Pretty Public Potties

Dedication plaque on the public potties!

A tile couch across the street is a real "rest" room!

On the way to the northern part of New Zealand's North Island, our hosts said "we must stop at the town with the pretty potties!" So we did.  The town of Kawakawa has some very famous public toilets designed by an artist . . . they are seriously some of the nicest potties we've ever seen!  The artist Frederick Hundertwasser created a major curiosity and a tourist attraction for this little town in the Bay of Islands region of northern New Zealand.  Decorated with multicolored tiles and natural light streaming through recycled bottles, these may be some of the most photographed public toilets ever!  I'm such an urban planning wonk, I think ABQ needs some of these, as part of the public arts program.  I will suggest it to the City.  But, until then, if you are ever in Kawakawa, NZ, you simply gotta go. 

The front entrance

We gotta go!

Girls' Side

Boys' side

Of Kiwis and Kiwifruit

  

This has been a real learning vacation.  As often happens, we stumble upon opportunities to learn stuff every day.  So, as we are driving from Rotorua to Auckland through the heart of New Zealand's North Island, we came across this massive slice of kiwifruit by the side of the road.  It announced that we were in kiwifruit country, where millions of the delicious and healthy little orbs are grown and shipped all over the world.  We went and visited a kiwifruit orchard that looked at first like how grapes are grown---on vines with broad leaves.  Closer inspection reveals hundreds of kiwifruit hanging from the vines under the leaves.  They generally ripen about April, so get ready to enjoy them in a few months.  Note:  New Zealanders call themselves "Kiwis," the same as the small bird native to these islands, but they call the fruit "Kiwifruit" . . . and may get offended if you confuse the people with the fruit!

From Middle-earth to the Earth's Middle

Shelly about to descend 11 stories
deep into the earth

In the same 24 hour period, we saw Hobbiton, in Middle-earth and also descended to the Middle of the Earth on a great adventure underground!  We had heard much about the Black Water Rafting Adventure . . . abseiling (rappelling) down into a cave, then floating and walking along a dark, cold, underground river in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand.  We simply had to do it.  So with 6 other adventurers and three guides, we went out for our adventure.  First, we put on thick wet suits, helmets, and special shoes.  Then, a harness attached to ropes around our middle, and it was off to the caves!  At various points, we waded up to neck deep in cold clear water, and at one point, we floated through the underground river in absolute darkness on inner tubes on our backs looking at phosphorescent glow worms hanging from the ceiling. We climbed up waterfalls, crawled through narrow passageways, and ziplined through a dark cave.   It was a great afternoon spent underground, and we were glad to see daylight at the end!

Hopping into the water on inner tubes

David going to squeeze into the cave
through that little hole below

Another climber ready to descend

In the cave, climbing on our bellies
through holes with rushing water

That's COLD water!

Resting under the earth

A group photo of the 8 cave divers

Emerging back to daylight!

Group photo above ground

Native Maori Culture Show

We went to an evening event to learn about the native Maori culture in New Zealand.  This group is attempting to keep alive their old traditions.  We saw a war dance, games, skill training, cooking demonstration, singing, dances, and crafts.  It was a very interesting evening, topped off by a big traditional dinner.  Part of the men's war dance is making faces with eyes bugged out and tongue sticking out.  Here are some pictures:

Women demonstrating technique

Shelly practicing swinging ball technique

Ready to dance

Getting ready for the "haka" war dance

Demonstrations of skill tossing and catching

Morning on a New Zealand Sheep Farm

We stayed at Graham and Margaret's bed and breakfast on a sheep farm, and were enchanted by the experience of the dawning day in New Zealand.  Baaaaa. Baaaaaaa. Baaaaaeautiful.

Hobbits' Homes: Our Voyage to Middle Earth

A month ago, we saw the newly released movie The Hobbit---a delightful picture of life in Tolkein's "Middle Earth"---the domain of wizards and spells and big creatures and little people. Filmed in New Zealand, the movie featured beautiful scenery, soaring mountains, and a bucolic little place called Hobbiton, with the round-doored Hobbit homes.  We visited Hobbiton this week, and were charmed by the cuteness of The Shire.  Here are some pictures: