Mitai

Okay, tonight we are tourists. This authentic, traditional Maori meal is called a "hangi". Think Hawaiian luau and you will have the right idea. But this is much better. The Mitai are a large extended Maori that own a chunk of land near Rotorua. They perform these shows and provide dinner for the tourists. If you are familiar with Maori culture, you know they were fierce warriors. In their dancing and rituals they often display their tongues, bulge their eyes, and do quite a bit of posturing. It was quite a welcoming ceremony. But it was the setting that was special. We walked deep into their forest and were able to see a beautiful spring with remarkably clear waters. Later canoes of warriors paddled up the steam. Dinner was finally served which included lamb and chicken, but thankfully no poi. Later they took everyone to see the glow-worms. Every 1st trip to NZ should include a glow worm experience! The show and dinner took 3 hours and our crowd included people from 13 different countries.