Checked in to Top 10 and they have thermal mineral spas! So that's what we did: alternating between the 38 and 40 degrees pool a few times, the last of which to wait for the girls who left to shower first. No 7-minute limit on the hot shower but the girls still made it out in reasonable timing before we got cooked. Honestly, this 4-plus star holiday park was so much better than the previous 5-star one.
Showered and went into town for dinner cos one of the restaurants was recommended. So we arrived at Pig and Whistle Bar, and the menu was so appealing, Hanni ordered two additional sides on top of the 4 main dishes we've ordered to share. When the main dishes came first with humongous portions, she immediately regretted her decisions (while we got slightly pissed). So after some stuffing, we manage to finish the mains and left out all the carbs and left for a not-so-pleasant night full of burps and almost-vomit (and an uncomfortable night having to wake up to take my Gaviscon before the indigestion kills me).
Back home
Is really looks quite nice la I must say
And didn't help that they all came in huge ass portions...
But all was pretty well by the time I woke up; we even found the motivation to run! So ran around the park beside our accommodation where we found foot thermal spas, and most importantly, a Saturday market! And guess which day this is? Really fated. So we decided to finish our run at our accom and grab our wallets to jog back to the market. Alas, Hanni fell while we were running back and we had to mend her wounds while we were back after the girls showered.
Did some statics and then we walk back to the Saturday market and all the food were so nice! The sausage, the fresh steak simply wrapped in white bread, the paiu (some shell seafood chowder), the fresh strawberry ice cream, the kebabs, the Chinese fried dumplings and fried bun by the local Chinese, and most impressive of them all, the Japanese stall! Ramen was much needed, beef curry don was nicer than many Singapore restaurants, matcha pudding was nice and interesting, but most surprisingly, the matcha latte was so good, even I myself couldn't resist and got a second cup. The run was made worth it for this discovery (despite the fall)!
A mostly local affair. Non-touristy means more authenticity!
Can't help but get fat
Always a time for ice cream, even when you're in thick jackets
An overly satisfying brunch later, we left for Rainbow Spring! Saw many local flora and fauna, most interesting was the Kiwi, wagging its tail and hopping around in its enclosure. But the most fun of all was the Big Splash, similar to the one we have in USS but the girls were so impressed by the drop towards the end that we went for a second round. (Most are video so just some photos here to proof that we were really there. Lol)
I'll run if this Kiwi comes to life
Silver fern upon its crest
Spot the Kiwi ('s nose). Haha
Ok this one slightly easier haha
Only unpleasant incident was witnessing this PRC Uncle spitting into one of the animal enclosure, not once but twice. Ms Blur got so angry she almost said something HAHA. But really pissing how uncivilised these rich Chinese really are.
Shopping time after that mainly to get our water supplies; accidentally bought the water fountain version when we saw that it's $9.90 for 15L and got abit too excited. Good thing they have a closing tab nonetheless. Borrowed the Two Towers finally, cleared our waste and waste water, and watched about half an hour before we our pick up to the Maori visit came.
Went over to the Mitai village, where they showed us how the indigenous greeted visitors in the past, some of their local culture/weaponry, their Haka (of course! And it's a similar version as the one we learnt in army as my platoon's war cry), and most importantly, their Hangi feast, which was cooked under the ground for three hours! Really tasty meat I must say.
Here we are!
Preparation of the Hangi feast
Row row row your boat. That's their way of welcoming their guest: coming right to the door step to chant their war cry!
Hosted by their handsome Chef who introduced their lives and culture before and after the signing of the Treaty; also, some dance and performances!
After dinner was a short jungle walk showing us the Maori way of life, their scared spring, as well as the glow worms in the village.
Nothing holy about this spring from this photo but it was filled with glowworms and the water was really clear!
Intended to go back to the Kiwi encounter after dinner to see more kiwis who are nocturnal, but decided against it after a bottle of white wine at the dinner. And may I remind you, it was buffet style. So headed back and couldn't last more than half an hour through the LOTR and it was an early night...
Woke up the next morning to prepare some breakfast; cleared up and decided to book our activities the next day in advance for the Britz discount. In the end, the booking took us a good hour! At least we got that settled...
