Whakarewarewa Travel Guide

 joanj Says:  This is the Maori workshop for Maori only apprentices. They take only 8 at a time. It takes years for the apprentices to learn the trade.This workshop is in part of the Maori village, and it very interesting to watch the carvings being done by the apprentice.Photo by joanj 

 joanj Says:  This is the Marae (Meeting House) that we went into for the Maori show, where they explained their culture, song and dance, and a chance to meet and talk to them.Inside there were beautiful carvings.To be able to enter the Marae, you must be respectful and leave your shoes... 

 joanj Says:  This is just part of the Maori challenge when we visited the Maori village.One member of our tour party was elected to be leader and accept the challenge of peace, and so allowing us to venture in to the Marae(meeting House)photo joanj 

 grets Says:  We are in luck, Pohutu, the largest and most spectacular of the geysers here at Whaka is in full flow when we get there. The name mean big splash in Maori. The geyser usually erups once an hour or so, so unless you are in a hurry, you should be able to time your visit with... 

 grets Says:  Now there's a mouthful of a name! It actually means the coming together of the war forces of Wahiao. Allegedly. 

 grets Says:  Just as we are leaving we come across a pool in which they are cooking corn on the cob. We try some - I am surprised to find it doesn't taste - or smell - of sulphur. It is very nice indeed. 

 grets Says:  We also see the bubbling mud which is really quite weird. It reminds me about a book I once read - a true horror story set in amongst the geysers in Iceland. The villain tried to push the heroine into a pool of bubbling mud, and it all comes back to me as I gaze in awe at... 

 grets Says:  It is amazing to think how thin the earth's crust is around here. Quite frightening if you dwell on it. I am fascinated by the geysers. We get absolutely soaked when we happen to be downwind during an eruption. 

 seagoingJLW Says:  Here you see the dancers working with the little balls called pois. 

 seagoingJLW Says:  See the dancers. Here is the stick dance. 

 seagoingJLW Says:  There are many geysers here. They are always an interesting sight to see. 

 seagoingJLW Says:  Look at the mudholes that are created by the heat bubbling beneath the surface of the earth. 

 seagoingJLW Says:  Whakarewarewa is where you will see many unusual features. Her is an example of thermal waters. 

 seagoingJLW Says:  Visit the exhibits in the main buildings and take the tour on the little train.