Tamaki Maori Village

Posted by MrFogg
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Culture alert, yes I went along to a cultural event (well there was grub as well). Mrs Fogg booked a “traditional” (made for visitors at a cost of 200NZD for the both of us), evening of understanding the Maori culture, with greetings, dance, song, Haka and food.

Being the cultural guru that I am (think Les Patterson except drunker and that is getting close), I can tell you I was not actually looking forward to it. You have to remember Mrs Fogg dragged me to a similar Hopi Indian event in Arizona (minus the food) and it was the worst thing either of us had been to (well besides a time share meet and greet).

I was surprised, it was well presented and the people actually believed what they were saying and doing, so passion did show through. All told it was a very good evening, nice heap of food and good company too. I now feel culturally enlightened and did I mention the food?

We decided to go for a stroll when we came back but were advised not to by the hotel owner to prevent being mugged (eek) or murdered like someone was last week, ok that’s nice then.

And now a little hassle the B&B in Hawkes Bay have emailed to say they have double booked (nice considering we confirmed in Oct), so we are rapidly replanning.

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The Skyline Lugey

Posted by MrFogg
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And here is a nutter on a luge. A great morning of riding the scenic, the intermediate and the oh my god (which at one point you leave terra firma for a few seconds). What brilliant fun with the rather impressive back drop of Rotorua.

Rode the Luge from here.

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Private Dining in Rotorua

Posted by MrFogg
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Here we are enjoying breakfast at the Skyline Cafe in Rotorua. I said to Mrs Fogg find us a nice quiet table, boy did she ever!

Today we hit the three Luge rides going from sedate to nutter and then later tonight we are off to the Maori village to eat and be educated (oh well looks like they will only be 50% successful there).

Tomorrow we head off to Taupo via some thermal springs.

Billy No Mates Ate here.

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Dwunk Hobbit

Posted by MrFogg
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And here is Mrs Frildo Hairytoes Hobbit (played by non other than Mrs Fogg), sampling that there Hobbit brew “SobeRing” after visiting the shire.

This is the self same Hobbit who whilst wandering round the Gloworm Caves, listening to the guide describe a stalactite as a bungy jumping Kiwi, leans across and whispers “dunno about that but the one behind it looks like a Todger”. Nasty minded hobitsy!

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Now THATS a bath!

Posted by MrsFogg
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Welcome to Rotorua, home of the thermal baths and all things muddy, bubbly and smelly.

This is the oversized bath in our hotel room. Any guesses as to how long it will take to fill it?? I’m afraid the one we get for the BBQ in August won’t be this large, but Mr Fogg and I will try this one for size and let you know how it goes.

Rotoruans also have renamed the place Roto Vegas. Driving in we can see why so far.

About the hardest thing we have to do this evening is select somewhere to eat- and there looks to be hundreds of restaurants to choose from. It’s a hard life eh?

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Sobering Thought

Posted by MrsFogg
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PS Although we cannot tell you anything, we can confirm we tried the beer brewed for the LOTR film actors, crew and extras. At only 1% alcohol you can drink all day and not get drunk.

Next stop Rotorua!

[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]

Non Disclosure Agreement

Posted by MrFogg
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Well we have been to Hobbiton, the actual movie set for the LoTR and another un-named film, but when you go in you have to sign an NDA stating you will not publish any photos on any socially inept media sites or any blogs.

So we can’t name the new film or tell you how awesome it was to walk round Hobbiton and see all of the sights.

Sorry, rules is rules.

Hobbiton is miles from here.

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Spot The Donkey

Posted by MrFogg
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So checkout of the Hobbit Hotel this morning and looking up we see a donkey on the roof, cool sight. If it had been Chrimbo that would have been so cool to have hooves on the roof, on Dasher, on Comet, on Eeaw……

Hobbitton here we come (and Rotorua).

Donkey here.

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Waitomo Caves

Posted by MrsFogg
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Today we are touring the Waitomo Caves. You get lots of choices for tours- they range from Rambo ratings out of 10 right down to pussy level. Although Mr Fogg would have loved to do the tours that included a 100m abseil, riding rubber tubes through pitch black underground rivers and jumping into waterfalls (Rambo rating 6/10), I’m afraid I bottled and we did the pussy tours(Barbie rating 0/10).

First one is Ruakuri caves which Maori legend says is named after two dogs (rua as in two). The Maori liked the caves and ate the dogs. The caves themselves are pretty good, we walked for about 1.5 hrs and got to see teeny gloworms on the roof of the cave. Very pretty.

Next stop is the main cave where we will get a boat ride in an underground lake. It’s a short tour but the 5 min boat ride at the end is well worth it. A dozen people sitting in silence (well apart from another screaming child) in the dark (which is why said child was screaming) staring up at hundreds of gloworms. Fab, and not a rubber ring or abseil rope in sight.

Apparently Waitomo means in Maori Wai- water and Tomo- tunnel or shaft.

Haha Mr Fogg, some history stuff for you!! And Mr Fogg actually knows a descendant of the people who found the caves. How cool is that?? Such a cool place to visit, but surprisingly very few people around even on a Bank Holiday.

Next stop is the finding decent restaurant food challenge (we failed this last night and ended up with chips, more chips, potato wedges and burnt fish) before we head off to Hobbiton tomorrow to visit Bilbo.

Stay off the roads Frodo!! Wraiths may be about.

[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]