Day 3: Lake Rotorua and Life on the Marae

When we wake up, they are still sound asleep (I hope) getting ready to live one day ahead of us. Looking at the clock, they are five hours behind us, so things really don't get moving for them until after lunch our time.

I heard briefly from Katie while she was at the Brisbane airport. She was sock shopping and not finding a darn thing. Now I'm really glad I slipped my pair into her bag. Viber seems to work pretty well too!

Other than that, I don't expect to hear from her for awhile. They are in Hobbit country and after their tour of the movie set, they spent the night on a farm and today are off to learn about the town they are in and the natural beauty surrounding it. Apparently Rotorua has hot springs a lot like Yellowstone so there should be some cool stuff to see (and smell - that sulfur smell is memorable).

They join the Maori people tonight for some dancing and singing and then sleep there on the Marae (links below). I found a photo of this cool Maori Meeting House - I wonder if they will see something like it there.


UPDATE: Katie sent a very short video of the guys doing their Maori Haka dance. You might have to watch it a couple time to get it. It should look something like this.

From the People to People Itinerary:

Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, the city of Rotorua has a long tradition of Maori culture and history.th century by canoe from Polynesia. The area is a geothermal wonderland, much like Yellowstone Park, with spouting geysers, boiling mud pools, and warm hot springs.

The first Maori inhabitants arrived in the 14

• Say farewell to your farmstay hosts and exchange addresses and contact information so you can keep in touch!
• Experience an official civic welcome at the Rotorua Council Chambers by a member of the City Council, who will share insights about local government.
• Visit Mount Ngongotaha via a gondola and enjoy a bird’s eye view of Rotorua.
• Test your courage during an exciting luge ride to the bottom of the mountain!
• This evening, spend the night in a Marae – an authentic Maori meeting house and the focal point of the Maori culture.
• Learn about Maori culture through songs, stories and dances.

The gondolas going up Mount Ngongotaha.

Day 6, Saturday, July 16: Banff, Alberta

So windy she looks bald! (Go UCSB!)

No word from Katie last night other than a text during the day saying Smashed In Buffalo Head was amazing and weird. She also sent along this picture.

She said it's incredibly windy (that's why her badge is plastered to her neck). She's also wearing a new turquoise turtle necklace she got in Calgary. It looks pretty cool.

We didn't get any word from Lyly on Friday and then a two-fer came through this morning. I added her Friday note to the Friday's blog (read it here) and then here's the one for this morning!

Note from Lyly: 

On morning two at Tipi Camp we headed for the Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

At the museum, Edwin was our guide. Edwin is 100% Blackfoot and very knowledgeable. He took us on a tour of the museum and then onto the "Kill Site". The museum is built into the cliff directly next to where the buffalo were run over the side.

Edwin taught us how the People would take several days to set up the path that the buffalo would run. They would dress in wolf and buffalo skins to slowly guide the herd towards the cliff. It took a lot of time and patience. When they were close enough, everyone would jump up and start yelling and running. The herd would stampede right over the cliff and then the People would run down to kill any buffalo that were still alive. Although graphic, it was really interesting to listen to Edwin.

After lunch we saw a dance demonstration. There was an older woman's dance, a young woman covered with bells, and a warrior dance. Each dancer was covered from head to toe in full regalia and the colors were beautiful. We also had a special visitor. It was a little girl, less than 2 years old, who also danced around with the adults. Her father told me that she can't even talk but she loves to dance. She was so cute. I was able to video tape every dance so you will be able to see the demonstration.

At the end, our students were given the opportunity to try dancing. There is nothing better in life than seeing children laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. I loved it!

We spent the last few hours before dinner going on a hike and learning native games. Elijah, the warrior dancer, took us on a hike across the vast acreage. Along the way we saw an old buffalo pond and the windy hill. The windy hill was at the top of one mountain range. You could look down over the cliff and see the river winding through the valley. It was such beautiful scenery. However, the students favorite thing was the wind. The wind was so strong at the top of the hill that if you opened up your jacket, the wind would catch it like a sail and pull you backwards. The students antics were hilarious to watch. Then we went back to the camp for games.

Riel, the camp owner, taught the students two games. One was a yelling games. Students would run as fast as they could , yelling at the top of their lungs. Whoever crossed the finish line first won. The other game involved sticks and bones. Be sure to ask your child all about it when they get home.

After a dinner of buffalo stew and bannock (fried bread), students enjoyed sharing their favorite event at tipi camp around a roaring fire. We all laughed, danced and shared great stories. Students went to bed eager to travel to Banff. 

People to People Itinerary

Say goodbye to your new friends as you leave the tipi camp behind. Along your journey to Banff, stop to see the massive glacial erratic known as the Okotoks Rock.

Once you arrive in Banff, settle into your accommodations before you take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. If the views on the way up aren't enough to do it, the landscape you see from the top will surely make your jaw drop open in amazement.

Dinner tonight is in the Summit Restaurant, surrounded by the crest of the Rocky Mountains.

That's the rock!

Yep, that's the gondola!

Okay - my kid is going to freak!