs and shaking seats simulating a quake and spurting fire and when the hotel was caving in on its inhabitants, and when it was all over, Yasmin asked in a loud voice only children can muster "what happened to all those people, did they die Daddy?" "Yes, they all died." We're good parents. Really.
Then it was off to get Yasmin some ice-cream while Mckayla slept it off. Of course, we picked the trendiest place in town, the Fat Dog Cafe, and enjoyed a Hot Fish. It went down a treat with dessert.
From there we had to rush back to the campsite where we awaited a tour to the Mitai Maori village for hangi and haka. It was a very good show. And the meal wasn't that bad. Of course Mckayla screamed throughout the haka and Yasmin could only be entertained by being allowed to photograph herself instead of the action. But given that they lasted until 10pm, we can't complain. We are good parents. Really.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures & Videos

Deb and Macca on he sulphur flat	Lunch by Rotorua lake	Blue Baths	Blue
Fat Fish	Admirers of the fat fish	Hangi action	More action at the hangi
Hangi food	Haka action at the hangi	Haka starts	Haka concert
Self portrait at the haka	Self self-portrait	The Maoris arrive	Singing a welcome song for Deb

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