Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to all back home on this beautiful 80 degree sunny morning. Since my last entry we have done a a lot of traveling. We left the Bay of Island and traveled through the Warpoua Forest. We seen the Kaori trees, which are some of the largest trees I have ever seen. I know the pictures will not do them justice. Have I said this before, the driving through the mountains in a shift is nuts but I have been voted as the best van to be in – what an honor. We traveled on to Hamilton and spent the night at the YWCA hostel. So far all of the hostel’s have been wonderful and we have met individuals from everywhere. On Sunday the 23rd we met with the manager of the Y and had a two hour discussion with her about the Maori’s and what they are going through. We discussed pay in the area and how they felt is was low. While on this topic I asked if they had a minimum wage law and she informed us that the minimum wage in New Zealand is $11.00 per hour, you should have heard the sighs of all the students. We left the YWCA and headed to Rotorua making a stop at the Hamilton Gardens before hitting the road. Dr. Coffin always gives us directions in case we get separated, so Gretchen has been my TomTom; however, I have learned to ask if she has a hangover before we travel because she tends to miss our turns that she is to be watching for. So at times, we take the scenic route but we always manage to find our way. We had a two hour drive and finally had some flat roads to travel on - YEA!!!! We made it to Rotorua and are staying at the Hot Rocks hostel -- WOW the pool is heated by the hot springs in the area and it is just wonderful. Yesterday on Christmas Eve we went to the Buried Village of Te Wairoa. We went through the museum, which gave me chills as it offered first hand insight into the devastation, chaos, and mayhem that transpired on the night Mount Tarawera erupted. We then toured the grounds where we seen first hand excavated archaeological sites. Along the trail were different information post and readings of letters sent to others abroad about the devastation and those who lost their lives. Quit a chilling experience and very spiritual as you could almost feel the presence of those who had died. Upon returning to the hostel a group of four of us went to ZORB. I thought I would do the dry Zorb so I wore jeans and a tee shirt.however they were only doing wet zorb. This was a blast, you dive into a big plastic ball that has a smaller plastic ball in the middle that you set in. It is wet zorb because they put water in the middle portion that you are in which is enough to cover your legs. Then they tell you to take four steps then set down. What a ride! Well at the hostel we have the bar right next door. Last night we met a very free spirited New Zealander who just set down at the table asking where we were from. He was beautiful inside and out. He loves to surf and has lived in California for a year then traveled to Hawaii to surf. Yet we are one up on him as we leave for Tasmania in two days and he has never been there. Well today is Christmas and the hostel is having a cookout for all who is staying here. It is a beautiful day and I am getting ready to get back in the pool so I am signing off for now. Peace from down under.