We toured Waimangu Volcanic Valley and learned more about the geothermal activity that occurs in New Zealand. On the tour, we learned that the eruptions were so devastating that they wiped all signs of life and turned it into a wasteland. While not all of it is natural, it is a unique experience being able to see all of the life that has recovered from the eruption.
Afterwards we went to Te Pā Tū. Our experience started on the bus ride where we learned several Maori words to get us through the greeting. It is unique that they have the ability to continue learning and preserving their culture through tourism and immersing people like us into the culture.
In between, Jordan and I went to Jade Mountain and bought necklaces. This one here is called Koru (spiral) and symbolizes new beginnings.
They told us that their jade is sourced mostly nearby from countries like: China, Indonesia, and locally. Instead of mining for jade, they let the pressure from below push the jade upwards so that they only take what they receive instead of what they want. Another form of jade they have is black jade which is more iron rich. There are other shapes that symbolize different things from luck to prosperity.
