VOLCANO EXPLODED in New Zealand 🇳🇿 and BURIED a VILLAGE near Rotorua | 197 Countries of the World

Join us on tour around the Buried Village in Rotorua, New Zealand.

We were so excited to visit this magical place that once was known as the home of the White and Pink Terraces of New Zealand.

Before heading out though, we started preparations for dinner with our dear friends Malcolm and Jenny. We met this sweet couple through the Home Exchange website when we first arrived at Lake Rotoiti and little did we know we would be spending so many unforgettable moments together. For this special occasion, the girls made a delicious white chocolate cheesecake and a Shepherd's Pie. It was our turn to show our hospitality!

Next, we hopped in the car and started heading towards Mount Tarawera and the Buried Village. https://www.buriedvillage.co.nz/ Needless to say, the scenery in this region is breathtaking. We drove along the beautiful Blue Lake, too, which is a famous picnic and recreation spot.

We were also thrilled because we had just been contacted by the BBC Travel Channel that wanted to interview us for their travel show. How exciting is that?!

The Buried Village reminded us of Pompeii in Italy and was built alongside the White and Pink Terraces for tourists who came to see what was known as the 8th wonder of the world. It existed until the eruption of Mt. Tarawera in 1886, when it was practically buried under ash, rocks, and lava - hence the name.

The eruption of the volcano sank the terraces under the lake, and until recently, they were thought lost and destroyed. However, a team of researchers and divers mapping the lake’s floor rediscovered parts of the Pink Terraces in 2011.

Our fantastic tour guide Theresa showed us a map of how the region looked before the eruption of Mt. Tarawera took place and explained the two lakes, Rotorua and Rotoiti.

We also learned about the Duke that spread the word about the Pink and White Terraces and how they became the 8th Wonder of the World.

It was a really nice experience because we went around the whole grounds while Theresa told us about the history and the legends related to the Buried Village.

We also learned about the second Chief of the village, Wi Kepa Te Rangipuawhe who started doing the traditional Haka dance for tourists.

And while the girls were doing a treasure hunt, we were admiring the breathtaking nature that grew out of proportion thanks to the volcanic soil full of nutrients.

Intrigued by the fact that people were saying that the eruption happened a long time ago, Angelique did some fun math. Namely, the building where we live in Switzerland was built 800 years ago, while the eruption took place 660 years later, in 1886. So, how long is a long time ago? Crazy, right?

Driving back home, we decided to stop at a lookout point that oversees both the Blue and the Green Lakes. The Green Lake (Lake Rotokakahi) is privately owned by a local Maori iwi and considered tapu or sacred. Everyone who wants to hike or swim should use the Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu) only.

At dinner time, we welcomed our dear guests Malcolm and Jenny who told us that the Pavlova dessert was a national dish of New Zealand that Aussies are trying to claim as theirs. :-)

What do you think, who owns the pavlova? Let us know in the comments if you are Team Kiwi or Team Aussie.

0:00 Expecting Special Guests for Dinner
1:53 On Our Way to the Buried Village
2:10 BBC Travel Channel is Interviewing Us
3:09 How the Buried Village Was Created
3:33 White and Pink Terraces - 8th Wonder of the World
5:20 History and People of the Mount Tarawera Region
6:23 Legend of the Buried Village New Zealand
7:49 Chief Wi Kepa Te Rangipuawhe’s House
8:15 Nature Looks Magical in New Zealand
9:16 Chocolate Gold, Anybody?
9:35 How Long is Long Time Ago?
10:12 The Green and the Blue Lake Rotorua
11:13 Dinner with Malcolm and Jenny

Enjoy the video!

#Rotorua #NewZealand #Volcano
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