Our morning started with the usual lazy start but with the bonus of a “proper” shower provided by Kohutapu Lodge.
Our host, Nadene (Nades) met with Tiina last night and promised to look into a guided tour; true to her word, around 10am we were greeted by the smile of Heme who was to be our guide for the day.
What a super-interesting character who is a local boy from just down the road and a deep passion and knowledge of the forest, Maori culture and a superb style in delivery of folklore, history, and the way that the Mother forest looks after the people.
I was deeply touched by the day an left with a reaffirmation of my connection with the soul of New Zealand
We began the tour with a call into the local Murupara bakehouse to pick up provisions for our trip
All stocked up headed off into the deep and ancient Whirinaki forest to begin our tour.
Heme’s opening prayer to introduce Mother Forest to us and us to her set the scene for the remainder of the tour. We were amazed at the insights into the use of native plants for medicine and were humbled by the age of some of the trees – we are a speck in the lifetime of these living treasures – what they have seen in their many, many hundreds of years is just mind blowing.
Thank you Heme for sharing your knowledge, history and way of life.
In the late afternoon we continued to Rotorua and parked up outside the Polynesian Spa freedom camping spot. After a quick pool visit to warm up (the forest was freezing!) we headed out into town in search for dinner and returned with our bellies full after a nice visit to the Pig and Whistle. Another great day behind us.
Mal and Tiina 