Our position today is docked in Tauranga on the North Island of NZ. It's cool outside and looking like rain. As we left the ship for our tour bus, it was raining pretty hard. It stopped before we got to the Maori village and did not rain on us anytime on the rest of the tour.
During the night we moved around to the northeast side of the North Island to the port city of Tauranga which lies in the Bay of Plenty. It is the 5th largest urban area with a population of 130,000. The Port of Tauranga is NZ’s largest in terms of gross tonnage and efficiency. The city is one of NZ’s main centers for business, international trade, fashion, and horticultural science. Much of the countryside surrounding Tauranga is used to grow a wide range of fresh produce both for domestic consumption and export. Kiwifruit and avocado orchards plus other crops are found here. Timber from the central part of the North Island is also exported.
WHAT WE DID TODAY:
Our tour today was "Maori Cultural Highlights". After departing from the pier with a local Maori guide, we drove toward one of the area's local tribal villages. Following a traditional welcome, we were shown around the village, which embraces its heritage. Many of the buildings are adorned with intricate totem-like figures, while others are constructed with traditional materials. The village’s authentic meetinghouse or “marae” is one of the more sacred buildings, and Maori storytellers often gather here to pass on to visitors their ancient legends. We also watched the villagers create handmade crafts, including items carved from indigenous totara trees. Carving is especially
significant to the Maori as they knew nothing of writing until the 19th century and have always expressed themselves and honored their culture through carved works of art.
This is where we gathered to enter the village. Women entered in front of the men as it was a Maori way to protect their women from other tribal warriors coming from behind.
David and Melody were with us today.
This is the "marae" or meeting house where the Maori people gathered. Normally we would have been met by a warrior with spear who would have made sure whoever was entering were peaceful. Today there was none due to weather but we saw this later at a school.
We were greeted by an elder woman who spoke in the Maori language and invited us to enter after we took our shoes off. Once inside the men sat in front chairs and women in back. Again this was so the men could protect the women from attack.
The Maori gentleman spoke in Maori for about 5 minutes. Have no idea what he was saying.
After his speech we all passed by them and shook hands and rubbed noses. Rubbing noses is their way of greeting friends. I rubbed noses with both man and woman.
Then the man and woman told (in English) about the Maori village and their customs. Very interesting. You will need to go back to my blog on day 41 where I talked about the Maori people's history. Although they were the original inhabitants on New Zealand, today there are no "pure" blood Maori left. Only 15% of New Zealanders today have some Maori blood from mixed marriages.
They offered us coffee or tea with some cookies after their presentation. There were also some of their handicrafts for sale. I bought a kitchen magnet for Maria, a bartender on the ship. I know she collects them.
Plants growing on the trees. It is very lush and green with lots of ferns and other types of vegetation.
This was our second stop. It was a Maori private high school. School was not in session but some students train in the Maori customs and dances. A group of them showed us some of this.
This is the warrior coming out to make sure we are peaceful and should be allowed to enter. Maori warriors were known to be very ferocious and excellent fighters. As you will see is some photos they use eye and tongue gestures to try to scare their adversaries into not fighting.
I strongly suggest, as always, you click on the photos to enlarge them so you get the full effect of the facial expressions.
The warrior has offered a token to "our chief" (they picked one of us to represent our tour group as our chief). The token meant we could now enter.
Again women first to enter and men sat in front.
Their dances and program was excellent with singing.
This guy was demonstrating how a warrior used the weapon. It involved a lot of shouting and facial expressions.
He is not being rude. This is the way warriors tried to look more ferocious to their enemies. The lady is one of two that are in the suite across from us. Right after I shot this photo she turned and stuck her tongue out at him. Very funny.
We drove up to a view point over looking the bay but weather did not cooperate with photo taking today.
Like the bus company name.
They export logs to China.
As an extra to our tour the driver took us along the beach front. It is a huge Christmas vacation destination for New Zealanders as well as foreigners.
The call this "the Mount". More like a hill to me.
Heading back towards our ship. There is another cruise ship here today. I have never heard of it though.
WHAT WE DID LAST NIGHT:
We all had a double order of the black muscles as an appeitzer. Very yummy.
Chef did a good job with the french fried soft shell crabs for my entree. Rebecca decided to have veal piccata instead. She had a really bad coughing spell during dinner. Poor thing.
Rommel was our sommelier last night at dinner.
Well, last night was NOT a good one. I guess it was because of the steroid shot I received but I never slept a wink last night. I was so tired but could not sleep. It was a LONG night. Besides that the Captain's weather forecast for last night's sailing was WAY off. He said waves would only be 3 to 5 feet. WRONG! I was rock'n and roll'n most of the night. To top it all off, Rebecca had a few coughing spells and trouble breathing again during the night. Thought about cancelling today's tour but we really want to see NZ. I'm beginning to wonder if we will be able to complete this cruise. No pain last night for me but starting up again this afternoon. Can take my med at 5:00 pm so hope it helps for dinner time.
TONIGHT'S PLAN:
Tonight is the Captain's Welcome Reception as we boarded 100 new folks yesterday. It is a formal optional night so I plan on wearing my tux again. Rebecca always looks beautiful. The show tonight features the Australian singer again. This is his second show. We were not impressed with his song selections last show but he does have a good voice. May go if I can stay awake that long.
Sailing at 4:00 pm this afternoon for Napier which is 340 miles to the south. Hope it is smoother! Also hoping the weather there tomorrow is a LOT better than today's.
SAILING OUT:
Here are some photos taken as we sailed out this afternoon. The weather had improved drastically for the good!
All aboard time was 3:30. At 4:00 here comes this clueless passenger. Security is following him.
Pilot boat following us to pick up the harbor pilot after we are safely outside of it.
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