Politically incorrect rugby and more

Whilst I haven't been blogging we have been doing some stuff. 

1st September, Katja and I, ventured to Te Akau Complex to watch a game of rugby.  Mal had to stay home as Alice had got chicken pox (ended up having the next week off school).

The game is the legendary Pakeha v's Maori game.  We have managed to watch every year since being out here, barr one.  It is a good opportunity to catch up socially with the locals.  This was Katja's first game of rugby so she got a snapshot of the rules in the car on the way there.

We managed to get a prime seat, initally in the sun, but as the game went on, and the wind changed direction it got decidedly cooler. 

Te Akau Rugby sports a team in the 2nd division of Waikato Rugby and are made up of locals to Te Akau and some further afield.  Check out their facebook site ttp://www.facebook.com/TeAkauRugby

Apparently the majority of this years Maori team were made up of the Te Akau Rugby team, whilst the Pakeha had more 'ring-ins'.  I also thought from watching the game, that the fitness was a little better on the Maori side.  It was enjoyable afternoon mixing and mingling and watching rugby and whilst the day turned cool, it wasn't raining!  Enjoy some photos taken by Katja of the game and final score ...

Break down after scrumb

Lineout - Maori throw

Lineout - Pakeha 8 missed the ball

Final score

The following weekend we decided to head to Wai-o-tapu (http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/) near Rotorua, so that Katja and Alice could experience the geyser, mud pools and thermal area.  On the 2.5 hour drive over we thought the weather might not be too kind to us, but we were lucky with our time at Wai-o-tapu but not later in the day.  We got there in time to see Lady Knox Geyser. 

We then spend near the next 3 hours walking around and seeing the sights.  We walked all the tracks and saw all the sights.  Alice was a little ho - hum about what she saw but enjoyed the open air and lunch of course!

Lady Knox Geyser

Devil pools - although small, Katja, Alice and Mal are on viewing platform

Champagne Pool

Alice posing - view we basically had for our lunch break

Lunch stop - kindly taken by our new Swiss friend

Crater

Edge of Champagne pool - colour more vibrant than photo and lots of steam

Devil's bath - photo doesn't do colour justice - a very bright fluro green/yellow

We stopped at the mud pools for a quick look as we left, but discovered taking photos of mud popping into the air was quite a hard thing to achieve.  We then headed back to Rotoura (http://www.rotoruanz.com/).  We had a look around the lake edge, government gardens, tudor bathhouse (http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/thermal-pools-and-spas/2/5) and walked into town for a much needed coffee at Fat Dog Cafe http://www.fatdogcafe.co.nz/), which helped wash down our shared carrot cake.

Feeling a bit more replenished we headed off to relax a little at the Blue Baths (http://www.historic-venues.co.nz/) before heading home.  It certainly wasn't over crowded and was certainly relaxing.  We joined 2 others who were having a soak in the combination of 29 degree large main pool, with two hot pools at 38 and 41 degrees respectively.  The open air and slight drizzle did not dampen our experience.  Inside, Coke Cola was preparing for their awards evening, so we even had live music!

Refreshed and relaxed we headed home, with dinner being at Poppas, Ngaruawahia, where we were treated to a generous meal.