Until 800 years ago, there were no humans here. It was two isolated islands with only 3 mammals, no snakes. Maori were the first settlers, and the English came aboard in the 1700s.Today, a good deal of the flora and fauna present was unfortunately brought in by English settlers for their hunting pleasure , many of which have become pests: rabbits, deer, scotch thistles. Even sheep, horses, and cattle were not indigenous, and now dominate the landscape, and the economy.
A Day in the Life (an OAT event in every country) to an organic dairy farm was a delight. The farm couple, Dot and Ray welcomed us warmly into their home for a delicious homemade lunch in their dining room. After we sat around their living room for a spirited discussion of how they managed their farm, then took a tour of their milk shed.
The north island is tropical and steamy in parts. During our two days in Auckland , a city sitting in 8 volcanos , we were in proximity to an offshore "cyclone" which we know as hurricane type storms. The wind was wild, reported at 100 mpk ( 60 mph?) There are backpackers galore, thus many backpacker hostels, so everyone seems young. There is a vitality with a variety of eateries to choose from. Our group dined at the new warf area at a Greek fish restaurant, but when in Rome, we had delicious leg of lamb. Another evening we went to a burger place , and couldn't resist the , yes, you guessed it, lamb burgers!
A most unusual city is Rotarua. It is also a backpacker center, as many adventure tours and sports abound. How strange to see fenced off pens in public spaces all around the city. Wild animals? No. Quicksand? No. Deep wells? No. Would one guess hot geisers, mud holes and dangerous heat vents producing ubiquitous streams of steam in downtown spaces? The smell around town is putrid. A short ride out of town are nature parks, where up close we saw the results of unstable collision of two tectonic plates ( a volcanic blast in 1886) ; thermal rivers of sulphur where there had once been a settlement. Most astounding are the mud geisers. Like something out of a teenage horror film. The next eruption? Could be today or any guess.
A morning with Prince, a Maori educator gave us a peek into this noble culture through stories and song. These first settlers, cousins to other south sea islanders, were also displaced from their lands, as the Australuan Aborigines, but we're not treated with as much disrespect. He reported t hat he only knows of two individuals today who are pure Maori. Today they are integrated into the society, and have reestablished their place as landowners. Prince's wife and daughter in law prepared a picnic tea in the park for us. As is the custom, we bumped noses and foreheads to say a fond goodbye.
The most curious custom is the scary tongue protruding face. This, combined with black animal tattoos was designed to repel an enemy. No doubt it did.
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