Our accommodations at the Ramada Resort Rotorua Marama (http://www.wyndhamap.com/wps/wcm/connect/Wyndham/home/Resorts/New_Zealand/Nth-Island/Rotorua) were really nice. Beautiful, super clean, and comfortable.

Harry is not only almost taller than his father, he will also occasionally beat him at chess!

The Redwoods-

Whakarewarewa Forest
It was the reputation of this timber, used widely for general building purposes that led to the planting of the Redwood Grove in Rotorua in 1901. The results of the planting were mixed – of the original 12 hectares, only six hectares survives today. This did not deter planters, and around 4000 hectares overall were planted throughout New Zealand in the 1920s and 1940s. Approximately one percent of those plantings remain.
The largest Redwood in Whakarewarewa is approximately 72 metres tall and 169 centimetres in diameter. In its natural habitat of California, these Redwoods grow as tall as 110 metres and the average lifespan is 600 years. However, they can survive for over 2000 years.
https://redwoods.co.nz/about/californian-redwood/

We loved our hike in this incredible park. With a little elevation, the redwoods gave way to a more tropical/prehistoric environment complete with huge ferns and sulfurous pools of water. The boys had fun pretending they were discovering dinosaur and King Kong tracks in the mud.

Lunching like a kiwi...

Steak and onion meat pie and an L&P soda!

No trip to NZ would be complete without learning about the indigenous Maori people. Our traditional hangi dinner and cultural experience at Mitai Maori village was really great! (http://mitai.co.nz) Our Emcee for the evening was very entertaining. Our fellow guests for the evening were from all over the globe; Spain, Italy, Australia, England, Scotland, South Africa, US, Israel, and others I can't remember. The host was able to say a few things in every language represented in the room EXCEPT Israeli! The formal program began by watching the tribal warriors arrive in canoes, very impressive!

Next came a cultural presentation/show with lots of demonstrations and singing. The performers were all proud decedents of the local Maori tribe and everything was very authentic and enlightening.

After stuffing ourselves with all the delicious food, we finished the evening with a night bush walk to the tribes freshwater spring. Carrying small flashlights, we passed some traditional Maori houses, pantries, and fences. In the dark we saw the glow worms along the path and surrounding the fresh-water pool that give the area it's name of Fairy Springs. It's easy to imagine how the glow worms were assumed to be fairies living in the forest. It was a really magical experience!

Ever heard of Zorbing? Neither had we. Turns out it's super fun!

The next day was really full. Te Puia in the morning and Hobbiton in the evening.

Te Puia- Maori cultural Center and geothermal wonders

Pōhutu (‘poor-hoo-too’) is the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. She erupts once or twice every hour and sometimes reaches heights of 30 metres (100 feet). Pōhutu means ‘constant splashing’ in Māori.

Bubbling mud pools!

And pools of naturally boiling water!

What's that smell!

We had a great time at the park. However, there were a few too many fart jokes from the boys if you ask me.

Anyone who knows me (Michelle) knows this sort of thing is right up my alley. The boys have started getting into the movies and have favorite characters picked out. Dave, bless him, was surprisingly patient throughout the whole thing.

The country is beautiful with its rolling green hills dotted with sheep, hedges and incredible trees.

The main part of Hobbiton consists of a more permanent reproduction of the set they used when filming most of the outdoor shot of the Shire in the Lord of The Rings movies. It is meticulously and lovingly rendered and maintained. LOTR fans will not be disappointed! Our guide for the evening was a local kiwi who was involved in the actual LOTR production crew. He had amazing stories about the incredible amount of work that went into even small details that may have been on screen for only a few seconds. We were allowed plenty of time to explore and Danny even got to reenact the scene where Bilbo runs through the Shire at the beginning of his adventure!