Monday, September 29, 2008

Chuck & Marilyn Milam May 14- May 19, 2008 visit to Rotorua, New Zealand (North Island)

Lakeside view of Lake Rotorua (second largest NZ lake, about 3 hours southeast of Auckland):

Double click on picture to enlarge: Typical Kiwi pub in town: Government Gardens and Amber Trees in golf course next to original Rotorua bathhouse, now Museum, built in 1903: Maori War canoe on Rotorua lakefront: Caught a freshwater clam while trout trolling - here's the proof: First three of 5 trout caught (had to throw 2 or 3 smaller trout caught back in lake: Rainbow Trout:


Chuck with fishing guide Ernie Scudder: Marilyn with Chuck's catch of the day (3 hours of actual fishing with guide Ernie): "The Silver Hilton" aluminum hulled boat built and owned by Ernie Scudder: Four poles used for three fishing licenses: In Rotorua, no trout is commercially sold in the markets or served in the restaurants unless one can prove he/she caught trout by showing a valid fishing license. This restaurant (Triple Five)was one of two in town that cooks local trout caught and charged a fee of NZ $25 to cook (steamed): This dinner meal consisted of one of the five trout caught, the rest were smoked and eaten over the next four days as an oderve at dinner or for lunch meals: Rachel Hot Spring/Pool next to Old Bathhouse:
View of thermally lined Lake Rotorua taken from the Polynesia Spa: Marilyn in the 38 degree centigrade thermal bath at Polynesia Spa:
360 view of Lake Rotorua from Spa:

Wai-O-Tapu Geyser (nature guide threw in detergent to activate geyser):
Lady Knox Geyser:



Wai-O-Tapu nature trail walk and views:
Rotorua City Park views:




Te Puia Maori Cultural Center within walking distance of Innes B&B:



End of tour and demonstration of how flax is woven into a twine:


Weaving Center (since Marilyn has rousted us out early to be first in line at the Maori Cultural Center). We were the only early birds (as usual):

Woodworking area:

Student Art Work:


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Lunch at hot pool geyser at Maori Cultural Center consisting of smoke trout and crackers and apples, yummy yummy: Maori Artwork: Marilyn with guests Phillip and Larraine Allison and host family, Gill and Chris Innes: Innes B&B: