Te Po and the Hangi

Two nights ago Gayle and I went to a Maori celebration called a Hangi. Plus we walked through a recreated village full of craved wood panels, woven skirts, traditional buildings, and bubbling mud pits and geysers. Ok it was a little " Hollywod" but it was fun, the people there were having a good time and my NZ bucks were helping them reawaken there culture through jobs and traditional training like wood carving and weaving. The food was the best I have had so far in NZ. We saw a real Kiwi bird about 3 feet in a darkened enclosure, which was a very lucky thing.  The singing and dancing was top notch and Gayle and I got on stage to "help out". The Maori are a very warlike group so the Haka is a way to intimidate others. Everyone including the performers and tour guides were happy which translated to us as a great time.