New Zealand North Island Trip

Upon our arrival in Wellington, New Zealand we rented a car, then drove for 6 hours to Rotorua, the tourist capital of the North Island. We stayed at the Westminster Lodge, a quaint bed and breakfast located in hills above the city. We arrived late at night so the people had left the key in the door of our cottage and we went in and went right to bed.
The next morning we were aroused by cows mooing and sounds reminicent of Switzerland. We ate breakfast and soon found out that the people who own the place are excommunicated Mormons who left the Church because of all the changes that were made in the temple ceremony and giving the Priesthood to the blacks. They were nice but did not know what they were talking about.
After breakfast we went into the city and visited the Maori village and Thermal pools. We then left, drove through the town to take pictures on the lake and then headed for the Glow Worm Caves which was our next stop. We don't have pictures of the caves as photography was not allowed.

View of Rotorua from where we stayed.

Our little cottage at Westminster Lodge.

Westminster Lodge. Rotorua.

Westminster Lodge in Rotorua
Maori Village Te Puia

Thermal Pools at Te Pui

Meeting Hall where Maori Dancers performed.

Wood carvings in meeting hall.

Song and dance.

Maori show and dancers.

Doing the Haka.
Wood Carvings

Black Swans on the lake in Rotarua.
Museum in Rotorua.