Tepuia Cultural Centre, Waiotapu Park

Rotorua blasted us with heavy wind tossing our tent around like soggy xiao long bao so we made a power move in the middle of the night and slept in the car. Which was actually quite comfortable yet slightly cramped being unable to fully sit up without smashing my head into the ceiling(which happened multiple times). The ducks woke us up quaking and waddling around the campsite looking for handouts very pleasantly, but by he shore lurked these black swans that looked like they were not to be messed with.
We went to a local Maori cultural centre to explore the traditional arts, history, and attend a Haka ceremony which was amazingly spine chilling. It was so raw and fierce, so primal and welcoming all at once. Truly a special experience. Afterwards we got some more coffee, high fived the chief and explored another National Park.Read more