New Zealand
Itinerary
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An Evening with Drunvalo
Interview
A new audio interview with Drunvalo Melchizedek about the Spiritual Journey to New Zealand.
Journey to Aotearoa *
Land of the Ever Shining Light
With Drunvalo Melchizedek
New Zealand
February 9–22, 2007
Itinerary
· This Itinerary is subject to change ~ Please be flexible.
· February 8 (pre day) For those of you travelling from Europe or other far-away countries, we highly recommend arriving on this day so you have a complete day of rest before the trip begins. Fly into Auckland airport. Please let us know and we will reserve a hotel room for you in advance. (additional room costs apply)
HAERE MAI!
9 February (Day 1)
International tour members arrive into Auckland on this day. A taxi or shuttle bus (approx. $NZ 15) is available from the airport to take you to the Barry Court Hotel for a rest before the start of the tour tomorrow. We will meet with the group during the early evening for greetings and introductions and share a group evening meal together. (Group evening meal provided, other meals on your own.) DRUNVALO HOSTS A 1.5 HOUR PUBLIC TALK THIS EVENING.
10 February (Day 2)
After breakfast and a brief orientation we will meet Ruth and Hirini our Maori guides for the next 4 days, and be welcomed at Maungakiekie. We will travel by ferry to Waiheke Island (35 minutes) for lunch and an afternoon workshop. In the early evening friends on Waiheke have invited us to a Kiwi welcome and sharing of island cuisine and song at the Lewenz estate www.aroha.org. We will return to the mainland on the late ferry and stay at Barrycourt Hotel for the night. (All meals provided.)
In Ruth's words:
Today will be a day of welcome. Pohiri or Powhiri is how Maori welcome their visitors on special occasions. Po means night or dark - a metaphor for invisible, unseen, unknown. Hiri describes rising energy. Whiri is to weave. The pohiri helps open up the invisible so that the unknown becomes known. It paves the way for unity and friendship by weaving the lineage of all life from celestial to terrestrial. We begin on Maungakiekie where you will experience the welcome of the Mountains. www.waiheke.co.nz. You will have time to relax and unwind as we journey across the waters to this beautiful island. Upon arrival we will travel to our next welcome by the Sacred Eyes of the Mokopuna, who help us remember that we are a blueprint of the source."
11 February (Day 3)
After breakfast we will journey North (approximately 3.5 hour drive) to Waipoua Forest for a Haka ceremony at Tane Mahuta. Here we will meet with the Waitaha people. (Breakfast and supper provided. Lunch stop en route, pay yourself.)
Ruth's description:
"Wai - Means water, song, spirit. Wai is said to be the holder of all memory. Waipoua forest is home to Tane Mahuta New Zealand's oldest Kauri tree a majestic giant standing sentinel. Here Hirini and Ruth will share the energy of Haka For Life (Maori Haka teaching) inviting the group to Haka with Tane Mahuta. We will then journey a little further to one of two possible "Marae" to be with the Waitaha people who live in this region. We will overnight with them. A Marae is the courtyard or plaza of a meeting complex where Maori assemble for events from extended family gatherings to larger tribal gatherings."
12 February (Day 4)
After breakfast and a Marae farewell, we journey to Cape Reinga returning via Mangonui and Kerikeri to Pahia. We will also hope to visit Spirit Bay with Ruth and Hirini. These are ancient and sacred Maori Lands steep in tradition and spiritual grace. We stay at Haruru Falls near Waitangi for the next 2 nights. (Breakfast and supper provided. Lunch en route, pay yourself.)
13 February (Day 5)
First thing in the morning we swim with the dolphins in the Bay of Islands just out of Paihia. The dolphins here are well known for their energetic playfulness. After lunch we visit Waitangi Treaty House and Grounds where the Maori and colonial leaders met to sign a peace treaty in 1840. We lodge at Haruru Falls again this night. (Breakfast and supper provided. Lunch in Paihia or Russell, pay yourself.)
14 February (Day 6)
Saint Valentine's Day Following breakfast we will head for Auckland, where we farewell Ruth and Hirini, welcome our guide Tim Lynch, and travel on to Mana Retreat in the Coromandel for dinner. This will be our accommodation for the next two nights. Mana Retreat is a beautiful tranquil place ideal for reflection and group meditation. (All meals whilst at Mana will be provided with love and much mana by the purely vegetarian kitchen.)
15 February (Day 7)
After breakfast we will take an excursion around the Coromandel Peninsula with a wonderful picnic lunch provided. This will be a lovely day in nature, kauri forest, golden beaches, scenic coastlines, with time to reflect and meditate. (All meals provided, vegetarian only.)
16 February (Day 8)
After a delicious and wholesome breakfast we drive a short distance to spend some magical time in the company of Mike O'Donnell known throughout this land simply as "The Waterman". Mike O'Donnell, a Kiwi of Irish descent, is a soulful wisdom carrier. He is a poet, potter, conservationist and very lively character; he will host us at his property and regale us with stories and living myths about this land, life and liberty. After a shared lunch and a wonderful afternoon with tears of mirth and magic in our eyes we will travel the short distance (1.5 hours) to our lodging for the next two nights at Four Canoes Lodge in Rotorua, the heart of contemporary Maoridom. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.)
17 February (Day 9)
We will have plenty of time to wander the streets of Rotorua, visit the eerie lakes and thermal pools and spend the afternoon in the beautiful gardens and geysers of Te Puia and the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre. Visit to the village buried by a volcanic eruption at Lake Tarwera. We take our night's rest again at Four Canoes Lodge in Rotorua. (Breakfast and dinner provided. Lunch in Rotorua, pay yourself.)
18 February (Day 10)
We hit the road fairly early stopping for a dip into Kerosene Creek. Today's journey takes us through Tongariro National park, home of three majestic and sacred volcanoes. We spend the night near Mount Ruapehu and Ngaruhoe, the latter used in the film "Lord of the Rings" as Mount Doom. . . Hobbits beware! Lodging at Skotel Lodge. (Breakfast provided. Lunch and dinner en route, pay yourself.)
19 February (Day 11)
We travel the short distance to Lake Taupo, enjoying the hot springs at De Brett's, and visiting Huka Falls on the way. We will check into one of New Zealand's oldest retreat centres, the Tauhara Centre, our home and meal source (fully catered mostly organic cuisine) for our final three nights in New Zealand. (All meals provided, vegetarian.)
20 February (Day 12)
After breakfast, we will visit some sacred sites in this region, rich with ancient culture, history and wisdom. We will enjoy a picnic near one of these places, and in the afternoon, on our return, visit the thermal wonderland of Orakei Korako. The evening will be spent in korero (circle sharing) and storytelling. (All meals provided, vegetarian with some meat at dinner.)
21 February (Day 13)
After breakfast, our guide will lead us to several other inspiring sacred sites in the Lake Taupo region and again we will picnic nearby one of these. We'll also enjoy a late afternoon immersion in Taupo Hot Spings, on our way back to Tauhara. After dinner there will be plenty of storytelling and a final magical immersion into the hot stream and waterfall at Hell's Gate, for the adventurous. (All meals provided, vegetarian with some meat at dinner.)
22 February (Day 14)
A fond farewell after an early rise to make the three-hour drive to Auckland airport for lunchtime take offs. (Breakfast provided)
HAERE RA!
* Aeoteroa is the Maori name for the land recent settlers have called New Zealand. The sounds described by English letters have the following meaning in the Maori language "Ao" means universal light and "te" is the, "a" means of and "roa" everlasting. Therefore the Maori who lived on this land for long before European settlers called their land EVERLASTING UNIVERSAL LIGHT.
