Day 99 - Maori Day!

A very cultural day today, Chaggie woke up at 08:00 and got ready to go at 09:00. This morning we were booked in to learn the Haka. We left Basil and Jamie in bed and set off.

Once we got there, we realised we were the only two booked in for the morning lesson! So it was the Teacher and Chaggie. Was a brilliant activity, we learnt the history of the Haka, what it means, how there are many different Haka's etc. The one we were learning today was the one shown by the All Blacks before every test match...The war Haka.

After learning the history of it, we learnt the pronunciation of the words and the dance. After going through it a good few times, last but not least, we dressed up for it too! We did it infront of a camera to look back on it after, was great fun. Chino will be soon feeling it after too with nice big marks on his thighs, certainly got into it.

We got back to Base around 11:00 to find the other two still in bed. This afternoon we chilled out, watched a few films and episodes of 'Black Books'.

This evening we attended a cultural evening called 'Mitai'. We were given a traditionally cooked meal called 'Hangi' which included Lamb, Potatoe, Kumara, Chicken and stuffing all cooked in the ground.

We watched an evening concert where a local Maori tribe performed a Haka, showed us weapons traditionally used, traditional music and songs as well as sports and games they would play. Was a memorable evening, good all you can eat buffet too. We were shown a local Spring with Glo-worms too, one sacred to the tribe.

We returned back to Base at around 22:30, watched another film. Starting to get more money conscious now.

Chaggie x