Where's that Sauna....

Finished the shower, got some dinner, met some of the others staying at the hostel. Told them I was about to go in the Sauna for a bit and a few of them said they would join me. So we went in our separate ways to get the proper gear and then met up on the way down. We probably spent about 30 minutes in there with a few breaks in between just because those rooms get so damn hot and it was pretty cool outside so all we did was crack the door open for a few minutes and let some steam out, some cool air in, and we were all good. But like I said, 30 minutes was all that we could muster out of ourselves so after that we hoped out and called it a night for that. But while we were in there, we talked about some rope swing that was at the hostel and the glow worms that were around the area. So we all agreed that we were going to go on a mission to find both! (continue reading…)

Raglan Beach

And the bad part about it was that the battery for my camera was almost dead so I didn’t get any good pictures! I did mange to snap off a few hoping they would come out and by the looks of my camera, two of them came out from the beach. But what was cool about this place was that it had big cool ass beach that apparently was ‘the’ surf spot in New Zealand. I remember hearing that two big time circuit surfers own houses in this area which to the local Kiwis meant it was a hot spot for surfing.

I must admit, the beach that was in front of my was long and looked like it had some definite surf potential. So while I was standing at the top looking down, I decided.. “You know what Tim, you’re from California, you snowboard, wakeboard, play hockey, softball, all that good stuff… But the one thing you don’t do is SURF!” So right then at the moment I decided to take a surf lesson and try this thing out! I found a local place that did lessons, signed myself up, and was soon headed to a back room where all the pre-training goes on. (continue reading…)

Don't take my eyes away!!

That was the most important element of the night I had to remember during my Cultural Experience with some local Maori’s in Maketu. It’s an important tradition and ceremonial welcoming when a new tribe comes to a different village to visit. What needs to first happen is the oldest person in the group, tribe, usually the chief walks into the hut followed by his tribe. The chief is met by a fierce warrior who challenges him, but not a challenge to a fight. It’s more of a respect thing. The chief must remain still, in place, and keep constant eye contact with the warrior during the initial greeting. If the chief is to take his eyes away it is considered a big insult and at that time, the warrior can chose to either wound or kill the chief for this insolence. I was told that sometimes the performers thwack the new commer on the head for not respecting their ways… And by the looks of the spear he was holding, there was no way I was breaking eye contact!

So after we walk in, this warrior charges at me, weapon in hand and swinging! He gets about two feet away from me, stops and swings the spear within inches from my skull. (picture one of those Kung-Fu movies where the masters swing is so hard and fast it blows out candles) I felt the wind from the motion go across my head and what little hair I normally have. (continue reading…)