Friday, October 3rd.  Well, the sunny days seem to be over.  We wake to dark clouds.  But it does look promising. Looks aren't always reality.

Pretty leisurely this morning.  Mid-morning we gather at a Maori Episcopal church in nearby Putiki, one of the oldest settlements in Wanganui.  Our guide, Huia, is a very entertaining ex-teacher.  We meet first in the social hall for... wait for it... tea/coffee and sweets.  This seems to be a requirement in New Zealand, or at least in Wanganui.  Huia tells us about the area - the church, the Marae (meeting house).  We will see the church, but unfortunately, the Marae is booked so we can't go in.

After the mid-morning goodies we repair to the church next door.  The looks now turn into reality as rain starts accompanied by strong winds.  We are all glad that it decided to do this today when we'll be inside rather than yesterday on the river.

 The church is quite simple on the outside - just a frame structure with a steel roof.  Inside, though, it is literally covered wall to wall, ceiling to floor, with Maori designs.  Carved wooden panels with the classic Maori faces, and patterned panels of rattan-like material.   The patterns convey different facets of Maori life and beliefs.  The result is simple, humanistic, and just incredible.  Huia explains each in turn, giving their meaning and their construction.  As before, she is animated and loads the talk with humor.  Meanwhile, the wind howls outside and heavy rain pelts the roof.  Now, besides Huia's talk, the rain keeps us glued to our seats.  Sadly, we can't take pictures.  But Huia allows one each.  And Joy cheats just a little.














Home again, in between rain storms.  A little later we do a town tour with Sue our hostess.  One interesting side event was to take a 95-year-old  elevator down from a hilltop to the lower area next to the river.  The whole thing, except the top, of course, is in the ground.  At the bottom, a very long tunnel leads out to the roadway beyond.

The final visit is to city hall to view the stained glass panels in the council chambers.  The council receptionist enthusiastically describes each panel and the history of the panels.  Each depicts an aspect of the Wanganui region.

Some relax time and now it's time for our farewell dinner.  As has become usual, the dark clouds gather with a threat of rain.  But we'll be inside, so who cares?  Dinner is at a nearby hotel.  We fill the dining room edge to edge.  After dinner, we are serenaded by the Wanganui Ukelele Orchestra - about a dozen people, with a mix of different types of ukeleles.  No, this was not the Arthur Godfrey (for those who can remember him!) type of simple strumming.  They are amazingly good - and had a broad range of music.

Included at the end were some Friendship Force ambassadors entertaining us, including our three ladies from Taiwan. We ended the day with our thanks to our great friends from Wanganui.