On our last evening in Rotarua, we went on a cultural evening to the Mitai Maori village, to experience a Maori concert and Hangi – their traditional feast of meats, veg & puds all cooked in a huge pit on hot stones with lots of steam.
Imagine my surprise when, on being asked for one of the assembled throng to put themselves forward to be in charge for the night – Rick volunteered to be KING of us visitors!!!
OMG!
He then had to be trained in how to make a suitable speech to the Maori Chief he would be meeting, and more importantly, how not to upset him! Apparently, on a previous evening last year, a visiting rugby team had not treated the whole cultural experience with due respect, and on meeting the Chief, and lauging at the ceremony, the King of the night was treated to a head-butt and suffered a broken nose! Arghh!
King Rick, duly primed, (and me as first lady) then led the whole evening down to the water to see the Maori canoe full of scantily clad warriers, (oh YES!) then, once we were all seated, King R met and passed muster with the Chief, made an extremely good speech on behalf of all us visitors, then sat in pole position to watch the dancing and scary Hakka – their extremely realistic war dance.
After that, we had lovely grub – steam/stone roast chicken & lamb with stuffings, sweet potatoes, lots of veggies & salads & several puds.
And to round off the evening, a walk down by their river to see local glow-worms “doing their thing”
Thankfully, Rick was told he could only be king for a day, so any delusions of grandeur are now back in the box!
Hahahahaha - that is awesome!!!A King indeed! I wish you had a camcorder - I want to hear the speach... thank goodness it was good enough so that he didn't get a broken nose :)
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