In the romance of Hinemoa, the warrior Tutanekai played music on his flute on his island of Mokoia. His music was heard by the beautiful noble-born Hinemoa, sitting on the shore of Lake Rotorua, at her home in Ōwhata. When the two finally met and fell in love, they vowed to be together, but Hinemoa's father did not approve.
Every night, Tutanekai played his flute, and one night, Hinemoa strung together six dry gourds as floats, and swam across the lake to the island, where she refreshed herself at the Waikimihia hot spring. "At that moment, Tutanekai ordered his servant down to the pool for some water. He returned with the news that a young maiden was waiting there. Tutanekai rushed down to the pool and to his joy found Hinemoa." As in all good stories, the two lived happily ever after. (Moatrek.com)
A few miles up the eastern side of Lake Rotorua, our next Interfaith Roundtable was to be held, at Ma Kalaadevi's house on Iri Irikapua Parade off of Hinemoa Point Road in Ōwhata.
One of the interesting harakeke wall hangings in the house
Ma Kalaadevi is pleased that her house was designed by a woman
Elder Rooks, himself a builder, wasn't sure about the house, but I thought it was interesting, inside and out.
Ma Kalaadevi greeting us all. This time there were half the original group, which made for a better chance at conversation.
She had copies of the Rotorua Post newspaper article for us, including the picture of Elder Rooks conversing with the tall Sikh
Another wall hanging
This is Henry van Twuiver, president of the Rotorua North Rotary Club, and an international philanthropist. He is Dutch and ran several programs for youth while living in Europe. He owns several buildings in the downtown Rotorua district, and offered them as meeting places for our collaborative youth project. Then he had to rush off to catch a plane to Cambodia.
The sunroom, with vegan refreshments
Nadia and Jasmin, Maori Wairau (alcohol addiction) practitioners, have been working with gang members in Rotorua, using a faith-based approach.
Elder Rooks in the sunroom after the meeting.
(For some reason the aspect ratio of my photos changed.)
Mokoia Island from Ma's patio
It was cloudy and windy but the view was beautiful. Another meeting will be planned when Henry gets back from Cambodia
During transfers last week, our two Fairy Springs sister missionaries arrived: brand new Sister Manning from Utah on the left, and trainer Sister Call, from Guam, on the right
They are already proving to be a wonderful asset in Rotorua
Sister Middledorf from Nebraska is replacing Sister Nessen, who returned home. Sister Sorenson has already whisked her off to meet the branch members in Murupara. They will love her.
Elder Mouritsen, an Idaho neighbor from Mountain Home, replaces Elder Ruediger
We took a walk to the Ahu Clothing boutique, as recommended by our friend Karla. On the way we passed a very busy geothermal footbath. It is getting toward the end of the tourist season, which we don't mind at all.
The second geothermal footbath was also full of tourists.
While in town, we were greeted in the street by Elder Karaitiani taking Elder Mourtisen on a driving tour of Rotorua; by George, an employee of the Rotorua Visitor's Centre recently moved from Tauranga, who told us he was a member of our faith (we told him when church started on Sunday and where the building was); this man above, Aubrey, who told us his story of coming to Rotorua to visit his daughter and having to stay several months for medical reasons, and that he was also a member of our church (we told him when church started on Sunday and where the building was); and the girl at the cash register of the Ahu Boutique, who asked if we were senior missionaries. She told us her flatmate was now serving as a missionary in Hamilton.
This is what happens when you are senior missionaries and you go for a walk.
We sat down and saw this magnificent black willow. Black willows like swampy places, of which there are many around here.
We always pass this tree, which looks feathery but has long segmented needles, like horsetail, equisetum. It is in fact called Australian pine or she-oak, although it is neither a pine nor an oak. It is casuarina equisetifolia.
The intersection of Lake Road and Tarewa, the road we live on
The gray linen house jacket designed by a local Rotoruan that I got at the Ahu boutique, to keep me warm on chilly mornings. It was on 30% off sale, too.
I kept seeing Weet-Bix in the stores and finally bought some. It is "NZ's No. 1 Breakfast Cereal," wheat-based and rather tasteless.
It looks like pressboard wood that has been left out in the rain too long. It is light, unsweetened, flaky and crunchy, and seems to be what takes the place of graham crackers in recipes here, usually as the base layer of "slices," traybakes or anything baked in a pan and cut in squares. I found a few recipes I'm going to try.
On Monday night we were invited to a ward activity which included the elders and sister missionaries of the Fairy Springs Ward
Our hostess, who loves having people get together in her rambling house
Friends and children at the activity. You can see Elder Hubbard and Elder Wiseman in the mirror.
We also visited Janet, a member of our Family Home Evening group who injured her Achilles' tendon and was briefly in the hospital. She is mending a lot faster than Elder Rooks.
And we visited Mere, who wears herself out taking care of everyone else. She asked Elder Rooks for a blessing, which he gave her. She was able to return to the Hamilton Temple, where she loves to serve each weekend.
Pretty clouds
More clouds
Elder Rooks let me know we now have a new pukeko in the yard, this time a young female who still has the black beak of a not-quite-adult bird. She seems to be the object of Mr. Pukeko's affection and has moved into the yard with him.
We like her better than the last female, who made so much squawking noise and chased Mr. Pukeko around in romantic desperation. We haven't heard this one even make a peep.
Mr. Pukeko, after dumping his last lady-love, is checking up on his new one, in what will likely be a more lasting relationship.
