Day 4

It was an early start for day 4 as today we left Auckland, Dilworth and the Kingsgate Hotel for Rotorua. The morning was rushed with us having to repack our bags and have breakfast before 9. First call was to Dilworth School to thank them again for their tremendous hospitality and kindness. We then all boarded the coaches for our journey to Rotorua which took us a good three hours. Throughout the journey we saw snippets of New Zealands fantastic landscape. At 2 o'clock we finally arrived at the Park Gate Hotel which for many was a shock. We were pleasantly suprised on arrival at Park Gate as our rooms were even more luxurious than before. Result.

After settling in, the tour party headed to Te Puia where we witnessed Maori cultures in craftsmanship, belief and society. At the site we also saw the magnificant mud springs and geysers however the mud springs didnt smell delightful.

For this evenings dinner and activity we visited the Tamaki Maori Village where we extended our knowledge and understanding of Maori cultures and traditions seeing song and dance including the famous Haka. Part of the culture of the Maori's is that you select a chief for your group. This chief was me Jonny Ellis and this experience will be a part of me for the rest of my life. It was a fun filled evening which ended in wondrful food and a good laugh.

Tired the boys returned to the hotel for a good nights rest to prepare for the coming days.




Ben Razis and Jonny Ellis