Day 25: Tauranga, Maori and the Golden Kiwi!

Treat of the Day: If you can find golden kiwis with the Zespri label, they are delicious and can be eaten with the skin, since it's thinner, less fuzzy and juiciest! 

We spent a few hours in a living Maori village where they cook from the  geothermal pools all around the village (think mini Yellowstone). We learned much and were treated to a special tour ending in an outstanding performance. 

One downside was the meat pie: ) boiling hot, 1 small piece of meat, 1 small chunk of potato and 6 million flakes. 

This was just when I opened the package, not even after trying to find the beef! 


Right among the small streets, steaming vents everywhere

The 60 or so inhabitants bathed and cooked communally.

The Maori performance had wonderful singing, weapon exercises and the famous Haka war dance (where only males stick out their tongues) 

Everyone enjoyed the show! 


A few stops for giant redwoods, white water rafting and ending at a kiwi farm for education and tasting. 

Reminded the kids of Mount Hermon

I think they just needed to extend the trip time and so called this a waterfall stop. 


Zespri is the certification org to ensure quality

They grow 5 feet off the ground

Never realized the crop was so voluminous and dense (like grape clusters) 

Simultaneously, I started with a small itch in my throat and by the end of the day, a full blown sore throat with coughing, congestion and fever.  Fever's now gone, but the throat is a bit sore, and in feeling a bit chippier thanks to prayer. 

The day ended with Peggy watching a solar eclipse. Google said that if you're lucky enough to be in New Zealand on a clear night you'll get a glorious treat. A blood moon lunar eclipse.  We're in New Zealand, it was a clear night and Peggy stayed up until 1am. A Ukranian couple had a wonderful camera,  it was glorious. 

The camera doesn't capture what eyes do, beautiful nonetheless! 

Blood moon eclipse in full bloom





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